Geotechnical Engineering in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio's geology divides the metro into design provinces. North of the city runs the Edwards limestone with its karst features and aquifer recharge zone regulation; through the middle and south spread the Houston Black and related Blackland clays, expansive enough to govern every shallow foundation placed on them. Our investigations establish the province first, then run the program it demands: rock coring and excavatability assessment over the limestone, swell characterization and PVR estimates on the clay, and groundwater definition everywhere. Recommendations range from stiffened and post-tensioned slabs to drilled piers, with recharge-zone geologic assessments where the regulatory overlay applies.

The Edwards Aquifer recharge zone across northern Bexar County carries regulatory geologic-assessment requirements, while Houston Black clay to the south delivers some of the highest shrink-swell movement in Texas; the metro contains both extremes.

• Soil borings and sampling programs sized to the structure and site
• Laboratory index testing: Atterberg limits (ASTM D4318), moisture content (ASTM D2216)
• Moisture-density relationships and bearing evaluation for foundations and pavements
• Expansive-soil characterization for slab and pavement design
• Construction-phase verification: proof rolls, subgrade acceptance, fill placement observation

ASTM D4318ASTM D2216ASTM D698ASTM D1557