 Geotechnical engineering services are offered to our clients from qualified and experienced professionals that are familiar with today's construction practices, current building codes, and latest technological advancements in our industry. Geotechnical engineering addresses the interaction between earth mechanics and structures and seeks for equilibrium conditions between earth materials and foundations. |
Geotechnical Evaluation 
SPC has extensive experience in all phases of field exploration, ranging from simple site reconnaissance to detailed investigations of adverse soil conditions.
Some of the typical steps that are taken to perform the investigations include:
- Review of background information, historical aerial photos, topographic maps and plans, in-house files, and other pertinent information
- Field reconnaissance and subsurface investigation including soil sample collection, evaluation of subsurface stratigraphy, geologic hazards, and ground water
- Laboratory testing of the collected soil samples to identify the index and strength characteristics of the soils in order to model soil behavior
Foundation Design & Recommendations
Over the years, SPC has provided numerous designs for foundation systems that have included:
- Spread footings
- Pad footings
- Mat foundations
- Driven piles
- Drilled piers/piles/caissons
- Micro piles
Specific engineering recommendations are given when problematic soils are encountered. We provide considerations for subgrade preparation and constructability to deal with:
- Compressible soils
- Expansive soils
- Collapsible soils
- Corrosive soils
- Liquefiable soils
- Saturated soils
Slope Stability
SPC provides geotechnical recommendation services for design of fill and cut slope, landslide repairs, as well as rehabilitating failed slopes. Our company utilizes state-of-the-are software to determine the stability of slopes and formulate repairs. Our services include professional design of the following:
- Stabilization fills
- Buttress fills
- Shear keys
- Shear pins
- Tie backs
- Artificial reinforcement
- Soil treatment
Retaining Structures
SPC provides design services for various retaining structures that include the following:
- Cantilever
- Gravity
- MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Earth)
- Modular
- Tie backs
- Soil nails
- Shoring
- Soldier piles and lagging
- Braced excavations
Performance Monitoring & Field Instrumentation
SPC provides services for installation and monitoring of field instrumentation to evaluate the performance of:
- Foundations
- Floor slabs
- Retaining walls
- Structural cracking
Field instrumentation is also utilized to monitor:
- Slope and landslide movement
- Groundwater levels
- Vapor emissions
Pavement Design & Investigations
SPC has provided a number of pavement design services for newer construction as well investigations and rehabilitation of deteriorated pavements.
Pavement design investigations include:
- Subgrade sampling and soil testing
- Subgrade preparation
- Compaction
Asphalt rehabilitation includes:
- Slurry
- Overlay
- Petromat
- Crack patching
- Removal and reconstruction
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SPC provides services for seismic design, evaluation of liquefaction and ground improvements for mitigation, and analysis of construction vibration.
Specifically, we provide seismic design parameters for new construction and seismic retrofit of:
- Peak horizontal ground accelerations
- Peak vertical ground accelerations
- Seismic lateral earth pressures
Liquefaction studies are provided for sites with loose granular soils and the potential for a shallow groundwater table. These studies include:
- Investigation of subsurface soil conditions and depth to the groundwater table
- Identification of potentially liquefiable soils and depth of influence
SPC also provides evaluation and analysis on construction vibrations as they relate to construction damage causation Construction vibrations can be induced by:
- Pile driving
- Drilling
- Construction traffic
- Blasting
- Excavation
- Compaction