Geotechnical Exploration
Drilling Services
Laboratory Testing
Foundation Recommendations
Site Selection Studies
Segmental Retaining Wall Design

Each client and project are unique, and our professional staff works closely with the client and his design team to understand, and often help define, the geotechnical engineering objectives. We believe that working closely with the project team results in the highest quality of service and, ultimately, the most effective and economical foundation solution.

GEOTECHNICAL EXPLORATION

Thiele Geotech, Inc. and its engineering staff have conducted hundreds of geotechnical explorations throughout the Midwestern United States. These projects have included office, retail, and industrial facilities including multi-story structures; agricultural storage and processing structures; infrastructure including sewer and drainage, bridge, highway, railroad, and airfield projects; petroleum and petrochemical storage and processing facilities; recreation facilities; land development and urban redevelopment; and earth dams and levees.

Geotechnical explorations typically consist of test borings to obtain geologic information and samples of the site soils, laboratory tests to determine the relevant engineering properties of the various soil strata, and a report of geotechnical engineering recommendations. The number and depth of borings, drilling and sampling techniques, and methods of laboratory analysis are highly dependent on various project details, including the type of facility and proposed structural system, as well as site specific factors, such as topography, geologic setting, and previous development activity.

The exploration report provides the owner/developer and his architect/engineer with an evaluation of the suitability of the site for the proposed project as well as design recommendations to accommodate the subsurface soil and ground water conditions identified in the study. A typical report may provide recommendations on foundation system alternatives, specific foundation design parameters, possible site improvement methods, earthwork compaction requirements, and pavement support.

DRILLING SERVICES

Exploratory drilling is conducted by our own modern drilling fleet. We can drill using conventional flight augers or hollow stem augers to depths of 100 feet or greater. Sediment samples can be collected using thin walled (Shelby) samplers, split barrel samplers, and continuous samplers. We are also capable of coring and installing various geotechnical instrumentation, including piezometers, inclinometers, settlement gauges, and suction lysimeters.

Drilling and sampling generally follows ASTM or industry accepted procedures and practices. Borings are logged by trained personnel, with degrees in engineering, geology, or related fields. Our drilling/supervision staff possesses necessary well drilling licenses in most Midwest states, and are capable of obtaining licenses in most states in the US.

LABORATORY TESTING

Thiele Geotech, Inc. operates its own soil mechanics laboratory in-house. We can provide a wide range of tests to evaluate engineering properties:

Moisture Content
Unit Weight
Unconfined Compression
Atterberg Limits
Sieve Analysis
Hydrometer Analysis
Proctor
Crumb Dispersion

FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Thiele Geotech, Inc. has experience with a variety of foundation types, and can help identify cost effective alternatives. A stable foundation is the basis of any successful project, yet increased foundation cost does not necessarily improve performance. We have experience with a wide variety of foundation support systems, including several ground improvement techniques. Our experience can help you begin construction on "rock solid" footing.

Our professional engineering staff has provided design recommendations for numerous types of shallow and deep foundation systems. We have experience with conventional spread foundations, modified rigid systems for variable soil conditions, and mat foundations. We have also designed a variety of deep foundations, including drilled piers, augered piles, and several types of driven piles.

Occasionally, the most cost effective solution involves improving soil conditions to accommodate a shallow foundation system. Our engineers have experience with conventional improvement techniques, such as overexcavation/replacement and surcharging, as well as newer methods such as dynamic compaction and grouting.

SITE SELECTION STUDIES

Subsurface conditions frequently can affect siting decisions, particularly for fast-track development schedules. Our professional engineering staff can provide support to site selection teams by researching candidate sites and evaluating suitability for development and potential soil related impacts to the project. Preliminary exploration can then be focused on the most desirable sites.

We have provided confidential support to several site selection consultants, developers, and economic development teams to evaluate sites for facilities ranging from 5,000 to over 500,000 square feet, representing investments from less than $1 million to over $1 billion.

SEGMENTAL RETAINING WALL DESIGN

Segmental retaining walls are known by many names, including mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and by a variety of product or proprietary names. These walls generally function the same: an unmortared facing block covers a reinforced soil mass. The stability of these walls primarily relies on the geogrid reinforced soil, which functions much like a gravity retaining wall. The facing protects the reinforced mass and retains the face of the soil, while providing an aesthetic appearance. The versatility of these units allows for creative solutions for grade separation. The cost of this type of retaining wall has also fallen with increased competition and a wider assortment of available products.

Thiele Geotech Inc. provides complete design services for segmental retaining walls. Our professional engineering staff has experience with several different facing and reinforcement products, and we perform our analysis using industry standard (non-proprietary) methodology, incorporating our own add-on software. We have provided engineering services ranging from preparation of shop drawings to complete design including layout and construction drawings.