Blog

The Panama Canal – the route that united oceans and changed the world

April 10, 2025

The Panama Canal is one of the world’s greatest engineering achievements and is a symbol of human ingenuity and technical excellence. This artificial waterway, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Panama, has played a key role in the development of global trade, geopolitical relations, and global logistics. Its history is […]

Landslide Remediation on the DC6 State Road, Jurovski Brod–Dvor Section

March 27, 2025

In Karlovac County, on the DC6 state road, in the Jurovski Brod–Dvor section, at station 14 + 400 km, two landslides have activated. The western landslide has occurred over a total width of approximately 65.0 m and affects the roadway over a width of about 40.0 m. The eastern landslide has occurred over a total […]

Open pit protection design for the building in Stenjevac

March 13, 2025

In the northern part of Zagreb, in the Gornji Stenjevec district, the construction of a residential building with three separate housing units is planned. For the execution of the project, it is necessary to cut into the existing terrain to a maximum depth of approximately 9.50 meters and provide temporary open pit protection. Geotechnical investigation […]

Landslide remediation design on the DC32 state road

February 27, 2025

A landslide has been activated in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, on the southwestern side of the DC32 state road, between the settlements of Prhci and Tršće, measuring approximately 25.0 meters in length and 35.0 meters in width. The main failure surface of the landslide is located along the edge of the newly asphalted section. The road […]

Lupoglav – Raša Study

February 20, 2025

The existing L213 Lupoglav – Raša railway line extends approximately 53 km and is a significant infrastructural connection in the region. Built in 1948 and opened for traffic in 1952, the railway was closed on 26 December 2008, due to geotechnical issues, primarily the activation of a landslide known as the “drunk railway”. The railway […]

Soil permeability

January 30, 2025

Soil permeability refers to how easily water moves through soil. It is expressed using the permeability coefficient (k), which measures the rate at which water flows through a given soil area under a specific pressure gradient. Permeability is influenced by factors such as fluid properties, temperature, soil particle size, void ratio, and soil composition. According […]

Open pit protection and foundation design for the Valkane hotel

January 16, 2025

Valkane Hotel, designed by the renowned architectural studio 3LHD, is situated at a unique location within the former quarry in Pula.In line with the architectural concept, our scope of work included the development of a geotechnical report and the main open pit protection and foundation design. Geotechnical investigation and testing For the preparation of the […]

The Effect of Frost on Soil

December 12, 2024

Frost is a natural phenomenon that affects not only people’s daily lives but also the stability and characteristics of soil. When temperatures drop below zero, water in the soil’s pores freezes, causing processes such as volume expansion and changes in soil bearing capacity. These changes can have significant consequences for infrastructure, building foundations and the […]

Hotel Panorama – Geotechnical investigation and testing and open pit protection design

November 28, 2024

In the southeastern part of the town of Opatija, the reconstruction and extension of the Panorama Hotel is planned. As part of this reconstruction and extension, we participated in the development of the open pit protection design. The architectural design is sign by mataija x sipina x turato. Existing condition of the building The existing […]

Field Methods for Soil Parameter Testing

November 14, 2024

Pocket shear vane device and pocket penetrometer In safe design and execution of various interventions in the soil, such as building foundations, dams, embankments, tunnels and retaining structures, understanding the properties of the soil plays a significant role. Not only is it crucial to understand the soil properties but also to implement testing methods and […]

Open pit protection and foundation design for the New School in Kastav

October 24, 2024

Because of the increasing number of students, Milan Brozović Elementary School in Kastav, which currently has over 800 students, is facing the need to address the overburdening of its capacity and improve working conditions. In response to these challenges, the construction of a new branch school is planned. The architectural design was developed by 3LHD, […]

Impact of Waste Disposal on Landfill Stability

October 17, 2024

Waste disposal at landfills is a complex process that requires precise planning, design and management to minimize the risks of environmental and safety issues and to ensure the long-term stability of the landfill structure. The stability of the landfill depends on a range of factors, including geological, technical and ecological aspects, and the proper control […]

