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| Geotechnical Engineeringz |
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With their high level of technical competence and sensitivity to project requirements, the professional staff of the Earth Systems companies approaches each geotechnical engineering investigation uniquely, according to the type of project, the scope, the technical complexity, the needs of the client, and the requirements of the governing entities.
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To achieve timely results, each Earth Systems company maintains and operates its own laboratory testing facilities.
Additionally, Earth Systems Pacific maintains a fleet of drill rigs with the following capabilities:
- drilling with both solid and hollow stem continuous flight auger equipment;
- sampling such as the standard penetration split spoon samplers, split barrel samplers, Shelby tubes, and automatic trip hammer.
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Typical Geotechnical Investigations
A typical geotechnical engineering investigation generally includes the
following elements. |
Field Exploration
- Available geology and geotechnical reports are reviewed to obtain a general overview of conditions at the site.
- The site is visited and the boring locations are reviewed with the client and Underground Service Alert (USA) locaters to identify utilities that may be present within the areas to be drilled.
- Subsurface exploration is performed by drilling borings, excavating trenches, or conducting cone penetrometer soundings.
- During the course of drilling, soil samples are obtained.
- Soils are classified in general accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System. Standard penetration tests are performed in selected borings.
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Laboratory Analysis
Where appropriate, soil samples are tested in the laboratory to determine such properties as:
- unit weight and moisture,
- consolidation under normal loads,
- maximum density versus optimum moisture,
- expansion index,
- angle of shearing resistance,
- grain size,
- plasticity index,
- unconfined compressive strength,
- R-value or other soil properties.
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Evaluation of Data
The field and laboratory data are evaluated with respect to:
- development of criteria for site preparation,
- grading,
- foundations,
- slabs,
- retaining walls,
- pavement design,
- surface drainage,
- and other factors pertinent to the proposed development.
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Geotechnical Report
Generally a geotechnical engineering report addresses:
- Soils and groundwater conditions encountered,
- Corrosive potential of soil and/or groundwater,
- Preparation of the site prior to grading,
- Grading criteria, including recommendations for building and parking areas,
- Maximum cut and fill slopes,
- Slope stability,
- Types and depths of foundations,
- Maximum allowable bearing capabilities,
- Site coefficient for use in foundation design,
- Seismicity,
- Total and differential settlement,
- Resistance to lateral loads,
- Slab requirements, including expansive soil mitigation,
- Surface and subsurface drainage,
- Retaining wall design criteria,
- Pavement design criteria, and
- Potential for liquefaction.
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Page Contents
Additional Geotechnical Evaluations
The Earth Systems companies' professional staff has extensive experience in evaluating geotechnical issues such as: |
- Collapsing soils
- Expansive soils
- Excavations and embankments
- Dewatering and subsidence
- Seepage and drainage
- Underpinning and rehabilitation
- Soil stabilization
- Distressed foundation evaluations
- Cracks in building materials
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