guideline manual - بلدية مدينة العين following guideline manual has been prepared ......

Ref No: AAM - Guidelines for Geophysical Study

Point of Contact: [email protected] 1

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Department of Municipal affairs

Al Ain Municipality

Infrastructure & Assets of the Municipality

GEOPHYSICAL STUDY IN AL AIN

GUIDELINE MANUAL

Infrastructure & Assets of the Municipality

Al Ain Municipality, United Arab Emirates



PREFACE

This Guideline Manual provides guidance for the preparation and execution of

Geophysical Study, Data Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation. The goal of the

manual is to promote the consistency in the generation and the execution of the

geophysical survey from data acquisition to final geological interpretation. Therefore,

help in creating high quality geological information that will serve as a future database,

which is one of the intended purposes of the geophysical study project.

Al Ain Municipality (AAM) is pioneering a project of ground/soil study by geophysical

investigation in order to have, in the future, a reconnaissance soil map of Al-Ain. A series

of intensive soil surveys have been planned in addition to the special research projects.

The survey results are considered as one of the goals to help the decision-makers and the

environmental managers in various domains. The project is a cooperative effort of the

Infrastructure Assets of the Municipality (IAM) Department under the authority of AAM.

The reconnaissance soil map is the City's first standard geophysical project that will

provide the scientific bases for identifying areas at high risk for the population. This will

lead to minimizing the risk and using of new soil parameters that are most appropriate to

the population’s needs. The geological data and all associated maps of Al Ain

Municipality’s geophysical project will eventually be available on the Geographic

Information System in the Town Planning Sector.

For the implementation of the project, all related AAM projects which are executed

directly or through Contractors/Consultants are considered as part of the project. Other

present and future projects not directly under the AAM authority are also considered as

part of the main geophysical projects. Therefore the Contractors/Consultants of these

projects are obliged to abide by the AAM regulations on this subject.

The Contractors/Consultants who will be directly or indirectly involved in any of the

project in Al-Ain shall at all times comply with the laws of the United Arab Emirates and

the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The Contractors/Consultants shall be fully aware of, and shall

take account within this guideline, the impact of and ensure compliance with such laws.

The agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the

Emirate of Abu Dhabi.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE 2

INTRODUCTION 5

Purpose of the Guideline Manual 6

Scope of Practice 6

Definitions 6

Role of Al Ain Municipality 8

Addendum Procedures 8

Geophysical Investigation Background 9

GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION IN AL AIN CITY 9

Objectives 10

Scope of Manual 12

Key Tasks 12

Qualification Selection Criteria 13

Requirement for Geophysical Investigation 13

GENERAL DATA QUALITY GUIDELINE 14

General 14

Acquisition scheme 15

Field Crew 15

Equipment and field computers 15

Surveying 16

Quality Control in the field 17

DATA SUBMISSION FORMATS (DELIVERABLES) 17

Media Types 18

Data Formats 18

Compression Files 19

Conventional File Name 19

Data Content 19

Delivery 19

Archiving 20

APPENDICES

Appendix A: Flow Chart & guidelines to conduct a Geophysical Team

Appendix B: Contractors/Consultants Authority Statement and Proposal Template

Appendix C: AAM requirements and Final Report Template

Appendix D: Contractors/Consultants Summary of Needs and TOR

Appendix E: Contractors/Consultants staff - CV Form.

Appendix F: EHSMS Policies



ACRONYMS

AAM Al Ain Municipality

CIS Coordination of Infrastructure and Services

IAM Infrastructure & Assets of the Municipality

GSG Geophysical Study Guideline

EHSMS Environment, Health & Safety Management System

KPI Key Performance Indicators

GM Guideline Manual



INTRODUCTION

Al Ain Municipality constitutes one of three departments within the Municipal Affairs

Authority. It is a government institution basically directed to serve Al Ain Area, which

covers Al Ain City and the neighboring outskirts. Al Ain Municipality Department was

established in 1967. An Emiri Decree was issued in 1974 AD to control and regulate the

city's affairs. It was after that date that Al Ain Municipality started to function as a

government department that is directed to provide wide range services to Al Ain City.

Al Ain Municipality stands as a leading institution of development in the area. This is due

to the role it plays and the programs and services it renders for improving the quality of

life to the highest possible standards.

Al Ain Municipality has also projected a clear strategy based on a vision entitled, "A

Distinguished Municipality and an Enduring Development for the City of Oases". This

strategy is expected to be implemented through "Providing such distinguished municipal

services and advanced infrastructure to Al Ain City and the surrounding areas, by

qualified staff and advanced systems, while taking into account the peculiarity and

genuineness of the City", abiding in the same time by the values stemming from heritage,

leadership, credibility, quality, innovation, participation and community service within

the aims of this strategy.

As a service authority, Al Ain Municipality has been able to absorb the latest and most

advanced scientific and professional standards of quality and excellence through

development and upgrading work systems, taking benefit, in this respect, from the

extensive development of the means of communications and information technology, as

well as from the continuous development of its human resources with a view to render

faster and more distinguished services for the population of Al Ain City. Such vision and

practices followed in providing services by the Municipality have been met with

satisfaction and appreciation by both citizens and residents of the Area.

AAM stands as a leading institution of development in the area. This is due to the role it

plays and the programs and services it renders for improving the quality of life to the

highest possible standards.

Within the global vision, Al Ain Municipality has prepared a Guideline Manual of

Geophysical Study to be carried out by Consultant and Contractor Bureaus/Companies

within the limits of Al-Ain. This Guideline Manual will be given to companies with

excellent reputation and experience both within the UAE and abroad.



