Geotechnical Investigation
Building Strong Foundations with Falcon Lab
Before a doctor gives you medicine, they do tests like blood work, scans, and X-rays. The same is true for building. You need to know what you’re working with before you pour concrete or drive piles into the seabed.
That’s when a geotechnical site investigation, also known as a geotech investigation, comes in.
- How strong is the ground?
- Can it carry the weight of a tower or bridge?
- Will it shift or settle over time?
- Is groundwater lurking just below the surface?
- Are there hidden risks—like soft clay, loose sand, or corrosive soil—that could cause trouble later?
Why Geotech Investigations Matter
Let’s be honest: skipping a geotechnical survey is like building a house on guesswork. It may stand for a while, but cracks, settlement, or even collapse could be waiting down the road.
- You may relax knowing that the ground won’t let you down.
- Save money by not overdesigning or paying for expensive surprises later.
- Better design choices: foundations, piles, and retaining walls all work with the site’s realities.
- Approval from the government. Most of the time, the government won’t let a project go ahead without a geotechnical study.
Falcon Lab UAE: Local Expertise, Global Standards
- Local enough to understand the UAE’s unique soil and marine conditions.
- Experienced enough to handle both onshore and offshore projects.
- Equipped with cutting-edge technology and accredited labs.
- Focused on giving practical, real-world recommendations—not just numbers on paper.
Our Onshore Geotechnical Services
On land, no two sites are the same. The soil near Abu Dhabi’s coast behaves differently from desert sands in Sharjah or reclaimed land in Dubai. That’s why our onshore geotechnical investigations are tailored to each project.
Here’s what we do:
Site Reconnaissance
We begin with a pedestrian survey. We look, listen, and pay attention. The terrain can convey a tale on its own, such as fissures in neighbouring walls, layers of soil that can be seen, or even how plants develop.
- Soil Drilling & Sampling
Our rigs drill boreholes to collect soil and rock samples. Each sample is like a page in the book of your site’s history, telling us what’s hidden below.
- Field Testing
- Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) – How dense and strong is the soil?
- Cone Penetration Tests (CPT) – What layers are beneath the surface?
- Vane Shear Tests – Especially useful in soft clays.
- Groundwater monitoring – Understanding seasonal water table changes.
- Laboratory Testing
- The strength and compressibility of the soil.
- The amount of water, the density, and the size of the grains.
- Getting bigger, getting smaller, and letting things through.
- Chemical qualities that could change steel or concrete.
- Reporting & Recommendations
- Do you require piles, or can you use shallow foundations?
- How much should you expect to settle?
- Are there any threats to the groundwater?
- What are the greatest ways to build here?
Our Offshore Geotechnical Services
When the project moves offshore—ports, jetties, bridges, subsea pipelines, or oil platforms—the challenges multiply. You can’t see the seabed, currents move sediments, and waves can erode foundations. Our offshore geotechnical investigations tackle these challenges head-on.
How we investigate offshore:
How We Investigate Offshore
- Seabed Mapping – We use sonar and geophysical surveys to map what lies beneath the waves.
- Marine Drilling & Sampling – From barges or jack-up rigs, we drill into the seabed and recover sediment cores.
- In-situ Marine Testing – CPTs, vane shear, pressure meter—adapted for underwater conditions.
- Lab Testing – Analysing marine sediments for strength, compressibility, and chemical aggressiveness.
- Scour & Erosion Studies – Predicting how currents and waves will affect structures over time.
- Design Recommendations – From piles to caissons, we recommend foundation solutions that last.
Offshore Projects We Support
- Oil & gas platforms.
- Offshore wind farms.
- Ports and harbours.
- Subsea pipelines and cables.
- Coastal defence and reclamation.
Why Local Knowledge Matters
- Faster mobilisation—no waiting weeks for equipment.
- Familiarity with local regulations and building codes.
- Experience with typical regional challenges, like high salinity soils or shallow water tables.
Our Step-by-Step Approach
- Consultation: You tell us about your project.
- Planning: We design a tailored investigation plan.
- Field Work: Our teams carry out drilling, sampling, and testing.
- Lab Work: Samples are analysed in detail.
- Reporting: You get a clear, practical geotechnical report.
- Support: We stay with you, ready to advise during design and construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Falcon Lab UAE?
- Trusted partner – We’ve supported leading developers across the UAE.
- Onshore + Offshore expertise – Covering every type of project.
- Cutting-edge labs & technology – Delivering accurate, reliable data.
- Clear, practical reports – Data you can actually use.
- Local + global knowledge – UAE expertise with international standards.
Let’s Build on Solid Ground
You shouldn’t just guess about your project. A correct geotechnical site study is the first step in building safely, quickly, and successfully.
At Falcon Lab UAE, we’re ready to help—whether it’s an onshore geotechnical survey for a new development or a full offshore geotech investigation for marine works.
Get in touch with Falcon Lab UAE today because the strength of every structure begins with the ground beneath it.
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If you’re searching for geophysical surveying, geophysical services, or geophysical consulting services in the UAE, Falcon Laboratory is ready to help.
ABU DHABI LOCATION
Falcon Laboratory LLC
Store No 1, Plot No 08, Mussafah 32/1,
P.O. Box: 113765,
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- 24°21'10.2"N 54°30'45.8"E
DUBAI LOCATION
Falcon Laboratory LLC
Near Dubai Municipality Nursery
Al Warsan Third,
P.O. Box: 231494,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- 25°09'27.9"N 55°27'42.6"E
SHARJAH LOCATION
Falcon Laboratory LLC
Al Oufouk B Block, Shop No : 02
Industrial Area 17,
Maleha Road Back Side
Post Box: 71713
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- 25°17'13.1"N 55°26'44.7"E