Expand design life of nuclear building with Structural Health Monitoring – Sellafield Ltd site

In September 2023, for the thirteenth consecutive year since 2010, Sixense successfully completed the annual maintenance of the EverSense Acoustic Monitoring System, installed in a Sellafield Ltd building in the UK.

The EverSense Acoustic Monitoring system plays a crucial role at Sellafield by monitoring the status of structural pre-stressing tendons. This technology not only extends the operational lifetime of a key building but also ensures its sustainability and safety.

✅ Comprehensive System Check: NUVIA in collaboration with Nicolas CORTES from Sixense, conducted a thorough examination of all components of the Acoustic Monitoring system – sensors, cabling, acquisition nodes, and units. This proactive approach helps prevent or detect any potential risks of system failure.

✅ Minor Repairs and Testing: In addition to the inspection, we performed minor repairs and rigorous testing. Over the years, this type of preventive maintenance has consistently delivered exceptional uptime.

✅ Assessment for the Future: We conducted a complete assessment of the system to mitigate equipment obsolescence risks and prevent critical failures.

✅ Data Quality and Reliability: During the on-site maintenance, Sixense conducted numerous tests to ensure that the system has maintained high data quality and reliability since its installation in 2010.

✅ Customer-Centric Approach: Beyond maintenance, this mission provided us with an opportunity to listen to our customers’ feedback, understand their needs and challenges, and collaborate on future solutions. Client care and continuous improvement remain our top priorities.

This annual maintenance effort underscores our commitment to ensuring the reliability, safety, and longevity of critical infrastructure. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sellafield in the pursuit of excellence in structural health monitoring.

Surface settlement monitoring is a crucial aspect of construction and infrastructure maintenance. Traditionally, this involves installing target prisms on the ground however, there’s a more efficient and safer way to conduct this essential task: the CENTAUR solution.

Key advantages:

1. Enhanced safety: Monitor risky and unsafe areas without sending teams to install prisms.
2. Minimal disruption: Monitor busy roads without disrupting traffic flow for example.
3. High precision monitoring: Enjoy high accuracy and continuous assessments with CENTAUR’s automatic recording of vertical displacements between virtual settlement points.

CENTAUR represents a significant leap forward in monitoring technology. Its ability to conduct accurate and safe monitoring without the need for ground-installed prisms makes it an indispensable tool for modern construction and infrastructure projects.

By minimizing disruptions and enhancing safety, CENTAUR ensures that monitoring is conducted efficiently and effectively, even in the most challenging environments.

Embrace the future of infrastructure monitoring with Sixense!

We are pleased to announce the completion of a pile monitoring project using strain gauges in Dubai.

Key figures:

• 6 piles monitored
• 72 strain gauges installed

 

Our team ensured precise installation and thorough data collection, processing, and reporting, providing valuable insights into the performance and integrity of the piles.

 

This project demonstrates our commitment to delivering reliable and efficient monitoring solutions and our expertise in structural and geotechnical engineering.

Hosting international gatherings such as the Olympics can take a toll on a city’s infrastructure, requiring building, transportation means, and stadiums to support increased capacity for extended periods of time.

At Sixense, our specialization in infrastructure management perfectly meets this challenge through three core areas of expertise:

• Specialized Engineering: We conduct thorough condition assessments of structures to ensure they meet the heightened demands of major events.
• Monitoring: Our advanced monitoring systems track structural behavior in real-time, from stress on key elements to buildings’ movements and ground settlements.
• Digital Solutions: Through tools like Beyond Asset, we streamline infrastructure management by centralizing data and optimizing asset performance, enhancing operational efficiency and overall resilience.

 

With our proven track record and our set of innovative solutions, our team is ready to support cities in keeping unique moments like the Olympics a moment of sharing, where safety and sustainability should never be compromised.

At Sixense, our expertise extends beyond managing existing structures. We specialize in overseeing construction projects from start to finish, preventing issues and guaranteeing safety.

To optimize construction worksite safety, we monitor deformation, hydrogeological and geotechnical parameters, as well as noise and vibration, with sensors strategically located in the soil and structures within and around the worksite.

Trust Sixense for expert construction management to ensure your projects are completed safely and efficiently.

Sixense recently participated in the BU+ Program at ESSEC Business School from the 27th to the 31st of May. This comprehensive training program was designed to address our group’s challenges and core business areas, featuring insightful presentations from our leaders, including Manuel Peltier, General Manager of Soletanche Freyssinet. 

 

In addition to focusing on our core competencies, the program explored broader topics such as Marketing and Management, presented by esteemed professors from ESSEC. These sessions provided valuable insights and strategies to tackle complex business challenges. 

 

We were proud to have Ahmed Nada, the Country Manager of Sixense UAE, represent us during this enriching experience. The knowledge and perspectives gained from this program will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing growth and success. 

Time takes a toll on everything. We recently encountered a critical situation with 43-year-old water tanks, built in the 20th century, showing severe defects in key areas such as ring beams, periphery walls, and access shafts.

Immediate action was required to ensure structural integrity.

 

For this project, our team of specialists meticulously planned a comprehensive restoration strategy and performed a range of tasks, from general visual inspection, and confirmation of as-built elements with design drawings, to extensive sites and laboratory tests. 

 

Some key figures: 

• 8 compressive strength tests 
• 8 tensile splitting strength tests 
• 74 UPV tests 
• 74 rebound hammer tests 

 

At Sixense, we’re passionate about delivering exceptional results on every project. We ensure structural integrity and safety, breathing new life into aging infrastructure.  

At Sixense Middle East, we’re committed to prioritizing on-site security. As Safety Days 2024 approaches, we’re gearing up to reinforce our dedication to safety within our organization. 

 

During Safety Days 2024, taking place from May 27th to June 1st, our team will participate in initiatives aimed at heightening awareness about on-site security best practices. We’re excited to attend a webinar to discuss crucial topics like “Work at Height” and “Electricity”. These discussions will equip us with invaluable insights to further enhance our safety protocols. 

 

Our journey toward enhancing on-site security is a continuous one, and Safety Days 2024 provide an ideal platform for us to reaffirm our commitment to safety.  

It’s crucial for asset owners and building maintenance contractors to prioritize the assessment of basement conditions. At Sixense, we understand the importance of safeguarding infrastructures against water damage, and we’re here to help. 

 

Our comprehensive condition assessment services are tailored to address issues such as water leakages and infiltration in basements. With years of experience and a multidisciplinary approach, we provide asset owners with invaluable insights to protect their investments. 

