Our Services

Shear Stress (%) vs No. of Cycles Shear Stress (kPa) vs Shear Strain (%)

A distinction of Advanced Geomechanics is our ability to undertake numerical modelling and to design and interpret specialised testing. Advanced Geomechanics combines in-house expertise and formal relationships with universities to provide an additional service dimension in the area of specialised testing.

These services include:

• Definition, planning and supervision of specialised testing
• Physical modelling
• 1-g and centrifuge modelling
• Advanced laboratory testing including monotonic, cyclic and stress path
• Novel in situ testing including T-bar, plate load tests, hydraulic fracture & pile element testing

Advanced Geomechanics personnel include leading numerical modellers who are also authors of finite element, pile design and anchor performance software packages.

Experience gained "at the coal face" is vital to establishing by test what the options are for a particular development. But research is the path to better, faster, simpler and more economical design.

A good example of this offshore situation is where correct understanding of the cyclic strength characteristics of seabed materials subjected to environmental loading is essential.

Cyclic shear strength testing is a major contributor to this understanding, but the costly equipment needed for testing is mainly to be found in research institutions such as universities.

Advanced Geomechanics' close ties with various universities is an important element of our ability to meet client needs for accurate specialised testing and numerical modelling.

These ties also maintain Advanced Geomechanics' position at the forefront of design capability.

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Consulting Through Innovation And Research

Globerinoides (SEM image) Top and side view of perculina ammonoides (SEM image)

Once calibrated by realistic physical models, numerical analyses provide the best means of capturing geotechnical mechanisms that are beyond the scope of conventional approaches. Advanced Geomechanics has access to a range of existing data and experience, which ensures the accuracy of our sophisticated analyses.

Through a blend of the two, especially its access to university expertise and facilities, Advanced Geomechanics is a leader in specialised testing and computer modelling that meet both technical and economic criteria.

Defining the strength and behaviour of naturally occurring materials is one of the great challenges of geotechnical design, especially, but by no means exclusively, in offshore developments. Shown to the right are microscopic and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of calcareous sand grains.

Microscopic view of Malampaya sand grains

Images courtesy of Apthorpe Palaeontology Pty Ltd

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