Geotechnical Engineering & Subsurface Drilling

Proper planning and design of projects requires knowledge of subsurface conditions including soil types, rock and water conditions. Our Geotechnical Engineering department is staffed and equipped to provide our expertise to assist owners, developers, contractors and planners with understanding specific conditions affecting their project. Our fleet of in-house drilling platforms, extensive catalog of geotechnical software, site specific seismic analysis equipment and intimate knowledge of local conditions allows us to provide clear, concise and cost effective strategies for subsurface conditions encountered on a project site.

In-Situ Sampling of Soils

SUMMIT maintains four (4) in-house drilling platforms for subsurface explorations and in-situ (in-place) sampling of soils at a project site. Three (3) rigs are mounted on ATV carriers allowing for use in nearly any environment. Our fourth rig is mounted on a truck platform allowing for faster mobilization in easily accessible access. Our ATV-mounted rigs are all CME 550x units, capable of mud rotary or standard drilling techniques and are capable of extending borings to depths of 150 feet or greater. In 2013, SUMMIT performed in excess of 45,000 feet of drilling in the greater Charlotte and Raleigh markets alone.

Retaining Wall Design

SUMMIT's team can provide complete retaining wall design services on a wide variety of walls including segmental block, CMU, Cast-in-place, gabion and soldier pile walls. Our work includes full design services and AutoCAD drawings and specifications for use on the proposed. Our design capabilities, coupled with our testing and certification services offer great value to our clientele.

Test Pit Observation Services

SUMMIT is often called on to observe test pit excavations on proposed sites prior to purchase. Test pits allow evaluation of the subsurface site conditions and limited site planning recommendations without performing a full geotechnical exploration (drilling) of the project site or to further investigate rock or other suspect conditions previously encountered at the subject site.

Refraction Microtremor (Re-Mi) Testing

This advanced Seismic Analysis equipment known as Re-Mi, short for Refraction Microtremor, provides SUMMIT the in-house capability for immediate determination of Seismic Site Classification without the expense or conservative calculations associated with deep borings. This ultra-sensitive equipment utilizes existing sounds and vibrations (talking, traffic, airplane overhead, etc.) instead utilization of explosives or heavy weights associated with previous analysis methods.

Borings and Penetrometer (DCP) Testing

SUMMIT frequently utilizes Hand Auger Borings and DCP testing during evaluation of exposed building foundations, limited site exploration and for collection of subsurface exploration in limited access areas where our drill rigs will not operate.

Subcontract Drilling

SUMMIT's in-house drilling platforms are available for use on YOUR project site across the Carolinas, for subsurface explorations and in-situ soil sampling. Contact the Geotechnical Department at (704) 504-1717 to discuss our drilling service rates and to check schedule availability.

Pavement Design & Rehabilitation

SUMMIT frequently performs Pavement Design on a wide range of projects during planning in conjunction with our other geotechnical services. In addition to design for new pavement structures, our experienced staff can provide options for rehabilitation of existing pavements.

Rock Coring

SUMMIT's drilling platforms are capable of performing rock coring for geotechnical analysis including foundation design requirements and DOT structures.

Site and Project Recommendations

As part of our Geotechnical exploration, SUMMIT provides detailed recommendations related to site conditions encountered including soils, compaction, rock, groundwater and other important factors. In addition we will evaluate and provide project specific recommendations for pavements, building foundations and site development requirements among others.

Seismic Site Classifications

In conjunction with our Geotechnical Exploration, SUMMIT frequently provides Seismic Site Classifications for the project site to be utilized by the Architect/Engineering during facility design.

Laboratory Testing

Our advanced Materials Laboratory allows for advanced testing of soils encountered during our Geotechnical Exploration. Please refer to our Materials Laboratory (LINK) section for more information on these services.

Land Clearing / Forestry Mulching

SUMMIT provides Land Clearing services within the greater Charlotte metropolitan area, including forestry mulching, underbrush removal, hiking trails, survey line clearing and more. Call (803) 752-0609 to speak directly with the Land Clearing scheduling desk.