Purpose of the Guideline Manual

The aims of this guideline manual are to assist the geophysicists, engineers and

geophysics service companies to comply with Al Ain Municipality requirements

regarding to geophysical investigation. These include:

- The Fieldwork Data Acquisition

- Data Quality Control

- Data Interpretation (including Conclusions and Recommendations)

Scope of Practice

The following Guideline Manual has been prepared by the Geophysical Team under the

authority of Al Ain Municipality. The Guidelines must be implemented by all

Contractors/Consultants not solely the geophysicists, but also the non geophysicists who

use geophysical instruments in order to indicate their activities providing that they do not

violate the exclusive scope of practice provision for geophysics.

This guideline dedicated to near-surface application of geophysical investigation, and

never to be used as means of interpretation. Certified geophysicists, engineers or

geophysics companies who may conduct any geophysical study in Al Ain or when they

prepare the geophysical study and the reports should follow these guidelines in order to

avoid any unconformity or violation which might occur during the geophysical study

throughout all its stages. The guideline should not be considered as normalisation or

limiting factors which would discourage the Contractors/Consultants from further

improvement and increase in efficiencies in their geophysical investigations.

Definition

The following words or expressions appear in this guideline manual shall have the

meanings assigned to them unless otherwise stated in the text. The singular shall have the

same meaning as the plural and vice versa.

Definition

2D and 3D 2D (two-dimensions) consists of taking measurement in two different

directions, example X and Y - the results is a map. The 3D comes by

introducing the depth Z in the consideration of the results - a

volumetric data.

4D

or Monitoring

Technique consist of collecting a 3D volumetrically data periodically

during time (Time-Lapse). This technique allows monitoring the

evolution of the subsurface.

Anthropogenic Landscape, soil, terrain, etc… their formation is mainly due to the

intervention of man.

Piezometer

Measurement by sampling underground-water depths and processing

the corresponding data.



Bedrock

mapping

Representation on a plane surface of the depth of solid rock either

exposed at the surface or situated below surface soil.

Stratigraphy

The study of the history, composition, relative ages and distribution

of bedrock.

Contamination

mapping

The delineation of zones in which contaminants have moved.

Forensic work

The Geophysical can assist authorities in accident and criminal

investigations.

Geophysicist

A scientist who is involved in the study of the physics of the Earth,

especially electrical resistivity, gravitational and magnetic fields,

propagation of elastic waves. Geophysicists perform a variety

competency, processing and interpretation of variety of Geophysical

data; such interpretations enhance understanding of subsurface

geology.

Groundwater Water in the subsurface, is held in the pores of rocks

Near-surface

The volume of the rock may extend from a few meters from the

ground surface and extending into hundreds meters deep in the earth.

It includes soil, unconsolidated and consolidated rock, and hold or not

groundwater aquifers that can be measured using appropriate

geophysical applications.

Void detection Detecting voids within near-surface, such as old Falajs or natural

karsting.

Tomography Mapping of geologic features from a set of data measurement

representing of certain physical ground parameters.

Lithology

The macroscopic description of the mineral constitutes the rock based

on grain size, texture and color.



Role of Al Ain Municipality

Al Ain Municipality (AAM) regulates and supervises the geophysical study in Al Ain

City and surrounding areas; and provides support to the development of the near-surface

geophysical investigation in order to ensure a healthy environment, in accordance with

the objectives and the targets of the Environment, Health and Safety Management System

(EHSMS). The goal of AAM is to insure the smoothness and the quality of any

geophysical study in the area and to make sure of the consistency.

As AAM is a regulatory authority, AAM taking upon itself responsibilities to accept and

review all geophysical subsurface fieldwork, reports and to issue approval letters. AAM

has given unlimited authority to issue or not issuing permits for building constructions,

which can affect cultural heritage, land, environment, water and other resources as they

may incidentally affected by humans' activities.

Addendum Procedures

Any changes to this guidelines manual will be made by addenda by Municipality and will

be sent by e-mail to everyone in the mailing list. Upon issuance, the addenda will be

considered part of the guidelines manual and will prevail over inconsistent of conflicting

previous contained in the original guidelines manual.

Geophysics

Services Company

Data Acquisition

Data Processing

Interpretation & Modelling

Planning &

Design

Designer Needs

Quality

Control

Geophysical

Team - AAM



Contractors/Consultants shall acknowledge receipt of all addenda. Failure to do so may

result in Contractors/Consultants exclusion from further consideration.

Geophysical Survey Background

The application of geophysical methods is motivated by the need for the characterization

of the physical parameters and/or processes that may control or be affected by the

distribution, presence of subsurface structures like cavities, falajes, faults and other

structures which may present a hazard if existed.

Geophysical methods are non-destructive and have the capacity to estimate the

distribution of anomalies both horizontally and vertically, quickly and remotely over

large areas.

Applied Geophysics, is the science that study the Earth’s interior. The applications of

geophysics are many and very broadly. They include as example petroleum and mineral

exploration, groundwater exploration, and environmental risk assessment. It is used to

help the engineers to find right solutions. It also used for archaeological investigations

and many other applications.

The AAM is tasked to implement and control the geophysical study project. The

Department of Coordination of Infrastructure and Services (CIS); has the authority to

control and monitor all stages of any project under the authority of Al Ain Municipal

Affairs. The main objectives of the CIS Department are based on the Competent

Authority vision which is to implement, control and assure the efficiency of the

geophysical studies, and to assist the local decision-makers and developers in making

wise use of the city land and water and related resources. The key objectives are:

To protect people land and properties

To promote health, safety and general welfare of Al Ain City

To preserve and enhance natural heritage and culture resources

To abate any non-safety soil at high risk

To improve quality and monitor groundwater table

GEOPHYSICAL INVESTIGATION IN AL AIN CITY

The following Guidelines Manual has been prepared by the Geophysical Team under

authority of Al Ain Municipality. These Guidelines are be used by

Contractors/Consultants, Certified Engineering Geophysicist and/or other company who

will conduct any Geophysical study in Al Ain Municipality, or when preparing

Geophysical study and reports.