 

Our methodology encompasses a range of techniques, including visual inspections, non-destructive and destructive tests, as well as laboratory analyses. This meticulous process enables us to identify defects accurately and offer precise recommendations for repair. 

 

By choosing Sixense, you’re not just investing in a service – you’re partnering with a team dedicated to ensuring the longevity and resilience of your infrastructure. Let’s work together to mitigate risks and secure a sustainable future. 

🌟 Reflecting on an Incredible Team Iftar Event! 🌙✨ 

 

Last month, our team came together for a heartwarming Iftar event that truly captured the spirit of Ramadan. It was wonderful to gather Menard, our sister company, at Jumeirah Beach Hotel to break our fast together and share in the blessings of this sacred month. 

 

The evening was filled with laughter, joy, and the sharing of delicious food. It was a time to strengthen our bonds, connect with one another, and appreciate the unity that defines our team. 

 

Here’s to many more moments of unity and celebration together!

Our team recently completed a project involving the construction of a ramp above an underpass on the strategic Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street, in Qasr al Bahr, Abu Dhabi.

 

At Sixense, we don’t just sell solutions – we offer complete and personalized assistance, to prioritize and address your needs and concerns with care.

 

Here is a glimpse into what our work covered:

• Pre-condition Survey: Before the construction of the ramp, our experts conducted a comprehensive visual inspection of the underpass to assess its condition and identify any potential challenges.

 

• Displacement Monitoring: During the construction of the ramp, we carefully monitored the movement of the underpass in 3D, using 68 Nos. of optical target prisms and 2 automatic total stations, ensuring precision and accuracy at every stage.

 

• Post-condition Survey: Upon the ramp’s completion, we conducted a thorough post-condition survey to confirm the underpass’ structural integrity and ensure compliance with safety standards.

 

Working with Sixense means choosing a partner fully engaged throughout the entire lifecycle of your project.

Dams play a crucial role in providing us with reliable and sustainable energy. However, effective monitoring is absolutely essential to ensure their safety and functionality. Over the years, as one of the leaders in dam management, Sixense has developed solutions specifically tailored for these critical structures.

 

🛰️ INSTRUMENTATION & MONITORING 

Our expertise extends to structural, geotechnical, and hydrogeological monitoring, covering both short-term missions and long-term structural assessments. Leveraging innovative methods such as InSAR satellites, we can provide unmatched insights into the health and performance of dams throughout their lifecycle. 

 

🔍 INSPECTION 

Through detailed condition assessments, including non-destructive and destructive testing, and laboratory analysis, we ensure a complete understanding of dam structures. Embracing innovation, our services also include drones, to reach the most inaccessible areas with precision and efficiency. 

 

📊 DIGITAL SOLUTION 

Effective decision-making relies on centralized and clear data. Our ‘Beyond’ digital solution offers a new approach to data management. “Beyond Monitoring” offers real-time management of all recorded data, while “Beyond Asset” helps you streamline processes such as inventory management and maintenance planning simultaneously.  

 

At Sixense, safety, reliability, and efficiency are our top priorities in every project. That’s why we design comprehensive suites of solutions to fully empower our clients and unlock the full potential of their most critical assets. 

Last week, Sixense was out!

 

Sixense team joined the Warehouse Restaurant at Le Meridien Hotel for a quiz night!

 

​​​​​​​Warm thank you to Farid Rached and Danna Murillo for organizing such a fun evening with a crazy contest that tested our Sixense knowledge, music, general culture…

 

After a heated battle, we are thrilled to announce the winning team composed of Jean Christophe Monneret, Ahmed Ebrahim, Sayeed Shaikh and Sanal Sankar.

They received an amazing voucher for their efforts.

 

 

Last week, Sixense was invited to participate to the Freyssinet Middle East inter company football championship.

This journey was about coming together as a team, building bonds, and creating unforgettable memories with Menard , Freyssinet Dubai Group and Reinforced Earth!

 

Thank you Freyssinet Middle East and Esther for organizing this memorable event! 

 

Congratulations to MENARD team for winning the tournament with an incredible performance on the field. It showcased the power of collaboration and perseverance. 

 

Congratulations also to our very own Farid, for winning the tournament’s best player medal for the second time in a row. 

 

A massive shoutout to our amazing players who displayed incredible teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament: 

 

Silviu Dobroiu 

Moustafa Elsisy 

Farid Rached 

Melhem Abi Warde 

Khaled Abduo 

Ahmed Ebrahim 

Kamal Tahri 

Raymond Serhal 

Paul Montagne 

 

Your dedication and spirit truly embody the essence of teamwork and camaraderie.

Thank Menard Middle East for organizing a truly unforgettable New Year celebration at Mediterraneo Restaurant, Armani Hotel. Our Annual Team Event was a wonderful opportunity to honor the hard work and dedication of all our associates and to announce our 2023 Employee of the Year: Henaan Cherukad and to congratulate Vishnukumar Pillai for his Outstanding Safety Performance.

 

It is with great pride that we recognize Henaan Cherukad and  Vishnukumar Pillai for their outstanding contributions to our team, and we are grateful to have them as a part of our organization. 

 

Congratulations to Henaan Cherukad and Vishnukumar Pillai on these well-deserved recognitions. 

At Sixense, we support asset owners with our extensive drone expertise.

 

Drones have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of applications, from assets and risk management to construction and consulting.

They simplify structure inspection, data collection, and provide accurate diagnoses and recommendations.

 

· Inspection: Drones enable us to access remote areas to complete an accurate assessment and operate more quickly afterward if needed.

 

· Digitization: Digitizing your assets is an essential step in every project. With the mapping function of our drones, we can recreate a 3D high-quality digitalized image of your infrastructure or land (topographic survey) in a short amount of time.

 

At Sixense, we have extensive experience using these technologies enabling our clients to:

 

💰 Save time and money on large-scale projects the data collection and processing

 

🔎 Enhance operators’ safety in remote or hard-to-reach areas

 

🛡️ Improve the data accuracy to formulate the ideal solutions for your specific needs.

 

Do you picture how drones could change the way you manage your assets?

We are excited to share details about a remarkable project our teams recently completed in the south of Dubai, close to the area of Jebel Ali.

 

The primary objective of this project was to establish an efficient and reliable sewerage system, connecting the developed communities of the Jebel Ali area to the networks of the Dubai municipality.

 

One of the notable challenges was that one of the sewer lines was crossing above the existing metro line. To ensure seamless execution, Sixense was entrusted with a comprehensive instrumentation and monitoring campaign for the metro tunnel. Our teams diligently measured settlements, tracked 3D movements, and monitored vibrations, guaranteeing total safety along the project.

