geotechnical and subsurface investigations

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Geotechnical Investigations

Understanding the Ground Beneath Your Project

Every successful project begins with a solid understanding of the ground it’s built on. At NTH, we provide comprehensive geotechnical investigations to evaluate soil, rock, and groundwater conditions, ensuring that your project is supported by a stable and reliable foundation.

Our geotechnical investigations combine cutting-edge technologies, rigorous testing methods, and decades of expertise to deliver the insights you need to design and construct with confidence. Whether you’re planning a new structure, assessing risks, or addressing existing challenges, our investigations provide the critical data necessary to make informed decisions and minimize uncertainties.

Why Geotechnical Investigations Are Essential

Subsurface conditions can vary significantly, even within a single site. Without a thorough investigation, projects face the risk of costly surprises such as settlement, instability, or water intrusion. A detailed geotechnical investigation minimizes these risks, ensuring that your project is designed and constructed with an accurate understanding of the site’s characteristics.

What We Offer

Our geotechnical investigation services are tailored to meet the specific needs of your project.

Site Characterization

We evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of the subsurface, identifying key factors such as soil type, strength, and compressibility, as well as groundwater behavior. This detailed characterization informs safe and efficient design.

Geophysical Surveys

Our advanced geophysical surveys use non-invasive techniques to map subsurface features and identify potential geohazards. This method enhances understanding without disturbing the site.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

Conflicts with utility services are common and costly obstacles encountered during the design and construction process. Unknown utility conflicts represent a significant risk during construction and can result in re-design, excessive construction delays, disruptions in residential, industrial, and commercial utility services, as well as safety hazards caused by exposure to flammable products and electrical currents. SUE is a process that incorporates new and existing technologies to locate and map underground utilities in the early phases of design and construction projects. This methodology can substantially reduce project cost overruns caused by unforeseen construction conflicts with existing utility installations. SUE is an integrated engineering design service developed to locate and map entire utility networks, whether in public rights-of-way or beyond.

Laboratory Testing

We provide comprehensive material selection and quality control services through our state-of-the-art laboratory. Spanning over 9,000 square feet and equipped with advanced testing technology, our laboratory is staffed by highly experienced professionals committed to delivering accurate and reliable results. Our facility features a sophisticated Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) designed to streamline the testing process and replace outdated systems, ensuring efficient electronic data management for construction materials and geotechnical testing. We provide:

Concrete Testing
We perform more than 15 standard concrete tests to evaluate mix designs and ensure compliance with strength requirements. Our services also include specialized testing of concrete, grouts, and masonry materials. With a curing room capable of holding over 1,000 samples in a controlled environment, we meet ASTM C1077 and ASTM E329 standards for quality assurance in concrete testing.
Soil Testing
Our laboratory conducts over 19 standard soil tests for various earthwork applications, from basic index testing to advanced strength and compressibility evaluations. Following ASTM and AASHTO standards, we utilize automated equipment to provide fast, high-quality results, adhering to ASTM D3740 requirements.
Aggregates and Asphalt Testing
We offer a full range of testing for aggregates and asphalt, performing over 10 aggregate tests and 7 asphalt tests in compliance with ASTM and AASHTO standards. Our laboratory meets ASTM D3666 standards, ensuring reliable results for construction materials used in critical infrastructure.