Geophysical studies are being used in a variety of regional-scale environmental and risk

management planning programs including the Environmental Impact Program, the



General Plans, the Safety and groundwater Assessments, Sustained Yield Plans and

Habitat Conservation Plans. These studies may describe the regional geology, identify the

location, depth and dimension of cavities, structures and stratigraphy deposits, and show

the location of faults, landslides and other geologic hazards. Geophysical investigation

and reports can be used to assist users, engineers and land-use planners in making

decisions that affect public health and safety, critical environmental habitats, water

quality, use of public lands, and help identify areas where more detailed geologic studies

are needed.

The purpose of the CIS Team’s notes is to provide the authority and the

Consultants/Contractors and other professionals with a general guidance on the

preparation and use of the geophysical survey in regional scale environmental and

resource management planning.

In order to evaluate the geologic hazards at regional scale, all geophysical data and results

should be inline with the requirement of Al Ain Municipality and submitted in GIS

format compatible with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) of the AAM. The

guidelines manual also provides a general outline for documenting computer works,

conclusions and recommendations of the geophysical reports and maps. In addition to the

scientific contents, all documents should be prepared in such a way that they can be

understood by both the authority and the public. Regional information can be

incorporated into the detailed studies provided that the data are checked field.

While the following Guidelines suggest a format for geophysical studies to be used in

regional-scale environmental and resource management planning documents, they do not

include complete listings of techniques or topics, nor do they dictate that all elements of

this guidelines manual be used in every project. In many cases, portions of these

guidelines may not be applicable to the study when a geologic hazard or issue is absent.

Al Ain Municipality Geophysical Team

Title Geophysical Investigation Guideline in Al Ain

Reference 04/April/2010

Contact

Person(s)

HumaidMohammed Khamis Al Nuaimi: [email protected]

[email protected]

Haydar A. Baker: [email protected]

Karim Benhammam: [email protected]

Maryam Al Nuaimi [email protected]

Location Al Ain Municipality – main building – first floor

Objectives

The objective of the present Guidelines manual is to frame the geophysical study of Al

Ain City, i.e. used geophysical methods, map presentations, cross sections, figures,

tables, and when used, formats of the computerized databases and GIS maps and layers.

In addition, the acquired reconnaissance data of the terrain and geology of Al Ain City.

mailto:[email protected]






This Guideline Manual is to provide the methodology for comprehensive requirements of

Al Ain Municipality, the adequate technology and the processes of the geophysical

methods used for the execution of the projects by the Contractors/Consultants exercising

in Al Ain City.

These Consultants/Contractors, and in order to able to work within Al-Ain area, must be

registered in the UAE and have an office in Al Ain during the execution of any project

The purpose of this Guideline manual includes, but is not limited to, the following main

objectives:

A clear statement of the requirements to be met by the Contractors/Consultants. This

includes the plan and the phases of the project, the required data, and the report.

When contractors/consultants conduct geotechnical investigation, they should prepare a

comprehensive geological mapping depicting stratigraphy/lithology, describing the

standard characteristics of soil/rock and by correlating data’s obtained from different

borehole logs. It shall also identify the fractured rocks, weak zones, etc...

Providing a digital topography for the site project with the exact; latitude and longitude

of the site to three decimal places (example: 10.120°N, 50.458°E). This is a necessary

for the Town Planning Department.

If a non-standard method is used, contractors/consultants should attach a detailed

description of the methodology along with the results of any calibration and validation

studies.

Detailed discussion should be given on any restrictions on collecting and reporting of

data, such as access to or the condition of the site.

The Consultants/Contractors should provide a range of geophysical survey methods

which are adequate to the site and anticipate ground conditions

The Contractors/Consultants should have an experience of undertaking a range of

geophysical surveys in the UAE and worldwide.

The contractor should have an adequate quality assurance procedures and minimum

requirement of HSE procedures.

To proactively educated to all types of Geophysical Investigations and site situations.

The guideline is dedicated to Geophysical Study, to help Contractors and Consultants

with an understanding of the kinds of necessary and needed information for the approval

of reports submitted to the AAM. This guideline includes comprehensive discussions of

the methodologies and/or the steps to be used, describes all the methods or the topics to

be dealt with in every project. This guideline will be periodically updated to reflect the

future needs and changes.

Concerning the Geophysical reports, it is required that they include these hazards:

Seismic hazard: identify faults or fractured zones in the study area, and should be

clearly indicated on the map with coordinates.



Landslide hazard: identification of the zones of moderately to high landslide risk

within the lines of the area.

Liquefaction hazard: Areas likely to present moderate to high liquefaction risk.

Scope of Manual

Contractors/Consultants who are considering undertaking any of the activities in Al Ain

are strongly encouraged to include a geophysicist in their team. Choosing not to involve a

geophysicist and/or being found to have performed the work in an unskilled manner

could result in action being taken against such contractors/consultants under the

Engineering, Geological and Geophysical Professions act or under another professional

regulatory act where the person is registered under such an act.

The following sections outline the key functions of the Geophysical Survey. It is

expected that Contractors/Consultants will address all sections accordingly within their

interpretation report. Failure to address all sections will be detrimental to their report.

Contractors/Consultants will be marked in their first year of geophysical implementation

in Al Ain through a series of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) as indicated in Appendix

E. Additional to addressing the key functions; Contractors/Consultants are required to

complete, the submission questionnaire as part of this proposal and the template of

proposal and Final Report Template in Appendix B & C, Contractors/Consultants are also

recommended to review Appendix D, the Contractors/Consultants Summary of Needs.

