Geotechnical Engineering & Subsurface Drilling
Proper planning and design of projects requires knowledge of subsurface conditions including
soil types, rock and water conditions. Our Geotechnical Engineering department
is staffed and equipped to provide our expertise to assist owners, developers, contractors and
planners with understanding specific conditions affecting their project. Our two (2)
in-house drilling platforms, extensive catalog of geotechnical software, site specific
seismic analysis equipment and intimate knowledge of local conditions allows us to provide
clear, concise and cost effective strategies for subsurface conditions encountered on a project
site.
In-Situ (in-place) Sampling of Soils (In-House Drilling Platform)
SUMMIT maintains two (2) in-house ATV track mounted drilling platforms for subsurface explorations and in-situ (in-place) sampling of soils at a project site. Both rigs are mounted on rubber track carriers allowing for use in any finished area. Our SIMCO drill rig is a low clearance machine and is mounted on the smallest carrier possible. The SIMCO rig allows us to access the interior of buildings, between houses and other limited access areas for our work with little or no damage to the existing site. Our main geotechnical exploration rig, the CME 55 High Torque (HT) unit is mounted on an Hitachi 1100 series low ground pressure crawler carrier and is capable of extending borings to depths of 150 feet or greater.
Retaining Wall Design
SUMMIT's team can provide complete segmental retaining wall design services including AutoCAD drawings and specifications on your next construction project. Our design capabilities, coupled with our testing and certification services offer great value to our clientele.
Test Pit Observation Services
SUMMIT is often called on to observe test pit excavations on proposed sites prior to purchase. Test pits allow evaluation of the subsurface site conditions and limited site planning recommendations without the expense of performing a full geotechnical exploration (drilling) of the project site.
Refraction Microtremor (Re- Mi) Testing
This advanced Seismic Analysis equipment known as Re-Mi, short for Refraction Microtremor, provides SUMMIT the in-house capability for immediate determination of Seismic Site Classification without the expense or conservative calculations associated with deep borings. This ultra-sensitive equipment utilizes existing sounds and vibrations (talking, traffic, airplane overhead, etc.) instead utilization of explosives or heavy weights associated with previous analysis methods.
Hand Auger Borings and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Testing
SUMMIT frequently utilizes Hand Auger Borings and DCP testing during evaluation of exposed building foundations, limited site exploration and for collection of subsurface exploration in limited access areas where our low clearance SIMCO drill rig will not operate.
Pavement Design & Rehabilitation
SUMMIT frequently performs Pavement Design on a wide range of projects during planning in conjunction with our other geotechnical services. In addition to design for new pavement structures, our experienced staff can provide options for rehabilitation of existing pavements.
Rock Coring
SUMMIT’s track mounted CME 55 HT is capable of performing rock coring for geotechnical analysis including foundation design requirements and DOT structures.
Site and Project Recommendations
As part of our Geotechnical exploration, SUMMIT provides detailed recommendations related to site conditions encountered including soils, compaction, rock, groundwater and other important factors. In addition we will evaluate and provide project specific recommendations for pavements, building foundations and site development requirements among others.
Seismic Site Classifications
In conjunction with our Geotechnical Exploration, SUMMIT frequently provides Seismic Site Classifications for the project site to be utilized by the Architect/Engineering during facility design.
Laboratory Testing
Our advanced Materials Laboratory allows for advanced testing of soils encountered during our Geotechnical Exploration. Please refer to our Materials Laboratory (LINK) section for more information on these services.