Open pit protection design for the Health center in Opatija

September 26, 2024

An expansion of the existing Health Center in the center of Opatija has been planned. The architectural design is by Athitektonsko-građevinski atelje d.o.o. To facilitate the execution of this construction project, we have developed the main and detailed temporary open pit protection design. The open pit protection is divided into three types, depending on the […]

Sinkhole remediation

September 12, 2024

In our previous blog, we discussed the phenomenon of sinkholes, their characteristics and the potential dangers that arise when they become active. This follow-up blog will focus on remediation methods and measures taken to mitigate their harmful effects. Sinkhole remediation is a crucial process to prevent further soil collapse and protect the surrounding infrastructure, buildings […]

Sinkholes in Karst Areas

August 29, 2024

Sinkholes in karst areas are a fascinating and often alarming geological phenomenon. These depressions in the soil primarily form because of the chemical dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite and gypsum by water, which is common in karst landscapes. Understanding the formation, characteristics and potential hazards of sinkholes is crucial, especially since they […]

Open pit protection design – House of Senj Writers

August 1, 2024

In the old town of Senj, the reconstruction and repurposing of a building adjacent to the city museum is planned. As part of this reconstruction and repurposing, we participated in the development of the open pit protection design. Existing condition of the building The load-bearing walls of the building are made of stone and solid […]

The importance of engineering and geological mapping in slope protection

July 18, 2024

Engineering and geological mapping is a fundamental step in planning and executing slope protection works. This process involves the detailed collection, analysis and interpretation of data on the geological and geotechnical characteristics of the terrain. It enables engineers to identify potential risks and develop effective strategies for stabilizing and protecting slopes during and after construction […]

Laboratory Accreditation According to Standard HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025

June 20, 2024

HRN EN ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard that establishes general requirements for testing and calibration laboratories according to which they can initiate a standardized management system and verify their competence for testing, calibration and sampling which they might carry out in their field of work. This standard sets requirements for technical competence, quality management […]

Geotech at the 18th Days of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers 2024

June 18, 2024

We are proud to announce that have participated in the 18th Days of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers, which were held in the beautiful city of Opatija at the Ambassador Hotel. This event, the largest congress gathering in Croatia brought together as many as 1700 civil engineering professionals this year. Organized by the Croatian […]

Caesarea Maritima: Pioneering Hydraulic Concrete in 22-10 BCE

May 23, 2024

Caesarea Maritima, a city constructed over 2,000 years ago (circa 22-10 BCE) on the Eastern Mediterranean coast, stands as a testament to Roman engineering and the ambitious vision of Herod the Great (r. 37-4 BCE). This metropolis, featuring a colossal harbor, became a central maritime trading hub of its time. Remarkably, Caesarea Maritima boasted the […]

Kosavin Landslide Remediation on the 5062 County Road

May 16, 2024

In the village of Kosavin of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, a landslide has occurred along the 5062 county road, approximately 37.0 meters wide and 25.0 meters long, on the southern roadside. The landslide is characterized by a frontal crack approximately 3.0 m high. In some parts, the landslide has the properties of a mud flow, and […]

3 rd Open Days of Geotechnics – Secondary School of Civil Engineering in Rijeka, May 2024

May 14, 2024

In cooperation with Rijekaprojekt geotehničko istraživanje d.o.o. and the Secondary School of Civil Engineering in Rijeka, we organized the Open Day of Geotechnics for the third year in a row. This event is not only an opportunity to promote geotechnics, but also an indicator of our investment in young people and their education. This year’s […]

Measuring equipment for displacement monitoring

April 11, 2024

(Inclinometers, Geodetic Points and Clinometers) The term deformation refers to all the changes that occur on infrastructure facilities or structures, in their surroundings during construction or use, as well as changes that occur after the completion of structure construction or on slopes — landslides. Geometric changes that occur on structures can be related to the […]

