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Advanced Geotechnical Design Services

Accurate, thorough data and in-depth understanding of ground conditions form the foundation for good geotechnical design.

Efficient heavy civil geotechnical design solutions are a result of understanding ground conditions through rigorous investigation, an accurate description of subsurface and surface characteristics, and analysis and judgment based on our collective experience in Creating Space Underground. Through the diverse geology of our North American office locations, which range from the glaciated Northeast and Midwest to the swelling soil/rock found in the Front Range of the Rockies, to mountainous alpine conditions and seismic concerns of the West Coast, we have developed an extensive knowledge base of the land around and beneath us.

Advanced Geotechnical Design Capabilities

  • Geotechnical engineering and geologic evaluations
  • Geotechnical data and geotechnical baseline reports (GDRs & GBRs)
  • Ground improvement and grouting design
  • Geologic hazard and landslide evaluation and mitigation design
  • Rock slope and alpine engineering
  • 3D finite element analysis modeling
  • BIM and virtual design and construction
  • Dam evaluations
  • Construction dewatering design
  • Blasting design and construction vibration analysis
  • Value engineering
  • Seismic and ground movement analysis
  • Geotechnical instrumentation
  • Forensic engineering, claims analysis and construction dispute resolution

Advanced Geotechnical Design Projects

Our Advanced Geotechnical Design Team

Dave Sackett, CPG, PG's Bio
Dave Sacket-Geologist - Advanced Geotechnical Investigation and Assessment and Trenchless Design-Brierley Associates

Dave Sackett, CPG, PG

Chief Operations Officer/Engineering Geologist

Tampa, FL; Norfolk, VA

Dave knows how to interpret geophysical data and geotechnical reports in both English and Spanish. His expertise is within the application of geoscientific data to engineering projects constructed within soft soils to hard, crystalline rock. Dave previously managed the Norfolk, VA office of an international consultancy and served as North/South America ports business sector leader, with a focus on design/build of large infrastructure projects and managed geotechnical and engineering offices in Venezuela, Trinidad, Panama and Chile.  Dave is our Chief Operations Officer and keeps our ship running smoothly.
Bill Zietlow, PE's Bio

Bill Zietlow, PE

Geostructural Consultant

Denver, CO

Bill has worked in geotechnical engineering for more than 25 years and specializes in design of earth support systems for tunnels, shafts, road cuts, and temporary excavations such as soil nail, tieback, sheet pile, soldier pile, and micropile walls. He has also designed deep foundations and landslide stabilizations. He primarily provides design services for specialty contractors on design-build projects but has also provided geotechnical designs for public and private owners, primarily on transportation and utility works. He has design, construction observation, geotechnical investigation, and project management experience on a wide variety of projects and ground conditions across the Western and Midwestern United States. His responsibilities include engineering design, project management, and claim support services. He completed a Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Minnesota.
Patrick Smith, PhD, PE, GE's Bio
Patrick Smith, PhD - Advanced Geotechnical Design, Seismic Analysis , Slope Stability and Trenchless Engineer-Brierley Associates

Patrick Smith, PhD, PE, GE

Geotechnical and Seismic Engineer

Woodland Hills, CA

Patrick is our seismic specialist. He has extensive experience in the field of seismic analysis, earthquake engineering, fault rupture displacement; analysis and mitigation of liquefaction, lateral spreading, and slope instability hazards. He has been responsible for the design of liquefaction and landslide mitigation projects that utilize a number of ground improvement techniques and other structural features. Dr. Smith adeptly applies his seismic analysis and geotechnical engineering experience and to the design and performance of tunnels and pipelines subjected to permanent ground deformation.
Seth Hoffman, PE, SE's Bio
Seth Hoffman Structural and Construction Engineering, Aurora, IL

Seth Hoffman, PE, SE

Structural Engineer

Aurora, IL

Seth’s experience includes structural design, detailing, and construction phase engineering and design of: support-of-formwork, falsework, support of excavation systems, cofferdams, shallow and deep foundations, analysis and reinforcement of existing structures for temporary conditions during construction, investigation of deteriorated structures and design of repairs, rigging and lift design, multiple crane lifts, rebar cage bracing and handling, and marine construction. Prior to joining Brierley, he spent 7 years in a design and project management role for one of North America’s largest and heavy civil contractors.
Amshu Chappa, PE's Bio

Amshu Chappa, PE

Geostructural Engineer

Moraga, CA

Ms. Chappa is experienced in the fields of Civil, Structural and Mechanical Engineering in Heavy Civil. Her experience includes design of excavation shoring, deep foundations and various contractor support functions. Her excavation shoring design experience includes tied-back and internally braced systems using sheet piles, deep-soil mix walls, concrete secant piles, slurry diaphragm walls and soldier piles and lagging. She has also designed soil nail walls and underpinning systems. Deep foundations design experience includes drilled displacement piles, auger cast piles and micropiles. Other design experiences also include the design of temporary bridges and stair tower support systems. Contractor support includes analyzing field concerns and inspecting concrete formwork.