Contractors/Consultants are expected to communicate with IAM representatives for Al

Ain Municipality through the project owner.

Key Tasks

In order to make appropriate Geophysical Study, the Contractors/Consultants should be

an experienced geophysicist familiar with the investigative methods employed and the

techniques available. Even so, evaluations before sending any report to AAM

Geophysical Team, the reviewer must know his or her limitations, and at times ask for

opinions of others more qualified in specialty fields (e.g., geophysics, mineral

exploitation and economics, groundwater, foundation and seismic engineering,

seismology).

Contractors are expected to conduct the following tasks:

The Contractors during the fieldwork must to be able to identify any anomalies,

cavities, Falaj systems (live or abandoned), faults as well as weak zone or any

lithological change. These kinds of anomalies should be clearly positioned on a map.

The groundwater level and the salinity of the studied areas shall be indicated.

To ensure that the works on any site within the district of Al-Ain are carried out in

accordance with the approved method statement in full compliance with each project’s

contract specification, drawings & methodology.



Undertake a geophysical survey by adapting a technique, most suitable for the area

under investigation, thereby identifying & locating the position & extent of cavities, if

any, with 3D models.

Conduct geotechnical investigation and prepare a comprehensive geological mapping

depicting stratigraphy/lithology, describing the standard characteristics of soil/rock and

by correlating data’s obtained from different borehole logs. It shall also identify the

fractured rocks, weak zones.

To ensure that the equipment employed on any site within the district of Al-Ain are in

good working condition and are duly calibrated and meet international standards.

Development of Legislation and Guidance Data Quality for each steps of Geophysical

Survey.

Qualification Selection Criteria

There are many criteria's to select Contractors/Consultants; the selection based on the

evaluation of Contractors/Consultants qualifications according to the following criteria:

Technical credentials

Relevant experiences to manage a projects

Availability of experienced human resources and equipments

Professionalism

methodology for project execution

Requirement for Geophysical Investigation

Owners/Contractors/Consultants wishing an approval for engineering establishment in Al

Ain City and surrounding area must submit a technical geophysical proposal to

explaining the details scope of work, the Contractors/Consultant are fully responsibility

for his proposal and it is understood that Contractors/Consultants are fully comply with

the regulation and legislative for AAM, including the EHSMS systems.

The following are the key project outputs that align with the key tasks within the project.

Provide a brief summary of the model results and how the results will assist Civil

Engineer to make a decision

Discuss future needed data and recommendation on the located anomalies in the site

and to make a calibration borehole in order to confirm and improve the results,

including the relevant quality and quantity of the results.

Plot on a map, the locations of borehole and field measurements points used in

geophysical study, as well as cross sections.

Weekly progress report must be presented to the Municipality. This report should

contain an overview of the status of the deliverables, adherence to agreed timeframes

and expected work for completion in the following week Appendix G.

Adequate final reporting with Al Ain Municipality requirements - refer to Appendix C.

Provision of guidance of Data Quality Control.

Provide a detail scope of work to conduct welfare Geophysical investigation.



The Consultants should be able to evaluate the weekly reports submitted by Contractors

to the AAM.

Programme which will include the timeframe when and how the geophysical survey

will be conducted.

Provide a Final Report according to the template Appendix C, accompanying with copy

of all field and processed data in a GIS format compatible with the Municipality

system.

CV, Competency, and Skills for all personnel participating in the projects - using the

template Appendix E.

The AAM requires that a competent Geophysicist, and/or Certified Engineering

Geologist, or Certified person handling the interpretation shall exercise and maintain

responsible charge and shall certify geologic reports must be working within his/her area

of expertise. Inclusion of license numbers and/or official stamps shall be in accordance

with the requirements of the licensing board, local authority requirements.

GENERAL DATA QUALITY GUIDELINE

General

The Contractors/Consultants doing the field acquisition must submit field data acquisition

as required in data submission formats section. This data should outline

contractors/Consultants evaluate of their performance during the geophysical study. The

Contractors/Consultants should show flexibility response avoiding any cases during the

field work in additional to respond to any changing for evaluation form AAM.

Acquisition Scheme

During fieldwork the field-geophysicist/geologist is required to maintain documentations

for all fieldwork, it is most important to provide a historical record for the future reviews

and analysis of the usability of the data collected. However many Geophysical

Instruments record automatically the data, therefore a large number of the information

concerning the quality of the captured data may not be seen. In addition, some other

conditions can affect the measurements. These conditions should be recorded on the field

logbook. This can range form topography, ground cover, obstacles and weather as well as

others conditions and other interference should be noted. Sometime the sources of these

contributing effects may not be obvious and can go unnoticed by less experienced people.

It is known that in Geophysical Investigation, noise sources can affect dramatically the

measurement.



The objectives of the Geophysical survey are the interpretation of geological conditions

presented by the physical measurements. The reasonable expectation of how the

geophysical data will be interpreted is ideally a partnership between the Geophysicist,

Geologist and Geotechnical engineer.

Field Crew

During the field acquisition the AAM will conduct a field inspection. The inspection can

be conducted during the fieldwork according to the specification mentioned in the

proposal and not limited to it, in order to check whether:

- The field crew provided by Contractors/Consultants is a qualified geophysicist

leading the field crew.

- The field measurement accurate within minimal tolerance of error?

- There is a minimum of one person with appropriate licence, e.g. first aid training

in case of emergency.

- The equipments are working properly.

- A computer is available in the fieldwork. Leading Geophysicist should upload the

data after each profile measurement to check the quality of data.

- The equipment used in the fieldwork is the same as what the

Contractors/Consultants mentioned in his proposal.

- The Contractors/Consultants have certain permission since some projects need

special permission.

- The data checked correctly? And by who?

- They have the field logbook, in which all significant events are recorded.