Geotechnical Investigation and Testing for the Jadroagent Logistics Center

March 28, 2024

The development of the Kukuljanovo industrial zone is progressing rapidly and we are witnessing the intensive construction of new facilities intended for production, logistics and sales. Among these new projects, the construction of a modern Jadroagent logistics center stands out. This new facility, the area of which will cover 10,000 square meters, is key infrastructure […]

The use of CPTU for determining the liquefaction potential

March 7, 2024

Soil liquefaction is a common and often highly devastating event that occurs during seismic events. Predicting this phenomenon poses a significant challenge for engineers and is crucial for the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in seismically active areas. The goal of this blog is to demonstrate how, by using the geotechnical parameters obtained through Cone Penetration […]

Foundation and Open Pit Protection Design for the Research Medical Center in Split

February 8, 2024

In the center of Split, as part of Križine Hospital, which is itself part of the University Hospital of Split, the construction of the Split Research Medical Center (IMCS) is planned. For the purposes of the construction, we made the main foundation and temporary open pit protection design. It is necessary to cut into the […]

The effect of local soil and structure height on seismic response

January 25, 2024

In the world of civil engineering, understanding seismic response and the complex interaction between soil and structures is of paramount importance. Seismic events can have a significant and often destructive impact on the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure, making it vital for engineers to explore the complexities of the behavior of the foundation soil […]

Temporary Open Pit Protection for a Residential Building in Zagreb

December 14, 2023

In the northern part of Zagreb, the reconstruction of a residential building with one residential unit is planned, with the requirement of keeping the outer wall of the existing building. The state of the existing building before the beginning of the reconstruction design was such that the building did not meet the basic requirements in […]

The Effect of Moisture Content and Particle Size on Direct Shear and Oedometer Tests

December 7, 2023

The general term “soil” is usually defined as the product of the weathering of the Earth’s crust. Different professions will consider those properties of soil that are most relevant to them. Where construction is concerned, the engineering properties of soil are paramount. These properties include moisture content, specific gravity, porosity, particle size, consistency limits, etc. […]

Geotechnical investigation and testing for Hotel Biševo in Komiža

November 16, 2023

The town of Komiža is located on the western coast of the island of Vis. On this location, right by the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in Ribarska Street, the construction of a new building — Hotel Biševo — is planned. This future building brings a combination of luxury and Mediterranean charm, and the architectural […]

The Geological Development of Coastal Croatia

November 2, 2023

The geological development of Coastal Croatia is characterized by intense tectonic processes that have changed and unfolded over millions of years. As a result, the surface of Croatia consists of various types of rocks, deposited and deformed under different circumstances. However, a large part of Croatia, almost the entirety of Coastal Croatia, is composed of […]

Foundation design for the construction of several facilities of a vegetable drying plant in Virovitica

October 19, 2023

To the northwest of Virovitica, in the village of Korija, the construction of a vegetable drying plant is planned. The plant will have a drying capacity of 410 kg of vegetables per hour. For the construction, we made the main foundation design for the following facilities of the planned drying plant: production plant for preparing […]

Construction of “The Line” – the megacity of the future

September 26, 2023

In the desert of Saudi Arabia, more precisely in the province of Tabuk in the northwest of the country, impressive works are underway on the construction of a futuristic megacity called “The Line”. This project, the value of which is estimated at 500 billion dollars, represents one of the most ambitious urban planning undertakings in […]

Open pit protection design for a residential building in Zagreb

August 31, 2023

In the northeastern part of the city of Zagreb, the construction of a semi-buried residential building with three residential units is planned. Two residential units are to be constructed on the first floor and the third one on the second floor, while a garage is also planned for the underground level. The maximum dimensions of […]

The first undersea roundabout in the world

August 3, 2023

The Faroe Islands, a picturesque archipelago in the North Atlantic, are known for their beautiful nature and one unique attraction – the world’s first undersea roundabout. This magical circular roadabout plays a key role in shaping the environment and the ecosystem of the Faroe Islands. Named “Jellyfish”, the undersea roundabout resembles a large jellyfish or […]