 

Sixense also conducted pre- and post-construction dilapidation surveys, including a detailed visual inspection and a thorough condition assessment of the metro tunnel’s interior. Our objective was to document and report any existing cracks and damages, allowing us to maintain a complete understanding of its condition at all times.

 

To accomplish these tasks with precision, we employed cutting-edge tools and technologies. The CYCLOP system, a powerful combination of Total Station and Optical Targets, played a crucial role in our surveying efforts. Additionally, we also used movement gauges and vibration units to capture accurate data and monitor the project with precision.

 

The success of this project is due to our team’s unique dedication and expertise. Moving forward, we remain committed and excited to further our contribution to the growth and development of Dubai’s infrastructure. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on our ongoing projects!

In today’s world, managing infrastructures with precision, efficiency, and safety is crucial. Atlas InSAR, harnesses radar satellite images to create millions of measurement points, meeting your construction and maintenance needs across all the phases of your projects.

 

SOLUTION

Developed in 2004 to address ground deformation and structural stability complexities, Atlas InSAR is in constant development, keeping pace with technological innovation and new capabilities.

 

This satellite-based remote sensing solution captures millimeter-level ground motion without on-site intervention, providing wide terrain behavior maps and detailed structural analyses.

 

APPLICATION

With Atlas InSAR, our teams can meticulously track accumulated displacement and deformation for each point, offering insightful retrospectives and real-time updates through an intuitive interface.

 

Our platform transforms data into tailored and actionable insights using advanced analytics. Enjoy direct and comprehensive control over your different assets.

 

INNOVATION

With over 700 engineers globally dedicated to construction and decade-long expertise in satellite radar data, we offer an unmatched understanding of the field. Committed to innovation, we adapt to the latest satellite tech, ensuring a safer, more efficient future for your projects!

 

Beyond precision, our non-intrusive solutions, experience, and commitment to innovation are what sets Sixense apart. Join us on this thrilling journey towards smarter monitoring!

Sixense organized a specialized training program in France. This intensive training is designed to empower our current project engineers and propel them into their next careers as project managers.

With a strong emphasis on safety and quality, in line with our group’s top priorities, the agenda covered key aspects such as security, project managers’ mission, safety at work, and specialized sessions on contract management, CSR, and reporting.

Representing the UAE, we were happy to have Melhem Abi Warde and Ahmed Ebrahim joining this program, alongside Mohamad Qasim from KSA.

Beyond sharpening our employees’ expertise, this gathering aims to strengthen the bonds within the Sixense family. It’s not just about knowledge enhancement; it’s also an opportunity for our teams to reconnect, share insights, deepen their understanding of the company’s developments, and stay up to date with international standards.

Here’s to a transformative experience that went beyond professional growth: a chance for us to gather, learn, and build Sixense’s future together!

As the end of the year approaches, we would like to take a moment to pause and reflect on our journey together in 2023. Despite a challenging environment, we’ll end the year positively, with achievements that have solidified our teams and strengthened our commitment to excellence.

 

WE GREW

• Our team: Our talented and diverse team will drive our vision forward!
• Our geographical reach: Beyond UAE and KSA, we’ve expanded to Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, India, and Egypt!
• Our sectors of expertise: In 2023, Sixense ventured into new sectors, like nuclear, mining, and hydro, broadening our impact and unlocking new opportunities.

 

WE DELIVERED

We are proud to have successfully completed a major project in the Oil and Gas sector, demonstrating our commitment to excellence.

 

WE IMPROVED

At Sixense, we believe in the continuous growth of our greatest asset: our people. We’ve continued to organize trainings to empower our employees with skills to boost their careers.

 

As we bid farewell to 2023, we would like to thank our incredible team, clients, and partners for their growth, resilience, and trust!

Cultivating Team Spirit on the Field!

At Sixense, we firmly believe that fostering an innovative work environment goes hand in hand with nurturing a vibrant and engaging community. That’s why, we brought our team for a friendly football tournament with our sister companies.

Last week, colleagues from Sixense and Freyssinet Middle East came together for a sportive day.

Congratulations to Reco Dubai, for winning the tournament, and to our very own Farid Rached, for winning Best Player of the tournament!

The tournament was a blast from start to finish, we want to thank Freyssinet Middle East for inviting us, and turning this day into a memorable moment of festivity filled with laughter and an unbreakable sense of community.

Together, we take great pride in showing that it’s more than work here; it’s a true team.

⚽️ Meet the players who represented Sixense!
●       Raymond Serhal
●       Moustafa Elsisy
●       Farid Rached
●       Silviu Dobroiu
●       khaled abduo
●       Ahmed Ebrahim
●       Melhem Abi Warde
●       Kamal Tahri

Ahmed Nada and Mirella Khalil had a fruitful stay in India.

They attended the Club Pivot meeting on October 30th, 2023, at the Freyssinet Bangalore HQ. This regular gathering aims to encourage discussion and collaboration between entities of the Vinci Group.

Each entity gave a brief presentation on their current projects, activities, and clientele, before engaging in networking sessions. It was a good opportunity to strengthen our network and explore market opportunities!

In fact, Mirella and Ahmed stayed a few extra days in the country after that event, a great occasion to explore the market. Stay tuned!

We completed the IOSH training!

On the 10th and 12th of October, Ahmed Ali, conducted the third batch of Risk Assessment and IOSH Managing Safely trainings for Soletanche Freyssinet Middle East.

Melhem Abi Warde, khaled abduo, Razi Ahammed, and Moustafa Elsisy from Sixense attended a range of modules covering effective safety management, risk assessment, and control to understanding responsibilities, investigating incidents, and measuring safety performances.

Congratulations to all participants for taking these important steps towards a safer, more secure, ever-changing work environment!

At Sixense, we’re improving how stay-cabled and prestressed concrete structures are monitored and managed.

Discover EverSense, a solution that continuously monitors the health and performance of your structures by seamlessly processing automated measurements and creating indicators that meet your needs.

Through a wide range of technologies (acoustic and ultrasonic sensors, radar and laser measurement solutions… and InSAR satellites), EverSense protects critical stay-cabled and prestressed concrete infrastructures around the world, such as bridges, offshore platforms, wind turbines, and nuclear facilities.

With an operating rate of 99% in EverSense systems installed for over a decade, our solution guarantees long-lasting peace of mind. Sixense’s team of experts will know how to create tailored monitoring programs, whether you are dealing with corrosion, scouring risk, or aging structures.

You’re not just investing in technology; you’re investing in proactive decision-making:

• Always be aware of the status of your structures in real-time
• Anticipate and optimize maintenance
• Mitigate risk for safer operations
• Extend the service life of your structures

Experience the transformative power of EverSense and let our teams take your structural monitoring to new heights.

