Complementary services
Drilling
We provide geological-geotechnical exploration services through manual and mechanical drilling with rotary equipment that allows for the recovery of disturbed and undisturbed samples for material characterization, as well as the execution of standard penetration tests (SPT) according to current regulations.
Geophysics
We have specialized equipment and professional staff for conducting geophysical tests to characterize soil and rock profiles using non-invasive surface methods, as well as tests in available drillings. Our tests are carried out with state-of-the-art hardware and software, so the results obtained are comparable to those observed in specialized literature.
For each geophysical test, we propose a specific configuration according to the exploration objective and project requirements, in such a way that the results allow for correlation with geotechnical parameters and the interpretation of geological-geotechnical models of the site of interest. The interpretation of geophysical results analyzed together with direct exploration through drilling allows defining foundation types, as well as depths of embedment of geotechnical elements such as active and passive anchors, piles, walls, screens, and micropiles.
Through MASW type surface wave geophysical tests, it is possible to classify soil profiles according to current NSR-10 regulations (numeral A.2.4.4), and its execution optimizes the number of required drillings in a project because the depth and extent of exploration are generally greater compared to conventional drillings.
At INTEINSA, we have a consolidated geophysics team that selects the geophysical test that best suits the needs of each specific project.
In general, the results of geophysical tests are used in the following civil engineering projects:
- Earth dams, rockfill or roller-compacted concrete dams.
- Roads, highways, tunnels, and pipeline corridors.
- Embankments, dikes, and weirs.
- Mining and open-pit or underground excavations
- Bridges, buildings, and shopping centers
- Landfills and storage areas
We provide the following geophysics services:
- Electrical Resistivity Tomography (Geoelectric)
- Seismic Refraction
- MASW – Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves
- Downhole
The following practices are standardized:
- ASTM D5777, Standard Guide for Using the Seismic Refraction Method for Subsurface Investigation.
- ASTM D7400, Standard Test Method for Downhole Seismic Testing.
- ASTM D6431, Standard Guide for Using the Direct Current Resistivity Method for Subsurface Characterization.
Electrical Resistivity Tomography (Geoelectric)
(ERT) A non-invasive test that generates a 2D and 3D image of the resistivity distribution in the tested area. Its interpretation allows for geological characterization of the site and identification of the water table, as well as detection of cavities.
The resistivity distribution is obtained by injecting current into the subsurface using two electrodes and measuring the potential difference across another pair of electrodes. To generate the tomography, a system capable of using 48 electrodes and varying the location of the current and potential electrodes is used.
Applications:
- Identification of general site geology
- Analysis of two-dimensional stratigraphy
- Correlation with direct tests for geotechnical evaluation
- Identification of the water table level
- Identification of underground cavities
- Contaminant flow in the subsurface
In Colombia, according to Resolution 0938/2019 of the Ministry of Housing, City and Territory, landfill monitoring must include "geoelectric monitoring to detect areas of biogas or leachate accumulation in the mass of waste": Monthly in category IV and semi-annually in category III.
Seismic Refraction
Allows to determine the horizontal and vertical variation of the longitudinal wave (P-waves) propagation velocity in the ground. The interpretation of these propagation velocities allows inferring the stratigraphy and engineering properties of the soils at the test sites.
For this test, geophones are placed at known distances along a line within the ground being studied. The next step is to generate artificial longitudinal waves by striking a sledgehammer against a metal plate located near the geophones. The records from the time of impact of the sledgehammer until the arrival of the seismic waves at the geophones are taken using a seismograph connected to the geophone line and a computer.
Applications:
- Identification of general site geology
- Analysis of two-dimensional stratigraphy
- Correlation with direct tests for geotechnical evaluation
MASW (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves)
Allows for the evaluation of shear wave (S-wave) propagation velocity based on the determination of the dispersion of Rayleigh surface waves and interpretation of the stratigraphy of the explored site along the extent of the geophones.
S-waves are generated on the surface by placing geophones at equal distances along a straight line. The shear waves are generated by striking a sledgehammer or hammer against a metal plate at a certain distance outside the array.
Surface wave analysis mainly consists of three stages: data acquisition, dispersion curve construction, and iterative inversion processing for obtaining the S-wave velocity profile (Park et al. 1999).
Applications:
- Type of soil profile according to the current regulations, NSR-10
- Analysis of two-dimensional stratigraphy
- Studies of local effects
- Correlation with direct tests for geotechnical evaluation
Down Hole
Allows for the determination of the variation of seismic wave propagation velocity in the soil. The interpretation of these velocities allows inferring the stratigraphy and some engineering properties of the soil along the drilling.
