Designing solutions with our comprehensive knowledge of soil and rock behavior, geology, groundwater flow, and earth science.
Founded as a geotechnical engineering firm in 1970, GEI has been an industry leader in the application of geotechnical principles to achieve safe, economical and practical projects. We are highly experienced in investigating, evaluating and navigating the risk and uncertainty of the underground to overcome challenges presented to both routine and complex projects by variable soil, rock, and groundwater conditions; fast-track schedules; and sensitive adjacent buildings and infrastructure.
GEI works closely with structural engineers, architects, developers, owners and contractors to reduce risks and uncertainties in underground construction.
Our Focus
Foundations
GEI works with the project team to select and design appropriate foundations and construction techniques for every type of project, ranging from the basic to the most complex and sensitive. We focus on providing the level of performance required by the project while preventing damage to nearby utilities and buildings, resulting in the design of practical, innovative and cost-effective foundations. Our licensed environmental professionals will navigate your project through complex local, state and federal environmental regulations to avoid costly construction delays and unnecessary remediation.
Excavation Support Systems
GEI combines empirical experience with sophisticated computer modeling to evaluate the impacts of excavations and various support of excavation (SOE) systems on existing adjacent buildings and facilities. Using geotechnical instrumentation during construction allows our experts to evaluate actual vs. predicted performance of a system and make the necessary adjustments.
During construction of new structures where open cuts are not feasible, SOE’s support the ground outside excavations to control deformation of adjacent structures, utilities and soil. SOE’s range from simple piles and lagging or sheeting, to complex slurry wall projects protecting sensitive and historic structures. Types of support systems have included but are not limited to cantilever walls, simple braced excavations, tie-back anchored excavations, open-water cofferdams, braced cofferdams constructed in conjunction with existing structures and pre-stressed bracing for structures sensitive to movements.
Tunneling
GEI offers expertise in engineering, design, and construction management solutions for a wide range of tunnel and trenchless projects. Our team has designed tunnel and trenchless crossings across North America. We focus on functional and constructable designs which identify, address, and manage project risks. Our tunnel and trenchless experience ranges from the smallest pipeline installations and rehabilitations, to large diameter tunnels constructed in some of the most challenging ground conditions.
GEI leads our industry in site characterization and understanding ground behavior. This enables us to execute on tunnel and trenchless projects from the earliest feasibility studies, through design and construction. GEI’s tunnel and trenchless team is committed to providing you with recognizable value for your tunnel and trenchless projects.
Lab Testing
GEI has a strong commitment to providing clients with high-quality laboratory testing services for both soil and rock. Our laboratory has achieved national recognition for its ability to perform tests to advance the state of geotechnical engineering. Through our use of state-of-the-art sensors and computer acquisition systems, we measure and record data, and use proprietary software to provide insights.
Our testing capabilities range from classification and index testing, to performing dynamic testing to support seismic and vibration engineering. We offer a wide variety of geotechnical laboratory testing services.
Field Testing and Monitoring
Appropriate field testing and monitoring is essential to achieve consistent, high quality underground construction and to verify that designs are installed as intended. GEI has extensive experience designing and implementing effective, efficient monitoring and testing programs for all types of projects.