Your infrastructure deserves nothing less.

Our teams from Soletanche Freyssinet – Freyssinet, Menard, Sixense, and Nuvia embarked on the 25th of September on a 3-week exciting fitness journey, our very own Kiplin Challenge!

The mission? To walk, run, bike, and keep on moving!

 

Thank you to our representatives from Sixense ME, Raymond Serhal, Moustafa Elsisy, Ahmed Nada, Farid Rached, and Melhem Abi Warde. Congratulations on their incredible efforts in participating in the challenge!

 

Stay tuned, encourage them, and let’s see who the winning team will be!

Pink October is not just a month!
This is why the Soletanche Freyssinet Group and Sixense ME organized a webinar on Breast Cancer Awareness on the 2nd of October in partnership with Valiant Clinic & Hospital and AES health.

Dr. Tugan Tezcaner covered:

• Risk Factor
• Symptoms
• Importance of early detection
• Treatment options
• Healthy lifestyle choices

to empower attendees and give them a deeper understanding of Breast Cancer

ADIPEC 2023 – Decarbonising. Faster. Together.

ADIPEC 2023 draws attention to collective action for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Ahmed Nada (Country Manager), Mirella Khalil, and Moustapha Elsisy (Commercial Engineer) will be at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to meet with local oil & gas actors and explore advanced decarbonization strategies.

Last month, Sixense signed a decisive agreement, furthering our commitment to enhance safety and efficiency within the mining operations in Egypt and its surrounding regions.

Egypt, with its rich mining history and abundant resources, aspires to increase the mining industry’s contribution to its economy in the coming years. In this context, Sixense ME has strategically partnered with NADA Corporation and the Egyptian National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics to amplify local awareness regarding monitoring and risk assessment.

 

Our joint mission is to provide comprehensive training, cutting-edge tools, and applications to empower local contractors and enhance safety standards within the sector. The program’s participants are expected to apply their learnings across more than ten mines nationwide.

 

At Sixense ME, we firmly believe that knowledge sharing is not merely commendable; it serves as a catalyst for change. It empowers our partners to prioritize safety, achieve cost savings, and enhance operational efficiency.

 

Our best technologies, including CYCLOPS for 3D movement measurements, 4D Bloc for real-time deformation monitoring, and InSar satellite technology for displacement monitoring, integrated within our Geoscope system, will be at the heart of this endeavor.

 

In collaboration with our partners, Sixense ME is ready to support the future of the mining industry in Egypt by fostering a safer, more efficient, and sustainable industry.

Our Country Manager, Ahmed Nada, and our Business Developer, Mirella Khalil, will be presenting a seminar about instrumentation and monitoring applications for risks and costs control in the mining sector for the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics. The event will take place on the 21st of August 2023 in the Westin Cario Golf Resort Katameya Dunes.

Sixense recently held its highly anticipated annual seminar in Le Touquet, a picturesque coastal town in northern France. This special gathering brought together 50 Sixense executives and managers, creating a perfect environment for enriching discussions, networking opportunities, and reinforcing our commitment to excellence.

These seminars serve as a platform for Sixense to embrace our international presence and seize the opportunity to strengthen our global connections further. They enable us to drive collaborative efforts worldwide while sharing projects, synergies, and best practices.

Throughout the seminar, our teams had the chance to engage in insightful conversations and get closer. We extend a special thank you to @Farid Rached, our Engineering Division Manager at Sixense Middle East, for organizing a memorable and engaging quiz night event mixing questions about music, general culture, and Sixense technical points!

We look forward to building upon the collaborative spirit and valuable connections fostered during these few days in France!

The Sixense Middle East Team wishes you and your family a happy and blessed Eid.

Corporate Iftar 2023

Like every year during Ramadan, we love to celebrate this special period with our team.

We would like to thank our sister company MENARD Middle East & Central Asia, who invited us for a corporate Iftar at Al Majlis Restaurant in Dubai last Friday.

This gathering was an opportunity for us to come together, break our fast, and strengthen the bonds that unite us as we reflected on our blessings and expressed gratitude for what we have.

We would like to extend our warmest wishes to all those who observe Ramadan!

Ramadan Kareem!

At Sixense Group, we understand that condition assessment is a crucial component of any project and an essential aspect of any maintenance plan for your buildings and surroundings. By conducting regular assessments, we help you gain a deeper understanding of your assets and make precise adjustments to your maintenance plans when necessary. This approach ensures the longevity of your buildings and helps preserve the architectural heritage of the UAE.

Our pre-condition survey allows us to evaluate the area where a new structure will be constructed, ensuring that no defects will cause issues later on in the project. We also assess the condition of the buildings around the construction site to clearly understand their condition and evaluate the potential impact of the construction on them.

Regular structural condition assessments are also necessary for existing structures, allowing for informed decisions about whether to adjust maintenance plans at an early stage, repair, or replace specific structures rather than demolish them and start anew.

Our solutions are conceived to help asset supervisors manage their buildings sustainably by identifying defects and finding solutions.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your assets in top condition.

With the holy month of Ramadan upon us, the Sixense team would like to extend sincere wishes for a Ramadan Kareem to our employees, our clients, and our partners. May this month bring peace and harmony to all of us!

Yesterday, Dr. Brouxel Marc, our Business Development Director, presented a training on structural condition assessment and durability analysis to our specialized engineering team in the Middle East.
This training is part of our regular learning sessions aimed to continuously reinforce all our engineers’ knowledge of structural disorders, go deeper into understanding the reasons behind them, how to visualize and analyze them using the right tools and site tests appropriately.

At Sixense Middle East, we firmly believe in continuous learning and improvement to be able to offer our clients a service of the highest quality.

As part of a serie of software solutions we are currently unveiling, Beyond InSite is designed for project managers and contractors looking to streamline the performance of their work sites through digitalization.

InSite promotes collaboration between the different actors of a project, from design to document validation in the Document Management System (DMS), execution via self-check forms, and work verifications via site observations and defects management.

This solution includes the following:

• Monitoring of non-conformities and their resolution (defects management)
• Digitization of quality and safety forms (EHS audit)
• Document Management System (DMS)
• Library for forms creation and management
• Linear referencing for linear structures
• ScanSite and dashboards

By using Beyond InSite, you will gain access to a user-friendly interface accessible to all team members, resulting in improved productivity and project quality. Eliminate the need for repetitive data entry and streamline processes while ensuring data security and traceability. Additionally, users will have the autonomy to use the platform with Partner status.

