Geotechnical Services
Thorough geotechnical exploration is fundamental to the planning and development of structures, developments and roadways. ECI's highly qualified professionals are skilled in a wide variety of exploration techniques including: hollow-stem auger drilling, mud rotary drilling, rock coring, Shelby tube sampling, split-spoon sampling, test pit, and numerous geophysical methods.
From 25 story high-rises to single-family residential structures, ECI's professional staff utilizes their extensive experience to fully evaluate structure load and soil conditions. Whether it be for a shallow footing system or a deep pile or pier foundation, we provide our clients with a thorough foundation analysis and comprehensive recommendations. Our experience includes a wide range of foundation systems including piles, raft or mats, concrete and aggregate piers, shallow spread and isolated concrete pads, and so on.
ECI utilizes a full range of technology available to the science of soils testing and exploration. Tests employed are unconfined compressive strength, direct shear, tri-axial shear, Atterberg limits, sieve analysis, moisture content, density, California Bearing Ratio, R-value, consolidation, and expansion index, just to name a few. Field tests include penetrometer tests, vane shear testing of cohesive soils, and cone penetration testing. Exploration methods employed include continuous flight hollow stem auger drilling methods, allowing for implementation of Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and split-spoon sampling. Down-hole monitoring devices and groundwater monitoring via piezometers are also utilized, where appropriate.
The use of geosynthetics in construction has increased significantly over the past 10 years; reducing costs, yet providing a superior end-result for many geotechnical challenges. The more commonly utilized materials today include geotextile fabrics, fiberglass reinforcing sheets, stabilization fabrics, and geogrids. Typical applications of these materials include stabilization of soft subgrade soils, mechanically stabilized earthen structures, foundation reinforcement, retaining walls, pavement reinforcement, filters, and separation layers. With each new advancement in technology, comes greater opportunity for us to provide our clients with effective yet cost-efficient solutions.
Performing slope analysis requires detailed knowledge of soil strength parameters such as friction angle and cohesion, obtained through field exploration and laboratory testing. ECI's experienced staff has performed numerous slope stability analyses on natural and fill slopes and 2 and 3 dimensional soil and rock slopes. We also provide recommendations for stabilization of existing unstable slopes, such as installation of retaining structures, erosion control measures, and soil nailing.
Soil formations and hydraulic conductivity values of soils are integral to the design process for storm water removal from any site. ECI supplies information to design team members for use in development of grading plans relative to soils and topography encountered on-site. Special considerations are made with respect to sloped sites, and those projects that come under the requirements of local ordinances.
ECI's seismic evaluations include extensive information in accordance with Chapter 16 of the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Building Code, including values for mapped spectral acceleration at short periods, and spectral acceleration at a 1-second periods. We further evaluate sites for characteristics particularly susceptible to seismic hazards and characterize the incidence and anticipated acceleration of seismic activity.
ESC plans are designed by ECI's licensed personnel for use by property owners, contractors and construction site inspectors. These plans provide the information needed for implementation of control measures intended to prevent erosion and off-site sedimentation as outlined, defined, and required by local municipalities.
ECI has conducted numerous groundwater investigations as required by the local and state agencies. We continually monitor a number of piezometers located throughout the area, allowing for a greater understanding of local water regimens. Many jurisdictions require percolation testing for many currently proposed developments. We have in depth experience with soils and sediments and can provide those services as required by city, county, and state municipalities.
ECI's extensive experience enables us to conduct comprehensive forensic analyses for existing developments exhibiting problems such as foundation failure because of settlement or expansion of soils or fills, concrete slabs wicking moisture, water entering crawl spaces, and many others.
ECI utilizes experience and industry knowledge in developing pavement sections for private and public roadways. The vast majority of our geotechnical services include recommendations for pavement sections that can be used for access areas and parking locations. Our recommendations are based upon AASHTO design methods, and reflect requirements of many Highway Districts and State Transportation Departments, along with the Federal Highway Administration.
Earth Consulting Incorporated is a recognized leader in providing geotechnical services for commercial and residential developers, architectural and engineering firms, and many government agencies. Our expert geotechnical staff is committed to fulfilling each client's design needs in a timely, economical and responsible manner, while providing optimal solutions for any number of unique geotechnical challenges.
