Geotechnical Engineering and Material Testing Services
our geotechnical engineering team provides essential insights into the ground conditions that influences the design, construction, and performance of built environments. With deep expertise in soil behavior, ground-structure interaction, and site characterization, we deliver reliable, cost-effective, and constructible geotechnical solutions across a wide range of sectors and soil conditions.
From preliminary desktop studies to field investigations, laboratory testing, numerical modeling, and construction monitoring, we support every phase of the project lifecycle. Our team works collaboratively with owners, architects, and design consultants to reduce geotechnical risk, optimize foundation performance, and ensure long-term structural stability.
We are committed to delivering technically sound, site-specific recommendations that are informed by data, guided by experience, and tailored to meet project goals and regulatory standards.
Scope
Desktop Study and Background Review
- Review Google Maps, historical aerial photographs and The Atlas of Canada – Toporama
- Study of the Alberta Water Well Database
- Review of surficial geology, bedrock geology, and bedrock topography maps
- Site visit and reconnaissance to observe surface conditions, drainage and access
Geotechnical Site Investigation
- Drilling boreholes using solid and hollow stem augers
- Perform Cone Penetration (CPT) Testing for continuous soil profiling
- Conduct vane shear testing for soft clay and silt characterization
- Conduct sonic drilling for difficult ground and sensitive environments shear testing.
Laboratory Testing
- Moisture content testing
- Atterberg limits – Liquid Limit and Plastic Limit
- Grain size distribution – sieve Analysis and hydrometer testing
- Unconfined compression testing, triaxial compression testing, and direct shear testing.
- Unit weight and density determination
- Sulphate content testing
- Organic content testing
- Moisture content testing
Geotechnical Recommendations and Considerations
- Site development considerations
- Underground Utilities – open cut excavation method and/or trenchless installation method
- Foundation design – shallow foundations and/or deep pile foundations
- Slope stability assessment for natural and engineered slopes
- Retaining wall system – gravity, cantilever, and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls.
- Temporary shoring wall design – secant pile wall, soldier pile wall and sheet pile wall)
- Stormwater and wastewater lagoon
- Railway transportation ballast and subgrade
- Ground vibration monitoring – driven pile and sheet pile wall
- Flexible pavement structure design for roadways and industrial yards
- Gravel pavement for rural roadways and parking lots
Geotechnical Modelling and Analysis
- Slope stability modeling using Limit Equilibrium Methods – SLOPE/W
- Finite element analysis – SIGMA/W – for stress-strain behavior
- Seepage modeling – SEEP/W – for groundwater flow and pore pressure analysis
- Lateral pile analysis – L-Pile – for embedded structure under lateral loads
- Pile structural analysis – S-Concrete – for pile structural analysis
Construction Support and Quality Assurance
- Excavation and backfill inspection
- Subgrade inspections for foundations, road, and pads
- Proof rolling for compaction verification
- Pile installation monitoring – cast-in-place (CIP) concrete pile, continuous flight auger (CFA) concrete pile, driven steel pile, helical pile
- Slope stabilization construction oversight
- Construction monitoring of retaining wall
- Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) verification through in-situ testing and laboratory confirmation