When partnering with Sixense, take advantage of our newest solutions and benefit from digitization for managing your work sites.

What a success! Congratulations to all who contributed to making EGYPS – Egypt Petroleum Show 2023 such a thriving moment for the industry.

Our team had the opportunity to connect with many of you. We were impressed by the level of interest in our services, and we’re grateful to have made some interesting new contacts on various projects.

It’s always a pleasure to visit Egypt and meet with our local partners. We look forward to continuing to work together in the future!

Today marks the opening of EGYPS 2023 in Cairo, and we are thrilled to be here!

The energy sector is constantly evolving, and it’s exciting to discover the solutions and strategies currently reshaping the global energy markets.

We’ve had the opportunity to visit truly interesting booths and engage in meaningful discussions with industry leaders.

The atmosphere here is electric, and we look forward to connecting with you. We’d love to schedule a time to discuss your current projects and how we can support your activities.

Exciting news for our clients!

We are thrilled to present Beyond Asset, a management tool that helps you digitalize the information of all your assets.

Beyond Asset is a powerful tool for managing and optimizing the maintenance of your infrastructures. Using data centralization will allow you to organize and monitor:
– your infrastructure visits,
– overall asset ratings,
– and maintenance operations.

With Beyond Asset, facilitate decision-making to optimize and plan maintenance, as having real-time data on your asset condition enables operations performance, data security, and cost-saving.

Our solution is tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. It offers:
– Infrastructure tracking and intervention traceability,
– Updates from the field without re-entry,
– Business expertise in infrastructure management,
– Decision support for all your interventions,
– Automatic reporting and statistics.

When working with Sixense Group, take advantage of our digital products and benefit from digitization for your infrastructure management.

Follow us for more information on our upcoming software solutions.

It was a night to remember as we celebrated the end of 2022 with our annual team event at the Palazzo Versace Dubai.

We would like to thank MENARD Middle East & Central Asia, who invited us for a night of festivity and recognition of our hardworking teams.

We also used this opportunity to announce that Skreekumar Harikumar is our Employee of the Year, and Sreenivas Musku has been awarded the Safety Award of the Year for 2022!

Skreekumar and Sreenivas have consistently gone above and beyond, representing our company values and making a significant impact on our teams.

We are proud to have them as a part of our team.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since we opened Sixense Middle East‘s branch in Saudi Arabia! Under the leadership of Kamal Tahri, the team has grown from three employees to a strong team of ten, covering not only Saudi Arabia but also Bahrain.

In just one year, the team has accomplished a number of key projects. It has been extremely encouraging, and we believe it demonstrates Sixense Middle East’s ambition to thrive in the Saudi Arabian market.

We are so proud of everything the team has achieved, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sixense in Saudi Arabia.

Discover our Business Suite ‘Beyond’:

At Sixense Middle East, whether you are a worksite manager or a high-level decision-maker, we have the services, expertise, and digital solutions to support you. Our teams are dedicated to helping you increase your performance through innovative, data-driven solutions.

Our Digital division has thus developed our ‘Business Suite Beyond,’ organized around 3 software with specific applications:
– Beyond Monitoring: to manage project data
– Beyond Asset: to manage infrastructure operations
– Beyond InSite: to optimise worksites performance

These powerful tools enable you to optimize your worksite operations and confidently streamline your decision-making process in real time.

We will detail our Business Suite Beyond in the upcoming articles, so don’t forget to follow us to get all the updates!

Our tool, crossbow, is often used to conduct asset maintenance campaigns and is one of our main tool for studying the robustness of prestressed structures.

Actual tension in post tension cable is an important factor to have an indication about its remaining life.
At Sixense, in order to obtain this tension, we perform what is called the ‘Crossbow test’. It will allow us to compare the actual tension with the designed tension of the cable. In case of potential defects present in the strands, such as rust signs in the wires for instance, obtaining the actual tension shall allow to determine whether such defects are affecting the functionality or integrity of the cable.
While a window needs to be opened to reach the strands, one of the considerable advantages of this test is that it keeps the integrity of the post tension cable’s strands and wires intact. None of the wires of the strands shall be damaged during this test.
Sixense Middle East acquired its own Crossbow over a year ago and our client’s projects greatly benefited from it, as references of projects in which this method was applied includes:
● Four bridges of Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Highway in Bahrain, 2021
● The post-tension cables on girders in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 2021
● The pedestrian bridge on the third ring road in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 2021
● The Alba bridge in Bahrain, 2022

Developed by Sixense Group, this tool offers unique opportunities and brings exclusive data to our clients. If you would like to learn more about it, do not hesitate to contact us.

As we enter the new year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on all of our achievements in 2022. On your side, it has been a year of growth and success, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where we have firmly established ourselves.

We are very grateful to our dedicated team members and partners, who have greatly contributed to our success and allowed us to achieve our goals.

In 2023, we look forward to continuing our expansion in the Middle East region, focusing particularly on Egypt and Kuwait. We also plan to maintain and further grow our presence in Saudi Arabia and focus globally on expanding our activities within the energy sector and its infrastructures.

We are confident that hard work and determination will help us achieve even greater success in the coming year.

Happy New Year to all, and we wish you a bright and prosperous 2023!

We would like to send our best seasonal greetings to all our dear colleagues, clients, and partners.
We wish you and your family a peaceful, joyful, healthy, and merry Christmas!

At the beginning of the month, the Project Managers of all business units gathered in France to participate in a Project Management Plus training.

This training not only aimed to increase our expertise in Project Management, but also to bring every actor behind Sixense Group closer to each other!
This was a great opportunity for the team to reconnect, catch up, and learn more about what’s happening within our company.

As our activities expand in the UAE and the Middle East region, we expect to reach ambitious targets next year and join large infrastructure projects directly supporting the area’s development.

In these circumstances, we must put even more care into our recruitment strategy to meet our needs, maintain a motivating work environment and constantly enhance the services we provide for our clients.

Our two last additions to the teams are talented commercial engineers, and we are excited to work with them to reveal their full potential.

Raymond Serhal recently graduated with a BE in Civil Engineering from the Lebanese American University in Beirut.
“I look forward to my first professional experience! I am glad to be in a polyvalent position that will allow me to widen my knowledge in many expertise.”

Previously, Moustafa Elsisy was an architect and fit-out engineer for four years. His diverse experience will be a determining asset for Sixense.
“I look forward to learning more, expanding my knowledge, and taking further steps in my career alongside Sixense’s success.”

Welcome on board!

We want to thank MENARD Middle East & Central Asia, our sister company, and Ahmed Hussam for their warm welcome during our team’s trip to Kuwait last October.

