Foundation Design, Analysis and Testing Services

Foundations transfer structural loads into the supporting soil or rock. Intertek evaluates subsurface conditions in relation to the proposed structure and its load-bearing requirements.

Geotechnical engineers use information from site characterization, drilling, sampling, in-situ testing, groundwater monitoring, laboratory testing, load testing and engineering analysis to develop foundation recommendations and geotechnical design parameters.

Common project considerations may include:

• Shallow or deep foundation support
• Soil, rock and groundwater conditions
• Site preparation and ground improvement
• Temporary and permanent retention systems
• Deep excavations and shoring
• Pavement structures
• Foundation inspection and testing requirements

The services selected depend on the proposed structure, site conditions, design stage and engineering questions to be addressed.

The soil, rock and groundwater beneath a site affect how project loads can be transferred and supported.

A subsurface investigation provides information about conditions at selected exploration locations. Intertek’s services may include site characterization, geophysical surveys, geotechnical drilling and sampling, in-situ testing, instrumentation, groundwater monitoring and laboratory testing.

The findings can inform decisions involving foundation type, site preparation, ground improvement, retention systems, excavation, shoring and pavement structures. They also provide a basis for identifying conditions that may require additional evaluation as design or construction advances.

Recommendations are based on the explorations completed, available project information and conditions identified during the investigation.

Foundation projects may require a combination of subsurface investigation, geotechnical engineering, field inspection and specialized testing. Intertek coordinates these services based on the foundation system, site conditions, project stage and engineering questions to be addressed.

The appropriate combination of services depends on the foundation system, design stage, subsurface conditions, structural requirements and project scope.

Shallow and deep foundation systems require different approaches to transferring structural loads into the supporting soil or rock. The appropriate approach depends on the proposed project, load-bearing requirements, subsurface conditions and design criteria.

The geotechnical team evaluates available structural and subsurface information to develop project-specific design parameters and recommendations. The analysis may also consider site preparation, ground improvement, retention systems, groundwater, excavations and construction conditions.

Intertek’s geotechnical staff has experience evaluating and inspecting shallow and deep foundation systems across a range of project types.

Ground improvement modifies subsurface conditions to support project design and construction requirements.

The appropriate subsoil modification or ground improvement method depends on site conditions, project loads, construction requirements and the engineering objectives established for the project.

Intertek’s geotechnical team helps project teams assess how potential ground improvement methods relate to foundation support, site preparation and other design considerations. Detailed methods and performance requirements should be developed for the specific project.

Temporary and permanent retention systems, deep excavations and shoring require careful consideration of conditions below and around the site.

The work may consider subsurface conditions, groundwater, proposed excavation depth, adjacent construction and other project information available within the scope of the evaluation.

Recommendations and design parameters should be coordinated with the structural engineer, civil engineer, contractor and specialty designers responsible for the final system and construction methods.

Groundwater can influence subsurface investigation, excavation, retention systems, site preparation and foundation construction.

Groundwater observations may be collected during field exploration or through monitoring methods selected for the project. Intertek can also develop dewatering concepts based on the conditions and construction considerations identified.

Groundwater levels can change over time and may differ across a site. Findings and recommendations are based on observations collected at the locations and times included in the investigation.

Project-specific dewatering plans, temporary works and construction procedures may require coordination with the contractor and appropriate design professionals.

Foundation inspections allow geotechnical engineers to review conditions exposed during construction and compare them with the conditions and assumptions used to develop project recommendations.

Intertek-PSI’s geotechnical staff has experience performing inspections for shallow and deep foundation systems. Depending on the assignment, the team may evaluate field conditions, document observations, respond to geotechnical questions and determine when additional investigation, testing or engineering analysis may be appropriate.

These observations provide additional information as excavation and construction expose a broader portion of the site.

Pile and pier integrity testing can provide information about installed foundation elements.

The testing scope and method depend on the foundation system, construction method, project requirements and engineering questions to be addressed.

Intertek evaluates the results in conjunction with available foundation information, installation records, site conditions and other relevant project data.

Dynamic pile-driving analysis uses field measurements and engineering analysis to evaluate pile-driving behavior.

The scope and method depend on the pile system, site conditions, installation equipment, project requirements and objectives established for the testing program.

Results are reviewed in relation to available foundation design information, subsurface conditions and field records.

Pile load testing evaluates foundation response under applied loads. Intertek can supervise testing programs based on the foundation system, selected test method, site conditions, access, schedule and project requirements.

Test information may be reviewed with available design assumptions, subsurface conditions and installation records.

Laterally loaded foundation analysis evaluates how a foundation may respond to lateral forces.

The analysis is developed around the foundation system, subsurface conditions, structural information and lateral-load requirements supplied for the project.

Recommendations and design parameters should be coordinated with the structural engineer and other professionals responsible for the final foundation design.

Foundation engineering should begin early enough for subsurface findings and load-bearing requirements to inform project planning and design.

Early site characterization and investigation can identify conditions that may affect foundation selection, site preparation, ground improvement, retention systems, excavations or pavement structures.

As structural information becomes available, the geotechnical team can evaluate project loads against subsurface conditions and develop design parameters and recommendations.

During construction, foundation inspections and specialized testing can provide additional information about exposed or installed conditions.

Foundation design parameters and recommendations are developed using information from subsurface exploration, geotechnical studies, load testing and engineering analysis.

Depending on the project scope, these may address:

• Site and proposed construction information
• Soil, rock and groundwater conditions
• Shallow or deep foundation support
• Site preparation and ground improvement
• Temporary and permanent retention systems
• Deep excavations and shoring
• Pavement structures
• Foundation inspection and testing considerations
• General construction considerations

Findings and recommendations are based on the proposed project, available structural information and conditions identified through the investigation.

As foundation work progresses, construction-phase geotechnical support can help project teams evaluate exposed conditions, respond to field questions and address conditions that differ from those anticipated during design.

Services may include geotechnical consulting, foundation inspections, pile or pier integrity testing, dynamic pile-driving analysis and pile load-test supervision.

If field conditions differ from those anticipated, the geotechnical team can review available information and determine when additional investigation, testing or analysis may be appropriate.

Related construction materials testing and inspection services can also support coordination from subsurface investigation through construction.

Intertek combines subsurface investigation, geotechnical engineering, foundation design, inspection and specialized testing within a coordinated service network.

Project teams can draw on local knowledge and broader engineering, field, laboratory and testing resources based on the project’s scope and location.

Intertek’s geotechnical projects are overseen by a panel of regional chief engineers. Foundation recommendations consider technical performance, local standards, cost, reliability and value-engineering objectives.

Talk with Intertek about foundation design, foundation analysis, subsurface investigation, shallow or deep foundations, ground improvement, retention systems, foundation inspections, pile testing or construction-phase geotechnical support.