Preconstruction services
Front-end design/constructability review, mix-designs, treatability studies, and planning for more reliable and optimized specialty geotechnical projects
Overview of preconstruction services
Preconstruction at Geo-Solutions aligns design intent with construction means & methods. We develop practical approaches, help shape specifications, define test programs, formulate mix designs, and perform bench scale testing for all our technologies and solutions including slurry walls, soil mixing, permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), and jet grouting.
Soil, contaminants, groundwater, and potential sources of batching water can vary drastically from project to project. GSI’s early-stage bench testing provides critical data on treatment feasibility and grout mix quantities needed to reach desired stabilization properties. When this testing is performed in the design stage, constructability issues can be identified and addressed early. Then, a more suitable technology for the soil, contaminant, and water profiles may be identified early, without the typical costly changes and schedule delays that can occur after construction has already begun. Deliverables commonly include concept alternatives, sequencing plans, lab/field trial scopes, and quality control (QC) criteria.
In addition to bench scale lab testing, GSI also performs design review for constructability input to optimize project planning. GSI’s input on specification criterion and design drawings can confirm feasibility while also providing recommendations for cost, schedule, quality, and safety optimization to help clients achieve the project intent most efficiently.
Key Benefits
- Data-driven decisions: bench and field testing to optimize mix-designs before full production.
- Fewer surprises in the field: constructability reviews leveraging decades of experience in specialty techniques
- Fit-for-purpose solutions: unbiased recommendations for meeting project goals most efficiently
Applications
- Levees, dams, and flood protection: define cutoff wall mixes, construction feasibility, and verification testing to manage seepage.
- Contaminated Industrial and legacy sites (e.g., Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP), rail, manufacturing): confirm applicability of ISS or other treatment solutions through treatability testing, method selection, and specification development.
- Challenging sites: plan safety, sequencing, access, and implementation and discuss possible challenges to have solutions in place prior to encountering them.
Consulting
Consulting refers to technical services that support planning, design coordination, and construction execution. Constructability reviews and technical evaluations are commonly provided consulting services.
Bench Scale Studies
Bench scale studies refer to laboratory testing programs used to evaluate soil behavior and treatment effectiveness. Mix design studies for soil mixing, slurry trenching, and jet grouting are common bench scale study types.
Design-Build
Design‑build refers to a project delivery approach that integrates engineering and construction under a single contract. Integrated design development and construction sequencing are central to design‑build delivery.