Ahmed NADA and Mirella Khalil had a constructive stay in Kuwait, studying the area, meeting local actors, and understanding its challenges.
Discussions during business trips in other countries are essential for Sixense, as it builds the ground for productive and balanced relationships with major contractors, government entities, and consultants.
We are excited about these new projects and opportunities in Kuwait, a country that has always occupied a special place in our strategy due to its high potential.

Stay tuned!

On the 19th of November, the 2022 FIFA World Cup began in Qatar. For 28 days, the best football teams will compete for a coveted trophy.

It is the occasion for the Sixense team to look back on one of their key projects in Doha as the city reinforces its transport system, develops its metro network, and improves mobility for all.

Sixense was selected to provide instrumentation and monitoring services on the Red Line North, covering more than 40 kilometers through the city. We dispatched ten survey teams and 15 engineers to Doha, who immersed themselves entirely in the project and worked intensively for four years, performing up to:
– 6,000 leveling points (settlement markers and precise leveling points)
– 2,500 optical prisms
– more than 20 geodetic monitoring (Cyclops Solution)
This large-scale project also required the use of 300 geotechnical instruments and the deployment of more than 1,000 structural sensors on sensitive structures during the drilling and construction.

We are glad that our expertise participated in constructing a vital transportation network for the city while minimizing all risks, as we did in similar projects in Dubai and Riyad.

As leaders of the entire world gathered in Egypt for COP27, we took the time to put into question our relation to the environment.

In October, on International Environmental Day, VINCI Construction invited all its entities to conduct environmental actions in their respective locations.

At Sixense Middle East, we first decided to invite all our associates to a webinar to raise awareness about the challenges of waste management and brainstorm on the topic as a team.

We then organized a beach cleaning at Al Sufouh Beach to support the non-profit association Project Rescue Ocean.

We appreciated this time dedicated to such a particular cause, and it gave us time to reflect on our impact on the environment in our personal and professional lives.

Last night, our team gathered at McGettigan’s for a relaxed quiz night altogether. It is also the occasion to welcome and get to know two new coworkers who recently joined us better.

We are delighted to introduce to you Danna Jane Murillo Murillo, our new administrator, and Sanal Sankar, who will join us as a project engineer.

Danna has an incredible record, working in Dubai for seven years as an admin and accounts assistant in the trading and I.T. industry!
“It’s time for my next challenge. I am thrilled to be part of the growing success of Sixense Middle East as the new Office Administrator!”.

Sanal has a long experience working in the Middle East as a survey engineer, a site engineer, and a facade designer! We are glad to welcome such a multi-skilled new colleague.
”I worked very hard and was patient enough to get to this position.”

After an evening full of suspense and laughs, punctuated by questions on music, food, general culture, and knowledge about Sixense, let’s announce the winning team.

Congratulations to Silviu Dobroiu, ANAM AYOOB K P, Sanal Sankar, and Elmer D.! Our special prize for the winners is a voucher from Mall of the Emirates.
Sixense thanks you all for your participation and efforts. Until next time!

On the 20th of November, the Yas Marina Circuit will host the Formula 1 Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022!

With a seating capacity of 60,000 people, the circuit is the second Formula 1 track in the Middle East and one of the most active sports venues in the region.

A few years after its opening, Sixense was selected to support the construction of pedestrian tunnels under the race track. As dewatering activities were required, our teams continuously monitored the settlements’ movements using our Centaur solution. This solution measures the ground settlement without requiring installing anything on the ground.

We are excited to follow the season’s final race on the 20th of November.

The Kifaf Development is another exciting landmark project located in the emerging Zabeel district in Dubai. It will include two iconic tall twin towers connected by a bridge in the shape of the number “1”.

We were happy to work on this ambitious project in the middle of Zabeel, one of the busiest areas of Dubai. Our teams got involved during the enabling works, then installed Sixense’s classic monitoring techniques, focusing primarily on shoring walls.

Our real-added value on this project was a live automatic monitoring system for shoring walls and the close-by DEWA power station, especially during excavation works. Our solution also included an alarm system and live access to the data through our software Geoscope.

Throughout the different stages of the construction, our teams provided complete and regular engineering consulting assistance to the contractor. We are excited to see the opening of the Kifaf Development as it becomes one of the driving projects to further develop this area of the city.

After a fantastic, inspiring, and motivating few days, ADIPEC ended on the 3rd of November.
Many thanks to the French Pavillon for welcoming Sixense and its teams.
Many thanks to the corporate participants and the numerous visitors who filled these four days with fruitful discussions and unique synergies.
Finally, we want to congratulate the other companies at the French Pavillion, who represented France on our side and enabled an atmosphere prone to exchanges.

Join us at ADIPEC 2022!
10 Days To Go. Sixense is proud to be part of the French Pavilion at ADIPEC 2022 representing the French know-how.

Join us at Stand 9232.

The Gulf region is subject to extreme environmental conditions. High ambient temperatures, salt-contaminated dust, seawater, and other factors significantly impact the lifespan of local infrastructures.

At Sixense, our mission is to accompany our clients throughout the entire life cycle of their buildings, even in the most extreme conditions, which means assessing and managing the durability of structures.

While repairing a bridge involves closing and diverting traffic, impacting the local economy, and facing high reparation costs, understanding and controlling the durability of buildings allows us to improve it and reduce repair costs directly.

Our durability assessment includes a comprehensive investigation of the structure’s condition based on the:
general visual disorders,
site investigations coupled with destructive/non-destructive testing,
laboratory tests.
The results are then analyzed to diagnose the expected remaining service life of the structure and advise on any maintenance to enhance it.

Sixense’s expertise covers the analysis of all types of structures, and our teams are used to assess the condition of the largest infrastructures but also old and new buildings. Sixense is, in fact, regularly solicited for its expertise in fire investigation.

Fires are a real challenge for Dubai’s resident[SA1] s. According to the Ministry of Interior, 2 090 fire incidents happened in homes and facilities in 2021, of which 66.2% were residential. More than 50% of these fires supposedly occurred in reinforced concrete structures.

After these incidents, Sixense is often involved in many post-fire investigations and recommendations for repair solutions. The exposition of materials to very high temperatures can alter their properties, and it is essential to create a damage mapping and conduct tests and surveys on the affected areas. This way, we can assess the structure’s state and safety and the extent to which it should be repaired.

Riggat Al Buteen is located along Dubai creek in the East part of the city. As one of Dubai’s oldest districts, the area contains historical residential developments displaying traditional and modern architectural styles and the popular Deira shopping center.

