Geotechnical Engineering Services

Geotechnical Services and Construction Engineering

Whether performed in one of our accredited laboratories or onsite, Element offers a comprehensive suite of geotechnical engineering services, supporting projects of every size and scope with a comprehensive portfolio of services.  Element is a geotechnical engineering firm with a full-service soils analysis lab and materials testing capabilities.

Our team of experienced professional engineers are qualified, equipped and prepared to provide the following geotechnical engineering services:

• Foundation Design Element engineers design parameters and settlement analyses for shallow spread footings, mat foundations, driven piles, drilled piers (caissons), auger cast piling, and pressure injected footings
• Settlement and Subsidence Analysis We analyze loose granular and fine grained soils for support of footings and foundations, deposits for liquefaction potential, calculate and consolidation settlement in soft clay and organic deposits under new earth embankment, or area fill.
• Pavement Design Element can analyze pavement thickness, surface, and subsurface drainage conditions for local roads, highways, airports, railroad crossings, and rail beds
• Pile Foundation Design and Construction Our engineers consult in the design and inspection of pile foundation systems utilizing traditional methods as well as newer technologies, including the use of pile integrity testing equipment
• Retaining Structures We can help with designing parameters for earth retaining structures, including cantilever systems, tied-back walls, and gravity retaining walls
• Land Development We consult on dewatering and permanent drainage systems, including input on soil and rock permeability, errodability, and stability
• Geotechnical Instrumentation We perform vibrations monitoring, install piezmeters for groundwater measurement, install inclinometers for slope stability analysis, and place crack monitors to aid in monitoring movement.  

Expert geotechnical support

Element experts have provided quality assurance and quality program support for construction and architecture projects for over 70 years. Our geotechnical capabilities include:

Element's Geotechnical Expertise:

• ∙Program Development

• ∙Site Reconnaissance

• ∙Field Exploration

• ∙Geotechnical Evaluation

• ∙Construction Quality Control and Testing

• ∙Environmental Engineering

• Foundation and Pavement Design 
• Expansive/Collapsing Soils
• Compaction Monitoring & Testing
• Vibration Monitoring
• Soil and Rock classification and parameters
• Settlement and Subsidence Analysis
• Field Permeability Tests
• Underpinning and Special Foundations
• Landslide Analysis & Control
• Dams, Reservoirs and Dam Studies
• Settlement Problems
• Hydroelectric Facilities
• Dynamically Loaded Foundations
• Slope Stability Problems
• Soil and Rock Instrumentation & Blast Monitoring
• Shallow Foundations & Rigid Mats
• Deep Foundations
• Braced Excavations and Tie-Back Walls
• Construction Dewatering and Drainage
• Earth Retaining Structure & Reinforced Earth
• Tunnels, Pipelines & Utilities
• Creek, River & Waterfront Protection
• Forensics
• Deep, Dynamic Ground Improvement, Surcharge & Grouting
• Highways, Airports, Railroads & Pavements
• Slope Design, Soil & Rock Stability
• Projects with Piling Contractors using the Pile Driving Analyzer^TM (PDA^TM)