- The recorded data are checked periodically? Times and by who?

- The field crew is respecting the environment, referring to the EHSMS system.

Equipments and Field Computers

By noticing the importance of calibration and standardization of the Geophysical

instrument that can affect the measurement; the Contractors/Consultants should maintain

the instruments calibration remarks written in field logbook. It is recommended to be

carried out before each new project and better to check before the start of any fieldwork

for each day.

To handle this situation it is mandatory to include periodic review of the digital data

especially for Electrical measurement. A field personal computer should be available to

insure the ability to read a digital data field that has been recorded. For different

Geophysical methods a different procedure may be required.

Surveying

Achieving a good geophysical investigation is conditioned by three characters:

- Implementation of the geophysical survey at a very early planning stage of the

project.



- Identifying the needs and designing the correct geophysical survey which

corresponds to objectives.

- Choosing the appropriate geophysical Contractors/Consultants.

The success of any geophysical survey depends not only on the design of the geophysical

survey but also on the combination of the geology and the use of the adequate

geophysical techniques. These factors include:

Factors Description

Nature of the objective The geophysical signature of the targeted geological

features is different from that of the background.

Depth of burial of objective Since the geophysical techniques have different

response, therefore, the depth of burial of the

geological feature is important. The depth of

investigation for geophysical methods is technique

dependant. However there is a strong relationship

between depth of investigation and the resolution of

the geophysical methods to take into consideration to

achieve the target. Generally the vertical resolution

decrease with depth of investigation.

Dimension Estimation of the dimension of the geological

features is very important; because it will help the

designers to build their calculations accordingly.

Profiling and station separation The geophysicist should build up the survey design

according to the depth of investigation, the

objective’s dimension and in addition to proper

selection of geophysical methods.

Usually a geophysical investigation is conducted

along profiles or in grids, thus the measurement

station spacing along the lines must be calculated

together with the line separation in order to cover all

the surveyed area.

Approximately a geophysical anomaly if existed will

be double the actual size of the object causing the

anomaly. This phenomenon, however, will help in

calculating the maximum profiles’ separation and

stations’ separation.

Data calibration An important facture that can help in any

geophysical investigation is the calibration of the

geophysical data with calibration borehole. The

calibration data may be provided by geotechnical

investigation or down-hole geophysical logs.



Quality Control in the Field

Data Quality Control throughout all stages of the geophysical fieldwork is the key of a

successful geophysical study. Field Quality Control should include:

- Calibration of the equipment.

- Field reporting during data acquisition.

- Uploading the data to a field computer in order to check for the quality after each

profile measurement.

- Repeat measurements in case of bad data reading.

During the data processing, the quality control should include:

- Discussing the quality of data.

- Minimum and maximum tolerance

- Processing steps notice.

DATA SUBMISSION FORMATS (DELIVERABLES)

The Contractors/Consultants, in their submitted interpretative report shall take into their

consideration and should:

o Give a general description of the project area and the type and the scope of study

o Discuss the purpose and objectives of the study; and clearly delineate and list the

limitations of the work and of the data and results

o Describe the general methods of analysis undertaken in the study

o Acknowledge the contributions of others that provided data, funding, access,

assistance and insight to the study

o Provide an index map showing the general project location, including important roads

and cultural features

o Provide an overview of the Geophysical Study steps that indicates their understanding

of the scope for the project and its purposes.

o List the individuals who will interfered on the Geophysical Study, describe their

individual roles and what project work each of them will be responsible for. Include

any subcontractors. With CV's in attachment used the template Appendix E.

o Provide the standards regarding the Data Quality Control during the fieldwork and the

laboratory processing, as well as, HSE policies procedures.

Media Types

Geophysical reports including the raw and the processed data, the parameters of inversion

and the interpretation must be submitted in a digital form and as a hard copy. The

following aspects are to be ensured for the digital media:



1. Data integrity and traceability of the original hard copy report and digital media.

2. The chronology and good structuring should be observed during the writing up of

the report.

3. All digital versions including the interpretation report and inversion parameters of

the operations should be submitted on CD/DVD. The CD should be clearly

labelled.

4. A digital media backup copy of all digital information submitted to AAM should

be kept with the Contractors/Consultants for a period of at least 5 years, covering

the possibility of information corruption during transfer to AAM.

Data Formats

All digital interpretation report submitted to AAM should be in PDF format; this includes

interpretation report or maps, tables, figures and all other media which can be embedded

into the PDF document. The Contractors/Consultants should take into consideration the

resolution and recommendations of this report.

Concerning the tabular digital Data information (such as listings of lines/stations/areas

recordings, survey control points, permanent markers, borehole locations, and processing

parameters) should be submitted as GIS format files. These files should include

explanation of column headings, units and abbreviations as appropriate. The digital form

of the report must be bookmarked to assist in rapid navigation through the document.

All the submitted digital data must be completely agree within Town Planning

Requirements.

Compression Files

In case where the Contractors/Consultants submit a data in compressed form; the

following should be observed:

- Include an explicative note

- The file should be in self-extractor format

- Whenever the Contractors/Consultants are using other software than WINZIP,

they are required to provide the software.

- Detailed list of all compressed files.

Conventional File Name

All digital media should be named following this example:

Project_Name_services (ERT_MASW_etc)_Name_of_Area_Client_Date.pdf

Photography_1_ services (ERT_MASW_etc)_Name_of_Area_Client_Date.jpg



Report limitation

The Contractors/Consultants when submitting the final report within digital data must:

1. Inform the AAM of any limitations that the Contractors/Consultants met during

the investigation.

2. Mention the areas, which lack certain data and information or any significant

uncertainty.

3. Give a reasonable and scientific assessment of how the conclusions and

recommendations have been reached.

