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 →
Pasadena, a Houston metropolitan area city, owns and operates a 24-inch waterline that provides potable water to the City of Seabrook and several surrounding municipalities. An urgent need arose when the waterline developed a leak. Without this critical repair, existing water pressure in the pipe would result in catastrophic damage to the waterline and loss of precious potable water. The City of Pasadena hired HVJ for Civil Engineering Design services, including developing the design, routing it to the agencies with jurisdiction in the project area, and coordinating with the contractor throughout the construction process.
The 24-inch waterline owned by the City of Pasadena is the only source of potable water for several area municipalities. Though part of the waterline was in good condition, at the Northern end of the bridge across Taylor Lake Bayou, the existing steel waterline was exposed without proper coating. The problem dates back many years, as the waterline is close to the bridge and the underground pipe section had not been rehabilitated since its installation in 1989. Thus, the pipe became compromised by corrosion from continuous wave activity of Taylor Lake which includes tidal influence of the Gulf of Mexico. The water leak was estimated at about 300 gallons per minute, resulting in a substantial revenue loss to the city. Residents who depended on this water experienced considerably reduced water pressure and could not meet all their needs, such as filling elevated water tanks.
We first provided clear, open communication so that everyone impacted would be informed of the upcoming construction activities. For example, customers needed to be notified and prepared for a reduction in water pressure and usage during work. Our team conducted a thorough review of the waterline’s as-built drawings to ensure the full consideration of all affected stakeholders. We held a pre-construction meeting that allowed for open communication, particularly in planning for a 24-hour water shut-off during construction. We also coordinated with agencies that had jurisdiction in the area, including the Harris County Flood Control District and the Texas Department of Transportation, to obtain work authorization.
We weighed several repair options, with the goal of an economical design solution that was constructable and provided the least water supply disruption to residents served by the waterline. Based on these factors and the corrosive nature of steel pipe from the tidally influenced lake water, our solution was a restrained ductile iron pipe, which would be resistant to future corrosion from seawater exposure. During the construction process, about 40 lf of steel pipe was removed and replaced with restrained ductile iron pipe. After the new pipe was connected, the contractor placed concrete thrust blocks to ensure ample support for the new pipe. We collaborated closely with the contractor and continually monitored the construction activities until the project’s completion. As explained by Houston Civil Services Manager Daya Dayananda, "We are thankful for all the agencies, city officials and contractors who worked together with us to complete this project so quickly and smoothly.”
Our Civil Engineering Design recommendations ensured the pipe was rehabilitated with ductile iron pipe and resistant to future corrosion. Once the construction was complete, the line was flushed and dechlorinated. We collected samples to ensure there were no contaminants before resuming water supply. We were able to minimize water disruption to residents by completing the construction process in only 12 hours, with an additional 12 hours to complete sampling protocols. As an extra safety measure, the city issued residents and businesses with a boil-water notice for a period of three days, but overall, we were able to work with the contractor and complete all repairs and sampling so that water flow was disrupted for no more than one day.
Our team’s collaborative process and open communication with stakeholders were essential to this project’s success. The team was sensitive to the needs of residents and provided ample information so they could prepare for reduced water usage during the construction process. A well-coordinated experience is a core value at HVJ, as we are committed to both technical success and our customer’s experience during the process.