Exploration Services

Subsurface Data that Drives Smarter Decisions

Foundation Design, P.C. develops exploration programs to address your project’s specific requirements and to assess how your project will interact with the earth. We utilize various exploration techniques, including the use of soil borings (Standard Penetration Tests), cone penetrometer testing, test pit excavations, soil probes/macro-core sampling, pavement coring/probing, and floor coring/probing to collect the subsurface data needs for our engineering analysis. We have staff with 24-hour OSHA HAZWOPPER training for environmentally sensitive parcels. On complex sites or projects, we can complement our exploration work with geophysical testing, such as ground penetrating radar, electromagnetic surveys, shear wave testing, and seismic refraction studies.

Public underground utility stakeouts are completed in advance of our exploration work. Private underground utility clearance (GPR survey sweeps) are undertaken as requested where inadequate information on the existing underground utility locations is available; these surveys provide an additional level of assurance that the exploration location is clear of unwanted obstructions.

Soil Borings (Standard Penetration Testing)

Foundation Design, P.C. has developed relationships with over 10 different drilling companies across New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, allowing us to control mobilization costs, provide timely service, and assess the best value for our client. Our engineering and geological staff maintains a full-time presence while on-site for the exploration work, verifying the programs conform to ASTM standards (D-1586, D-1587, and D-2118), logging the subsurface profiles, and collecting representative soil/bedrock samples. By having staff on-site during the work, we can field adjust the exploration program while on-site based on the actual conditions encountered, thereby reducing the likelihood of needing to remobilize back to the site.

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Built relationships with over 10 different drilling companies to service our projects in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland

Flexibility in equipment (Truck, ATV or Skid-rig access)
Reduced mobilization costs by using a local driller
Use the most readily available driller, expediting work turnaround times
Able to solicit pricing for most economical approach
Propane power equipment with built in exhaust scrubber available for indoor operations

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Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Undisturbed (Shelby Tube), and Rock Core Sampling

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Soil Sampling in accordance with ASTM D-1586 and D-1587

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Rock Core Sampling in accordance with ASTM D-2113

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Experienced engineering and geological staff to oversee multiple drilling techniques

Hollow stem augers
Air-Rotary (open holes and driven casing)
Mud Rotary

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Soil Profiles logged using Modified Burmister System and Unified Soil Clarification System (ASTM D-2488)

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System and Unified Soil Classification System (ASTM D-2488)

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Groundwater Monitoring Well Installations, Development, and Groundwater Measurements

Inclinometers Casing Installations/Measurements
Project Benchmark Installations
Borehole Geophysical Testing (Downhole and Cross-hole Shear Wave Testing)

Cone Penetration Testing

Where the earth contains deep glacial valleys or marine deposits, Foundation Design, P.C. can perform cone penetrometer testing to better assess the impacts on these deeper deposits. This type of field testing develops more extensive soil parameters than typical SPT testing for use in design, reducing lab testing costs. This technique can complete more sampling footage per day than soil borings (SPT Sampling). In-place seismic shear wave testing can be performed while on-site with the equipment when collecting data needed for the structural assessment, for use in assessing a Seismic Site Classification.

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Built relationships with several companies that perform cone penetrometer testing in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

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Valuable data generated for assessing how deep glacial valley and marine soils will behave

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Capable of sampling several hundred feet of soil profile in a day

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Capable of determining cohesion, friction angle, shear strength of soil, over-consolidation ratios

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Cone resistance values applicable for 3-D modeling of settlement

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Needs to be supplemented with SPT sampling

Test Pit Exploration

On some sites, Foundation Design, P.C. can utilize test pit exploration to collect the required design information. This technique can range from deep holes excavated with large equipment to hand excavated/sampled holes. Our engineering and geological staff gain better insight into the near surface conditions especially when fill soils are expected. We can also use test pits to aid in defining the existing foundation system that will be abutted by new construction. Where shallow bedrock is expected, our staff uses test pits to assess whether the bedrock, large boulders, rock slabs, and loose caprock can be removed using standard equipment or whether hoe-ramming or blasting will be required.

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Built relationships with multiple excavating companies across New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

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Can coordinate a large excavator capable of digging up to 15 feet below grade

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Small bobcat mounted equipment

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Equipment or hand excavated to expose foundations

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Post hole excavated probes

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Hand driven split spoon samples/cone penetrometer

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Better definition of fill/buried topsoil conditions

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Assess bedrock depth and rippability

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Expose and document the bearing depth, size, and type of existing foundation to be abutted by the new construction

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Assess / estimate groundwater rates

Soil Probes/Macro-Core Sampling

Where site disturbance or limited access restricts typical exploration methods, Foundation Design, P.C. can provide small, light, rubber track mounted sampling equipment that can access tight spaces and reduce the amount of surface disturbance on lawns, floors, and athletic surfaces. This exploration technique utilizes a macro-core sampling barrel vibrated into the ground to recover a 1-inch diameter soil sample contained within a four-foot plastic tube; achievable sampling depths are restricted primarily by the material being sampled, but depths of 20 feet are achievable. Our staff can also install groundwater piezometers using this technique to assess water levels.

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Built relationships with multiple drilling companies across New York and Pennsylvania that have Geoprobe equipment

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Utilize macro-core sampling (not capable of providing SPT N-values)

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Usefulness is restricted to lightly loaded new construction

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Utilizes smaller/lighter equipment that can access tighter/more sensitive locations

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Less surface disturbance than test pits or soil boring (SPT sampling)

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More data per day than traditional SPT sampling Groundwater piezometers

Pavements

As part of our assessment of existing pavements, Foundation Design, P.C. can core the asphalt/concrete surface and sample the underlying base course and subgrade. Surface cores typically range from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, but could be cut up to 12-inches in diameter (where needed). Foundation Design, P.C. can document the in-place asphalt top, binder, and base course thicknesses (or concrete and reinforcing layer sizes and depth). With additional sampling, our staff can sample and document the thickness of the underlying subbase, recovering subbase samples for gradation analyses to be used to assess whether the subbase has a high fine content, restricting the drainage characteristics. We can also recover subgrade samples for lab testing to aid in the design of the new pavement section. Where required, in-place CBR and plate load testing can be undertaken.

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Program developed for owner’s specific site requirements

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Cores hole sizes ranging from 2 to 12-inch diameter

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Document in-place asphalt top, binder and base layer thicknesses

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Document subbase layer thickness and material type

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Sample subbase and subgrade materials

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Assess in-place pavement conditions

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Develop rehabilitation/reconstruction approaches

Floor Coring/Probing

Where site disturbance or limited access restricts typical exploration methods, Foundation Design, P.C. can provide small, light, rubber track mounted sampling equipment that can access tight spaces and reduce the amount of surface disturbance on lawns, floors, and athletic surfaces. This exploration technique utilizes a macro-core sampling barrel vibrated into the ground to recover a 1-inch diameter soil sample contained within a four-foot plastic tube; achievable sampling depths are restricted primarily by the material being sampled, but depths of 20 feet are achievable. Our staff can also install groundwater piezometers using this technique to assess water levels.

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