Submission: 514-900-0126 | contact@geoexpert-qc.com

Geotechnical study

THE NEED FOR A GEOTECHNICAL STUDY :

The geotechnical study or the soil study is an essential step, carried out by a geotechnical firm, for any construction project in civil engineering. It essentially consists of characterizing the support soil (overburden and/or rock mass) of the construction site, evaluating the capacity of the soil to support the structure and consequently optimizing the type and dimensions of the foundation, ensuring the base ground stability (essentially sloping ground) and check the seismic risk of the site. Several other activities are to be carried out depending on the scope of the construction project (such as soil improvement, stability of retaining walls, etc.)

EXPERTISE OF OUR TEAM :

Our team is made up of geotechnical engineers with great experience through small and large projects. We always try to find the optimal solution that ensures the stability of the structure and minimizes the construction cost. Our implications in geotechnical studies can be summarized as follows :

Quick Soil Test

To know the capacity of the soil, to determine dimensions of footings/foundations and to check soil compaction. Mainly for houses and chalets. Much cheaper compared to conventional studies.

Slope stability

Verification/analysis of slope stability, stabilization solutions, recommendations

Classic geotechnical study

Geotechnical investigations, geotechnical study for construction, recommendations

Foundation design

Selection of suitable foundations, design of all types of foundations, recommendations

Soil improvement

Choice of improvement/reinforcement technique; validation/implementation of dimensioning

Retaining walls

Choice of technique; validation of design parameters; design validation/realization

Dynamic analyzes

Validation/realization of the calculation for liquefaction; interpretations of results; recommendations for advanced analyzes and investigations

Dam safety assessment

Hydrological and hydraulic analysis, dike stability studies (static, pseudo-static, internal erosion, external erosion, liquefaction, etc.), recommendations (corrective presentation for safety and maintenance)

Soil test

Slope stability

TESTIMONIALS

Gina Gagnon, email, Lévis

Hello. I am amazed by your professionalism and your speed in responding to my requests. It contrasts a lot with my urban planning department.

Thanks again and have a nice day

Sofiane Fkyerat, President and Project Manager at Groupe SFK, email, Vaudreuil-Dorion

Thank you very much for your help 😊

I will look to take training with you in the coming months and I will talk about it with colleagues of mine as well.

Good day,

Marcine Kott, President and Project Manager at Direction Kott, email, Rawdon

Hello. Thank you for your corrections!

Sorry, I have a few questions:

I checked and indeed the silty sand layer has the potential for liquefaction.

Could I make recommendations for the slab to be structural? ... liquefiable?

THANKS,

What is the essential objective of a geotechnical study?

Quite simply, a geotechnical study consists in characterizing the rigidity of the ground which will support a construction and in determining the characteristics of the foundations which will be the connection between the ground and the superstructure.
A geotechnical study is mandatory?

Yes, the geotechnical study is mandatory in order to secure your house, chalet or building. In addition, it allows you to optimize the right variant for your foundation (type and dimensions) and avoid oversizing which generates a higher cost.
What are the steps of a geotechnical study?

The geotechnical study can be summed up in three stages: Have more data on your site for construction/repair (location, previous or neighboring studies, surface deposit, investigations in the area) Prepare an investigation campaign (in situ tests, laboratory tests, water level measurement) Write a study report signed by a geotechnical engineer (characterization of soil deposit, foundation capacity, seismic/liquefaction risk, soil category, backfilling, temporary excavation, freezing depth, deep foundations/piles, improvement soils, structural slab, reaction modulus, slope stability, recommendations, ...)
How much does a geotechnical study cost?

The cost of a study depends on the scope of your construction, the approach used to carry out the investigation campaign and the need sought (new construction, expansion, repairs, etc.). A geotechnical specialist is the only one who can estimate the cost of such a study.
What is meant by floor capacity?

Soil capacity is the resistance of the soil to support your construction. To estimate this capacity, we need to know the nature of the soil (sand, clay, silt, gravel, ...) and the rigidity of this soil
What is the difference between soil study, soil capacity and geotechnical study?

There isn't a big difference. But, generally a geotechnical study is broader. In addition to studying the soil and determining its capacity, we can check other aspects such as seismic risk...
How much does soil capacity determination cost?

This soil capacity study is highly dependent on the data available and the scope of the project. For cottages and houses, it can range from $2,500 to $5,000.
Is it mandatory to know the rock level for a new construction?

Not always mandatory. Generally it depends on the nature of your soil and the scope of the project. The geotechnical specialist is the only one who can judge whether or not it is necessary to find the rock level
What does a terrain/slope stability study consist of?

The study consists of verifying the ability of the ground/embankment to remain stable and not suffer any slippage in the short and long term. The study is done in two stages (characterize the soil of the field/talus, then study the stability using conservative formulas or software)
What to do in the event of a landslide?

Call a geotechnical specialist to carry out some diagnosis of this event and determine the causes of this slide. Then, the specialist will propose stabilization solutions following a complete stability study
What are the causes of landslides/embankments?

Several causes can cause this shift: Low resistance of the material constituting the embankment (to be validated after investigation tests of the rigidity of the ground) Addition of a permanent overload on the crest of the terrain/talus Passage of a temporary load on the crest (machine, vehicle, ...) Excavation at the foot of the embankment (ex: a neighbor has built at the bottom of your land) Natural disaster (heavy rain, flood, earthquake, ...) The geotechnical specialist is the only one who can determine the main cause(s) of this slide
What are land/slope stabilization solutions?

Several solutions exist and depend on the size of the land/embankment, the accessibility for stabilization work machinery and the customer's budget. We can find earthworks solutions such as reprofiling, leveling, a stop at the foot of the slope and reinforcement solutions such as anchoring rods. The geotechnical specialist is the only one to offer the right solution after a complete study of the terrain/slope stability
What is the cost of a ground stability study?

The cost depends on several factors (scope of the project, knowledge or not of the nature and/or parameters of the soil, current state of the embankment and its history of slippage). Generally, such a study varies between $2,000 and $7,000. The geotechnical specialist is the only one who can estimate the exact cost of such a study
Is it mandatory to do a seismic study?

Yes, it is mandatory to check the risk of soil liquefaction at your construction site. A conservative study is carried out first. In case of risk, a more advanced study is recommended. Solutions to reduce the risk exist. Such a study starts from $3000