Construction and Infrastructure

From geophysical subsurface investigations to climate risk analyses and from seismic monitoring to environmental impact assessments (EIA) – here you will find an overview of our services for the construction and infrastructure sector. Additionally, we provide a list of relevant expertise and assessments for the construction industry, such as emissions, earthquakes, and wind, ice, and snow load assessments.

AKTERM

An AKTERM is a standardised data format for considering meteorology in dispersion modelling. It covers a one-year period of wind direction, wind speed and dispersion class.

GRAMM Wind Fields

Preparation and adaptation of GRAMM wind fields in various sizes to the local conditions of a desired planning area for use in GRAL.

Environmental Impact Statement – Air and Climate

Projects whose realisation is expected to have a potentially significant impact on the environment must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with the EIA Act. The scope of the investigation goes far beyond that of a conventional immission report.

Odour Assessment

Odour Assessment Reports enable the assessment of the odour situation in the vicinity of odour-intensive businesses such as e.g. agricultural livestock farming, sewage treatment plants, biogas plants and paint shops. To this end, a dispersion model is used to determine the frequency of odour hours in relation to one year and compare them with the thresholds of the Odour Immission Guideline (GIRL).

Origin Analysis

Atmospheric dispersion calculations, air chemistry modelling and the analysis of observation data (satellite data, ground-based remote sensing) are used to investigate the cause of an increased pollutant concentration, for example in case a threshold value is exceeded.

Immission Report

As part of an immission report, it is determined if the project in question can comply with the statutory immission thresholds (e.g. for nitrogen oxides or fine particulate matter). For this purpose, dispersion calculations are carried out based on the project's emissions.

Vapour Plumes Expertise

Moisture in exhaust gases (i.e. cooling towers) can condense under suitable meteorological conditions and thus lead to visible vapour plumes. This analysis primarily focusses on the length of these plumes and the frequency with which they occur.

Meteorological Measurements

GeoSphere Austria offers meteorological observations to measure local conditions at a site using mobile stations and ground-based remote sensing to record the vertical structure of the atmosphere near the ground.

Geophysical Explorations

Subsurface and structural exploration using various geophysical methods for geological and hydrological issues, raw materials, mass movements, archaeology, cavities, landfills, dams, etc.

Archeo Prospections®

Archeo Prospections® is ideally suited to cover a wide range of investigation methods. The team has access to an extensive range of instrumentation as well as specialised, in-house developed software for geophysical prospection optimised for imaging structures hidden in the ground.

Earthquake Information

GeoSphere Austria offers a query of the earthquake catalogue for a specific earthquake event or a defined period. The results are the time, location and magnitude of the quakes. The impact of an earthquake or earthquakes at any location can also be ordered. The result is the local intensity (EMS-98 scale) and a description of the effects on people, objects and buildings.

Earthquake Expertise

Seismological Expertise determine the effects of earthquakes on structures. For special structures (e.g. dams, SEVESO operations, large infrastructures), additional analyses are often necessary that go beyond the earthquake standard ÖNORM EN 1998-1. The results are the loads from previous earthquakes and the definition of design values and spectra depending on the agreed load case.

Monthly Earthquake Report

Automated e-mail containing the monthly earthquake report. The monthly report on earthquakes contains information on earthquakes felt in Austria and relevant earthquakes abroad.

Earthquake Registrations

GeoSphere Austria has numerous digital recordings of 'strong earthquakes' in Austria and maintains a comprehensive archive of recordings from the seismographs of the time. Depending on the desired period, we offer digital waveform data, peak values and spectra, time series for special load cases and scans or vectorised historical seismograms.

Seismic Monitoring

GeoSphere Austria offers support in seismic monitoring of structures or infrastructure and offers various services during the planning phase, during the construction of the monitoring network and during ongoing operation. In this way, actual ground movements can be documented, compliance with design values can be guaranteed and interventions can be carried out quickly after a seismic event.

Magnetic Field Measurements

Changes in the Earth´s magnetic field can be determined using magnetometers and geodetic measurements at locations selected by customers.

Declination Map

Map with isogons (lines with the same magnetic declination values), which describe the difference between the orientation of the compass needle and true north.

Weather Hotline (24/7)

GeoSphere Austria’s meteorologists are available around the clock to answer your questions about the upcoming weather.

Expert-Portal

The Expert-Portal offers the ability to automatically analyse measured values of various meteorological parameters on a daily basis by address online. For Austria, the parameters lightning, storm, temperature, precipitation and hail can be analysed. Some of these parameters are also available in the Expert-Portal for Germany and Switzerland.

Climate Risk Analysis

Our climate hazard and risk analyses support companies in identifying and assessing climate-related risks. Based on standardized methods and valid climate data such as ÖKS15, impact chains are developed, and models and expert knowledge are integrated to analyse hazards, vulnerabilities, and exposures - providing a solid foundation for ESG reporting.

Load Assessments

Preparation of wind, ice and snow load reports in accordance with current standards.

Wind Energy Assessments

The planning of wind farms or repowering requires precise knowledge of the wind climate as a fundamental prerequisite. Based on microscale wind models and suitable input data, we offer yield assessments, stability classification and other services. Our reports comply with current norms and standards and can be used for official submissions.

Expertise on Past Weather

What was the weather like yesterday or during another period in the past? Whether expert reports, analyses according to standards or statistical statements on weather events such as storms, thunderstorms or precipitation - we provide reliable information for your individual requirements.