Delivery

All interpretation reports or digital media submitted pursuant to AAM should be marked

to the attention of the Eng. Humaid Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Department Head, and

addressed as follows:

For hand deliveries: For postal deliveries:

Humaid Mohammed Al-Nuaimi

Al Ain Municipality – Main Building

Infrastructure Assets of the Municipality

First floor, office 146

Al Ain

Humaid Mohammed Al-Nuaimi

Al Ain Municipality – Main Building

P.O. Box 1003

Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Geophysical reports can be submitted to the following:

Mariam Rashid Al-Nuaimi [email protected]

Al Ain Municipality - Main Building


First floor, office 1020. Al Ain

Karim Benhammam [email protected]

Al Ain Municipality - Main Building


First floor, office 146. Al Ain



Archiving

Archiving is an important operation at the end of any study. Indeed they can help in

future research. The Contractors/Consultants should archive all field and processed data

at least 5years after completion of the geophysical study.

Data Data Format Remarks Archiving

Report

Report text including plans,

tables and maps less than A3

PDF The report should be in PDF format

generated from word. Scanned to PDF

format is not acceptable.

5 years

Map, plan and logs less than A3 PDF + GIS The resolution more than 200dpi.

Scanned files to PDF format are not

acceptable

5 years

Fields (raw data) and

processed data

All data field ASCII (in GIS

format)

Format should be the same as was

originally recorded, including full

header information

10 years

All processed data with

processing parameters

ASCII (in GIS

format)

Format should be the same as was

originally processed, including full

header information

10 years

For resubmitted data, for any given reason, the Contractors/Consultants must attach an explicative note

on whether there are any differences between the resubmitted and the first submitted data.

Appendix A

Flow Chart & guidelines to conduct a Geophysical Survey

by the Al Ain Municipality

Ref: Day/Month/Year Guideline for Geophysical Study in AAM

Point of contact: [email protected] 1

Al Ain Municipality

TEMPLATE PROPOSAL

Soil Study, Geophysical Investigation

For Al Ain Municipality

Geophysical services

Reference Number Day/Month/Year

Submission:

Name of the project

The name of owner

Submitted by

done by

Acquisition and Processing date

Reference inquiries to:



Proposal "Name of Project"

Company Name

Adresse, City,

Country, Tel:

Fax: Email:

Your company Logo, as Image

Client : -------------------

Location : -------------------

Site : -------------------

Country : -------------------

Contractor : -------------------

Ref Numbers : -------------------



Preface



Table of contents

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................

1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................

1.1 Objectives of the Analysis ............................................................................

1.2 Service Details .............................................................................................

1.3 Acquisition Mode ..........................................................................................

2.0 Data Acquisition and technical approach .....................................................

2.1 General ........................................................................................................

2.2 Site Description ............................................................................................

2.3 Geology Site "details"....................................................................................

2.4 Scope of Geophysical Investigation .............................................................

2.4.1 Stage 1 – Geophysical survey ERT, MASW … etc ................................

2.4.1.1 Step 1 Topography .............................................................................

2.4.1.2 Step 2 Data Acquisition & Data Quality Control during field work .............

2.4.1.3 Step 3 Data Processing & Interpretation ...........................................

2.4.1.4 Step 4 Calibration Boreholes ...............................................................

2.4.2 Stage 2 – Cross Hole Tomography in case of any Anomalies ...............

2.4.2.1 Step 1 details Description for Technical Approach ................................

2.4.3 Stage 3 – Redaction of Report ...............................................................

3.0 People Key Technical .....................................................................................

4.0 Appendix ..........................................................................................................



List of Figures (example)

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Figure 3:

Figure 4:

Figure 5:

Figure n:

List of Tables (example)

Table 1:

Table 2:

Table 3:

Table 4:

Table 5:

Table 6:

Table 7:

Table n:

Appendix (example)

Appendix A:

Appendix B: Summary ERT, MASW, Microgravity …. Processing

Techniques.

Appendix C: Glossary of Terms.

Appendix D: Mnemonics.



Section 2: Answer Products Prints: 1. (2 copies): Proposal Report.

Digital Media:

1. CD-ROM: (2 copies) Proposal Report, site plan with Coordinate Map & Architect plan any documents about the project (in GIS format).



Executive Summary:



1.0 Introduction

1.1 Objectives of the Analysis

Describe the objectives of this project with details.

1.2 Service Details

All details about the service will be used during the Geophysical investigation.

1.3 Acquisition Mode

Different methods that the contractor will used, specific array or methods

description, with all parameters and techniques (no general, specific to this

project)

2.0 Data Acquisition and technical approach

2.1 General

Concerning the data acquisition and technical approach specific to this

project, (it is recommended to visit a site before)

2.2 Site Description

For each site details description, geographical, geological etc …

2.3 Geology Site "details"

Details about site Geology (not only general Geology for Al Ain city or

Emirates Geology)

2.4 Scope of Geophysical Investigation

On this section it's recommended to mention for each step the scope of work

with timing as possible. During each stages the start date and the duration is

mandatory to mention.

2.4.1 Stage 1 – Geophysical survey ERT, MASW … etc

2.4.1.1 Step 1 Topography

Describe which type of machine used, with measurement precision, the grid

used (10mX10m or ….)

PS: all topography data is requested by Al Ain Municipality as the

Geophysical data (raw and processed data)



2.4.1.2 Step 2 Data Acquisition & Data Quality Control during field

work

During the investigation the engineer should have a laptop, to upload the data

form the acquisition machine to laptop for each profile, this procedure should

be implemented to minimize and check the quality of data, if there is any

missed data or bad data quality, during the site investigation.

2.4.1.3 Step 3 Data Processing & Interpretation

Mention all stages from acquisition to final results, with all techniques and

software's used (it is recommended to keep for each data the specific

reference)

2.4.1.4 Step 4 Calibration Boreholes

The calibrated borehole is recommends to check any anomalies. The location

for these boreholes should be mentioned on the report.

