Geotechnical Engineering Services

Metra Consultation provides geotechnical engineering services for residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Our team supports site investigations, soil characterization, foundation recommendations, bearing capacity evaluation, settlement assessment, excavation, and geotechnical design.

We develop practical geotechnical recommendations based on subsurface conditions, project requirements, construction methods, and long-term performance.

Geotechnical Investigation

For projects requiring boreholes, test pits, soil sampling, groundwater observations and subsurface characterization, see our dedicated Geotechnical Investigation service. This service page covers the investigation program, fieldwork, laboratory testing and reporting in detail.

Foundation Recommendations

Geotechnical recommendations for shallow foundations, deep foundations, bearing capacity, settlement, and foundation performance.

Bearing Capacity & Settlement Assessment

Evaluation of soil bearing capacity, expected settlement, and the effect of existing or proposed structural loads.

Excavation, Shoring & Slope Stability

Geotechnical assessment for excavations, temporary support systems, retaining conditions, and slope stability.

Pavement & Infiltration Assessment

Soil evaluation and recommendations for pavement systems, drainage, infiltration, and site development applications.

Need Geotechnical Engineering Support?

Whether you are planning a new building, foundation modification, site development, excavation, or investigation of soil-related concerns, our team can review your project and determine the appropriate geotechnical scope.

Understand the Investigation and Report Limits

Exploration locations and depths are selected to address the project questions. The report presents findings, interpretation and investigation limitations. Conditions can vary between exploration points and may differ when exposed during construction.

A certificate of location provides property and building-position information but does not establish soil bearing capacity or settlement. A neighbouring property’s report may provide context; its applicability must be assessed. Geotechnical investigation and environmental assessment answer different questions, and any contamination sampling or analysis must be expressly included in the scope.

Construction reviews, additional visits and quality-control testing are defined in the proposal. Send the address, site plan and proposed construction to discuss your geotechnical scope.

Geotechnical engineering connects subsurface conditions to design decisions

A geotechnical mandate is developed around the proposed construction and the questions the structural and civil designers must answer. Field information, laboratory results and engineering interpretation are combined to characterize the ground within the limits of the investigation and provide practical design recommendations.

A project-focused geotechnical process

  1. Scope definition: review the proposed building, anticipated loads, below-grade work, access and available records.
  2. Field program: complete the planned explorations, sampling and observations with adjustments when conditions warrant and the scope allows.
  3. Testing and interpretation: assess relevant soil or rock properties and relate results to the proposed construction.
  4. Engineering report: document findings, limitations and recommendations appropriate to the mandate.
  5. Design or construction support: answer questions and review observed conditions when included.

Information needed for an efficient proposal

Provide the address, survey, architectural and structural concept, anticipated column or wall loads when available, excavation depth, site-access constraints and the decisions the report must support. A preliminary scope can then identify suitable exploration methods and coordination needs.

For infiltration-focused work, see infiltration and permeability testing. For a broader site-infrastructure mandate, see civil engineering.

Plan the subsurface investigation around your project

Send the site plan, proposed construction and available background documents.

Request a geotechnical proposal

Frequently asked questions

When is a geotechnical investigation recommended?

It is commonly considered for new buildings, additions, major foundation work, sites with uncertain fill or soil conditions, slope concerns and projects where the designer or authority requires subsurface information.

What can a geotechnical investigation include?

Depending on the mandate, it may include boreholes or test pits, sampling, field testing, groundwater observations, laboratory testing and engineering interpretation.

What recommendations can appear in the report?

The report may address foundation type, bearing conditions, settlement, excavation, groundwater, drainage, frost considerations, pavement or slope issues relevant to the project.

How is the investigation scope determined?

The scope is based on the proposed structure, loads, site access, available records, expected geology, municipal requirements and the decisions the design team needs the report to support.