Converse Consultants services

Most construction projects require a geotechnical study, commonly referred to as a “soils report”. The purpose of the study is to identify the geological features and hazards of the site and to determine the engineering properties of the earth materials. A geotechnical study begins with a review of geological maps and reports to determine the geological setting of the site and to identify any known faults, landslides, or other geologic features that may require further study.

Most buildings in seismically active areas should not be located across active faults. Structures that cannot be moved to avoid faults must be designed to tolerate movement of the fault. Converse geologists evaluate fault hazards by researching maps of known active faults and comparing them to the planned construction. Aerial photographs and previous geotechnical reports may provide evidence of nearby faulting.