GEOTECHNICAL / GEOLOGICAL SERVICES

Under the supervision of registered geologists and geotechnical engineers, the practical experience and technical expertise of Smith-Emery GeoServices’ engineers, geologists, and technicians are combined to provide our clients with a full range of interrelated consulting and inspection services, enabling Smith-Emery to remain with a project from conception through completion.

The advantages of the "one stop" approach include increased flexibility, rapid turnaround times, a minimum of repetitive effort and/or miscommunication, and smoother transitions between project phases, resulting in an overall reduction in project expense.

GEOTECHNICAL / GEOLOGICAL SERVICES

GEOTECHNICAL AND GEOLOGIC INVESTIGATIONS

Our geotechnical engineers and geologists are experienced in planning and executing subsurface soil investigations which are in compliance with building code requirements and tailored to meet the specific needs of the project. Smith-Emery GeoServices’ engineers are knowledgeable in foundation designs for a wide variety of structures from single-family residential units to hi-rise buildings. We can provide soil parameters for driven and drilled piles, continuous, spread and mat foundations, retaining walls, and shoring with either braced, tie-back or cantilever soldier piles.

Past projects have ranged in complexity from straightforward investigations involving a few borings or shallow test pits to complex investigations requiring detailed analysis of rock bedding and structure through down-hole logging in excess of 50 feet.

Engineering Services

• Foundation Design Shoring Design Parameters
• Settlement Analysis Pavement Design
• Deep Foundation Design Forensic Investigations
• Seismic Dynamic Response Analysis Remedial Recommendations
• Fault Hazard Studies Expert Witness Testimony

Sewage Disposal Systems

• Percolation Testing
• Seepage Pit/Leach Line Design

Smith-Emery GeoServices’ geologists and engineers can provide evaluations of properties with regard to geologic hazards common to many California properties, including liquefaction, landsliding, flooding, sinkholes, mud flows, site drainage, and seismic issues. Our geologists have also conducted detailed fault studies in Seismic Hazard Zones. These studies involve large-scale trenching across the site to locate evidence of active fault traces or to verify their absence.

All geologic investigations and reports are supervised and signed by an engineering geologist registered in the State of California. Smith-Emery has extensive experience in meeting the requirements for geologic evaluations required by local and state agencies throughout California.

Smith-Emery's geologists and engineers also investigate a wide range of forensic foundation problems, including heaving, cracking, subsidence, and failure.

FIELD INSPECTION AND TESTING

Field supervisors at each of Smith-Emery's three locations dispatch trained technicians daily to job sites throughout California. Services provided include:

• Mass Grading Inspection and Testing Pile Driving Inspection
• Backfill Inspection Drilled Footing Inspections
• Materials Testing Shoring Inspection
• Footing Inspections Inspection of Tie-Back Anchors
• Asphalt Laydown Inspection

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