One advantage of this test is that it can be performed in a borehole executed during field exploration.
The test is performed by generating a disturbance by striking a sledgehammer against a metal plate, and both the longitudinal wave (P-wave) and the transverse or shear wave (S-wave) generated and traveling through the soil at different depths are measured. With this information, it is possible to calculate the dynamic moduli of the soil profile at low deformations.
Applications:
- Type of soil profile according to the current regulations, NSR-10
- Studies of local effects
- Determination of dynamic soil parameters
- Validation of geological and geotechnical models
- Correlation with direct tests for geotechnical evaluation
Laboratory
In our laboratory, we carry out tests on strength and deformability following mainly the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). We have the capacity to perform the following tests:
- Unconfined compressive strength of cohesive soils (ASTM D2166).
- Consolidated drained direct shear test including the possibility of measuring residual strength (ASTM D3080).
- Consolidated drained triaxial compression test (ASTM D7181).
- Consolidated undrained triaxial compression test (ASTM D4767).
- Unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression test (ASTM D2850).
- One-dimensional consolidation of soils (ASTM D2435).
- Determination of point load strength index (ASTM D5731).
- Indirect tensile strength of intact rock core specimens (ASTM D3967).
- Determination of dispersive characteristics of soils using the crumb test (ASTM D6572).
- Particle size analysis of soils (INVE 213).
- Laboratory determination of water content (moisture) of soils and rocks by mass (INVE 122).
- Liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils (INVE 125 and INVE 126).
- Description and identification of soils by visual and manual means (ASTM D2488).
- Specific gravity of soil solids using a water pycnometer (ASTM D854).
- Soil classification for engineering purposes according to the Unified Soil Classification System (ASTM D2487).
- Unidimensional expansion or collapse of cohesive soils (ASTM D4546)
Our laboratory service for strength and deformability tests has a quality certificate under the ISO 9001 standard. For soil classification tests, we have accreditation under the ISO 17025 standard.
Instrumentation
We are experts in supplying, installing, monitoring, and analyzing instrumentation systems, including automation, applied to different types of projects such as hydroelectric power plants with earth and concrete dams, sanitary landfills, slopes and hillsides with stability issues, excavations, bridges, and buildings, among others.
We differentiate ourselves by our ability to convert data into useful information for decision-making. The interdisciplinarity of our organization allows us to execute complete analyses of the results obtained through the instrumentation systems. We are capable of designing comprehensive monitoring programs, starting with the definition of the objectives of implementing instrumentation systems and even reaching the planning of how corrective or improvement measures of a project should be implemented.
INTEINSA is the representative for Colombia of GEOKON, a world leader in instrumentation systems based on vibrating wire technology. We are able to answer questions related to the selection and performance of Geokon products, the importation and delivery of such products directly to the customer's facilities. We provide repair, maintenance, recalibration and on-site assistance or training services for Geokon products.
Drones and remote sensors
Through the use of remote sensors incorporated into unmanned aircraft, we perform inspections and monitoring of existing works and surveys for infrastructure development projects. We obtain products such as aerial photographs, orthomosaics, terrain elevation models, surface models, coverage analysis, contour maps, point clouds, and 3D models in a short time, from which we carry out studies, designs, work progress control, among others.
Innovation
At INTEINSA, we understand innovation as the creation, adaptation, or adoption of new technologies and methodologies applicable to the prevention and solution of complex engineering problems or organizational processes, in order to generate:
- Project security
- Added value to current customers and potential market
- And competitiveness to the organization
The infrastructure sector has undergone significant transformations in all stages of engineering projects and the interaction among different professionals involved. Similarly, there have been advances in 4.0 technologies with great potential for application in the sector and which have already been widely incorporated and leveraged in other industries.
Infrastructure is characterized by the management of large volumes of critical information, from design to construction and maintenance. In the INTEINSA disciplines, the main challenges are in instrumentation (sensors, telemetry, processing, real-time queries, and alerts), field information management, discipline coordination during design, visualization of terrain, works, and 3D designs, adaptation of BIM methodology to infrastructure projects, automation of activities, design of solutions that allow optimization of infrastructure investments, optimization of expert time, among others.
In this framework, innovation at INTEINSA has been focused on seeking solutions that facilitate consulting work and other links in the infrastructure chain, in interaction with the ecosystem and constant observation of trends and the environment.
We are signatories of the Great Pact for Innovation of Ruta n in Medellín and actively participate in programs of various entities.
Geodatabases
We develop geodatabases in the context of environmental impact studies to support procedures before environmental entities and corporations, following current standards and regulations.
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