Geostructural, Geotechnical Engineering & Earthworks

At KATECH, we provide a comprehensive suite of services in geotechnical and geostructural engineering, as well as earthworks, essential to ensuring the safety, functionality, and cost-effectiveness of any project from its earliest interaction with the ground. Our strength lies in combining advanced structural analysis, deep soil mechanics expertise, and specialized construction execution.

Our involvement spans from preliminary studies to the monitoring of in-service structures, with capabilities to design and build foundation systems, deep excavations, underground structures, retaining systems, and building platforms.

Geotechnical Investigations & Soil Studies

Comprehensive geotechnical investigations are tailored to the type and scale of each project. Our services include

Boreholes and test pits for stratigraphic soil profiling
In-situ testing (SPT, CPT, pressuremeter, dilatometer) and laboratory testing (sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, triaxial compression, direct shear, consolidation, etc.)
Development of geotechnical profiles and determination of strength, deformation, and hydraulic parameters
Advanced geotechnical modeling using specialized software
Recommendations for the design of foundations, excavations, slope stability, and ground improvement techniques

Earthworks & Site Preparation

Earthmoving operations are executed with technical precision and full topographic control. Our core services include:

Site Clearing and Grubbing

Removal of vegetation, existing structures, and debris to prepare the site for layout, excavation, or backfilling activities.

Mass and Targeted Excavation

Execution of cuts for basements, foundations, underground utilities, or buried structures—supported with retention systems when required.

Structural Backfill and Compaction

Placement of select materials (sand, gravel, stabilized soils) with compaction control per technical specifications and in-situ density testing.

Grading and Slope Shaping

Terrain modeling to match project design, ensuring slope stability and optimal access for subsequent construction phases.

Soil Stabilization

Improvement of soft or unstable soils using additives (lime, cement), gravel columns, geotextiles, or injection methods to increase bearing capacity and reduce settlements.

Surplus Material Management

Transport and environmentally traceable disposal of unsuitable, contaminated, or excess soils in compliance with technical and environmental standards.

Leveling and Topographic Control

Precision layout and verification using total stations, GPS, and drone-based scanning to ensure millimeter accuracy on platforms, slopes, and excavation elevations.

Water Control and Temporary Drainage

Deployment of dewatering systems, trenches, sump pits, or geodrains to maintain dry excavation fronts and protect adjacent structures.

Design of Earth Retention Systems & Excavation Support

Retaining solutions are engineered for deep excavations and unstable terrain, accounting for construction phases, boundary loads, and soil behavior. We design the following systems

Anchored walls (post-tensioned or passive)
Secant or tangent pile walls
Reinforced concrete diaphragm walls
Steel sheet piles
Internal struts and buttresses
Hybrid systems (anchors + piles)

Finite element modeling is applied to simulate deformation patterns and optimize construction sequences.

Design of Underground Structures

We develop structural and construction systems for below-grade spaces, including

Tunnels, utility galleries, and underpasses
Subway stations, basements, and open-cut trenches
Stage-by-stage modeling using finite elements to predict deformation and sequence efficiency
Structural design of slabs, retaining walls, bracing systems, and perimeter drainage

Basement Shoring & Foundation Strengthening

In renovation or expansion projects, we engineer structural support systems to