Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is geotechnical engineering?

It is the discipline of civil engineering which regards the behavior of earth materials. Geotechnical engineering uses the principles of soil and rock mechanics for the solution of its respective problems. It also relies on properties of geology, hydrology, geophysics, and other related sciences.


Why are geotechnical investigations mandatory?

The process is a requirement to understand a variety of site characteristics which each municipality wants recorded prior to development. Groundwater levels, bedrock depth, and soil stratigraphy will all contribute to the design parameters of your project.


Is nuclear density gauge radiation harmful?

Nuclear gauges contain radioactive source material and are potentially dangerous if used improperly. However, research findings indicate no radiological health hazard exists for operators of nuclear gauges when appropriate safety precautions are observed. Distance, shielding, and safe storage all keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable.


What does E2K mean?

Our founder, Brad Ellingwood grew up in New Brunswick, where the postal code of his hometown began with “E2K”. When starting his engineering firm, he looked to his hometown for inspiration and decided to bring this small piece of home to Alberta.