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GEOTECHNICAL

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Geotechnical

High-quality Geotechnical Engineering services are critical to the success of any building project, as they provide essential information about the ground conditions to provide cost-effective design and construction recommendations.


GEMS geotechnical services include investigations, construction inspection and materials testing, geotechnical monitoring, laboratory and design services.

At GEMS, we always bring innovative approaches providing individualized solutions to address unique project challenges to get and keep projects moving.


Traditional methods are essential, but we're also passionate about blending technical excellence with creativity and a foundational understanding of what we do - and most importantly, what our clients need done to provide results, not just advice.


Our decades of field experience let us quickly develop a comprehensive understanding of ground conditions, project constraints and constructability challenges that you can use to manage schedule and costs during the construction of your project.


Geotechnical Investigations

The goal of a geotechnical investigation is to collect data on the physical properties of the soil and rock beneath a construction site. We use many techniques to collect this information:


  • Soil drilling with Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)
  • Dynamic Cone Penetration Tests (DCPT)
  • Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)
  • Flat Plate Dilatometer (DMT)
  • Pressure Meter Testing (PMT)
  • Rock coring
  • Geophysical surveys


This data is used to accurately evaluate the geotechnical properties of sub-surface materials for use in the geotechnical and structural design of buildings, excavations and shoring, embankments, retaining walls, site services and roads.


GEMS can also carry out slope stability assessments based on borehole and survey data and through visual assessment of the condition of slopes. GEMS can determine the setback limits for new developments in the vicinity of natural slopes, as required by local conservation authorities.

Materials Testing and Inspection

Our construction inspection and materials testing capabilities ensure that the materials used on your construction projects meet the required specifications and design requirements. GEMS provides the following services:


  • Field density (compaction) testing
  • Field and laboratory concrete testing
  • Footing and subgrade inspections
  • Inspection of caissons and driven piles
  • Inspection of ground improvements
  • Inspection and certification of engineered fill, roads, retaining walls
  • Quality control and quality assurance testing
  • Quality Verification Engineer (QVE)


Geotechnical Monitoring

GEMS geotechnical specialists can design and implement geotechnical monitoring programs for rail lines, embankments, excavations, shoring systems, bridges, buried infrastructure, and buildings.


Settlement and movement monitoring programs for these projects most commonly use precision surveying using a total station and reflective targets. Total station surveys can monitor vertical or horizontal movement of structures to less than 2 mm accuracy. Monitoring programs can also include inclinometers installed in boreholes or installed into structures to monitor the lateral movement of tunnel shafts and shoring systems.


Pre-construction condition surveys are carried out on buildings and structures adjacent to construction sites, prior to the start of construction to document the condition of adjacent structures. In the event a claim is made against the Builder or Contractor, a high-quality pre-construction condition survey is an important factual document to protect both the developer and adjacent property owner. Post-construction condition surveys can also be carried out following the completion of projects to confirm if any changes in existing deficiencies in structures near the construction throughout the construction period.


Vibration Potential Assessment and vibration monitoring is required by some municipalities to monitor the impact of construction vibration on adjacent properties. GEMS can provide remote, real-time vibration monitoring for construction projects to measure and record high-quality data to ensure your compliance with bylaws and regulations.


Laboratory

The GEMS geotechincal laboratory can carry out the following lab tests in support of our geotechnical investigations and materials testing projects:


  • Grain size analysis
  • Water content
  • Atterberg (plasticity) limits
  • Standard and modified protector tests
  • Organic content
  • One-dimensional consolidation test


Design

GEMS provides design services for mechanically stable earth retaining walls and slopes utilizing geosynthetic (geogrid and geotextile) material and design of gravity retaining wall systems. These systems include:


  • Temporary and permanent walls
  • Wire and gabion basket walls
  • Precast concrete walls
  • Vegetated walls
  • Armour stone walls


Following completion of an efficient engineering design, GEMS will draft construction drawings and provide engineering support throughout construction works. GEMS can also be retained to inspect and certify the construction of the wall system.


GEMS geotechnical specialists can also assess the stability of slopes, and if necessary, design a slope stabilization system to arrest slope movements.


GEMS geotechnical investigations and engineering services will guide you to informed decisions. 

GEMS geotechnical TEAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE GEOTECHINCAL SERVICES FROM INVESTIGATION TO DESIGN TO CONSTRUCTION. 

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

GEMS KEEPS YOUR PROJECT MOVING

 WE UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS, CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS

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