Sixense was contracted by Dutch Foundation to support the construction of a residential building with 16 floors and two basements in the heart of this sensitive location. As for any excavation in such a dense urban situation, instrumentation and monitoring were mandatory.

This type of service is very classic in the construction industry. Using sensors, and our automatic total station, Cyclop, our teams demonstrated Sixense’s ability to support and advise our clients in highly technological and complex projects, but also more basic ones. High-quality fundamental analyses allow you to move forward and make the most challenging things possible.

Jean-Christophe Monneret, the General Manager at Sixense Middle East, and his team had a busy summer in Cairo.

Recently, Egypt has embarked on major infrastructure projects, expected to shape a new future for the country. Train lines, roads, bridges, housing units, and even a New Administrated Capital are now the government’s priority to boost the economy and solve traffic congestion in Cairo. As the country continues to work on these exciting projects, we look forward to supporting change with Sixense’s expertise.

During our regular trips to Cairo, we are always glad to connect with more local authorities, consultants, contractors, and independent decision-makers hoping to build sustainable long-term relationships and partnerships. If you’d like to meet face-to-face, feel free to contact us.

Volume calculations are essential in mining and quarrying. It helps calibrate equipment and teams, produce accurate reports and undergo regulatory checks. The measure is usually done by conducting on-site surveys using leveling machines or total stations. But drones are the most efficient solution available.

Those who introduce drones into their #mining and #quarrying operations quickly realize the significant added value they bring to the industry and how they contribute to the overall efficiency of any site.
– Timewise: Drones will need ten minutes to complete a measurement mission, compared to five days for land-based methods.
– Accuracy-wise: Drones are five times more precise than other methods, providing accurate and comprehensive data detailing the site conditions.
– Cost-wise: The use of drones represents a marginal cost difference.

This powerful solution is a game-changer for mining and quarrying but also other delicate operations such as:
– Structure inspection: to avoid scaffolding
– Precondition survey: to gain time and efficiency
– Quay wall, wave breaker, and seashore monitoring: to refrain from using boats and heavy equipment

We had a busy week in Cairo, meeting local authorities, consultants, contractors and independent decision-makers involved on the many exciting projects that are re-shaping the country. We will be coming back and look forward to building sustainable long-term partnerships in Egypt.

At every stage of your project, monitoring ground deformation and structure stability is essential to maintain the quality and safety of your operations. Therefore, we would like to introduce InSAR, our satellite monitoring solution.

Topographic surveys are usually done manually or by using a total station. However, none of these alternatives matches the efficiency, millimetric precision, and convenience of InSAR.

– Traditional measurement methods usually monitor the displacements of precise points in an area, whereas InSAR monitors the entire surface, using millions of measurement points in a reduced time lapse. While very high-resolution results, our solution’s deployment only takes two days compared to other methods that require seven days.
– Through satellite images, InSAR captures the details of a whole area simultaneously, with unique accuracy. You can also compare current pictures to previous ones (up to 30 years ago) and better understand the area’s ground motions.
– As a remote sensing technology, InSAR doesn’t require any onsite intervention to provide results. This service allows quicker, cost-efficient, and reliable risk management of your projects.

Next time you think about large-scale monitoring (railways, pipelines…), look at the stars and think InSAR. It’s a no-brainer.

Thanks to Sigma and Mazrui International for inviting us to an amazing Networking event in Abu Dhabi and getting the opportunity to meet interesting oil and gas players within the group.

Mines and quarries are sensitive facilities where risk can impact employees and local communities. At Sixense, we believe monitoring in this industry is essential and have developed dedicated solutions based on our experience worldwide.

As one of the largest limestone quarries in the world, Khor Khuwair has no room for error and requires continuous and accurate monitoring. We thus decided to deploy the Cyclop system combined with a unique geotechnical and structural expertise.

But each mine and quarry faces different challenges, and our mission is to choose and adapt our Mine & Quarry solutions to specific needs wisely. Discover some of our products below:
●       Cyclop system, providing a constant automated 3D monitoring
●       Atlas InSar, a remote radar allowing measurement of ground deformation and structure stability from space with millimetric precision
●       Drone surveyors, able to evaluate the excavation volume in real-time
●       4D Skin, providing remote millimetric monitoring of rock instabilities over large areas
●       Mining pit monitoring solutions

In the coming weeks, we will share more about our Mine & Quarry solutions.
Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more about how our solutions can solve your problems.

As part of our Mine & Quarry serie, we would like to introduce our contactless radar technology, 4DSkin. Developed through 20 years of experimentations, it is a simple and optimal solution for large-scale, high-frequency, high-accuracy monitoring.

4D Skin offers remote millimetric monitoring of rock instabilities over large areas and structures such as quarries, dams, hills, and cliffs.

Because accuracy doesn’t have to equal complexity, the set-up only takes a few hours. It will give you an accurate measurement (typically 0.2 mm) of large areas (up to 4 kilometers) in any weather. It can even assess the risk of landslides without directly accessing the location.

The unique features of 4DSkin were chosen to monitor a dangerous cliff in the French Alps throughout a construction project. The steep section spread over almost 8000 square meters, and high precision measurements were necessary to detect any unstable rock over 2 to 3 months. Every two minutes, 4D Skin scanned the entire area, triggering an alarm in case of movement speed greater than 3mm/hour on surfaces of 10m2.

Our solutions implying drones can make you save significant time and effort when managing your assets.

#Drones have numerous applications, from assets and #risk management to construction and consulting.

At Sixense, we have a long-standing experience using these technologies to inspect structures, gather data, and present you with a diagnosis and recommendations.

Discover our range of solutions:
– Inspection: Drones enable us to access remote areas to complete an accurate assessment and operate more quickly afterward if needed. For example, our drones can help identify leaks using thermal cameras or structural disorders using an orthophoto.
– Digitization: Digitizing your assets is an essential step in every project. With the #mapping function of our drones, we can recreate a 3D high-quality digitalized image of your #infrastructure in a short amount of time. For example, the #scanning of a quarry is enough to assess the excavation volume.

With drones, our teams can operate quickly, gather accurate #data, and formulate the ideal solutions for your particular situation.

Deira initiates its transition into a new chapter with its waterfront development.

The proximity of the construction zone with the green line metro, the Al Shindagha tunnel, the seaside, and the necessity of using shoring walls for the #excavation works, makes it a complex project with critical challenges.

Flexible expertise and an extensive range of solutions allowed Sixense to become a vital problem solver partner for this project, carrying on fundamental operations.
– Monitoring of the metro rail movements during the construction using our “Cyclops” system to gather and analyze real-time data.
– Continuous assessment of vibrations, cracks, tilting, and strains using vibration units, crack-meters, #tiltmeters and strain gauges.
– Involvement in the shoring process using sophisticated real-time daily monitoring of the retaining walls.

