Pavement & Infiltration Studies

Metra Consultation provides geotechnical pavement evaluations and stormwater infiltration studies for roads, parking areas, industrial yards, municipal infrastructure, and land-development projects throughout Québec.

Both pavement performance and infiltration feasibility depend heavily on subsurface soil, groundwater, drainage, frost, and construction conditions. Our geotechnical and civil teams work together to translate field and laboratory results into practical design recommendations.

Pavement Studies

Our pavement-related services may include:

  • Boreholes and test pits

  • Existing pavement-structure verification

  • Subgrade soil classification

  • California Bearing Ratio testing

  • Compaction and Proctor testing

  • Frost-susceptibility assessment

  • Groundwater and drainage evaluation

  • Traffic and loading coordination

  • Flexible pavement recommendations

  • Granular base and subbase requirements

  • Geotextile or geogrid recommendations

  • Assessment of pavement distress

  • Rehabilitation or reconstruction recommendations

  • Construction quality-control support

Pavement Performance

Pavement deterioration can result from:

  • Weak or variable subgrade

  • Inadequate granular thickness

  • Poor compaction

  • Water trapped within the pavement structure

  • Frost heave

  • Heavy or concentrated traffic loads

  • Utility-trench settlement

  • Inadequate surface drainage

  • Ageing asphalt

  • Construction deficiencies

Our assessment seeks to identify the underlying cause rather than treating only the visible surface damage.

Infiltration Studies

Infiltration systems may help manage stormwater, but their suitability must be confirmed through site-specific investigation.

Our infiltration services may include:

  • Review of proposed stormwater systems

  • Test pits or boreholes

  • Identification of soil stratigraphy

  • Field infiltration or permeability testing

  • Groundwater-level assessment

  • Evaluation of seasonal constraints

  • Identification of fill, low-permeability soil, or bedrock

  • Estimation of design infiltration rates

  • Recommendations for system elevation and location

  • Assessment of separation from foundations and property boundaries

  • Pretreatment and maintenance considerations

Design Considerations

An infiltration system must consider:

  • Long-term infiltration performance

  • Variability between test locations

  • Potential clogging

  • Groundwater mounding

  • Foundation drainage

  • Basement elevations

  • Slope stability

  • Contaminated-soil or groundwater concerns

  • Winter and freeze-thaw operation

  • Emergency overflow

  • Effects on neighbouring properties

A favourable field test alone does not establish overall feasibility; the complete geological and site context must be evaluated.

Integrated Engineering Support

Our geotechnical findings are coordinated with civil grading, drainage, stormwater storage, pavement geometry, and structural foundations. This helps avoid conflicts between infiltration systems, buildings, utilities, and traffic areas.

Deliverables

Depending on the mandate, our report may include:

  • Subsurface and groundwater conditions

  • Field and laboratory results

  • Pavement recommendations

  • Design infiltration rates

  • Suitability and limitations of infiltration

  • Required setbacks and elevations

  • Construction and maintenance recommendations

  • Need for additional testing or monitoring

Contact Us

Contact Metra Consultation for pavement investigation, rehabilitation recommendations, or assessment of stormwater infiltration feasibility.