Among the range of services that GEOINTEC offers in the area of geotechnics and geophysics for renewable energies and power facilites, there are also soil studies for substations and transmission lines.
The studies related to the substation and evacuation lines have special relevance in the construction stage of the project, and require a characterization of the terrain with a different scope and tests in relation to other types of studies, in particular, those related to the design of the foundations of the transformers and the high voltage towers.
The studies focused on electrical resistivity and geotechnical parameters play an important role and are undertaken with specific devices to determine more accurately the electrical resistivity parameters and the load capacity of the ground.
Chile
An example of these kind of studies is the one carried out in the expansion of the Parinacota and Cóndores electrical substations in the Tarapacá region of Chile. GEOINTEC undertook variable energy penetration tests (Panda type), geomechanical stations and electrical resistivity tests (4 quadrupole Wnnwe configuration).
In addition the necessary geotechnical parameters for the design of the foundations were obtained, as well as data related to geomorphology, stratigraphy, seismic resistance, groundwater level, load capacity of the ground, calculations of load capacity, depth of settlement, calculation of settlements, stability of slopes, thermal and electrical resistivity parameters and location of rocky outcrops, among others.
Undoubtedly, this type of studies developed by GEOINTEC guarantees the optimization of civil works costs in substations and power transmission lines.
