OverviewServices :: Geotechnical
Overview
One of Fugro's core businesses, worldwide, is geotechnical engineering. In fact, the name Fugro is derived from Dutch words that translate to "Foundation Ground Mechanics". Fugro helps design and build some of the most challenging civil engineering projects in the state. Our specialty is large coastal infrastructure projects, but we bring our quality service to smaller, more traditional geotechnical projects as well. We serve both public and private sector clients.
Fugro can draw from thousands of experts in Fugro offices worldwide. Our success is due to a combination of experience, personnel, specialized tools, sophisticated laboratories, and proprietary computer programs.
Personnel
Central to Fugro's practice is our commitment to providing quality earth sciences technical services. Fugro principals stay actively involved through all phases of our projects from initial project development through construction. Key professionals who carry out geotechnical engineering assignments include licensed geotechnical engineers, licensed civil engineers, licensed professional geologists, certified engineering geologists, and registered geologists.
Specialized Tools
Fugro uses specialized tools for land and over-water geotechnical explorations. Those tools include Cone Penetration Testing (CPT), remote vane for in situ shear strength testing, and downhole geophysical testing. When integrated with soil samples and geophysical surveys, the results of those tests provide a near continuous representation of the subsurface stratigraphy and material properties. The tools enhance the engineer's ability to accurately assess subsurface conditions and to minimize conservatism in the estimation of geotechnical engineering parameters.
Sophisticated Laboratories
Complete geotechnical testing of soil samples is done at our sophisticated laboratories, located in California and Texas. Our laboratories represent the finest available in commercial use. We routinely complete standard geotechnical tests using customized high-production facilities that assure prompt receipt of results. Fugro laboratory experts participate in developing new methods and in setting new ASTM testing standards, API design standards, and other standards.
Laboratory equipment used to perform specialized tests is equipped with custom microprocessors to provide test control and real-time monitoring. Our specialty testing capabilities include:
- Resonant column
- Cyclic simple shear
- Cyclic triaxial
- Controlled rate of strain consolidation
- Triaxial compression, CU, with pore pressure measurement
- Permeability testing
Proprietary Computer Programs (GIS)
To manage and analyze the large quantities of geotechnical data, Fugro has developed a customized geographic information system (GIS). Customized geotechnical modules allow engineers and geologists to automate the production of boring logs, cross sections, and parameter plots. Other modules are used to calculate liquefaction potential, settlement, and dredging volumes. The use of such a GIS database allows our engineers to easily and rapidly manage large volumes of data while also being able to examine it in detail. Using the GIS, we can also integrate geotechnical (borehole, CPT etc.), and geophysical data to create complex three-dimensional models of the subsurface conditions.