FORAGEO delivers comprehensive geotechnical investigation services that provide the subsurface data and engineering insight needed for safe, efficient, and cost-effective foundation design.

Our team combines experienced geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, and dedicated drilling crews to investigate a full spectrum of ground conditions—from soft alluvial deposits and reclaimed land to hard rock and complex mixed-ground profiles. We manage the entire investigation process, from initial desk study through fieldwork, laboratory testing, and final engineering recommendations.

Our Geotechnical Services

  • Borehole Drilling

Truck-mounted and track-mounted rotary drilling rigs for:

  • Geotechnical boreholes in soil and rock to depths exceeding 200 m
  • Monitoring well installation
  • High-quality disturbed and undisturbed sample recovery
  • In-Situ Testing

Field testing to characterize in-situ soil and rock behavior, including:

  • Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)
  • Cone Penetration Tests (CPT/CPTu)
  • Pressuremeter tests
  • Vane shear tests
  • Plate load tests
  • Trial Pit Excavation

Machine-excavated trial pits for:

  • Shallow ground investigation and visual logging
  • Bulk sampling
  • Identification of buried obstructions and potential contamination
  • Laboratory Testing

UKAS-accredited geotechnical laboratory testing programs, including:

  • Classification tests (index properties, grading, Atterberg limits)
  • Compaction and CBR testing
  • Consolidation and permeability tests
  • Triaxial and shear strength tests
  • Chemical testing (sulfate, pH, and aggressive ground conditions)
  • Foundation Design Recommendations

Engineering analysis of investigation data to provide:

  • Foundation type selection (shallow, deep, piled, rafts, ground improvement)
  • Bearing capacity assessments
  • Settlement and deformation predictions
  • Earthworks and ground improvement specifications

Investigation Planning & Execution

Every investigation begins with a detailed desk study, reviewing:

  • Geological and hydrogeological maps
  • Historical borehole and site investigation records
  • Site history and previous land use
  • Available ground and contamination data

This informs a targeted investigation strategy that balances risk, coverage, and cost. Fieldwork is supervised by experienced engineering geologists to ensure data quality and compliance with relevant standards, including:

  • BS EN ISO 22475 for sampling
  • BS EN ISO 22476 for in-situ testing
  • Detailed borehole logging in accordance with BS 5930 and Eurocode 7

Laboratory testing is carried out in UKAS-accredited facilities, with results reported to the relevant British and European standards. Our geotechnical engineers integrate field and lab data to develop robust ground models, derive design parameters, and prepare clear, project-specific construction recommendations.

Applications

Our geotechnical investigations support a wide range of sectors and project types:

  • Building Foundations

Ground investigation and foundation design input for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, including:

  • Piled foundations
  • Raft and mat foundations
  • Ground improvement and remediation solutions
  • Transportation Infrastructure

Corridor and site investigations for:

  • Highways and railways
  • Bridges, culverts, and embankments
  • Tunnels and cuttings, including slope stability and subgrade assessment
  • Marine & Coastal Structures