Expansive clay

July 20, 2023

Clays belong to sedimentary deposits and are defined as soils with particles of colloidal dimensions. Basically, they consist of hydrated aluminosilicates, but due to variations in structure and mineral composition, more than 30 clay minerals have been defined, each with its own properties. Furthermore, their properties change significantly with changes in the conditions in which […]

Geotech at the Days of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers in Opatija 2023

July 4, 2023

In the beautiful Ambasador Hotel in Opatija, from June 15 to June 17, 2023, the 17th Days of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers were held. This event has already become traditional, and it is recognized as an excellent opportunity for experts of different profiles from the field of construction to get together and exchange […]

Hrib landslide remediation on local road L58007

June 27, 2023

In the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, in the village of Hrib, a landslide with a width of 35.0 m and a length of 47.0 m has occurred. The landslide is characterized by its vertical front crack measuring 1.0 m in height and three secondary front cracks ranging between 10.0 m and 18.0 m within the body […]

Soil consistency limits

May 25, 2023

In its natural state, soil appears in various forms. All soil characteristics, from its natural humidity to the distribution of particle sizes, provide us with a background for understanding its behavior. Each piece of information that brings us closer to understanding its character helps us predict future situations or remedy existing ones at a particular […]

2nd Open Days of Geotechnics – Secondary School of Civil Engineering in Rijeka, May 2023

May 11, 2023

Investing in knowledge, education and young people is a long-term process that gives the best results when it is carried out regularly and systematically. As a society, we must recognize the importance of investing in education to build a resilient and sustainable future. This was exactly our motivation to organize the 2nd Open Days of […]

Open pit protection and foundation design for the residential and commercial building in Pula

April 13, 2023

In the central part of the city of Pula, within a residential block, the construction of a residential and commercial building is planned. The future building will be terraced, with 5 floors. Two commercial spaces, on the first floor, and 15 apartments will be located inside the building.The structure of the building will be made […]

Dynamic compaction

March 23, 2023

Good-quality compaction is highly significant for the proper relationship between the bearing capacity and deformation in connection with safety, usability, life span and maintenance of structures either lying on earth material or made of such material. Dynamic compaction (DC), also known as dynamic deep compaction, is a ground improvement technique in which drop weight, typically […]

The influence of groundwater on the stability of soil and underground parts of structures

February 17, 2023

If structures are constructed in areas with a high level of groundwater, it can have a significant impact on the stability of soil and underground parts of the structures. A high level of groundwater at the location can cause a decrease in the shear strength of the foundation soil under the structures, an increase in […]

Open pits protection design – the Glamping camp at Fužine

January 26, 2023

The construction of a glamping camp is planned in the town of Fužine, along the southwestern shore of Lake Bajer. The camp will have 15 accommodation units, a central building, and a garage. The construction will take place on a newly formed building plot with a unique area of about 12,000 m2. Planned works Project […]

The Adriatic Highway, one of the most beautiful roads that changed Croatia

December 15, 2022

After the Second World War, most of the towns and cities on the Adriatic coast in Croatia were connected only by sea. What was lacking was a solid road link. During the Second World War, the construction of the Adriatic Highway was already begun, and it lasted until 1965. This road stretches from the Slovenian […]

Open pit protection design for the Blu Mare hotel in Novigrad

December 1, 2022

Construction of a new accommodation and catering facility, a hotel, of a total area of 1101 m2 is planned within the historical center of Novigrad. Planned works The future hotel building is planned to have five floors (four above ground and one underground). The hotel capacity is 56 beds organized in 24 accommodation units (rooms). […]

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) test

November 10, 2022

Hardness is the basic quantitative engineering property of a rock sample. Assessing the strength and deformability of rock mass is of great importance for the implementation of numerical analyses in rock mechanics. Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is a geomechanical rock parameter that describes the maximum axial load that the sample can withstand without lateral loading. […]