By working at night, our teams could deploy the necessary solutions with a minimum impact on the numerous users of these infrastructures.

As the region takes action to develop freight and passenger rail transports and integrated transportation services through massive investment, the monitoring of rails has more than ever become a significant safety matter.

Last month, we had the pleasure of attending the Roads & Traffic Expo for innovation, technology, and infrastructure hosted by Etihad Rail in Abu Dhabi. This was the occasion to demonstrate Sixense’s skill set when it comes to the monitoring and preventive maintenance of rails.

“Rail Serenity” is a solution package focused on rails monitoring. It has been developed by our teams using two of our existing and proven technologies:
·        Cyclops, a prism measurement system
·        Tiltmeter sensors, monitoring the movement on the rails’ foundations
This combination uses measurement redundancy and allows for continuous measurement regardless of the weather conditions and trains’ location on the tracks.

“Rail Serenity” is not only a new product, it is built on years of experimentation, customers feedbacks, and crossed expertise. It ensures safe, and trouble-free operations on rails through constant monitoring and reliable filtering of possible false alarms.

In June, the commercial teams of all business units, and our solutions experts, will be gathering to spend a few days together in France. This seminar aims to bring every actor behind Sixense, closer to each other and increase our entire expertise as a global company.

Internal communication and teamwork between our offices worldwide is the key to our skillset. As we network, reconnect, catch up, and develop our relationships, we also expand our knowledge of Sixense’s solutions and our capacity to meet our clients’ needs.

These few days in the French countryside will be dedicated to learning more about what’s happening within our company, what has previously been done elsewhere, and how each of us can benefit from others’ experiences.

At Sixense, we believe that the key to successfully applying our solutions is the human factor. This is why the sharing of unique know-how, the maintenance of relationships, and the continuous improvement of our teams are a top priority.

Sixense Middle East was contracted to perform a comprehensive site inspection and evaluation of the post-tension (PT) cables of 4 crucial prestressed bridges in Bahrain.

Sixense Middle East, with its expanding presence in the GCC region, completes work on Jasra Grade Interchange Reconfiguration, a project for the Ministry of Works in Bahrain.

The role Sixense played was to undertake a comprehensive site inspection and evaluation of the post-tension (PT) cables of four crucial prestressed bridges, the Janabiyah, Sehla, Tubli and Umm Al Hassam bridges. The bridges are all strategically located along the Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Highway, which leads from the kingdom’s capital, Manama, to Dammam through the King Fahd Causeway.

Sixense’s role was to provide data obtained from the site inspection, using high-end non-destructive tools, to assist the client in completing the structural analysis and assessment of the bridges. Sixense provided timely, cost-saving, information for preventive maintenance to ensure bridge integrity for the sake of public safety.

Dubai is home of some of the most incredible infrastructure and is recognized worldwide for its impressive constructions. Sixense expertise was required for instrumentation and monitoring services at the Ciel Tower project, the highest hotel in the world, currently under construction.

 

A new iconic tower in the heart of Dubai Marina

 

Since 2016, an impressive project has risen in Dubai Marina, building the highest hotel in the world. This high-end hotel will include a health club, a luxury spa, a restaurant, 1042 luxury suites, rooftop infinity pools along with other facilities. The Ciel Tower is a new supertall skyscraper of over 80 floors and 365m high. Located directly across the world-famous Cayan Tower (76-floors) on the north side of the marina, the Ciel Tower will become a local memorable landmark with an estimated handover date in 2023.

 

A complex situation on site

 

The close proximity with surrounding structures and the congested urban area, including one of the main RTA Marina bridges, brought several challenges to the project. It was indispensable to set an adapted instrumentation and monitoring system during the construction phases.

Sixense provides during the construction early warnings of any excessive and undue movements of adjoining premises and structures and ensures project safety with its 24/7 monitoring system and Geoscope 7 Software, sending information about movements exceeding the expected levels to the required parties. During the excavation phase, settlement, deflection and deformation data were provided in order to verify the initial designs of the permanent structure but also the temporary works supporting the excavation. Eventually, Sixense also monitored ground movements.

Periodic monitoring data reports have been provided to the contractors, consultants and RTA throughout the project.

Zetas, contracted for Enabling Works, entrusted Sixense with the instrumentation and monitoring of the ground and the structures in and around the site. Dutch Foundation, later contracted for foundation changes, recognized Sixense’s track record of delivering success for the project.

Sixense’s expertise has been requested on one of Dubai’s community development projects aiming to raise the living standards and services for labour workers with affordable housing and an innovative modern project.

 

Sixense’s contribution to a large-scale project benefiting to Dubai’s worker community

Located in Dubai’s oldest and most important industrial districts, Jebel Ali Industrial development will provide quality and affordable housing to Dubai’s largest blue-collar workforce.

In the development process and in order to welcome large amounts of residents, a new sewage system had to be put in place under one of the busiest roads, Al Asayel Street. The contractor DX Contracting, hired for this project by MERAAS, opted for a Non-Destructive-Road-Crossing (NDRC) technique using a Micro-Tunnel Boring Machine. Although the machine’s drive diameter is small and used on shallow soils, there is always an existing risk of settlement that must be mitigated.

 

Sixense implements its innovative reflectorless monitoring technique

Sixense’s client requested the monitoring of the road to observe any vertical movements and mitigate the risk of settlements of this active and busy road under which the new system was being installed.

Usually, most technique consists in installing devices such as optical targets or ground settlement markers on the pavement, an invasive method interrupting traffic and needing a large site organization. Sixense was called to support the monitoring process with an innovative solution.

Sixense’s intervention brought to the project its solution consisting in the installation of a total station, an electronic optical surveying instrument on top of a nearby building, allowing a view of the whole area. From there, the influence area of the Micro-Tunnel Boring Machine could be seen with the reflectorless monitoring system to monitor the road settlements.

This innovative technique was the best solution to monitor the road safely, cost effectively whilst obtaining a density of “instrumentation” of one point every 2m² and allowing to monitor about 200 points. No installations were needed on the road and no traffic needed to be interrupted.

Sixense is aiming to put an end to conventional manual levelling techniques such as classic leveling that require specific traffic management ahead of each reading campaign and questioning safety around traffic environments.

Sixense is proud be involved in this project. Workers will now benefit as well from the area’s excellent connections to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates, Dubaï’s Investment park as well as the proximity to the Expo 2020 site.