Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering & Drilling Services

Understanding Ground Conditions. Building Solid Foundations.

Smart Foundations for Complex Challenges

Every successful project starts with understanding what lies beneath the surface. Cornerstone’s Geotechnical Engineering services provide the critical subsurface information and foundation design expertise needed to ensure that your project is built on solid ground, literally and figuratively. We understand that geotechnical conditions can make or break a project, which is why we approach every geotechnical investigation and analysis with thoroughness, precision, and practical insight.

Foundation design and analysis represent the core of our geotechnical engineering practice. We design shallow foundation systems including spread footings and mat foundations that provide safe, economical support for structures. Our deep foundation design capabilities include driven piles, drilled shafts, and other specialized foundation systems for challenging conditions. Foundation settlement analysis and mitigation help ensure long-term performance and structural integrity. Lateral load analysis and design address the forces that structures must resist from wind, seismic, and other lateral loads. When existing foundations need improvement, we provide foundation rehabilitation and underpinning services that can extend structure life and improve performance.

Earthwork and site development represent important applications of our geotechnical expertise. We provide cut and fill analysis and design that optimize earthwork operations while ensuring stability and performance. Slope stability analysis and design help prevent failures that can damage property and threaten safety. Retaining wall design and analysis provide safe, economical solutions for challenging site conditions. Pavement design and evaluation help ensure that roads, parking areas, and other paved surfaces perform well over their intended life. Site improvement and ground modification techniques can transform marginal sites into suitable building locations.

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Regional geological expertise gives us important advantages in understanding and addressing local geological conditions. With projects across the Southeast and Midwest, our team has developed deep understanding of karst geology and sinkhole mitigation, expansive soils and specialized foundation design requirements, seismic considerations and liquefaction analysis, and coastal and riverine geotechnical challenges. Cornerstone’s geotechnical team specializes in complex deep foundations, including driven piles, drilled shafts, and solutions for challenging soil conditions.

Detailed foundation investigations to evaluate subsurface conditions, identify geotechnical risks, and provide optimized foundation solutions tailored to each project.

Comprehensive slope stability studies, utilizing advanced analysis methods to identify potential slope failure risks and recommend effective stabilization solutions.

Conduct thorough forensic geotechnical investigations to determine the root causes of structural or ground failures and deliver actionable, evidence-based recommendations for remediation.

Detailed pavement studies to assess existing conditions, evaluate structural capacity, and design cost-effective, long-lasting pavement systems tailored to site-specific demands.

Vibration studies to monitor and assess the impact of construction or industrial activities on nearby structures, ensuring compliance with project specifications and minimizing risk to sensitive environments.

Geotechnical feasibility studies to evaluate site conditions, identify potential challenges, and deliver data-driven insights that support informed decision-making in early project planning.

Detailed foundation investigations to evaluate subsurface conditions, identify geotechnical risks, and provide optimized foundation solutions tailored to each project.

Comprehensive slope stability studies, utilizing advanced analysis methods to identify potential slope failure risks and recommend effective stabilization solutions.

Conduct thorough forensic geotechnical investigations to determine the root causes of structural or ground failures and deliver actionable, evidence-based recommendations for remediation.

Detailed pavement studies to assess existing conditions, evaluate structural capacity, and design cost-effective, long-lasting pavement systems tailored to site-specific demands.

Vibration studies to monitor and assess the impact of construction or industrial activities on nearby structures, ensuring compliance with project specifications and minimizing risk to sensitive environments.

Geotechnical feasibility studies to evaluate site conditions, identify potential challenges, and deliver data-driven insights that support informed decision-making in early project planning.

When legal issues arise, our forensic investigation and expert testimony capabilities provide the technical support needed to resolve disputes. 

Drilling Services

Our comprehensive geotechnical services begin with detailed subsurface investigation and analysis. We design and implement boring and sampling programs that provide comprehensive information about soil and rock conditions. Our Standard Penetration Testing and Cone Penetration Testing capabilities provide detailed information about soil strength and behavior. Rock coring and analysis give us detailed understanding of bedrock conditions when they affect project design. Groundwater monitoring and analysis help us understand the hydrologic conditions that can affect both construction and long-term performance.

Cornerstone offers a comprehensive suite of geotechnical drilling services including: 

Real-World Impact

Here’s how we turn vision into reality:

Heaven Hill Spring Distillery

Lehigh Cement K4 Plant Replacement

Newburg Elementary School