Geotechnical and Geological Engineering Services

Infrastructure projects demand a deep understanding of what lies beneath.

Uncertainty in subsurface conditions can cause delays, risk, and added costs. At GFT, we help you move forward with confidence, bringing over a century of geotechnical and geological expertise to deliver clear, actionable insights for dams and earth structures, groundwater resources, building sites, power delivery, and transportation, including ports and harbors. Our geoprofessionals partner with you from exploration through construction, providing solutions for geohazards and delivering resilient, innovative solutions that help you shape what’s next.

Comprehensive Services for Ground Stability and Infrastructure Resilience

We deliver geotechnical and geological solutions that reduce risk, enhance safety, and support infrastructure from the ground up.

Site Characterization
Ground conditions have a direct effect on the safety, resilience, and reliability of all infrastructure projects. Uncertainties can translate to cost overruns, schedule delays, safety concerns, and service interruptions. We apply the right combination of geotechnical exploration techniques and technology to characterize sites, reduce uncertainty, and provide mitigation solutions based on accurate geotechnical information.
Geophysics
Geophysical methods provide an efficient means to explore subsurface conditions, allowing for the rapid evaluation of large areas without excavation or direct access to the subsurface. Using geophysical principles and a robust inventory of in-house equipment, we help you develop a more focused drilling program with results that can limit ambiguity. Our geophysics division brings experience gained from nearly 40 years of performing geophysical and geological surveys across the country, utilizing a variety of techniques, including multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and electrical resistivity imaging (ERI).
Foundations
Selection of the most appropriate foundation system is critical to the constructability, life expectancy, maintenance, and long-term safety and resiliency of infrastructure projects. Skilled in foundation alternatives and innovative ground modification techniques for complex conditions, our team understands that balancing cost with reliability is key to the success of your project. By employing the most advanced software applications to analyze, design, and observe foundation construction, we combine real-time data with the results of empirical relationships and experience to determine soil parameters and the quality of the as-built product.
Seepage
The potential for environmental and safety impacts to surrounding communities resulting from the failure of earthen and concrete dams and levees is an ongoing concern for infrastructure owners. Our team, widely regarded as experts in seepage remediation, can evaluate, design, and oversee the construction of slurry wall systems, soil and rock grouting, and geosynthetic liner systems.
Armoring
Embankment failure caused by erosion is an ever-present concern for infrastructure owners. Whether in new designs or the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, we specialize in mitigating external erosive forces, with a technical team skilled in embankment armoring solutions such as riprap, roller-compacted concrete, soil-cement, turf reinforcement, and articulating concrete blocks.

Grouting
As authors of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) Grouting Technology Manual, we literally “wrote the book” on grouting technology. We are a recognized leader in the science of grouting with the development of IntelliGrout®, the industry-changing technology that enables our clients and designers to make sound engineering decisions based on vast amounts of complex data. Developed by us in partnership with Advanced Construction Techniques, Ltd., IntelliGrout® revolutionized the traditional approach to grouting and is internationally recognized as the state-of-the-art system for grouting. The system provides for the comprehensive integration of real-time data collection, display, analysis, and computer control of grouting operations.
Infrastructure Evaluation & Assessment
The average age of dams and levees across the U.S. exceeds 50 years, and most were built using now-outdated design standards. For more than 100 years, we’ve designed, built, and inspected dams and levees to protect structural and operational integrity. From routine dam safety inspections to potential dam failure mode analyses, we help you make cost-effective, risk-informed decisions to meet current safety criteria.
Subsurface Explorations
We are experienced in the planning and observation of subsurface explorations ranging from simple to complex and including a variety of intrusive and non-intrusive site exploration methods. We boast a diverse team of geotechnical engineers, geologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists, and technicians. Where sites are known or suspected to contain contamination or hazardous materials, we provide field personnel with OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training as necessary for working on these sites.
SPRAT-Certified Rope Access
We use specialized industrial safety equipment as the primary means of worker support. Our Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT)-certified rope access team provides you with a cost-effective option for safely reaching a variety of difficult-to-access sites, including dams, cliffs, rock slopes, bridges, towers, and water conveyance systems.
Geotechnical Instrumentation & Modeling
Geotechnical instrumentation and modeling are important tools for evaluating changing conditions. No matter your application, we provide end-to-end instrumentation services for a wide variety of monitoring projects. Our team of instrumentation and data acquisition experts will provide key metrics to inform decisions.