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Geotechnical Exploration
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Thorough geotechnical exploration is fundamental to the planning and development of structures, developments and roadways. ECI's highly qualified professionals are skilled in a wide variety of exploration techniques including: hollow-stem auger drilling, mud rotary drilling, rock coring, Shelby tube sampling, split-spoon sampling, test pit, and numerous geophysical methods.
| Foundation Analysis |
|
From 25 story high-rises to single-family residential structures, ECI's professional staff utilizes their extensive experience to fully evaluate structure load and soil conditions. Whether it be for a shallow footing system or a deep pile or pier foundation, we provide our clients with a thorough foundation analysis and comprehensive recommendations. Our experience includes a wide range of foundation systems including piles, raft or mats, concrete and aggregate piers, shallow spread and isolated concrete pads, and so on.
| Materials Analysis |
|
ECI utilizes a full range of technology available to the science of soils testing and exploration. Tests employed are unconfined compressive strength, direct shear, tri-axial shear, Atterberg limits, sieve analysis, moisture content, density, California Bearing Ratio, R-value, consolidation, and expansion index, just to name a few. Field tests include penetrometer tests, vane shear testing of cohesive soils, and cone penetration testing. Exploration methods employed include continuous flight hollow stem auger drilling methods, allowing for implementation of Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and split-spoon sampling. Down-hole monitoring devices and groundwater monitoring via piezometers are also utilized, where appropriate.
| Geosynthetics |
|
The use of geosynthetics in construction has increased significantly over the past 10 years; reducing costs, yet providing a superior end-result for many geotechnical challenges. The more commonly utilized materials today include geotextile fabrics, fiberglass reinforcing sheets, stabilization fabrics, and geogrids. Typical applications of these materials include stabilization of soft subgrade soils, mechanically stabilized earthen structures, foundation reinforcement, retaining walls, pavement reinforcement, filters, and separation layers. With each new advancement in technology, comes greater opportunity for us to provide our clients with effective yet cost-efficient solutions.
|
Slope Stability Analysis and Slope Stabilization
|
|
Performing slope analysis requires detailed knowledge of soil strength parameters such as friction angle and cohesion, obtained through field exploration and laboratory testing. ECI's experienced staff has performed numerous slope stability analyses on natural and fill slopes and 2 and 3 dimensional soil and rock slopes. We also provide recommendations for stabilization of existing unstable slopes, such as installation of retaining structures, erosion control measures, and soil nailing.
|
Storm Water System Recommendations
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|
Soil formations and hydraulic conductivity values of soils are integral to the design process for storm water removal from any site. ECI supplies information to design team members for use in development of grading plans relative to soils and topography encountered on-site. Special considerations are made with respect to sloped sites, and those projects that come under the requirements of local ordinances.
| Seismic Evaluations |
|
ECI's seismic evaluations include extensive information in accordance with Chapter 16 of the 2000 and 2003 editions of the International Building Code, including values for mapped spectral acceleration at short periods, and spectral acceleration at a 1-second periods. We further evaluate sites for characteristics particularly susceptible to seismic hazards and characterize the incidence and anticipated acceleration of seismic activity.
|
Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESC)
|
|
ESC plans are designed by ECI's licensed personnel for use by property owners, contractors and construction site inspectors. These plans provide the information needed for implementation of control measures intended to prevent erosion and off-site sedimentation as outlined, defined, and required by local municipalities.
|
Groundwater and Hydrology
|
|
ECI has conducted numerous groundwater investigations as required by the local and state agencies. We continually monitor a number of piezometers located throughout the area, allowing for a greater understanding of local water regimens. Many jurisdictions require percolation testing for many currently proposed developments. We have in depth experience with soils and sediments and can provide those services as required by city, county, and state municipalities.
|
Forensic Analysis
|
|
ECI's extensive experience enables us to conduct comprehensive forensic analyses for existing developments exhibiting problems such as foundation failure because of settlement or expansion of soils or fills, concrete slabs wicking moisture, water entering crawl spaces, and many others.
|
Pavement Design
|
|
ECI utilizes experience and industry knowledge in developing pavement sections for private and public roadways. The vast majority of our geotechnical services include recommendations for pavement sections that can be used for access areas and parking locations. Our recommendations are based upon AASHTO design methods, and reflect requirements of many Highway Districts and State Transportation Departments, along with the Federal Highway Administration.