Past Projects

To complement the findings from the desktop review and to evaluate the soil and groundwater conditions at the site, we undertake a comprehensive subsurface exploration program. This program is tailored to the specific site requirements and may include the following investigative methods:

• Test pitting using backhoe or excavator
   
• Auger drilling and soil sampling
   
• Sonic drilling and sampling
   
• Falling Head and Constant Head percolation testing
   
• Installation of standpipe piezometers and inclinometers
   
• Wildcat penetrometer testing
   
• Dynamic Cone Penetration Testing (DCPT) and Standard Penetration Testing (SPT)
   
• Down-hole seismic testing for shear wave velocity measurements
   
• Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
   
• Soil resistivity testing
   

These methods provide essential data for accurate geotechnical characterization and inform the design and construction of safe, effective engineering solutions.

Our comprehensive understanding of geological structures, soil and rock behavior, ground-structure interaction, and modern construction technologies—combined with the systematic application of investigative, scientific, engineering, and risk management methodologies—enables us to deliver practical, reliable solutions to a wide range of ground-related challenges.

Our geotechnical design capabilities include:

• Shallow and deep foundation (pile) design
   
• Retaining wall design and analysis
   
• Groundwater seepage analysis and control
   
• Preparation of site-specific ground response spectra
   
• Soil liquefaction triggering assessment
   
• Ground improvement design and implementation strategies
   

These services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each project, ensuring safety, constructability, and long-term performance.

We collaborate closely with our clients to identify and characterize ground-related hazards, develop risk scenarios, and assess the potential impacts on people, property, and the environment. Our investigations address a wide range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, soil liquefaction, debris flows, and rockfalls.

Our specialized services in this area include:

• Slope stability analysis
   
• Slope stabilization design
   
• Rockfall hazard assessment and mitigation
   
• Slope monitoring and instrumentation
   

By combining advanced analytical tools with practical field experience, we deliver tailored risk assessment and mitigation strategies to support safe, resilient project outcomes.

Excavation shoring is often essential for retaining soils adjacent to deep excavations, whether to support new construction, protect adjacent structures, or address other earth retention needs. Properly designed and installed shoring systems are critical for ensuring site stability and the safety of construction personnel, as well as maintaining the structural integrity of nearby buildings throughout the construction process.

Our excavation shoring and earth retention solutions include:

• Soil nail walls with shotcrete facing
   
• Lock-block retaining wall systems
   

We tailor each system to site-specific conditions, delivering safe, cost-effective, and constructible solutions for temporary or permanent applications.

  We provide comprehensive quality control (QC) testing services to support construction projects, including materials testing and instrumentation monitoring, ensuring compliance with project specifications and industry standards throughout all phases of construction. 

During site preparation and construction, we provide geotechnical field review services to verify that subsurface conditions are consistent with expectations and that construction activities are generally in accordance with the recommendations of the Geotechnical Engineer of Record.

Our field review services typically include:

• Assessment of temporary unsupported excavation slopes
   
• Inspection of stripped and prepared subgrades prior to placement of geotextile, engineered fill, or slab construction
   
• Review and acceptance of engineered fill materials
   
• Monitoring the placement and compaction of engineered fill
   
• Evaluation of soil conditions at foundation grade prior to formwork installation
   
• Review of the placement and compaction of under-slab fill prior to constructing grade-supported slabs
   

These reviews help ensure quality, safety, and conformance with the geotechnical design intent throughout the construction process.

Utility location is the process of identifying and marking underground public utility mains to ensure safe and efficient planning and construction. These utilities may include telecommunication lines, electrical distribution systems, natural gas pipelines, cable television, fiber optics, traffic signals, street lighting, storm drainage, water mains, and wastewater infrastructure.

To accurately detect and map these subsurface features, we employ advanced technologies such as Electromagnetic (EM) locating equipment and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). These non-invasive methods allow us to image and trace buried utilities with precision, minimizing the risk of utility strikes and supporting informed decision-making during design and construction.

Since January 2007, the British Columbia Building Code (BCBC) has required the determination of a Site Class for the seismic design of structures. This classification is based on subsurface soil conditions and can often be obtained through the local building department. The records typically include the name of the Geotechnical Engineer of Record for the site. However, if sufficient geotechnical data is not available, additional site-specific investigations may be necessary to accurately determine the Site Class.

We work closely with our clients to support the design and engineering of racking systems in accordance with structural and geotechnical requirements. Our services include:

• Soil classification for Site Class determination
   
• Core sampling of concrete slab-on-grade for compressive strength testing
   

These assessments ensure that racking systems are designed to meet applicable code requirements and are supported by adequate ground and structural conditions.