Geotechnical Engineering

Our engineers have extensive experience with planning and managing foundation installation for both shallow and deepwater locations involving some of the most complex soil conditions. We are capable of conducting many different types of geotechnical engineering analyses. GEMS has worked with numerous offshore companies and is familiar with the design standards and guidelines.

Our engineers become involved early with projects by being part of a cross-disciplinary team responsible for defining the geologic model of an area and planning the field investigation. Our team uses all available data to optimize the scope of geotechnical data acquisition and laboratory testing.





In addition, we efficiently:

    Manage the laboratory program,
    Assign the appropriate tests to define soil properties, and
    Interpret soil parameters needed for foundation design.


Our staff routinely performs all types of analyses required for the following:

    Driven piles
    Suction piles
    Gravity anchor
    Pipelines
    Mud mats

We also perform limit equilibrium and finite element analyses required on projects involving more complicated loading conditions or soil stratigraphy. Our final reports are critically reviewed to be accurate, concise, and clear to all reader and users.


Capabilities

Our staff offers a wide range of geotechnical engineering capabilities and specializes in the following:

 • Wave equation analysis and pile drivability

 • Gravity base foundation design

 • Axial and lateral pile capacity

 • Mud mat bearing capacity and settlement

 • Pipeline penetration and lateral buckling

 • Desktop pipeline routing and field layout planning studies

 • Deepwater geotechnical investigation planning and field supervision

 • Earthquake engineering and dynamic pile analysis

 • Model testing and finite element analysis

 • Suction pile penetration and holding capacity analysis

 • Gravity anchor penetration and holding capacity analysis

 • Standard and advanced laboratory testing and data

 • Jack-Up rig footing penetration and punch-through analysis

 • Cold region foundation design and permafrost engineering