Geotechnical & Geological Engineering
Start With the Ground
The ground determines how a structure performs. Aperture evaluates soil, rock, groundwater, and site conditions to explain foundation movement, slope failures, and earth-related damage, and to guide design and risk decisions before problems occur. We support owners, contractors, insurers, and counsel with analysis grounded in field investigation, testing, and modeling.
Geotechnical Engineering — Foundation and soil-structure performance. Includes expansive and problem soils, settlement and heave, slope stability, retaining walls, and foundation design and evaluation.
Geoscience & Water — Earth and water systems affecting a site. Includes engineering geology, geophysics, hydrology, hydrogeology and groundwater, and coastal and hydraulic engineering.
Investigation & Modeling — Site characterization and analysis. Includes subsurface investigation, remote sensing by LiDAR and drone, numerical modeling, grading and drainage review, and our Limited Site Investigation (LSI) site-risk program.
Related practices: For the structure above, see Structural, Architecture & MEP. For water through the building enclosure, see Building Envelope.
Our Capabilities
Analysis and design of foundations and their interaction with supporting soils. We evaluate why a foundation moved, settled, or failed, and what is required to correct it.
Investigation of soils that shrink, swell, or lose strength and the damage they cause to structures. We identify the soil behavior involved and its role in foundation or slab movement.
Evaluation of downward settlement and upward heave affecting a structure. We determine the cause, magnitude, and significance of the movement
Analysis of slopes, embankments, and landslides and the factors that drive failure. We assess stability and determine why a slope moved.
Evaluation of retaining wall performance and failure, including design, drainage, and loading. We determine why a wall moved, cracked, or collapsed.
Assessment of geologic conditions and hazards that affect a site or structure. We evaluate faults, rock, and subsurface features relevant to a project or dispute.
Non-invasive subsurface investigation using geophysical methods. We map conditions below the surface to locate voids, utilities, and geologic features without excavation.
Analysis of surface water and groundwater and their effect on sites and structures. We evaluate flow, drainage, and water-related damage.
Investigation of groundwater conditions, movement, and their impact on a site. We assess how water beneath the surface contributed to a problem.
Evaluation of coastal, riverine, and hydraulic conditions and their effect on structures. We analyze erosion, scour, flooding, and shoreline processes.
Field exploration and testing to characterize soil and rock conditions. We collect and interpret the subsurface data a project or claim requires.
Aerial and remote data collection using LiDAR and drones. We map terrain, structures, and conditions precisely to support analysis and exhibits
Computer modeling of soil, structure, and water behavior. We simulate conditions to test how and why a failure occurred.
Evaluation of site grading and drainage design and performance. We determine whether water was managed properly and how grading contributed to damage.
Our program for identifying geotechnical risk early in development. We flag areas of elevated risk to reduce cost and exposure before construction.
