Slope stability refers to how much stress a slope can endure before collapsing. This information matters to civil and geotechnical engineers involved in planning construction for roads, dams, embankments, and other excavated slopes, as failing to understand slope stability could result in landslides, unwanted movement, or injury to both property and individuals. A slope stability…
Test pits are holes dug prior to construction to help ensure the ground conditions are suitable for building projects. These test pits average a depth of 3-15 feet deep, and allow geotechnical engineers the opportunity to assess soil composition before officially breaking ground. Using a test pit is a great way to avoid issues and…
Geotechnical drilling is a site investigation technique designed to uncover the physical properties surrounding a construction site. Also known as geotechnical boring, this process involves evaluating the soil, rock, groundwater, and overall conditions within a given depth and location. This vital work ensures construction can move forward as planned, and helps catch issues before they…
If you’re looking to break ground on a new construction project in Anchorage or anywhere that experiences frigid temperatures, you may be wondering, “what is permafrost?” Permafrost forms when the ground in an area remains at or below freezing temperatures (0°C, 32°F) for two or more years. It may impact the most immediate ground layers,…
Breaking ground on a new structure in Alaska is unlike any other project around the country. Alaskan engineers face extreme conditions that work towards compromising the integrity of their builds. Alaskan darkness can block out the sun for as many as 67 straight days in some regions, while others may have as few as 3…
Whether you’re breaking ground on a commercial, residential, or public project, understanding the surfaces you’re building upon is crucial. Gaining a thorough understanding involves conducting a stringent site investigation to discover the subsurface conditions present on-site. One of the first steps in construction planning is to conduct a geotechnical investigation to get a sense of…
Before construction can begin on any project, plans must be set to build a sound, sturdy, and safe structure that’s built to last. The strongest materials and most advanced building techniques are null and void if they aren’t properly adjusted to the soil conditions at a given site. One of the most important and often…
Why is doing a soils analysis so important? Why employ a Geotech at all? The importance of this work simply can’t be overstated. Not only is soils analysis a critical component of a pre-build site investigation, but it is also a legal requirement to acquire a building permit in most jurisdictions. But what is so…
To understand how to measure the infiltration rate of soil and the importance of conducting that type of testing, we must first discuss soil infiltration itself. Soil infiltration (often called by design engineers as permeability or hydraulic conductivity) is the speed at which water moves through different types of soil, typically measured in inches per…
Contact Us Our Experience If you’re getting started on a building project, risk mitigation should be a top priority. One hazard that may be of primary concern is a landslide. Landslides can be incredibly devastating and are concerning due to their ability to take place almost anywhere. But, what is a landslide? According to…
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