Geotechnical Engineering
The impact of Geotechnical Engineering reaches far beyond simply identifying what kinds of soil and rock are present at a project site. The geologic conditions of a project site can widely vary even across short distances, and if overlooked these conditions can have costly outcomes on project design and construction. Arias understands that our services are a vital component of site preparation, foundation design, and overall project design; without it, a project is susceptible to cracking and other deformations as a result of improper settling and even total failure.
Geotechnical engineering services involve exploration of the subsurface, laboratory testing of subsurface samples, engineering analysis, and development of recommendations for various types of projects. Arias' licensed geotechnical engineers and engineers-in-training have diverse project experiences with earth materials including soil, rock, and groundwater. Arias’ Professional Engineers each have 4 to 50+ years of experience providing Geotechnical Engineering services. Our team is experienced, responsive, and credentialed, sees the big picture and strives to assure that our services contribute positively to both the project’s short-term and long-term performance.
Subsurface Exploration Programs, Expansive Soil Mitigation Recommendations, Laboratory Testing, Ground Improvement and Soil Modification, Subgrade Evaluation, Plan and Specification Review, Groundwater Studies, Foundation Analyses, Retention System Analyses, Pavement Evaluation, Forensic Evaluation and Recommendations, Local and Global Stability Analyses, In Situ Testing and Observation, and Materials Evaluation.
Our engineers are experienced with geotechnical engineering projects including, but not limited to:
Transportation – Roadways, bridges, railroads, airports, truck terminals and parking
Government – Military, Federal, State and Municipal
Water/Wastewater Facilities – Treatment plants, tanks, pump stations and pipelines
Education Facilities – K-12, colleges and universities
Buildings – Retail, office, warehouse and residential
Medical Facilities – Hospitals, clinics and medical offices
Retaining Walls – Concrete, sheet piles, soil nail, and mechanically stabilized earth
Flood Control Systems – Channels, levees, detention basins and dams
Industrial – Chemical, automotive and manufacturing
Marine Facilities – Docks, terminals, wharves, and breasting dolphins
Oil and Gas – “Eagle Ford Shale” projects, tanks and pipelines
Energy – Transmission lines, substations, power plants, wind farms and lignite mines
Border Control – U.S./Mexico walls, fences, and roads
Geotechnical engineering services involve exploration of the subsurface, laboratory testing of subsurface samples, engineering analysis, and development of recommendations for various types of projects. Arias' licensed geotechnical engineers and engineers-in-training have diverse project experiences with earth materials including soil, rock, and groundwater. Arias’ Professional Engineers each have 4 to 50+ years of experience providing Geotechnical Engineering services. Our team is experienced, responsive, and credentialed, sees the big picture and strives to assure that our services contribute positively to both the project’s short-term and long-term performance.
Subsurface Exploration Programs, Expansive Soil Mitigation Recommendations, Laboratory Testing, Ground Improvement and Soil Modification, Subgrade Evaluation, Plan and Specification Review, Groundwater Studies, Foundation Analyses, Retention System Analyses, Pavement Evaluation, Forensic Evaluation and Recommendations, Local and Global Stability Analyses, In Situ Testing and Observation, and Materials Evaluation.
Our engineers are experienced with geotechnical engineering projects including, but not limited to:
Transportation – Roadways, bridges, railroads, airports, truck terminals and parking
Government – Military, Federal, State and Municipal
Water/Wastewater Facilities – Treatment plants, tanks, pump stations and pipelines
Education Facilities – K-12, colleges and universities
Buildings – Retail, office, warehouse and residential
Medical Facilities – Hospitals, clinics and medical offices
Retaining Walls – Concrete, sheet piles, soil nail, and mechanically stabilized earth
Flood Control Systems – Channels, levees, detention basins and dams
Industrial – Chemical, automotive and manufacturing
Marine Facilities – Docks, terminals, wharves, and breasting dolphins
Oil and Gas – “Eagle Ford Shale” projects, tanks and pipelines
Energy – Transmission lines, substations, power plants, wind farms and lignite mines
Border Control – U.S./Mexico walls, fences, and roads
Geotechnical Engineering Services
pavement evaluation & recommendations
We provide pavement evaluations for TxDOT, city, county, and airfield pavement using coring/boring data, laboratory test results, Ground Penetrating Radar(GPR) and Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD).
Local & Global Stability analysis
Our Professional Engineers perform local and global stability analyses for retaining walls and slopes using USA Corps of Engineers (USACE), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and AASHTO guidelines.
Materials Evaluation
Our in-house Texas laboratories provide materials evaluations for project construction materials. Laboratory test results are reviewed by the Laboratory Director and approved by a Professional Engineer.
forensic evaluation & recommendations
Our Professional Engineers perform forensic evaluations by reviewing the as-built drawings, subsurface information, laboratory test results, piezometers, inclinometers and geophysical data. Recommendations are developed after thorough review of the gathered data and comprehensive engineering analyses.
retention system analysis
Our team performs retention system analyses using limit equilibrium software. In addition, wedge analyses and Lpile analyses are performed as needed for the soil/rock nail walls and drilled shaft walls.
foundation analysis
Our team provides engineering analyses to determine the feasibility of foundation type, develop design and installation recommendations of cost-effective foundation system considering the subsurface conditions, geology, axial and lateral loading.
Groundwater studies
Our team provides groundwater studies by performing field exploration drilled borings and installing piezometers. Both standpipe and vibrating wire piezometers are considered depending on the scope of the project.
plan and specification review
Our Professional Engineers perform plan and specification reviews prior to starting construction on any project. Field Technicians are assigned according to the project specifications and requirements.
Subgrade Evaluation
Subgrade evaluation is performed by experienced and certified Field Technicians prior to construction and approved by Arias’ Professional Engineers.
Ground Improvement & Soil modification
Arias provides recommendations for ground improvements and soil modifications based on the established service ability requirements of the project. Based on the information gathered during subsurface exploration, advanced laboratory testing, and engineering analyses; recommendations are developed by experienced Professional Engineers to reduce settlement and increase bearing capacity of grade supported structures, retaining walls and embankments.
Labortory testing
Laboratory testingperformed on soil, rock, concrete and asphalt in our laboratories.
