Geotechnical

Geotechnical Engineering - Where it All Begins

Rely on Alpha Testing for your next project. We are a full service geotechnical engineering company providing professional engineering services since 1983. Our experience and knowledge enables us to provide unparalleled services in all phases of geotechnical field explorations, laboratory testing and engineering analysis. As an integral part of the project team, we assist during the design and development phase of your project.

The Houston office of Alpha Testing holds A2LA Accreditation for Geotechnical Engineering. Click here for the specific scope of accreditation.

You will find that Alpha constantly provides status updates on your project. You will know when we will be onsite, when drilling and field work is complete, and when the final report can be expected. 

Staff are recognized as industry experts on active clay and heaving clay, lecturing monthly on the topic. Additional areas of expertise include:

Foundations

• Site selection and feasibility studies
• Foundation design/recommendations
• Exploration and laboratory testing
• Geotechnical specifications
• Expansive soil engineering

Retaining Structures

• Conventional retaining walls
• Steel or concrete pile walls
• Drilled pier walls
• Slurry walls
• Tie-back design

Earth Dams and Levees

• Embankment studies
• Materials selection
• Seepage analysis
• Erosion Control
• Docking facilities and bulkheads

Construction Specifications

• Sub-grade preparations
• Fill placement and compaction
• Excavations and dewatering
• Protection of existing facilities
• Drilled shaft and pipe installation

Groundwater

• Hydrologic studies
• Groundwater resources evaluation
• Aquifer test
• Groundwater geology
• Seepage studied and cutoffs

Engineering Geology

• Geologic studies and mapping
• Rock anchors/slope stability
• Escarpment studies
• Petrographic analysis

Soil Stabilization

• Materials testing/evaluation
• Foundation excavation inspection
• Groundwater control
• Design of systems and methods

Pavements

• Design - highways, streets, airports
• Existing pavement evaluations
• Sub-grade evaluations/improvements
• Fill compaction control
• Groundwater control

Field Exploration and Monitoring

• Slide movements
• Settlements - subsidence
• Pore pressure measurements
• Geophysical investigations
• Pile or pier load tests

Transportation

• Highways, streets, railroads, airports
• Soil or rock cut slope design
• Instrumentation and field monitoring
• Bridge foundation design

TxDOT Pre-Certifications

• 14.1.1 Soil Exploration
• 14.2.1 Geotechnical Testing
• 14.3.1 Transportation Foundation Studies
• 14.4.1 Building Foundation Studies

Local contacts are found in Contact Us.