Geotechnics

The geotechnical field is a mixture of science (geology, geo-mechanics) and engineering techniques whose aim is to guide designers and manufacturers to adequately start projects (anticipated settlement, subsidence, liquefaction) in their community and to better prepared for natural hazards (sliding, erosion, earthquakes).

Engineers apply the principles of geology and engineering to assess the acceptability of proposed sites for different types of use, such as road construction, transportation corridor, mine sites, bridges, etc. They use data, technical and geological principles to study rocks and surface deposits as well as surface water and groundwater. They study the geological factors and natural hazards that affect structures erected such as bridges, buildings, airports, roads and dams. The geological principles allow us to help locate and develop natural resources and study natural phenomena hazards such as landslides.

Geotechnical technicians assist engineers and geologists in their field of work. They maintain inventory of cores, collect and analyze samples of rock and sediment and do the daily drilling follow-up.

Geotechnical engineers focus on adapting constructions to soil and rocks in the natural terrain. No simple or complex work resting on the natural terrain can be designed or built in the absence of a survey and a geotechnical evaluation.

The degree of precision of geotechnical studies directly influence the optimization of the cost of foundations of structures and prevents a wide range of structural disorders during or after construction.

Geotechnical teams manage drilling crews; carry out tests of many kinds on-site and in our laboratories. It is therefore afield where technical and professional competence is based on instrumentation and specialized equipment.

Groupe ABS is constantly expanding its range of measuring instruments in order to offer our customers a wider range of services.

Groupe ABS is one of the few engineering firms in Quebec to have its own geotechnical drilling equipment which increases the competitiveness of our geotechnical team in the marketplace.

Geotechnical engineering is a field of practice somewhere between science and technology, where professional curiosity and personal development is a definite key to maintaining professional identity.

Groupe ABS encourages its geotechnical teams to become involved with academic societies (Canadian Geotechnical Society, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, to name but a few) in order to keep up with the latest trends. We receive specialized literature and periodically attend technical conferences, enhancing knowledge and passion for the craft; two elements that make all the difference in geotechnical engineering.

Geotechnical services target a wide range of customers in all sectors :

  • Transport infrastructures (roads, bridges, airports, railways)
  • Municipal Infrastructures
  • Buildings (private, commercial or industrial)
  • Energy facilities (dykes, dams, transmission lines, wind turbines)
  • Telecommunications
  • Mining and natural resources

Services related to Geotechnics

  • Bearing capacity of soils
  • Slope stability
  • Design of pavement structures
  • Pile sizing and monitoring
  • Geotechnical monitoring
  • Instrumental monitoring (inclinometer, piezometer)
  • Dynamic testing on piles
  • Barge drilling and difficult access sites