2.4.2 Stage 2 – Cross Hole Tomography in case of any Anomalies

If necessary, the argument should be provided.

2.4.2.1 Step 1 details Description for Technical Approach

All details about where and how it will be used same as the conventional

geophysical approach.

2.4.3 Stage 3 – Redaction of Report

3.0 People Key Technical

All staff working on the project. Field engineers, analyst and reporter.

4.0 Appendix

|Ref: Day/Month/Year Guideline for Geophysical Study in AAM


Al Ain Municipality

FINAL REPORT TEMPLATE

Soil Study, Geophysical Investigation

Al-Ain Municipality

Geophysical Services

Reference Number 15/09/2009

Submission:

Name of the project

Name of owner

Submitted by

Field Survey Conducted by

Acquisition and Data Processing

Reference inquiries to:



Processing and Interpretation of Data & Project name

Company Name

Address, City,

Country, Tel:

Email:

Company Logo (as Image)

Client : -------------------

Location : -------------------

Site : -------------------

Country : -------------------

Analyst : -------------------

Analysis Date : Month Year

Acquisition Date : Day Month Year

Job Reference : -------------------



Preface

The critical item in evaluating specific site investigations for adequacy is the

resulting geophysical report. A report that is incomplete or poorly written

cannot be accepted and will be not approved. A report will not be accepted

until it presents the pertinent facts correctly and completely.

The conclusions presented in the report regarding the geological hazards or

problems must be separate form and supported by the investigative data. An

indication regarding the level of confidence in the conclusions should be

provided. Recommendations based on the conclusions should be made to

mitigate those geology-related problems, which would have an impact on the

proposed development. Recommendations also should be made concerning

the need for additional geophysical investigations.



Table of contents

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................

1.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................

1.1 Objectives of the Report ...............................................................................

1.2 Service Details .............................................................................................

1.3 Acquisition Modes ........................................................................................

2.0 Data Acquisition ..............................................................................................

2.1 General ........................................................................................................

2.2 ERT parameters (example) ..........................................................................

2.3 MASW parameters (example) ......................................................................

2.4 All methods used during the survey with parameters ...................................

3.0 Data Processing ..............................................................................................

3.1 Data Quality Control ....................................................................................

3.2 Processing Parameters Methods .................................................................

3.3 Principle of Processing ...............................................................................

3.4 Used Technique description .......................................................................

4.0 Discussion of Results .....................................................................................

4.1 ERT Interpretation ........................................................................................

4.2 MASW interpretation ....................................................................................

4.3 Other used method(s) Interpretation ............................................................

5.0 Conclusions ....................................................................................................

6.0 Recommendation .............................................................................................



List of Figures

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Figure 3:

Figure 4:

Figure 5:

Figure n:

List of Tables (Examples)

Table 1: Acquisition Parameters for Geophysical Investigation.

Table 2: ERT, MASW… Parameters Acquisition.

Table 3:

Table 4:

Table 5:

Table 6:

Table 7:

Table n:

Appendix (Example)

Appendix A: Data Processing.

Appendix B: Summary ERT, MASW …. Processing Techniques.

Appendix C: Glossary of Terms.

Appendix D: Mnemonics.



Section 2: Answer Products Prints: 1. (2 copies): Final Report.

Digital Media: 1. CD-ROM: (2 copies) Final Report, Results in GIS format, Raw & Processed Data

files.



Executive Summary:



1.0 Introduction

1.1 Objectives of the analysis:

1.

2. Quality control of data (…etc) acquisition data.

QC of all raw data

Flagging of zones of possible poor quality

3. Data processing.

Perform the ERT MASW (…etc) processing

Any re-labelling done for data

During the processing, the analyst must indicate the percentage of removed data.

4. Calculate the Geometrical parameters of the cavities & Falaj or any others anomalies if

any.

Calculate the Dimensions X, Y and Z

Provide the position(s) on the map

Calculate the volume of the anomalies

5. Fracture and weak zone identification.



1.2 Service Details:

The service details of the Geophysical Investigation, data acquired in the site are summarized

in table 1 below:

Table 1: Acquisition Parameters

General:

Operator name

Zone name

Location

Location Coordinate (UTM)

Reference datum

Site condition

Geophysical Acquisitions:

Geophysical Contractor

Data acquisition system

Data processing software

Final data acquired

Date of acquisitions

Total interval acquired / area study

Depth of investigation reached

Client Name

Contractor engineers



1.3 Acquisition Modes:

Give details of the method used in the site:

Site Name Interval acquired

ERT MASW GPR Gravimetric Magnetic Others if there is

m X X X X X X

Table 2: Acquisition methods.

Figure 1: Geophysical Array Diagram

Picture of the array to be used for data acquisition



2.0 Data Acquisition

2.1 General

All parameters used or entered in machine during all and any survey. In addition, any other

array configuration used in any part of the survey should be mentioned.

2.2 ERT parameters

Example for ERT: any value entered should be mentioned with comments.

(Same for all others survey).

Number of stack Value comments

Current I (mA) Value comments

SP (mV) Value comments

Error (%) Value Comments

measurements spacing Comments

Profiles separation Comments

Etc … Comments

Comments

Comments

Comments

2.3 MASW parameters

2.4 All methods used during the survey with parameters



3.0 Data Processing

3.1 Data Quality Control

The data is of good or bad quality (Based on field situations, arguments should be given).

Figure2: example of data quality.

3.2 Processing Parameters Methods

The technique, which was used to reprocess the data, set. Example: Good

data were obtained over the acquisition interval using the processing

parameters listed in table 3.

