When land has been disturbed — by mining, industrial use, landfill, or major earthworks — returning it to a stable, safe, and productive state is called land reclamation. Poorly managed reclamation can leave hidden liabilities: unstable soil, contamination, poor drainage, and uneven settlement. Done correctly, however, it transforms a liability into long-term value. Why Land Reclamation Matters […]

Introduction If you’re a landowner, developer, general contractor, architect, or structural engineer who actually wants to get the most for your money when it comes to foundations and earthwork, this article’s for you. This discussion is about value engineering at its finest: understanding when a deep foundation is truly necessary and when smart collaboration can save you a fortune. Why We Go […]

What Is a 3rd Party Peer Review and Why Is It Important? I get this question a lot. A third-party peer review is an independent technical check of a design performed by someone who was not involved in creating it. In my case, that means I review geostructural systems such as aggregate piers, rigid inclusions, soil mixing, compaction grouting, […]

When geostructural projects face distress or dispute, the issues are almost never simple. They often involve complex soil behavior, construction methods, and design interpretation. My role is to make those issues clear and defensible. I serve as an expert witness and litigation support consultant on geostructural projects across the U.S., with specialized expertise in aggregate […]

When working with sites that involve cuts, slopes, or grade separations, one of the most important design elements is the earth retention system. These systems hold back soil to create usable space, protect structures, or maintain stability during construction. There is no single solution that fits every project. Each system has its own strengths, limitations, […]

Helical piles (also known as screw piles or helical piers) are among the most versatile deep foundation systems available today. Modern helical piles consist of steel shafts with one or more helical plates that literally screw into the ground, providing both end-bearing and frictional resistance. Applications Helical piles are used in both new construction and foundation repair projects. For […]

The Advantages of STELCOR® Drilled-In Displacement Micropiles When load demand meets poor soil, STELCOR® piles by IDEAL GROUP offer an elegant solution that bridges the gap between traditional deep foundations and ground improvement systems. Unlike driven or auger-cast piles, STELCOR® Drilled-In Displacement Micropiles (DDMs) create strength through controlled soil displacement—not removal. The steel core and grout bond […]

When it comes to ground improvement, rigid inclusions don’t always need to be made of steel or concrete. In certain soil profiles and structural applications, timber piles can serve as an efficient, durable, and environmentally responsible alternative- especially for low- to moderate-load foundations. At Garbin GeoStructural Group, we’ve engineered and reviewed projects where timber piles were used […]

At Garbin GeoStructural Group (GGG), we love a challenge. Developers often come to us excited about a “great deal” they’ve scored on a piece of land—only to discover that the site has more slop than soil. In today’s market, most prime properties have already been built on. What’s left are sites that remain undeveloped either […]