INTRODUCTION 

This provides a brief introduction to the geotechnical engineering and other consultancy services that Africonsult International PLC can offer. The staff includes qualified and experienced civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, environmental scientists, geohydrologists, geophysicists and professional engineers who have specialised in ground engineering including hydrology and geohydrology.

Africonsult International PLC has successfully completed a number of geotechnical investigations and foundation recommendations for hundreds of multi-storey buildings, dam sites, reservoirs, bridges, factory buildings, roads and overpasses, telecommunication and high voltage power transmission line routes and high tension tower sites, fuel depots and water reservoir tanks, and much more.

Our firm has office in Addis Ababa, Churchill Avenue, opposite the National theatre, Ethiopian Insurance corporation western main branch office building, 5th floor.  

Our telephone number is +251 (0)116 534 771, +251 (0)911 20 34 91, +251 (0)911 23 80 07,

email:- saihamd@ethionet.et , saihamd2@gmail.com

The categorizations of our services in the sectors we serve now are; mentioned hereunder:

FIELDS OF CIVIL AND GEOTECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Geotechnical Investigations

- Field Investigations

- Soil, Rock & Construction Material Testing

- Engineering Geology & Geo-hazards

- Design & Analysis of Underground Structures

- Numerical Modeling

- Geophysical Surveys

- Underground Excavation & Blast Design

- Project Management & Quality Assurance Services

Extensive experience has been gained in all aspects of geotechnical work throughout Ethiopia. Most members of the company have extensive experience working for international organizations, governments, and private companies in many parts of the world. Projects include commercial, industrial and residential developments such as Dams, airports, bridges, waste disposal sites, high tension overhead power transmission lines, pipelines, railways, roads and communication towers.

Geotechnical investigations have been completed for new roads, and the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing roads that vary from low volume gravel roads to highways. Material investigations are an integral part of the geotechnical work whereby material sources are identified and assessments of material quality and volume are made (supervising drilling, logging core & trial pits, sampling and interpretation of laboratory results).

The identification of problem soils (such as dispersive soils, collapsing sands, heaving and compressible clays) and recommendations for engineering solutions is a significant aspect of any investigation we undertake. Black cotton soil terrain presents constraints for development, which we are able to assess and advise on.

Slope stability analyses form part of many projects such as road and rail embankments, waste disposal dumps and fill slopes. We are able to design slopes and give solutions in the case of potential instabilities or failures.

Africonsult International with its in-house capabilities and in collaboration with home grown local laboratories provides state of the art field and laboratory based services in the area of rock and soil mechanics.

A. Field Investigations

Africonsult has expertise in field studies for rocks & soils like:

⦿ Drilling and Sampling

⦿ Bore Hole Logging

⦿ Field Permeability

⦿ Standard Penetration Test

⦿ Dynamic Cone Penetration Test (DCP)

⦿ California Bearing Ratio

Monitoring of Rock Movements

    Soil

• Gradation Analysis

• Atterberg Limit

• Direct Shear Test

• Uniaxial Compressive Test

• Triaxial Compressive Strength Test

• Consolidation test

• Permeability (Falling and constant head tests)

• Density determinations

• California Bearing Ratio (CBR)

• Proctor Compaction (Standard and modified)

• Swell Pressure & Swelling Index

•chemical testing for the determination of total soluble solids, organic matter, calcium carbonate, cation exchange capacity, pH value and total soluble sulphates

    Intact Rock and Rock Joints 

• Index Properties

• Uniaxial Compressive Test

• Triaxial Compressive Test

• Modulus of Elasticity and Poisson’s Ratio

• Tensile Strength Test

• Point Load Index Test

• Hardness/Toughness Test • Petrographic Analysis

• Direct Shear Test

• Foundation Design & Analysis

    o Shallow foundation

    o Deep foundations

• Slope Stability Problems

• Retaining Walls

• Other Geotechnical Application Areas

    o Liquefaction potential

    o Ground improvement techniques

    o Mechanical Stabilized Earth Wall design & analysis

    o Soil nailing design & analysis

Ground Penetrating Radar Survey & Other Geophysical Services 

Africonsult has the privilege of having highly experienced professionals to provide an entire range of geophysical solutions, including investigations and consultancy for a wide range of civil engineering applications with state-of the- art instrumentation. Africonsult provides a wide range of Geophysical Services:

FIELDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERTISE

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) 

The firm has undertaken a variety of Basic Assessment Reports and Environmental Impact Assessments in terms of Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) procedure and in conjunction with the appropriate government proclamation concerning environmental protection, rehabilitation and mitigation measures.

Other Environmental Capabilities 

There are many aspects to environmental work and, in line with international trends and changes to the country’s law, it is important that standards are maintained across the spectrum. To this end environmental review and auditing are important facets. Our company has experience in these areas of work. We also undertake environmental baselining, scoping and auditing. Audits may include pre acquisition, compliance and waste audits.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS),   can be applied to any sphere of business and demonstrates commitment and adherence to environmental principles. This is of particular significance where potential trading partners and clients require proof of integrity in terms of the environment. We can devise and implement an EMS for all working environments.

Environmental Legislation 

In line with constitutional rights to a healthy environment there is rapid change taking place in legislation. We are keeping abreast of developments and are well informed of recent and impending changes in various Acts and new legislation that impact on the work we carry out.

Waste Management 

Our firm has extensive experience in both landfill investigations and waste management, for both municipal and NGO undertakings.