Safer excavation for safer homes

Abstract

Maltese bedrock, while robust, contains fissures that pose significant risks during excavation, potentially compromising the structural stability of the excavation faces. Current geotechnical investigations rely on borehole cores, typically providing limited information about fissures. The cores are often disturbed or rotated, meaning the direction of the fissures cannot be reliably determined, so fissures can only be fully assessed when the excavation is complete. This is often too late to prevent the rock wedges from moving and causing damage to the overlying adjacent structures. Project RockSense, a collaborative effort by the University of Malta and Solidbase Laboratory Ltd, introduces advanced technology to assess these fissures within the same boreholes that are normally drilled for investigative purposes. By enhancing excavation safety and informing new construction regulations, the team intends for their technology to restore community trust by reducing the risk of building damage and collapse.