Soil liquefaction is a geological phenomenon that changes the structure of the Earth’s soil. External stressors loosen the soil particles, changing the ground into a less stable base for buildings and other structures. Soil liquefaction presents risks to construction companies building in high-soil liquefaction areas, such as California. If builders construct on top of loose soil, it can damage the integrity of the buildings and cause structural damage or collapse. To mitigate these risks, builders should work with a qualified geotechnical engineer to assess the soil before beginning a constru ..read more

A geologist ensures the safety of the ground you are building on by testing for groundwater, percolation, soil gas, and other government-required tests. Hiring a geologist saves construction projects time and money by creating scientifically-backed design recommendations for anything from a septic tank to the foundation of a large building.   If you want to ensure the safety of the ground you walk on; you should hire a geologist. Whether you own a home on a hill, need to dig a well, or are going to break ground on a construction site, a geologist can offer helpful insights. Geology is th ..read more

If you’re involved in a construction project or building rehab, chances are you’ve heard an important phrase floating around: methane barrier installation. These three words hint at a specific problem that the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety takes incredibly seriously. Methane soil gas intrusion poses an extremely dangerous risk to occupants of a building, particularly buildings that are constructed atop certain terrain like oil fields. That’s where methane barriers come into play: they’re a critical tool for making sure buildings are up to code and every visitor is safe and soun ..read more

On the eastern slope of the Sierras, just three hours north of Los Angeles, lies the deceptively-named “Alabama Hills” — a wonder of geology and Earth science. Sitting around 5,300 feet in elevation, this rolling vista of rock formations, classic Western landscapes, and spectacular natural weathered arches is a treat for anyone who visits (not just Los Angeles soils engineers like us!)   Why Is It Named “Alabama Hills”? First of all, why the heck is this desert area in the middle of California named Alabama Hills? After all, it looks nothing like Alabama, and “hills” is quite a euphemism ..read more

Also known as soils reports and geotechnical investigations, soil engineering reports are investigations undertaken by geotechnical engineers to discover the properties of soil and earthworks at a proposed or existing building site. These geotechnical soils reports help developers understand the status of the ground where they plan to build structures, and they also help contractors understand how to repair buildings that have been damaged by natural disasters. These reports may be required by local or state regulations, so read on to learn more about soil reports and what they can tell you ..read more

The name speaks for itself: a sinkhole is a hole that has formed from the originally normal ground that has sunk in, but how and why do they form? Sinkholes are just one example of the potential instability you might face when considering an area for new construction – and they’re a reminder of the importance of proper geotechnical analysis before beginning to build.   While they can happen anywhere, the states most prone to sinkholes are Florida, Alabama, Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Sinkholes are created when the terra firma below the exterior of the ground h ..read more

In recent years, discussions surrounding climate change have focused on agriculture, and animal agriculture in particular. The amount of methane emitted from livestock accounts for a significant percentage of the overall carbon emission volume. Since the advent of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), this problem has intensified — beef raising operations alone count for half of all agricultural discharge of carbon dioxide (CO2). Yet, the regenerative capacity of well-stewarded farms is often unsung among conventional environmentalists. Indeed, healthy soil can serve to capture carbon ..read more

As witnessed by the recent weather events of scorching wildfires and damaging rain, mudslides are a very real and present danger to California residents. Heavy winter storms that produced record rain and snowfall have triggered massive amounts of debris flows. Rain saturated soil eroded in northern and southern California areas hardest hit by recent wildfires. The California mudslides have also destroyed large sections of highway, stranding residents — many of whom were already in precarious home situations. The National Weather Service measured rainfall across California, with at least 9.4 i ..read more

Many of us have heard this famous expression: “All Politics is Local.” Incidentally, the same idea applies to the geotechnical and environmental engineering profession. In that sense, we can say “All Geotechnics is Local!” Local building codes, guidelines for work in the profession, and standards of care vary greatly by both region and local agency jurisdiction. The rules that govern what can and cannot be constructed on a property can also vary considerably from city to city, such that local knowledge is key to a smooth project execution. Sometimes even properties across the street from one a ..read more

Considering some new construction on your home? Here’s something you should definitely familiarize yourself with: some jurisdictions (such as the city of Glendale) allow for analyses known as “modified soils reports” for small addition projects. So, what are modified soils reports? Typically these involve a short site visit by a soils engineer, followed by a very brief report. This report provides a description of the soil in the general vicinity based on prior experience, minimum bearing values, and dimensions for footings. It will include a requirement to conduct field observations during fo ..read more