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.
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 →
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 →
White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction in Houston, Texas
Originating in northwest Harris County, White Oak Bayou is a major waterway that winds southeast, joining Buffalo Bayou at Downtown Houston’s historic Allen’s Landing. In the 1960s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers improved the bayou as a flood control measure — drainage performance being critical to protecting Houston during heavy rain events. After the historical deluge of Hurricane Harvey, client CobbFendley needed us to develop slope recommendations in a cost-efficient way. Working on behalf of the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), they asked if we could utilize some of the previously drilled borings and technical reports and come up with the optimum number of borings to complete the project.
Our initial task was to determine the optimum number of soil borings for successful project completion and recommend any modifications to ensure the safe functioning of the bayou going forward. A key consideration was how to best utilize the available budget to evaluate the stability of the regraded channel slopes.
To perform the work efficiently we needed to leverage as much existing data as possible without missing previously undocumented problems. We were also asked to identify the slope configuration that would meet HCFCD safety requirements.
After reviewing existing geotechnical reports, we proposed a lower-cost option that minimized the number of borings and also evaluated the excavated material for reuse instead of importing select fill material so that the project could be completed within a reasonable budget. We conducted a geotechnical investigation on-site and evaluated the regraded slopes to meet the minimum required safety factors. Our analysis revealed:
Our engineers also identified problems that fell outside of our proposed scope of work during our site visit.
These included:
Applying HVJ’s extensive erosion experience, our project team informed CobbFendley of these concerns and recommended a number of cost-effective ways to address them, including:
By understanding these issues in advance, we helped CobbFendley plan ahead without derailing budgets or schedules.
HCFCD is set to confirm all governmental stakeholder organizations. Now armed with a more comprehensive set of potential failure issues, project steps, and recommendations, they hope to more quickly acquire the funding needed for the restoration of White Oak Bayou.