Using Audit Checklists to Safeguard the Environment
As we shine a light on World Environment Day this year, it is important to recognise the critical role of environmental auditors in promoting environmental sustainability As Australia continues to place greater emphasis on sustainability and environmental protection, the role of effective environmental management systems, plans, and auditing practices becomes increasingly important. Environmental auditors, consultants, […]
Highlights from our latest Event: Support@DP
On May 19th and 20th, we held our first-ever and very successful Support@DP event! It brought together our support (now known as Shared Services) & administration teams from across Australia. It was a unique opportunity to connect as one team and collaborate. It was incredible to see long-time colleagues finally meeting face-to-face and new employees […]
How do you measure groundwater flow?
Groundwater is the largest source of fresh water, located beneath the Earth’s surface in spaces between rocks, soils, and sediments – vital for human consumption, agriculture, and industry. As overuse and contamination can lead to serious environmental and health problems, groundwater management and protection are crucial for sustainable development. Engineers, hydrogeologists, environmental specialists, and government […]
Three types of hazardous waste
The amount of hazardous waste in Australia is steadily trending upward. According to the report, Hazardous Waste in Australia 2021, in 2019-20 Australia generated around 7.4 million tonnes of hazardous waste, which is about 10% of all waste generated nationally (74 million tonnes). This has increased at a rate of 6.3% per year since 2014-15. […]
Understanding the importance of rock mechanics
Rock mechanics involves the study of the response of rock materials to the forces that act on them, such as stresses and strains, as well as the factors that affect the strength and deformation of rock materials. Understanding the behaviour of rocks is important in construction because it allows engineers and contractors to design and […]
Making connections at Douglas Partners’ 35th annual Technical Seminar
After much anticipation, almost 300 engineers, scientists, consultants, and other professionals from across the country gathered recently for the annual Douglas Partners Technical Seminar. The event, now in its 35th year, is a celebration of science and engineering, and importantly the strong culture of learning and development that exists at Douglas Partners. For many, however, […]
Concrete Testing – Three tests that can verify the quality of concrete
As one of the most widely used materials in construction, concrete demands strict quality control to ensure its strength and long-term performance. The strength will depend on many factors, including water-cement ratio, quality of materials and quality control during the production of concrete. Below are three common concrete tests that help to ensure it meets […]
Understanding ground conditions for site classification and land development
Irrespective of scale, to build, develop or redevelop on a foundation without a detailed understanding of the ground conditions is a high-risk activity. In fact, to ignore this can lead to consequences like development structures cracking, leaning, sinking, slipping, and sometimes collapse. And not to mention, drive costs up in the process. Ground composition and […]
The importance of Concrete Testing
Concrete is a necessary and very useful material for construction work. It has been critical in structural engineering throughout history – from the Great Pyramids of Giza to the structures of Ancient Rome to Gothic Architecture of the 18th century. While technology and materials have advanced since it was first developed, concrete continues to be […]
How does groundwater affect engineering construction?
Civil engineering projects can have a significant impact on the groundwater environment. Some of these impacts are temporary, while others can introduce more long-term effects. If we consider the construction of basements, or simple retaining walls on sloping land, there are potential consequences on groundwater systems that can hinder, inhibit, or redirect the flow of […]
