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.
Learn More →
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 →
Austin residents near Oak Knoll Drive and Woodcrest Drive have experienced devastating structural flooding after rainstorms in recent years. The City of Austin embarked on a project to upgrade the existing infrastructure to increase capacity, for the purpose of mitigating future flooding risks and bringing the drainage system up to the city’s capacity standards. The project’s engineering firm, LAN, brought in HVJ during the design and permitting phase to provide a geotechnical investigation, including field exploration and testing, utility installation recommendations, alternative field exploration, design alternatives, and geophysical monitoring.
The physical constraints of the dense neighborhood and proximity to homeowners’ yards required that we complete our work using minimally invasive equipment, avoiding disruptions to residents, and regularly communicating with the homeowners throughout the process. HVJ’s commitment to thoughtful, reliable solution-development ensured a successful outcome while maintaining positive relationships with area homeowners.
Geotechnical investigation and construction needed to occur in a dense neighborhood and near residences. A large box culvert, to provide flooding relief, needed to be installed between multiple residences tied into an existing drainage system. However, conventional drilling rigs and equipment could not be used due to overhead power lines, trees, fences, and overall limited space.
Early on before beginning the project, we needed to provide detailed field and testing information to the property owners to obtain right of entry approval from the Condominium Association before beginning the project.
Our team was sensitive to the fact that our investigation and ultimate recommendations would impact area homeowners, as construction would be required in some of their yards. In one especially complex construction challenge, the box culvert needed to be installed within five feet of a residence.
Our client needed reliable geotechnical recommendations to successfully upgrade the new storm lines and install the box culvert to provide the necessary increased drainage capacity. The pressing need to eliminate flooding in the neighborhood required a thorough evaluation and review of all potential options.
Our goal was to provide the client and design team with reliable recommendations to upgrade the storm lines, install the box culvert successfully, and minimize disruptions to area homeowners throughout the process.
To overcome our inability to use a standard drilling rig, we used a mini skid steer on tracks with a small bucket to excavate and retrieve samples. Our experience in the Austin area told us that the bedrock would be shallow, so we used the bucket to obtain soil samples and determine the bedrock depth at multiple locations. By combining the resulting information with a geotechnical analysis conducted at an earlier phase of this project, we were able to provide reliable results and recommendations to our client and team members for carrying out the design of the new drainage system.
We recommended a soldier pile and lagging system to shore up the excavation where the box culvert was very close to the residence. Since limestone drilling and excavation would occur very close to some of the residences, we recommended Round Rock Geophysical Consultants for Structural Vibration Monitoring & Control during the project’s construction phase.
Our client incorporated our recommendations into the drainage system’s design and included a structural vibration monitoring system, with construction beginning this year. When completed, the resulting drainage system will consist of a 7x3-foot reinforced concrete box storm sewer to create much-needed flooding relief for the neighborhood. Our innovative exploration technique allowed us to obtain necessary samples with minimally invasive equipment in a very confined sensitive area.
Our team’s clear and consistent communication with homeowners and the client was vital to this project’s success. The HVJ team was sensitive to residents’ needs, frequently educating them as field activities were occurring and staying in regular communication with all homeowners. Excellent communication is a core value at HVJ, as we are committed to the project’s technical success and peace of mind for those it affects. Our team’s people skills were integral in helping all field activities run smoothly and maintaining positive relationships with homeowners and the Condominium Association.
"HVJ has a very professional team that is responsive and clearly communicates project challenges and potential solutions. HVJ is open to being part of a larger team, providing feedback and guidance on important project decisions."
Laura Casset, Regional Stormwater Manager at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc.