With geotechnical design, we approach projects with the goal of involving the necessary specialty contractor(s), allowing for a more streamlined delivery, minimizing change orders and contract issues.  Our staff performs within and caters to design products of various types of bid, design-build, or Construction Management / General Contractor type contracts.

Strata will develop a strategic, site specific approach for subsurface soil explorations and/or monitoring, analyze geologic hazard indicators, and develop design site foundation solutions such as soil nailing, deep foundations, earth shoring and retaining walls including gabions, sheet piling, soldier pile walls, and Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE).

We offer a variety of geotechnical site investigations and design reports for geotechnical projects involving field exploration (drilling, test pits, CPT), seismic survey utilizing our in-house ReMi geophysical survey equipment, slope and groundwater instrumentation, infiltration testing, and soils laboratory testing.  

We produce technical reports to address jurisdictional building codes with a solutions oriented approach to temporary/permanent shoring, retaining structures, pavements, deep foundations, pin-piling, and other site specific techniques. We utilize ASTM  testing methods including borehole logging and compilation of SPT and CPT data for seismic analysis.

We bring an experienced team of professionals and certified soils and materials technicians to support the full array of construction quality control, as-built documentation needs. These include technical reviews of submittals, site inspections, testing of soils and pavements along with a full-service laboratory, special inspections and reports, erosion and stormwater control monitoring, change order request reviews, review of special permits, and final acceptance reports. We also provide Certified Erosion & Sedimental Control Lead (CESCL) inspections to meet both OR DEQ and WA requirements.

We apply our expertise in often challenging environments of steep terrain and landslide mass conditions. These include experiences with the city municipalities to achieve goals and requirements set forth by the jurisdiction for geotechnical site investigations, project design, construction QA/QC, and report submittals.

We strive to seek solutions to reduce excavation quantity through the placement of geo-synthetic fabric and/or cement amendment as a means to improve suspect sub-grades.

We utilize many aspects and features of Autodesk Infrastructure Suite CAD software and maintain a customized GIS data management system applicable to many of our geotechnical projects. We have utilized these tools to study time series changes to slope deformations as well as general site grading through our understandings of spatial analysis tools. We routinely deploy LiDAR survey data in the create 3D terrain models and for evaluation of slope geomorphology.

We provide design and analysis of low impact approaches to site development and stormwater management including Low Impact Development Approaches (LIDA). Analysis includes utilizing hydrocad design software for iterative analysis and optimization of site options for stormwater detention, treatment, and infiltration to meet regulatory requirements.

Strata routinely design MSE modular block retaining wall systems for many applications, varying from roadway walls to detention pond walls.

We are also affiliated with TerraMetrix, LLC which can supply Flex MSE bags filled with compost and sand to make an eco-friendly vegetated retaining wall designed by Strata Design, LLC. Designs involving other materials are options as well depending on the site needs.