Arab Center for Engineering Studies (ACES) said it has been awarded a major geotechnical investigation contract for the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.

ACES is a provider of specialised engineering services in geotechnical engineering, material testing, environmental engineering, and land and marine surveying.

It was awarded Package Six for Al Maktoum International Airport by the project consultant Dar Al Handasah, said the company. The work is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

An additional terminal building will be constructed besides concourses and runways, and other ancillary structures.

The soil investigation works are being carried out for the expansion of the existing airport facilities in view of the forthcoming World Expo 2020 in Dubai, said the Jordan-based company.

The scope of work includes drilling of 600 boreholes to depths ranging from 15 to 50 m, involving a total  of more than 12,000 linear m, besides excavation of 28 trial pits.

As per the contract, ACES will also perform field work such as falling head permeability, packer permeability tests and installation of piezometers.

The company started field works in December last year, utilising more than 10 of its rotary drilling rigs.