ERT, MASW …etc Methods:

(Table 3: Summary of the parameters used for the ERT computation example)

Number of stack Comments

Geophone spacing Comments

Geophone frequencies

Comments

Profiles separation Comments

CDP Comments

Off-set Comments

Seismic energy sources

Comments

Etc … Comments

(Example) With DT compressional and shear data was used in combination

with density data to calculate the dynamic elastic moduli of the rock (Figure

"number"), which could be used in further mechanical property studies. The

formulas and mnemonics used are presented in table 4 below.



Table 4: Dynamic Elastic Moduli Formulas

Poisson’s Ratio Lateral strain/Longitudinal strain ((1/2) x (DTS/DTC)2-1)/((DTS/DTC)

2-1)

G Shear Modulus Applied stress/Shear strain /DTS2

E Young’s Modulus Applied uniaxial stress/Normal strain 2G(1+)

Kb Bulk Modulus Hydrostatic pressure/Volumetric

strain

[(1/DTC2

)-(4/3DTS2

)] x a

Cb Bulk

compressibility

(with porosity)

Volumetric deformation/Hydrostatic

pressure

1/Kb

3.3 Principle of Processing

Describe the principle of processing for each method

3.4 Description of the Used Technique

Describe all methods used during the survey wit h a summary of the scientific theory of each Geophysical method.

4.0 Results Discussion Giving detailed interpretation for each profile of every method used during the survey. Any Geological features encountered during the Geophysical investigation must be clearly as following:

- Falaj - Voids (type of this void: cavities, collapsed, unfilled …) - Groundwater table (depth and salinity) - Stratigraphy, - Lithology (combination between Geophysical and Geotechnical) - Geophysical hazard area. -

5.0 Conclusions

6.0 Recommendations

Al Ain Municipality Requirement

The consultant/contractor shall provide a well-qualified experienced and competent Project Manager during all the stages to liaise with the Municipality Geophysical Team and shall have authority to take decision as necessary. His presence on the project may not necessarily be full time.

The Consultant/Contractor should provide a list of the staffs and should indicate their position and clearly identify the job responsibilities of each position along with their technical qualification & experience in similar jobs. All proposed staffs shall be subject to Municipality's approval. No staff once approved on any project within Al-Ain shall be removed or replaced without prior written consent of the Geophysical Team.

The consultant will be responsible for the survey and the interpretation of the field data, However, the Municipality in fevering the client’s rights will have the right to refuse/accept any of the approved staff and informing the Consultant/Contractor of the reason(s).

The Consultant shall be responsible for the following:

Submitting a detailed proposal for the geophysical investigation, this will have to include the method of statement.

To ensure that the works on any site within the district of Al-Ain are carried out in accordance with the approved method statement in full compliance with each project’s contract specification, drawings & methodology.

To ensure that the equipment employed by the contractor on any site within the district of Al-Ain are in good working condition and are duly calibrated and meet international standards.

To ensure quality control of the field and interpreted data. Ensuring that the data collected from field works are correctly entered in the record sheets and properly maintained.

To ensure all geophysical works are efficiently supervised by qualified experienced and responsible staff of the consultant.

To ensure that environmental, health & safety issues are efficiently taken care of.

The Contractor should satisfy the following requirements:

Could provide both in-house geophysical survey and geotechnical investigation services (work not subcontracted).

Could provide a range of geophysical survey methods (resistivity, multi-analysis of surface waves, GPR, downhole geophysics, cross-hole tomography, etc).

The contractor should have a reputation for quality, workmanship and efficient service

The contractor should have an experience of undertaking a range of geophysical surveys in the UAE and worldwide.

The contractor should have a financial stability and resources available to undertake the works.

The contractor should have experienced technical personnel in supervising, analysing and interpreting geophysical surveys, logging of boreholes, in-situ testing, etc.

The contractor should have an adequate quality assurance procedures and environmental policies.

The Contractor(s) shall be responsible for the following:

Conducting detailed geophysical investigation to a depth not less than 25m under the area of construction for one-story building. Deeper investigations are required for higher buildings.

Undertake a geophysical survey by adapting a technique(s), most suitable for the area under investigation, thereby identifying & locating the position & extent of any man-made or natural subsurface features whenever encountered, i.e. cavities, landfills, etc… 3D models must be given for any of the found structures.

The investigation shall also identify & locate the Falaj system (live or abandoned) and provide the information on the map.

Conduct geotechnical investigation (calibration Boreholes) and prepare a comprehensive geological mapping depicting stratigraphy/lithology, describing the standard characteristics of soil/rock and by correlating data’s obtained from different borehole logs. It shall also identify the fractured rocks, weak zones etc.

The groundwater level and the water salinity should be clearly indicated on the report.

The contractor should submit together with the final report, all results and field data to Al-Ain Municipality in a linkable format to the Geographic Information System (GIS) of Town Planning & Survey Sector Al Ain.

Appendix F

Contractors/Consultants Staff CV's form (To be filled and provided as Annex 1 of the contractors/consultants technical proposal)

CURRICULUM VITAE

Proposed role in the mission: International Expert

1. Family name:

2. First names:

3. Date of birth:

4. Nationality:

5. Civil status:

6. Education:

Institution

[ Date from - Date to ]

Degree(s) or Diploma(s) obtained:

7. Language skills: Indicate competence on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 - excellent; 5 -

basic)

Language Reading Speaking Writing

Arabic

English

Others

8. Membership of professional bodies:

9. Other skills:

10. Present position:

11. Years within the firm:

12. Key qualifications:

13. Specific experience in the region:

Country Date from - Date to

14. Professional Experience

15. Other relevant information (e.g., Publications)...

Date

from

-

Date

to

Location Company Position Description

guideline manual - بلدية مدينة العين following guideline manual has been prepared ......

Documents