Geotechnical Investigation
We carry out detailed ground investigations to characterise subsurface conditions for all types of civil engineering projects — buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and embankments. Our investigations combine borehole drilling, trial pitting, sampling, in-situ testing, and comprehensive accredited laboratory analysis.
- Borehole drilling and sampling (disturbed & undisturbed)
- Trial pits and test trenches
- Standard Penetration Testing (SPT)
- Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) testing
- Foundation design recommendations
- Slope stability and settlement analysis
- Subgrade investigation for roads and airfields
- Preliminary site characterisation and feasibility studies
- Integrated geophysical and geotechnical site surveys
Laboratory Testing
Our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory carries out a full range of geotechnical, aggregate, concrete, and cement tests to international standards — supporting site investigation programmes, pavement design, and construction quality control.
Soil Tests
- Atterberg limits (liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index)
- Particle size distribution — sieve analysis & hydrometer
- Standard and Modified Proctor compaction
- California Bearing Ratio (CBR) — soaked and unsoaked
- Direct shear tests (peak and residual shear strength)
- Consolidation / Oedometer tests
- Natural moisture content, bulk density and specific gravity
- Permeability tests
Aggregate Tests
- Sieve analysis — grading and particle size distribution
- Sand equivalent value (SE)
- Los Angeles Abrasion (LAA)
- Water absorption of coarse and fine aggregates
- Flakiness index and elongation index
- 10% Fines Value (TFV) and soundness test
Concrete & Cement Tests
- Compressive strength of concrete cubes (7-day, 28-day)
- Cement consistency, setting times (Vicat needle)
- Cement compressive strength and soundness (Le Chatelier)
- Mix design verification and workability (slump, flow)
Structural Audits
Thorough structural assessments of existing buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and civil structures to evaluate their integrity, safety, and continued serviceability. Our structural audits are invaluable for due diligence reviews, insurance assessments, renovation planning, and regulatory compliance checks.
- Visual and intrusive structural condition surveys
- Concrete testing — Schmidt hammer, carbonation depth, cover measurement
- Rebar detection and concrete scanner surveys
- Crack mapping and structural defect assessment
- Foundation adequacy review and load-bearing capacity evaluation
- Structural audit report with remediation recommendations
- Pre- and post-construction structural monitoring
Borehole Drilling & Development
End-to-end borehole water supply solutions — from hydrogeological desk study through to drilling, development, pump testing, and water quality analysis. Our APAFOR 570 (200m) and KW600 (450m) drilling rigs are capable of drilling in a wide range of geological formations across Rwanda and the region.
- Hydrogeological desk study and site selection
- Geophysical surveys (soil resistivity) for aquifer mapping
- Rotary and percussion borehole drilling to 450m depth
- Borehole development and airlift pumping
- Step drawdown and constant rate pump tests
- Borehole casing, screen installation and completion
- Water quality sampling and analysis (CyberScan PC 650)
- Groundwater contamination evaluation and monitoring
In-Situ Testing & Concrete/Compaction Control
Our field teams carry out in-situ testing to assess the engineering properties of soils directly at the project site, verify earthworks compaction quality during construction, and perform on-site concrete testing for quality assurance.
Earthworks & Compaction Control
- Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) tests
- Membrane densitometer in-situ density testing
- Compaction control testing for roads and embankments
- Field California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
- Trial embankment monitoring and settlement monitoring
On-Site Concrete Testing
- Fresh concrete workability — slump test and flow table
- Concrete cube sampling and casting for strength testing
- Air content and temperature of fresh concrete
- Schmidt rebound hammer on hardened concrete
- Concrete cover measurement and rebar detection
- Carbonation depth testing of existing structures
- Crack width measurement and structural defect survey
Environmental Studies & EIA
Environmental Impact Assessments, baseline surveys, and monitoring programmes required for project approvals in Rwanda — supporting developers, government agencies, and NGOs. We also offer specialist peat characterisation for wetland and energy projects.
- Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
- Environmental baseline studies and monitoring
- Peat survey and characterisation (Russian peat samplers)
- Gross calorific value by bomb calorimetry (Sundy SDC311)
- Proximate analysis: volatile matter, ash content, fixed carbon
- Peat depth surveys, volume estimation and GIS mapping
- Water quality sampling and analysis
- Groundwater contamination evaluation