When subsurface conditions

drive project costs

Unknown subsurface conditions increase risk and can result in delayed schedules and increased costs. Traditionally, intrusive investigations such as boreholes, cone penetration tests, and test pits are used to determine depth to bedrock, identify excavation challenges, and highlight where ground conditions change. However, these investigations are point samples that leave the vast majority of a site unexplored. Project teams are often left making critical decisions by interpolating between locations, with no knowledge or confirmation of what lies between them.

Reduce subsurface uncertainty

Seismic imaging fills the gaps between known features and identifies unknown subsurface conditions. It can show where bedrock rises or falls, where materials change, and how difficult excavation may be before projects begin. It can also identify features like buried channels, groundwater, or fault zones that may affect construction or other project operations. By mapping conditions across your site, seismic surveys provide data-rich targeting information and reduce the uncertainty that often drives schedule creep and cost overruns.

Example seismic data. Top: seismic refraction model with geotechnical borings overlaid. Bottom: interpreted depth to bedrock profile.

Want to learn more about Certerra Subsurface Imaging?

We regularly host short, practical lunch-and-learn sessions for project teams covering seismic imaging, leak detection, borehole logging, and other geophysical tools. If your group would benefit from a focused discussion on subsurface risk and decision-making, we’d be happy to schedule a session with your team.