Geotechnical
Engineering
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
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Construction Materials
Engineering
& Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
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Civil/Pavement
Engineering
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
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Environmental Geology
& Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
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Roads & Bridges
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
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Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
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Airports, Ports & Dredging
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
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Rail & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
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Buildings & Parks
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
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HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
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Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
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Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Learn More →
How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Learn More →
Geotechnical
Engineering
Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives.
Learn More →
Construction Materials
Engineering
& Testing
Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.
Learn More →
Civil/Pavement
Engineering
A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.
Learn More →
Environmental Geology
& Engineering
Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals.
Learn More →
Roads & Bridges
Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures.
Learn More →
Water, Wastewater & Flood Control
Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively.
Learn More →
Airports, Ports & Dredging
Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen.
Learn More →
Rail & Transit
Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track.
Learn More →
Buildings & Parks
Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects.
Learn More →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
Agencies
HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.
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Consultant Clients
We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction.
Learn More →
HVJ Difference
Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive.
Learn More →
Culture
We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results.
Learn More →
Benefits
We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits.
Learn More →
Employee Stories
Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project.
Learn More →
Current Openings
We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams.
Learn More →
The Opportunity
Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network.
Learn More →
How It Works
Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise.
Learn More →
Who's A Fit?
Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you.
Learn More →
Success Stories
Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems.
Learn More →
The Joe Greene Hall Project
The University of North Texas System identified a need to add space for student housing on the growing Denton campus in 2016. In response, they initiated a project to build a 500-bed residence hall for freshman residents to open for students in the fall of 2019.
Our client, the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction at the University of North Texas System, turned to HVJ for geotechnical services and materials testing. HVJ’s scope included front-to-end activities, from the initial design to project completion, to contribute to the success of the project in meaningful ways.
HVJ has a history of delivering excellent results for similar projects at the University of North Texas System. In 2015, HVJ supported the completion of Rawlins Hall, a 250-room and 487-bed residence hall for freshmen and upperclassmen from the Honors College. This new building, Joe Greene Hall, was to be named after football legend Joe Greene who got his start on the football field at The University of North Texas System and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. It was to have a pod neighborhood concept on each floor, with large lounge areas, a community kitchen, a variety of small lounges and study rooms, and common area laundry and billiard rooms.
The location of the new residence hall is on active campus area, and the university needed this project completed with minimal disruption to students and other university activities. It was also critical that the project was completed on time to allow for students to move in for the Fall 2019 semester.
Some challenges that we needed to address during this project included:
Our objective was to provide reliable geotechnical solutions for the building structure, sidewalks and pavement, and to complete materials testing to verify the building material and installation were in accordance with the plans and specifications.
We were to complete the work seamlessly with minimal disruption to the students, and work with the design and construction team to keep to the commitment to complete the building for Fall 2019 occupancy.
HVJ worked closely with the design team and the structural engineer to identify the most economical drilled shaft design diameter and length that can efficiently carry the building loads. HVJ engineers were able to apply their experience from the construction of nearby Rawlins Hall, assisting in estimating the number of drilled shafts needing casing. Furthermore, HVJ provided drilled shaft inspections during construction to verify the need for casing and monitor the cost of this construction item for peace of mind.
To address the accessibility of fire trucks in the grassy areas surrounding the building, HVJ provided recommendations for the use of GrassPave, a green porous paving solution. GrassPave is an invisible turf reinforcement system designed to transfer the weight of vehicles to the supportive base course through interconnected honeycomb cells. It also allows for rapid absorption of storm water. This provides a way for emergency fire apparatus trucks to have direct access to the building despite their heavy loading. GrassPave provides a long-term paving alternative and can reduce CO2 emissions.
As for the encountered water ponding, HVJ engineers visited the site and investigated the potential sources including groundwater and surface drainage and run-off. HVJ ruled out the groundwater concern, and worked closely with the drainage engineers to provide a French Drain system to collect the water and outlet into an adjacent storm sewer.
The unexpected problem we encountered in the adjacent existing building that was planned to hold the coolers for the large air conditioning system had the potential to derail the project schedule. HVJ’s team conducted petrographic examination and chloride analysis of concrete cores to determine the causes of concrete and rebar deterioration. We were able to quickly evaluate the slab, coordinate with the design engineers and identify carbon fiber reinforcement as a solution that allowed for the chillers to be installed on time.
The outcome was a project that was successfully completed on time and with minimal disruption to the university activities. The building was opened for new students in the Fall of 2019.