When people see a construction project underway, they usually think about the vertical features going up, not about the ground the project stands on. That is the focus of geotechnical engineering, and it is essential to every project.

What is Geotechnical Engineering?

Geotechnical engineering specializes in the behavior of earth’s materials, such as soil and rock, and how they interact within engineering systems. Engineers in the geotechnical field focus on the ground and the conditions beneath it. Geotechnical engineers typically take samples from sites, conduct laboratory testing, and perform site investigations to determine the foundational stability of the projects and structures we design.

Important structures such as building foundations, roads, bridges, tunnels, and more need a strong base. That strong base starts with a clear understanding of the ground it is being built on.

Essential Functions for Every Project

Ignoring the site and ground conditions can put a project in jeopardy from the very beginning. Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) provides complete geotechnical services to set every project up for success.

• Subsurface Exploration: PEC has two rotary drill rigs that provide the ability to drill up to 250 feet below the surface of all terrains. From auger drilling to rock coring, PEC drilling crews can conduct all types of subsurface explorations.
• Evaluations: Our geotechnical team performs foundation soil evaluations, embankment and slope stability analyses, settlement calculations, and more to provide stability and sustainability at the base of every project.
• Designs: We can provide both shallow and deep foundation designs as well as pavement design through geotechnical services. PEC has provided services for buildings, local streets, highways, bridges, airports, and other types of infrastructure.
• Materials Testing: Our nationally accredited laboratory allows our team to collect samples at the site and test them in-house for the fastest, most accurate results.

Geotechnical Reports

When all the samples are taken and tests are run, the results are compiled into the geotechnical report. In addition to the test results for rock and soil, a report will also contain recommendations on how a project should be constructed based on the site conditions. This can include things like foundation depth, pavement design, excavations, and more. Geotechnical reports can be varied depending on the type of projects and materials involved.

The role of geotechnical engineering in every project is crucial to its success. Every project needs a strong, stable base to start with. Geotechnical engineering provides us with the necessary knowledge to create just that.