Open pit protection and foundation design – UPOV Požega

October 27, 2022

In the eastern part of the city of Požega, the reconstruction and extension of the Požega agglomeration wastewater treatment plant (UPOV Požega) is planned. For the construction project, we made the main and detailed temporary open pit protection and foundation design for the following facilities: – facilities of the biological block (floor plan dimensions approx. […]

Dubravci landslide remediation on state road DC3

October 13, 2022

The remediation works on the Dubravci landslide, located on state road DC3, section 012, at km 4+400 in Karlovac County, have been completed. For this project, we carried out the engineering geological and geotechnical investigation and testing and made the main and detailed landslide remediation designs. We also carried out the complete supervision of the […]

Slope and rockfall protection on the location Banska vrata in Rijeka

September 29, 2022

Rockfall, of smaller or larger scope, is a frequent occurrence along Croatian roads, especially in mountainous areas. In January 2020, a rockfall occurred near the Banska Vrata tunnel in Rijeka. Unstable blocks weighing up to several tons fell on the road and it was closed for traffic for a while. In order to ensure safe […]

Video logging in boreholes

September 15, 2022

For the purpose of design, construction and management of large hydrotechnical and geotechnical structures, there was a need for an instrument adapted for use in the karst area. Based on experience with the application and servicing of existing instruments, activities related to their improvement as well as the design of a new hydrogeological instrument for […]

Logging measurements in boreholes

September 1, 2022

Geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations are carried out in order to determine the characteristics of the foundation soil and the water-bearing systems, which include logging measurements in boreholes. Logging measurements are geophysical measurements in boreholes that describe the physical properties of the drilled soil and rock and they are connected to geological and petrological properties. Physical […]

Brebornica landslide remediation on the DC1 state road

July 28, 2022

The remediation works on the Brebornica landslide, located on state road DC1, section 011, at km 4+500 in Karlovac County, have been completed. For this project we carried out the engineering geological and geotechnical investigation and testing and made the main and detailed landslide remediation design. During the execution of the works, we also carried […]

Professional excursion to Pelješac

July 19, 2022

To keep up with the steady and constant company growth and the increasing number of projects we are involved with, we organized a professional excursion to visit the active construction sites in the southern part of Croatia. On our trip, we visited some impressive construction sites for the projects we were a part of, all […]

Geotechnical investigation and testing on the M104 Novska–Tovarnik–DG railway line, section Sibinj–Slavonski Brod

June 30, 2022

The M104 railway is an integral part of the main line that connected the cities of Ljubljana, Zagreb and Belgrade during the Yugoslavia era. This route was built in sections in the period from 1849 to 1897 at the time of the greatest 19th-century development of railway infrastructure in the world. The Slavonski Brod–Sibinj section […]

Open Days of Geotechnics – Secondary School of Civil Engineering School in Rijeka, May 2022

June 1, 2022

Quality education is a fundamental part of all social activities and it reflects the values of society. To ensure a prosperous future for young people, the whole community must invest in knowledge. The key to the success of any modern society is to connect the education and higher education system with the labor market and […]

Project Documentation Audit

May 24, 2022

An audit is the process of reviewing and controlling project documentation conducted by persons authorized by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets. In accordance with the law, project documentation is controlled with regard to the mechanical resistance and stability of structures. A person may be authorized to perform project documentation auditing if […]

Grain size analysis

April 28, 2022

All soils consist of differently sized and shaped particles (grains). These particles are grouped into size intervals (fractions). The distribution of fractions makes up the granulometric composition of soil (Latin granulum – small grain). The granulometric composition or particle size distribution of soil is one of its basic descriptive parameters, used for evaluating the physical […]

Drilling a geothermal borehole

April 19, 2022

In the search for cleaner and more environmentally friendly forms of energy, i.e., renewable energy sources, geothermal energy presents itself as a good solution. Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated in the interior of the Earth by the slow decay of radioactive elements, chemical reactions, or friction during the movement of tectonic masses. The amount […]

