Geotechnical Engineering

Our Geotechnical Engineering team understands the ground beneath your feet and how it can impact your project.

Geotechnical risk awareness has grown significantly in recent years, driven by major events. Engaging geotechnical expertise early is key to ensuring practical and efficient solutions for your project. Our solutions-focused team works across projects of all sizes, from house additions to commercial developments, subdivisions, and infrastructure.

We partner with you at every stage, from pre-purchase due diligence through design and into construction monitoring and certification. This enables us to apply the right methodologies at the right time, adding real value throughout the project lifecycle.

Our team specialises in investigating the physical properties of soil and rock, using modern site and laboratory testing methods. We are led by chartered geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists, and include multiple Category 1 geotechnical professionals recognised by Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty Councils, along with registered professionals on the Auckland Producer Statement register.

Our Geotechnical Engineering services include:

Geotechnical Desktop Assessment and Geotechnical Reporting

Pre-purchase and due diligence assessments
Site investigations and advice
Residential geotechnical reports
Resource and Building Consent Geotechnical Reports
Geological hazard identification and assessment
Consultation and review of any previous Geotechnical work undertaken

Geotechnical Specific Assessment and Detailed Design

Shallow and deep foundation design
Liquefaction analysis
Slope stability analysis
Settlement analysis
Landslip assessment and remediation
Ground improvement solutions
Pile design
Retaining structure wall design
Ground improvement solutions
Infrastructure design (culverts, bridges, reservoirs)
Providing recommendations and specifications for all scale of earthworks
Design of onsite stormwater and wastewater disposal and treatment systems

Geotechnical Site Investigations

Geomorphic mapping
Hand auger investigations
Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT) and Machine Borehole supervision
Laboratory soil testing
Soil permeability testing (for onsite stormwater design)
Liaison with underground service locators, geophysical survey, and other specialist geotechnical testing contractors

Geotechnical Professional Construction Services

Liaison with Councils and other professionals
Geotechnical Construction Monitoring
Producer statements (PS1, PS2, and PS4)

Featured Geotechnical Projects

Our Projects

Tihi Tihi Pa Subdivision

Real Steel

Jack’s Landing

Cambridge Development

SEE ALL PROJECTS

FAQs

This depends on what your project is and the requirements of your local council. If you are unsure, feel free to get in touch with us or otherwise speak to the council directly. If you are building a house or a liveable shed, you will most likely need a geotechnical report to support your building consent application.
A geotechnical site investigation involves our engineers heading to your site to conduct hand augers and other handheld testing to log the soils and check the soil strength in the proposed building location. Depending on your site location additional deeper testing may be required however this will be included when we provide you with a quote.
A liquefaction assessment determines the potential for soil to lose its strength and behave like a liquid during an earthquake, which is known as liquefaction. You will likely need one if you are building on land identified as potentially susceptible to liquefaction, especially in earthquake-prone areas. Our geotechnical reports include a liquefaction assessment.
Our BCD Geotechnical Team can design retaining walls. With the help of detailed design software, we can assess the behaviour of the soils at your site to provide the most cost effective retaining solutions.
Our Geotechnical Team can provide the design of onsite stormwater and wastewater disposal systems. If your site is rural or not able to be connected to the council wastewater or stormwater mains, then it is likely that you will be required to dispose of your stormwater and wastewater on site. If you aren’t sure whether you require these for your new build, please get in touch and we can assist.
Construction monitoring is undertaken during the construction stage of the project, once building consent has been granted. Each project will have specific hold points at which engineering inspections are required to confirm the work is being completed according to the design. For geotechnical construction monitoring for a new dwelling, we typically observe the cleared subgrade (after topsoil has been removed) and the compaction of any hardfill.
A Producer Statement (PS) is a professional opinion that confirms that a building project complies with the New Zealand Building Code. A PS4 Geotechnical can be provided by BCD after all required construction monitoring inspections have been completed. A PS4 can be a requirement for a Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC).