Aces plays key role in Riyadh Metro development

Jordan-based Arab Center for Engineering Studies (Aces), the region’s leading geotechnical engineering and material testing firm, said it continues to play a major role in the Saudi government's ambitious Riyadh Metro project providing specialised services to all three consortia (Fast, ANM and Bacs) responsible for the metro project and their respective subcontractors. Geotechnical works conducted by Aces include thorough soil investigations for Line 1, 3, 4 and 6, which required drilling, sampling, and extensive field testing of over 200 boreholes, said the company in a statement. For lines 1 and 2, the soil investigation work was coupled with geophysical testing including down holes, cross hole, acoustic televiewer and ERT testing, it stated. Additionally, Aces has provided Fast Consortium with an extensive cavity probing study to detect voids and utilised their technical capabilities to implement remedial grouting works under the specific piers. The company is proud of its involvement with the Riyadh Metro project since its inception, said a company spokesman. Currently, it is widely involved with a three-year contract to conduct the quality control and management work for ANM’s Line 3, he stated. With two of the largest site labs in the kingdom, over 90 engineers and experienced technicians, the Jordanian group said it can conduct on-site testing of concrete, asphalt and ground materials covering piling and foundation, concrete erection and tunnel wall works in accordance to the most updated international testing standards. Furthermore, Aces produces regular quality control reports that summarise the test findings and facilitates the key decision-making process for ANM. In addition to the site labs and routine construction testing, the company is conducting more specialised testing for all three consortia through its Aces Riyadh main lab which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and is ISO 17025 certified, said the company in a statement. Examples of such tests include concrete chloride migration, NDT (non-destructive testing) methods and several pile tests including low strain integrity, cross-hole sonic logging, and high-strain dynamic pile testing, it stated. Aces' success on the Riyadh Metro project comes as no surprise, as the company has an extensive track record of involvement with rail and tunnelling in the region, including the Dubai, Doha and Jeddah metros as well as the Abu Dhabi Step Tunnel,