Civil engineering encompasses the design of infrastructure and structures for civil use: roads, bridges, canals, dams and buildings.
Under this umbrella, geotechnical engineering focuses on the study of soil properties and possible interactions with consolidation systems, such as piles, micropiles and barrettes, and structural and plastic diaphragms.
Special Foundations
"The foundation is the part of the structure in direct contact with the ground, to which it binds the structure itself and to which it transmits the loads acting on it."
- Bentonite mud forms barriers on the sides of the excavation to prevent fluid from leaking into the ground;
- The gel strength of the mud limits its penetration into the structure by keeping the soil cohesive near the excavation;
- Drilling fluids encapsulate the sediment, facilitating its transport for subsequent removal.
Plastic Diaphragms
Plastic diaphragms are permanent or temporary retaining barriers made from a ternary mixture, using natural sodium bentonite that is carefully balanced to work in synergy with cement.
Barrettes
Barrettes are high-capacity foundations built using support fluids. The use of barrettes is often concomitant with the construction of structural diaphragms due to the common methods and equipment. Barrettes are therefore the ideal solution for high-rise foundations with deep basements.
Bored Piles & Micropiles
Bored piles are used to support tall buildings capable of producing significant vertical loads. These are generally created using special digging tools such as drilling buckets and clamshell buckets. The drilling method depends on the stratigraphy of the soil.
Structural Diaphragms
Structural diaphragms are reinforced concrete structures built in situ, panel by panel, using bentonite mud based on natural sodium bentonite to facilitate construction.
Tunnelling & HDD
to optimise the various drilling activities. The following breakdown is based on the excavation diameter:
- Ø diameter over 3000 mm: TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) for tunnelling
- Ø diameter under 3000 mm: Microtunnelling/pipe jacking
- Ø diameter of 1200 mm to 50 mm: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) for plastic/steel pipes
Microtunnelling/Pipe Jacking
Microtunnelling refers to remotely guided pipe jacking operations. This technique provides continuous support for the excavation face by applying mechanical or fluid pressure to balance the pressure exerted by groundwater and soil. The Microtunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) is driven into the ground by hydraulic jacks mounted and aligned directly in the jacking shaft.
Tunnelling
A TBM (Tunnelling Boring Machine) is a “multitasking self-propelled entity” capable of carrying out excavations and removing debris, placing prefabricated segments, and backfilling with plastic mixes. Conventional TBMs can be used in rock; EPBMs (Earth Pressure Balance Machines) in clay and limestone; and STBMs (Slurry Tunnel Boring Machines) in gravel and sand.
Backfill Grouting
In all backfilling operations, the annular space between the lining and the surrounding soil must be injected with special ternary mixtures (water, bentonite and cement). The bentonite component – offered commercially in our “AU SERIES” – has been completely rebalanced to avoid possible negative interactions with the cement component.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
The Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) method is generally used for oil & gas, greywater and blackwater, power cables and fibre optics. In horizontal drilling, swivel tools are used for both small- and large-diameter projects.
Water Research and Oil & Gas Exploration
For water research activities, we use a special range of high-yield, rapid hydration products made from natural sodium bentonite. In oil and gas exploration and deep geothermal drilling, the choice of ingredients used in the drilling fluid plays a key role; the mix is therefore typically tailored to the customer’s specific needs.
Deep and Shallow Drilling
Vertical and deviated drilling techniques differ between deep drilling (oil and gas sector) and shallow drilling (water research). No two drilling fluids are the same, even if they are similar in terms of ingredients. Mineral exploration requires rapidly hydrating bentonite to ensure drilling stability and easy recovery of excavated debris.
Geothermal Energy
Ready-mixed, ready-to-use mortar designed for grouting low-enthalpy geothermal probe wells. Its special composition ensures low consumption and impressive geothermal performance – in terms of thermal conductivity – in addition to respect for the environment. Our innovative mixture was created and formulated in accordance with the VDI 4640/2 guidelines.
Grouting for Earth Electrodes
Created for grouting earth rods to reduce soil resistivity values, these ready-to-use mixtures are made from specific ingredients: natural sodium bentonite; electrically conductive aggregates; special cements.
Screeds
Ready-mixed, ready-to-use, controlled-shrinkage mortar, suitable for the preparation of subfloors with high thermal conductivity, formulated for underfloor cooling or heating systems.
Services and Technical Support
Our technical support team is dedicated to creating technical solutions tailored to each customer’s actual needs.
Technical Support
Soil data, excavation tools and working methods all play a vital role in determining the most efficient technical solution in terms of yield and cost.
Our services include technical/application support provided in situ, both during start-up operations and in the event of any problems: dedicated company vehicles provide transport of control equipment for on-site testing and “troubleshooting” additives.
Refresher Courses
Our company promotes training courses on drilling muds and fluids at our “INNOVA” Research Centre, as well as application demonstrations at international events.
Training Courses
For large projects, our technical service team is happy to work alongside the customer to organise training courses for new recruits.
