At Earth Engineering Incorporated (EEI), we strive to provide the best and most comprehensive Geotechnical Design and Engineering services in the Mid-Atlantic Tri-State Area. We offer cost-effective solutions for your building project, from underpinning in Philadelphia, PA, to soil nail walls in Allentown. Our geostructural engineers have expertise in all aspects of earth-related structural engineering.
What is Geostructural Design Engineering?
Geostructural Design is an engineering discipline specializing in combining traditional structural engineering with geotechnical expertise to examine how a structure and the earth will interact with each other. Understanding this relationship is critical to the integrity of the completed construction. Engaging the services of a professional geostructural designer early in a project can prevent issues before they occur, mitigate construction risks, and identify adequate solutions for constructability. With skillful designs and proper inspections, things like excavation failures, can be avoided. When our expert engineering practices are applied, the resulting design and structure are efficient, durable, and intrinsically sound. Our engineering services include, but aren’t limited to:
- Earth Retaining Structures
- Support of Excavations, Sheeting and Shoring
- Underpinning
- Soil Nails and Rock Bolts
- Shotcrete
Earth Retaining Structures
Earth-retaining structures are essential in geostructural design engineering for stabilizing slopes, preventing soil erosion, and supporting excavations. These structures resist the lateral forces exerted by a combination of soil and moisture, ensuring the stability of slopes, foundations, and other types of infrastructure. By supporting the soil mass, earth retention helps prevent slope failure, landslides, and erosion.
The design of earth retaining structures in the Philadelphia area must be thoughtfully prepared by a company that understands the unique soil conditions and specializes in geostructural engineering, such as Earth Engineering Inc.
Support of Excavations, Sheeting and Shoring
When it comes to earthwork and excavation, sheeting and shoring are crucial techniques used to ensure safety and stability at worksites. When properly designed by an engineer, these systems will prevent collapses and safeguard workers and equipment during excavation work.Two widely used methods for temporary excavation support are sheeting and shoring and pile and lagging systems
Common types include:
1. Soldier Pile and Lagging
While technically a type of pile and lagging system, soldier piles (H-piles) driven into the ground with wood, steel, or concrete lagging placed between them form a temporary or permanent retaining wall.
2. Steel Sheet Piling
Sheeting involves placing and driving interlocking sheets of steel material into the ground adjacent to the excavation to form a continuous wall to hold the earth in place. Sheeting can be permanent or temporary.This is commonly used in deep excavations or areas with high groundwater levels.
3. Braced and Tieback Shoring
Braced shoring involves horizontal or diagonal braces inside the excavation, while tieback anchors extend into stable soil behind the excavation to provide additional support.
Soil Nails and Rock Bolts
Often times the excavation support system will require soil nails and/or rock bolts to secure the excavation. In the ever-changing realm of geotechnical engineering, soil nails, and rock bolts tieback systems are some of the more technical and exciting tools used in stabilizing structures. They are an integral part of many construction projects and involve precision engineering by a well-trained team of experts.
Soil nails are reinforcement elements designed to stabilize loose soil slopes. These are often precisely sized steel bars placed in grout-filled pre-drilled holes to enhance the tensile strength of the soil. You might see this type of stabilizing system use in transportation projects.
Rock Bolts are ground support systems used to enhance the stability of rock masses. These are also steel rods anchored into rock to prevent collapses in excavation sites. This is a common reinforcement or stabilizer in rock, slopes, tunnels and mines.
Shotcrete
Used with soil nailing and rock bolting, shotcrete is almost an art form designed by geostructural engineers and installed by skilled craftsmen. This is a method of applying concrete to a vertical or overhead surface at high velocity. While the shotcrete process requires less formwork, it still needs a well-designed reinforcing framework to support the concrete.
Shotcrete provides flexibility and creativity in design. Think of pools, a rock-climbing wall, and skate parks. The finished product is high-strength, durable, and low in permeability.
Underpinning
At EEI, we see underpinning as a viable solution to lowering an existing foundation to create space for an adjacent excavation or strengthening and stabilizing existing foundations where the foundation itself or the soil beneath is compromised structurally. The instability of a foundation can occur due to settlement, structural deficiencies, or a change in building occupancy and content loads.
Underpinning is a geostructural engineering technique that refers to the process of reinforcing or deepening an existing foundation to increase its load-bearing capacity or stabilize it. The purpose is to ensure the structure retains structural integrity. The process might include mass concrete, beam, and base underpinning, piles, or hydraulic push piles.
Reach Out to Our Professionals in Geostructural Design and Engineering
Now that you have a basic understanding of how a geostructural design Engineer might help you with your next Tri-State Area construction project, give Earth Engineering Incorporated a call to schedule a consultation. We welcome the opportunity to explain our design and engineering services in more detail.