Soil resistivity testing in Johannesburg

Define the decision before the survey

A useful survey begins with the installation and the decision it must support. A small electrode assessment and a large substation grid do not necessarily need the same investigation. Explain whether your team needs measured data only, a soil-model interpretation or a complete earthing design.

Mshezi Projects welcomes Johannesburg and Gauteng enquiries, with travel to other project locations agreed in the quotation. Access arrangements, working areas and reporting requirements determine the programme.

Plan around the actual site

For an occupied industrial site, provide buried-service information, existing earth-grid drawings, paved areas, fences, pipelines and operating restrictions. These affect where test lines can be placed and whether a result is representative of the proposed installation.

For a greenfield site, provide the proposed footprint and accessible boundaries. The survey plan should identify test-line positions, directions, spacings and the practical extent of each array. Do not assume the longest available lead establishes the investigation depth.

Specify mine or plant inductions, permits, escorts and working-hour restrictions before mobilisation. These are programme and cost inputs, not administrative details to resolve on arrival.

Measurement and interpretation

A Wenner arrangement uses four electrodes with defined geometry. The record should retain electrode spacing and depth, measured resistance, instrument identification, test direction and site conditions. Repeat observations and unexpected readings need an explanation rather than selective deletion.

Apparent resistivity describes the response of the tested ground to that arrangement. Increasing spacing changes the volume of ground influencing the measurement; it is not an exact depth measurement. Multiple spacings and, where practicable, different directions help assess variation.

A layered-soil model is an interpretation of suitable measurements. Its suitability depends on the data range, quality, site conditions and fit. Testing and model interpretation are therefore named separately in the scope.

Specify the report you need

• Survey plan, test locations and accessible coverage.
• Instrument identification and agreed calibration evidence.
• Raw readings, geometry and apparent-resistivity calculations.
• Plots and interpretation where included.
• Site observations, exclusions and recommended next steps.
• Document revision, preparation and review records.

For design appointments, add the soil-model basis, input register, fault data, protection clearing times and design acceptance criteria. A field report alone is not an installed-system acceptance certificate.

Read the report-content guide.

Pricing and mobilisation

The published budget starting point is R18,500 excluding VAT, before mobilisation and travel. It is not a fixed package covering every site. The quotation specifies lines, spacing range, time allowance, reporting outputs and programme.

Additional locations, restricted access, inductions, repeat visits and design assessment change the scope. Send a controlled layout link with your enquiry to help define an appropriate investigation.

Review relevant experience

Published experience includes Smart Schools, New Burgersfort Landfill, Sturrock Dry Dock and the Fungurume Electrification Project subcontract awarded by Werkman DRC. The historical Sturrock record used a single recorded spacing; it is presented as a field record, not proof of a multilayer soil model.

Read the documented assignment boundaries.

Frequently asked questions

Discuss the work package

Send the location, available drawings, engineering decision and required date. We will clarify the inputs and issue a defined scope.