Geotechnical Engineering Suppliers, Saudi Arabia

What does geotechnical engineering cover in Saudi Arabia?

Geotechnical engineering in Saudi Arabia covers the site investigation, ground model and foundation advice that a building or infrastructure design depends on. It is a discipline within engineering consultancy in Saudi Arabia and works hand in hand with structural engineering. Products placed in the ground, such as piles and anchors, are under geotechnical and foundation products; this page covers the engineering service.

Which code governs geotechnical work in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi Building Code, published by the Saudi Building Code National Committee, governs geotechnical work, and SBC 303 is the soils and foundations part. The EXPRO National Manual for Projects Management geotechnical guideline, revision 003 of August 2021, states that all geotechnical works for government projects shall follow the latest SBC and that the code’s notation and terminology shall be used in engineering and construction documents. It also says the minimum scope of a site investigation and the compliance requirements for geotechnical reports are in SBC, and it directs investigators to the SBC sections on expansive, collapsible and sabkha soils.

For private projects, your municipality and client set what is accepted. If your building permit goes through Balady, confirm the geotechnical submission requirements with the municipality, because municipalities set their own submission lists.

When is a boring investigation required under SBC?

A boring investigation is required unless all four conditions are met. According to the EXPRO guideline, SBC does not require borings if the net load pressure on the foundation is below 50 kPa, there are no dynamic or vibratory loads, no questionable or problematic soil is suspected near the footprint and no cavities are suspected beneath it. If any condition fails, borings must be carried out.

• Existing data. Depending on the availability and quality of historical boring information, a new investigation may not be needed. The guideline says the lead discipline engineer makes that call.
• Depth. Boreholes must fully penetrate soft or questionable layers within the zone of influence of the loading.
• Rock. For general investigations the guideline suggests a minimum of 1.5 m coring into competent rock, and 3 m where structures sit directly on rock, based on FHWA guidance.
• Review. The number and depth of boreholes are decided by the engineer and subject to review and acceptance by the entity.

Which problem soils matter in Saudi Arabia?

The EXPRO guideline lists the main geotechnical problems in the Kingdom as collapsible soils, expansive soils, karst, loess, sabkha and corrosive ground. Each changes the investigation and the design, and the ground varies by region: the guideline describes salt-bearing soils, dunes and limestone outcrops in the east, and a sedimentary basin with sandstones and marls in the north.

Because sabkha is often high in soluble sulphate and chloride, the guideline notes the potential for sulphate attack on concrete foundations and corrosion of buried metal. The geotechnical report should include soil and water chemistry for foundation and buried utility protection, and the concrete designer should use it.

How do you choose a geotechnical consultant in Saudi Arabia?

Choose on SBC 303 experience, local ground knowledge and the laboratory behind the data. Cheap fieldwork without credible interpretation costs more once foundations are redesigned.

• Regional ground record. Ask for reports from comparable sites in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Jubail or the region of your project.
• Problem soil experience. If your site may have sabkha, collapsible or expansive soils, ask how the consultant investigates and reports on them.
• Laboratory. Ask for the accreditation scope of the testing laboratory, including SAAC or a foreign accreditation body, and for chemical test capability.
• Scope. The quote should state the number and depth of borings, in-situ tests, laboratory tests and chemical analysis.
• Interfaces. Coastal and groundwater works involve marine engineering and environmental engineering. A survey base from surveying and mapping helps locate borings.

What does a Saudi geotechnical design report contain, and how should you use it?

A government-project design report follows a defined list. The EXPRO guideline says the geotechnical design report interprets the factual data report and includes the project description, site geology, loads and ground actions, a summary of the field and laboratory programme, plots of boring locations, descriptions of the strata, the water table and design groundwater levels, subsurface profiles, evaluation of the test results with their limitations, seismic design parameters, soil and water chemistry for protection measures, and design properties for each stratum.

• Seismic. The guideline notes that most of the country is classified as very low to low seismic hazard, citing a hazard map, while still requiring seismic design parameters under SBC. Check the design category your structure falls into.
• Groundwater. Coastal and irrigated areas can have shallow water, so check the date of measurement and the design level recommended.
• Chemistry. Sulphate and chloride values decide concrete and protection, particularly on sabkha.
• Limitations. The report should say where the ground may differ between borings.

Share the report early with the structural engineer and the contractor, and compare the recommended foundation with the programme. Hold points named in the report, such as load tests and inspections of foundation levels, need time and cost in the contract. If your footprint moved after the investigation, ask the consultant whether the boring layout still covers it.

How do ground products connect to the geotechnical report?

The report recommends the foundation or improvement and the products follow. Piling rigs and consumables are under piling equipment, retaining walls under sheet piles, tiebacks under ground anchors and weak ground treatment under soil stabilisation products. Separation and protection layers are covered under geotextiles and geomembranes.

Imported products may need SASO conformity steps, covered in the SASO and SABER guide.

What affects cost and timeline in Saudi Arabia?

Borings, rock coring, laboratory work and access drive both. Remote sites add mobilisation, and corrosive ground adds chemical testing.

• Boring count and depth. Heavier or larger structures need more.
• Problem soils. Sabkha or collapsible ground may add special tests.
• Access. Desert, coastal and urban sites differ in permits and logistics.
• Review. Reviewer comments can add resubmissions.
• Heat. Summer temperatures affect site hours and equipment.

To compare consultants, post your requirement with the site, structure and approving authority.

Sources

• EXPRO: National Manual for Projects Management, Geotechnical Guideline (revision 003, 2021)
• Saudi Building Code National Committee