The Future Is Built With Our Geotechnical Expertise

Every well-planned development project, whether large or small, requires consideration of site-specific subsurface conditions. More than ever, project sites have difficult soil, slope, bedrock, and/or groundwater conditions that require the expertise of knowledgeable geotechnical engineers to identify and manage uncertainties and risks, to recommend appropriate foundation and retaining wall systems, and to develop solutions for complex conditions. Carlin-Simpson & Associates, LLC has the expertise to thoroughly assess the site and subsurface conditions and the impact these conditions will have on the completed project, which enables the design team to prepare a cost-effective foundation design and provides the construction team with valuable information regarding soil, unsuitable soil, bedrock, and groundwater conditions on the project site. In performing a specific investigation, we retain one of our professional drilling or excavating subcontractors, provide full-time inspection of the explorations, and maintain liaison with your office to inform you of our findings. Our geotechnical investigation services are listed below.

• Subsurface Investigations
• Test Borings
• Rock Coring
• Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT)
• Test Pits
• Infiltration and Percolation Testing
• Hydrogeology Evaluations
• Sinkhole Investigation
• Pavement Evaluation

The data from the geotechnical investigation is used to evaluate the characteristics and behavior of the subsurface soil and rock and then a report is prepared for the project. This report provides geotechnical design recommendations that are site and project specific. These design recommendations include: soil bearing capacity, foundation type, estimated settlement, lateral earth pressures, slope stability, groundwater control measures, temporary excavation support, pavement design, design parameters for retaining walls and/or foundation walls, floor slab support, a determination of the suitability of the on-site site soils for use as compacted fill, and recommendations concerning any other soil related problem that becomes evident during the course of the study.

In addition, our firm can prepare design drawings and specifications for temporary and permanent retaining wall systems, braced excavations, underpinning, grouting, soil and rock slope stabilization systems, permanent sub-slab drainage systems, etc. If required, we can also prepare technical specifications for a number of additional geotechnical related items such as earthwork, rock removal, construction dewatering, pile foundations, ground improvement, and rock anchors. All engineering calculations, computer-aided engineering, design drawings and specifications, and report preparation are conducted in-house by our professional engineering team. Some of our geotechnical engineering and design services are listed below.
 

• Subsurface Soil & Foundation Investigation Reports
• Foundation Design – Shallow & Deep Foundations
• Seismic Evaluation
• Settlement Analysis
• Flexible & Rigid Pavement Section Design
• Ground Improvement
• Permanent Dewatering System Design
• Underpinning Design
• Temporary Support of Excavation (SOE) Design
• Segmental Block Retaining Wall Design

• Soldier Pile & Sheet Pile Retaining Wall Design
• Design of Reinforced Soil Slopes
• Slope Stability Analysis
• Design of Soil & Rock Slope Stabilization Systems
• Earth Dam Design & Safety Inspections
• Settlement Mitigation & Remediation
• Sinkhole Remediation
• Forensic Studies
• Peer Review Services
• Expert Testimony

Carlin-Simpson & Associates, LLC also provides a range of environmental consulting services to assist our clients in meeting whatever environmental challenges their project might face and lead them to a successful resolution. Environmental issues can be varied and complex and they can significantly affect a project. Our environmental services are provided throughout the life of the project – from due diligence, to design, and through construction – with the goal of limiting environmental liabilities, reducing project costs, and keeping the project on schedule. Our typical environmental consulting services are listed below. Other environmental consulting services are also available based on the specific needs of the client, site, project, and/or local regulations.
 

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)
  
• Phase II Environmental Site Investigations (ESI) for
  Soil and Groundwater
• Imported or Exported Soil/Fill Characterization
  
• Monitoring Well Design/Installation
• Consulting Services During Remediation

Ensuring that construction is performed in accordance with the design plans and project specifications is just as important as the geotechnical investigation. Carlin-Simpson & Associates, LLC provides construction inspection services for both code compliance and quality assurance/quality control purposes during all phases of earthwork and foundation construction. We train all field personnel in quality control, construction methods, and safety practices. Our field technicians provide an important link between the contractor, the professional design team, and the owner by verifying the site conditions, verifying materials, supervising the contractors and the construction techniques being used, conducting quality control tests, and documenting the work progress and any deficiencies. We routinely perform the construction inspection services listed below.

• Placement of Controlled Compacted Fill
• Proofrolling of Subgrade Soils
• Foundation Inspection
• Pile Installation
• Soil and Rock Anchors
• Removal of Unsuitable Soils
• Installation of Utilities
• Ground Improvement
• Underpinning
• Construction of Retaining Walls
• Slope Stabilization
• Dynamic Compaction
• Grouting
• Lightweight Fills
• Construction Dewatering
• Asphalt Pavement Installation

Laboratory testing is typically performed in conjunction with geotechnical investigations (to define the physical characteristics of the site soils and establish soil design parameters) and also with construction inspection services (to assure compliance with the project specifications and for quality control purposes). Carlin-Simpson & Associates, LLC has an in-house soils testing laboratory with the capability to perform a number of standardized tests under controlled conditions. All data analysis and report generation is performed in-house by our laboratory technicians and professional engineering team. Testing capabilities are listed below.

• Sieve Analysis / Particle-Size Analysis
• Hydrometer Analysis

• Liquid and Plastic (Atterberg) Limits

• Compaction Test (Standard and Modified Proctor)
  
• Permeability Testing
• Consolidation Testing
• Moisture Content
• Organic Content
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR)