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Who We Are
With over 30 years of combined experience, we specialize in delivering top-tier Geotechnical Services in Southern Africa. Our expertise ensures reliable, efficient, and precise solutions for all your geotechnical needs.
Services
Precision and Expertise in Geotechnical Services
Geotechnical Drilling
We specialize in Geotechnical Drilling, providing quality core recovery and detailed borehole logs for construction, mining, and engineering projects. Our expertise ensures reliable data collection for informed decision-making.
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Hand Excavations
Hand-excavated test pits allow for direct visual assessment of subsurface conditions. This method is ideal for areas where machinery could cause structural damage or when space is limited
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Dynamic Probe Super Heavy (DPSH)
DPSH testing is a continuous dynamic penetration test used to assess soil strength and compaction. It provides valuable data for foundation design and geotechnical investigations by measuring the resistance of soil to a driven metal rod.
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Piezometer Installation
Piezometers are used to measure pore water pressure, water table levels and monitor water quality in the ground . Installed in boreholes, they provide essential data for geotechnical assessments and environmental studies.
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Showcasing Our Expertise in Geotechnical Services
When it comes to rotary core drilling for geotechnical investigations you need a driller you can trust and rely upon to give you good results. Over the 15 plus years I have known and befriended Rian Fourie he and his team have always been our company of choice when it comes to rotary cored drilling for our geotechnical investigations as well as dynamic probe super heavy testing and general geotechnical related services. They are a highly professional outfit with a wealth of experience all throughout Southern Africa. The drillers are able to recover high quality core samples which greatly helps to facilitate the engineering geologist in producing a meaningful and accurate geotechnical report. I would highly recommend Rivicore to anyone looking for their types of services.
Justin Davel (Pr Sci Nat) (MSAIEG)
Engineering Geologist
Blog
Come read more about us on our blog
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Dynamic Probing Super Heavy (DPSH) Testing, with comparisons to Standard Penetration Testing (SPT) and Hand DCP Testing
Understanding DPSH Testing: A Practical Guide to Soil Strength Evaluation
Dynamic Probing Super Heavy (DPSH) testing is a widely used geotechnical investigation method that provides quick and cost-effective insight into soil strength and consistency. Unlike more elaborate testing methods, DPSH is relatively easy to deploy and is often used for profiling subsoil conditions, especially where borehole drilling is either not required or too expensive.
What is DPSH Testing?
DPSH involves driving a cone-tipped rod into the ground using a standardized hammer weight (typically 63.5 kg) dropped from a fixed height (usually 750 mm). The number of blows required to drive the cone 100 mm is recorded, and the total number of blows for each 1-meter penetration is used to assess soil resistance.
This test is particularly effective in identifying:
- Changes in soil layers
- Relative soil density
- Zones of weak bearing capacity
- Depth to hard stratum or refusal
DPSH-A and DPSH-B are the most common variants, with the difference lying in the dimensions of the cone and rod, as well as energy transfer efficiency
.
| Feature | DPSH | SPT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Soil profiling, compaction checks | Soil strength for design purposes |
| Equipment | Handheld or rig-mounted | Requires borehole and rig |
| Blow Count Output | Blows per 100 mm or per meter | Blows for 3 × 150 mm increments |
| Sample Recovery | No sample | Disturbed sample collected |
| Test Depth | Up to 15-20 m (depends on soil) | Can go deeper with boreholes |
| Mobility | Highly portable | Requires more setup time |
| Cost | Low | Moderate to high |
| Use Case | Profiling, compaction testing | Foundation design, site class. |
While SPT remains the benchmark for engineering design due to its ability to retrieve samples and deliver N-values, DPSH is more practical in early-stage investigations and compaction control.
| Feature | DPSH | Hand DCP |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer Weight | 63.5 kg | ~8 kg |
| Application Depth | Up to 20 m | Up to 2-3 m |
| Use Case | Deeper soil profiling | Pavement subgrade evaluation |
| Accuracy | Better for deep profiling | Better for near-surface soils |
| Ease of Use | Requires rig or driver platform | Completely manual |
Hand DCP is best for shallow investigations and road layer quality control. DPSH, in contrast, provides deeper insights into soil behavior, especially in large-scale or remote projects.
When to Use DPSH Testing?
DPSH is ideal for:
- Site classification prior to large-scale drilling
- Rapid identification of soft spots and fill material
- Comparing relative densities across a site
- Foundation depth estimation in residential and industrial developments
- Road, rail, or airport embankment studies
Final Thoughts
DPSH bridges the gap between lightweight DCP tests and more detailed, invasive SPT tests. While it doesn’t replace the precision of borehole-based testing, it plays a vital role in saving time and cost during preliminary site assessments.
If you're managing construction in areas with variable soil profiles—or if you need a quick, affordable testing method—DPSH could be your go-to tool.
Need geotechnical drilling or site classification testing done in Gauteng or beyond? Contact us today to find out how our DPSH and rotary core drilling services can help you make confident foundation decisions.
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Understanding Rotary Core Drilling and Geotechnical Services
The Basics of Rotary Core Drilling
Rotary core drilling utilizes a hollow drill pipe fitted with a diamond-tipped or tungsten-carbide drill bit to cut through rock formations. As the bit rotates, it grinds through the subsurface material while a drilling fluid or compressed air is circulated to cool the bit and remove cuttings. The extracted core is retrieved and analyzed to determine the composition, strength, and stability of the ground.This drilling method is highly efficient and is commonly employed in:- Mineral Exploration: To assess the presence and quantity of valuable minerals.
- Geotechnical Investigations: To evaluate soil and rock properties for construction projects.
- Environmental Studies: To determine contamination levels and soil composition.
- Hydrogeological Surveys: To locate and assess groundwater sources.
Importance of Geotechnical Services
Geotechnical services play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and success of infrastructure projects. By analyzing soil and rock conditions, geotechnical engineers can provide recommendations on foundation design, slope stability, and risk mitigation for structures such as buildings, roads, bridges, and tunnels.Key Geotechnical Services Include:
- Soil and Rock Testing – Laboratory and field testing to determine strength, permeability, and composition.
- Site Investigations – Detailed analysis of ground conditions for construction planning.
- Slope Stability Analysis – Evaluating the risk of landslides and designing stabilization measures.
- Foundation Design Recommendations – Advising on suitable foundation types based on ground conditions.
- Environmental Assessments – Identifying potential contamination and remediation strategies.
Advantages of Rotary Core Drilling in Geotechnical Projects
- High-Quality Core Samples: Provides undisturbed core samples for accurate analysis.
- Deep Drilling Capabilities: Can penetrate various soil and rock types at significant depths.
- Efficient and Cost-Effective: Faster and more economical than other drilling methods.
- Minimal Site Disturbance: Causes less disruption to surrounding areas, making it ideal for urban environments.