GEOTECHNICAL

Tectonic offers expert geotechnical engineering services including foundation recommendations and design, site specific seismic classification, slope stability analyses, retaining walls, excavation support systems, groundwater and hydrogeologic studies, geo-environmental studies, construction testing and evaluation, and soils testing. These services have been provided to educational institutions, municipalities, state agencies, county agencies, utility companies, and industrial and commercial clientele. Our geotechnical staff is comprised of experienced and practical engineers and engineering geologists with advanced education and professional registrations.  The experience of Tectonic's geotechnical staff is broad-based and covers a diverse array of ground engineering projects that vary from simple shallow foundations to complex foundations including underpinning, sheeting and shoring, piles, caissons, earth anchors, and specialized ground improvement methods involving grouting, dynamic compaction, preloading and mining geotechnics.

Dams & ReservoirsCommercial / Residential / InstitutionalConstruction Phase ServicesHighwayRetaining WallsSlope RetainingSpecialty Applications & Services

Tectonic personnel have been practicing dam engineering for over 36 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

Geotechnical investigations:

  • Large-box stores and malls
  • Single and multi-story, multi-structure residential structures
  • Libraries
  • Hospitals
  • Hotels
  • Educational facilities
  • Sports facilities
  • Restaurants
  • Factories
  • Airports
  • Bridges
  • Tower
  • Tanks
  • Water and wastewater treatment plants
  • Embankments

Foundation solutions:

  • Spread foundations and mats
  • Piles - timber, pipe, pre-cast, H-pile, auger cast, helical
  • Caissons and drilled piers
  • Pre-loading
  • Soil reinforcement
  • In-situ ground improvement

Geotechnical reports:

  • Temporary and permanent groundwater control
  • Subgrade preparation
  • Earthwork construction criteria
  • Lateral earth pressure coefficients
  • Slope stability
  • Seismicity

Foundation conditions investigations (shallow borings, test pits and pavement coring):

  • Seismic refraction
  • Electrical resistivity
  • Ground penetrating radar

The data from the field investigations and in-house laboratory tests are used to assess drainage characteristics and the load carrying capacity of in-situ materials. Where appropriate, sub grade moduli are recommended for flexible and rigid pavement designs. Gradation and compaction requirements for granular base materials are routinely incorporated into the investigative report, often by reference to prevailing Department of Transportation specifications.

Tectonic has extensive experience providing engineering and testing support during construction phase. A sample of our construction phase services include:

  • General Construction Inspections
  • Sub grade Inspections
  • Pile Driving Inspection and Load Testing
  • Soil and Concrete Testing
  • Field Soil Density Testing
  • Subsurface Boring Inspection and Testing

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 the establishment of a mutually cooperative partnering relationship between affected homeowners, local civic and business groups, and the highway department.

Services provided for reconstruction and rehabilitation projects include:

  • Development of Roadway Geometric Plans and Profiles
  • Preparation of Plans, Specifications and Cost Estimates

Tectonic has experience with the design and construction of most types of permanent and temporary retaining wall systems such as:

  • Segmental block
  • Steel sheetpiling
  • Grouted and dry masonry
  • Reinforced concrete
  • Soldier piles and lagging
  • Tie-backs

Our retaining wall services usually include:

  • Subsurface investigations
  • Development of lateral earth pressure coefficients and unit weights
  • Backfill material and placement recommendations
  • Drainage recommendations

Tectonic can evaluate all types of slopes and provide competent and cost effective designs for construction of new slopes and remediation of existing ones. We frequently perform site investigations and design analyses and follow with support services during construction. Our capabilities include:

  • Topographic survey
  • Instrumentation installation and monitoring
  • Subsurface investigation
  • Geologic characterization
  • Laboratory soil and rock testing
  • Stability analysis of earth slopes
  • Sliding, toppling and shear failure analysis of rock slopes
  • Preparation of drawings and specifications
  • Construction inspection

Tectonic is familiar with the following slope stabilization applications:

  • Benching and berms
  • Soil reinforcement
  • Soil Nailing
  • Stabilization piles/drilled shafts
  • Sheet piling
  • Earth and rock fill buttresses
  • Erosion control blankets
  • Rock scaling and trimming
  • Controlled blasting procedures and techniques
  • Rock bolts and rock anchors

TECTONIC has the expertise and experience on a wide variety of projects that require special applications and services. Our capabilities include:

  • Foundations Grouting
  • Soil Nailing
  • Geotechnical Instrumentation and Monitoring
  • Dam Safety Instrumentation
  • Shoreline Erosion Assessment and Restoration
  • Deep Foundations (Driven Piles, Cast-in-Place, Micro Piles)
  • Foundations Engineering for Hydro Power Plants, Transmission Lines, Substations
  • Excavation Shoring and Support
  • Landslide Remediation
  • Ground Improvements involving Sensitive or Problematic Soils
  • Tunnel Engineering

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    New York City Dept. of Design and Construction
    NYC DDC Geo Term Contract
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    Port Authority of NY & NJ
    PANYNJ Geo Term Contract
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    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    New Cadet Barracks at U.S. Military Academy
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    Iona College
    Iona College Various Projects
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    Boymelgreen, LLC
    Butler Hotel
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    The Wilder Companies
    LOOP Hudson Valley Shopping Center
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    The Railroad Associates Corporation (TRAC)
    Buckeye Terminal