Geotechnical Services

SOCOTEC's field monitoring capabilities include comprehensive instrumentation installation, calibration, data collection, and analysis. Applications include:

• Landslide evaluation
• Slope stability monitoring
• Settlement concerns
• Retaining structures
• Tunnel behavior analysis
• Vibration studies
• Moisture intrusion studies

We install and monitor instrumentation systems—including piezometers, inclinometers, extensometers, tilt meters, settlement plates, sondex systems, and tension crack monitors—to enable real-time monitoring and proactive decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Our geotechnical engineers provide site-specific foundation recommendations for all structure types, including:

• Foundation type selection and sizing: Spread footings, mat foundations, driven piles, or drilled piers
• Load capacity analysis: Determining allowable bearing, lateral, and uplift capacities
• Settlement evaluation: Calculating expected settlement magnitudes and rates 
• Soil challenge mitigation: Solutions for expansive, compressible, collapsible, liquefiable, corrosive, or saturated soils
• Construction recommendations: Practical guidance for subgrade preparation and installation

SOCOTEC utilizes state-of-the-art techniques to assess liquefaction potential in seismically active regions such as California. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Field testing with exploratory borings and cone penetrometer testing
• Numerical modeling of soil behavior under seismic conditions
• Tailored mitigation measures and strategies including remedial grading, incorporation of geogrid reinforcements into engineered fill, pile foundations, stone columns, deep soil mixing, rammed aggregate piers, compaction grouting, etc.

We offer robust geotechnical testing services for both new and rehabilitated pavements projects. Our services include:

• Pavement design recommendation for flexible pavement, rigid pavement and superpave (subgrade preparation and compaction requirements,  thickness, type of base materials, etc.)
• Subgrade soils evaluation using CBR and R-value testing in our accredited laboratories
• Pavement rehabilitation strategies for underperforming pavements (overlays, seals, patching, reinforcing fabrics, etc.)
• Quality control testing during construction

SOCOTEC evaluates site-specific conditions to provide design parameters for all types of retaining structures:

• Permanent systems: Cantilever walls, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE), soil nail walls, tieback, gabion, crib and bin walls and modular blocks
• Temporary shoring: Sheet piles, soldier pile and lagging, braced excavations, cofferdams

Each solution considers seismic loading, hydrostatic pressures, and constructability factors.

Our geotechnical experts stay current with evolving seismic design criteria to deliver site-specific recommendations for both new construction and seismic retrofit projects:

• Evaluation of seismic hazards: fault rupture, ground motion, liquefaction, landslides, dynamic settlements, lateral spreading, and tsunamis
• Development of peak horizontal and vertical ground accelerations
• Development of site-specific acceleration response spectra
• Spectral matching and time history analyses

We ensure compliance with ASCE 7-16, ASCE 7-22, IBC, CBC, AREMA, and other applicable standards.

Using sophisticated modeling techniques, field investigation data, and laboratory testing, SOCOTEC conducts comprehensive slope stability analyses for:

• Planned and existing slopes
• Landslide investigation and repair design
• Factor of safety calculations for static and seismic conditions
• Design of stabilization measures including buttresses, shear keys, soil reinforcements, and drainage improvements