CIVIL
Tectonic's civil engineering capabilities encompass a full range of services from due diligence to preparation of contract plans and specifications. Land use planning and site design is a primary focal point of Tectonic's civil design group, providing clients with in-depth expertise in developing site plans that comply with environmental and land use restrictions imposed by governing regulatory agencies while achieving maximum usage. The final product of these planning and design services is a site development plan that meets specific performance criteria and can be built in a timely and cost effective manner.
Tectonic personnel have been practicing dam engineering for over 30 years and have participated in the re-emphasis on dam safety as a national issue since the inaugural National Dam Inspection Program in the late 1970’s. We have participated in national dam safety organizations and have published papers and given presentations on a wide variety of timely dam safety topics. Dam engineering is, and has been, a principal service for the firm. We are familiar with regulatory protocols, the state of the practice, new technologies and current trends through on-going projects, seminar and conference participation. Tectonic offers a full range of dam engineering services including:
- Bathymetric and land surveying
- Conceptual, preliminary and final design
- Dam break analysis
- Dam safety inspections
- Embankment stability analyses
- Emergency Action Plans
- Geotechnical and geologic investigations
- Gravity dam stability analyses
- Hydraulic modeling of reservoirs, spillways and downstream channels
- Hydrologic watershed modeling
- Inundation mapping
- Construction administration
Tectonic uses a variety of techniques to develop economic solutions for the remediation of existing dams to meet regulatory dam safety standards such as:
- Earth stabilizing berms
- Embankment blanket and toe drain systems
- Foundation grouting
- Ogee, labyrinth and gated crest spillways
- Post-tensioned strengthening of gravity structures
- Reservoir intake/outlet facilities
- Roller compacted concrete spillways and overlays
- Stilling basins and energy dissipaters
Due diligence services are provided to assess the potential a property has for development and the ability a property has for supporting our client’s needs. Items that are researched and evaluated for impact as part of a Due Diligence Study include:
- Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment
- Land Use and Zoning Analysis
- Water and Sanitary Sewer Availability and Capacity
- Wetland Presence
- Floodplain Presence
- Approvals and Permit Requirements
- Offsite Improvement Requirements
Other services that are recommended as part of a Due Diligence Study include a Property Survey, a Preliminary Geotechnical Investigation and Conceptual Site Planning.
Tectonic's expertise in civil, environmental, geotechnical and construction inspection disciplines and our familiarity with zoning issues, local codes and local ordinances provides us with the ability to prepare site design documents that meet both regulatory requirements and our client’s budgetary requirements. Site design documents we prepare in support of obtaining approvals and constructing the project include:
- Site Layout
- Roadway and Parking Lots
- Grading
- Storm Drainage
- Storm water Management
- Erosion Control
- Utilities
- Landscaping
- Lighting
Tectonic's expertise in Transportation Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Administration and Construction Inspection provides us with the ability to design roadway and highway rehabilitation and reconstruction projects that meet both regulatory and budgetary requirements. Our approach to all transportation design projects is to perform a comprehensive investigation of the existing conditions and analyze potential solutions for achieving the project goals and minimizing negative impacts on adjoining properties and the environment.
Tectonic welcomes the opportunity to assist its client with providing information to the public, soliciting public input, and generating public support for the proposed project. It is our opinion that a critical component in successful development of any other public works project is establishment of a mutually cooperative partnering relationship between affected homeowners, local civic and business groups, and the highway department. Tectonic has a history of success in the public participation process.
- Development of Roadway Geometric Plans and Profiles
- Preparation of Plans, Specifications and Cost Estimates
- Pavement Inspection and Rehabilitation Design
- Utility Relocation Design
- Utility Investigation and Rehabilitation Design
- Guiderail Warrant Analysis and Design
- Roadway Embankment Stability Analysis
- Storm water Management Plan Design
- Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Design
- Construction Administration and Resident Engineering
- Construction Inspection and Materials Testing
States and local municipalities generally require that the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff from development or construction should be improved (or at least not altered) from the current conditions. As a result, project development almost universally has stormwater implications. Stormwater management facility planning, design, permitting, and inspection is a core competency of our Firm. Our teams have designed stormwater systems to service projects ranging across a broad spectrum of sectors including land development, transportation, recreation, facility expansion, utilities and energy. Tectonic has the experienced staff and state of the art resources to design on-site stormwater management facilities that can be cost effectively constructed and maintained. Tectonic considers and evaluates a wide variety of options in order to produce a design that maintains the project’s end user focus while satisfying the regulatory requirements in an efficient manner. Consideration is given to:
- Green Infrastructure planning and LEED credits
- Integration of stormwater management with the project program
- Disconnected practices to reduce peak flow impacts
- Compatible facility location and geometry
- Site safety and liability concerns
- Regionalization and master planning
- Harmonious and native species landscaping
- Proprietary stormwater treatment practice usages
- Innovative site planning techniques
- Jurisdictional requirements or standards
Presently the responsibility to design and build on-site facilities to meet these requirements generally lies with the project owner. As regional drainage agencies and local communities implement inter-municipal and/or watershed-wide storm water management plans, the project owner’s burden will shift from constructing theses facilities on-site to paying a fair share of the cost for regional or watershed-wide facilities. Tectonic can also assist with the Owner’s assessment of the implications of participating in a regional system.
Tectonic has the experience and expertise to perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses that conform to regulatory regulations. As always, the quality of the input is directly related to the quality of the output. Understanding the impact specific input has on the accuracy of the computer model results is key to producing a cost effective design that performs as expected. Our approach is to perform a comprehensive investigation of the existing conditions and using most current modeling technology, analyze potential solutions for achieving the project goals. Our services in this area of expertise include:
- Drainage Studies
- Flood Studies
- Stream Flow Analysis
- Stream Bank Protection and Restoration
- Dam Breach Analysis
- Inundation Mapping
- Bridge Scour Analysis
Having in-house capabilities in the areas of hydrogeology, hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnical and environmental engineering and regulatory permitting, Tectonic can provide municipalities and land development companies with the following services related to supply, distribution and storage of potable water:
- Source Water Feasibility Studies
- Groundwater Supply Well Design
- Surface Water Reservoir Design
- Distribution Main Design and Rehabilitation
- Pump Station Design
- Storage Tank Design and Rehabilitation
Whether it be an aging sanitary sewer system or a need to create a new sanitary sewer district or new collection and pumping infrastructure, Tectonic is prepared to take on the challenge. Our approach to a sewer rehabilitation project is to perform a thorough condition assessment, evaluate all repair and/or replacement options and prioritize recommendations to allow an owner to plan projects within its financial capabilities. New infrastructure is designed using a similar approach and all projects are designed to minimize impacts to adjoining residential and commercial properties. Services provided in this area of expertise include:
- Collection Network Design
- Pump Station and Force Main Design
- Collection Main Condition Evaluation
- Infiltration and Inflow Analyses
- Trenchless Rehabilitation Evaluation