Underground fortifications and shelters in Rijeka and its surroundings

March 31, 2022

shelters in Rijeka

Geotechnical investigation and testing – Port of Omiš

March 11, 2022

The reconstruction of the paved promenade and the construction of a pier with docks are planned in the coastal part of Omiš, near the river Cetina estuary. To prepare the detailed design for the reconstruction of the port open to the public, we have carried out geotechnical investigation works and drafted a geotechnical report. Geological and […]

Construction of a piezometric well

February 24, 2022

Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources. In order to gain insight into the quality and quantity of groundwater we use piezometric wells. Piezometric wells are used to monitor groundwater levels and determine aquifer parameters such as transmissibility, hydraulic conductivity and storage, and they also give us the ability to sample groundwater for chemical […]

Open pit protection and foundation design – the Hotel Ičići

February 8, 2022

The construction of a new hotel is planned in the small town of Ičići, located in the southwestern part of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. The site of the construction is bordered by Anton Dimnaka street and Bršljana street on the north and the northeast side, the Liburnija state road (DC66) on the southeast side, and […]

Underground Stone Exploitation

January 14, 2022

Underground exploitation is a relatively new approach to stone exploitation. While surface exploitation is still the most common method of obtaining stone, the underground method can replace the former method in those situations where the exploitation process is technically demanding and economically unprofitable. Despite a number of advantages of underground exploitation over surface exploitation, it […]

Marine geophysics

December 14, 2021

In certain cases, conventional offshore geotechnical investigation and testing (exploratory drilling) of the foundation soil are not possible or are highly complex to carry out, which directly affects the financial aspect of the project. In such cases, geophysical surveys of the foundation soil are used instead. Geophysical surveys include the application of geophysical methods for […]

Reinforced soil retaining structures – Pelješac Bridge access roads

December 9, 2021

The construction of the Pelješac Bridge is the largest infrastructure project in Croatia at the moment. The precondition for the first vehicles to cross the bridge is the construction of access roads – an integral part of the project of connecting southern Dalmatia with the rest of Croatia. We have also played our part in […]

Direct shear

November 25, 2021

Taking into account the intended function and the client requirements, each building is evaluated to anticipate its performance in order to ensure the safety of its future users. This applies to both the building itself and the foundation soil. The permissible loads and deformations are taken into account—these will depend on the structure and the […]

Execution of reinforced concrete diaphragms

October 21, 2021

A reinforced concrete diaphragm is a reinforced concrete structure used for open pit protection. The construction has the task to protect the stability of the vertical excavation of the open pit, to prevent displacements that could cause damage to neighboring buildings and installations, and to prevent the penetration of groundwater into the open pit. Reinforced […]

Geofluid 2021

September 23, 2021

Last week our path took us to the city of Piacenza near Milan, where we attended one of the most important fairs for drilling machines, mining industry, special foundations, and geological, geophysical and geotechnical investigation and testing—the Geofluid 2021. Together with our partner company Rijekaprojekt geotehničko istraživanje d.o.o. we explored the entire fair, looking at […]

Slope and rockfall protection – the ZVIR complex

September 10, 2021

Works on the slope and rockfall protection at the Zvir Complex in Rijeka have been completed. For this project we have carried out engineering geological and geotechnical investigation and testing and made the detailed slope and rockfall protection design. The supervision of protection works we performed included the analysis and verification of the situation in […]

Oedometer soil test

July 29, 2021

Predicting the settlements of structures is one of the most demanding problems faced by designers in geotechnics. Disregard and incorrect assumptions about foundation soil compressibility can lead to additional stresses within the structure and ultimately to its cracking and collapse. Two components are most important to designers observing settlements: the value of the total settlements […]

KOLOS, the most significant award for construction in Croatia, presented to our very own Mirko Grošić for the open pit protection design for the Roxanich Heritage Wine Hotel and Wine Cellar project

June 25, 2021

At the 15th Days of the Croatian Chamber of Civil Engineers in Opatija, on June 17, 2021, the winners of the annual Kolos Awards were announced. The Kolos Awards are presented for special contribution to the Chamber and its promotion in the country and abroad, for contribution to the construction profession and for the development […]

A case of foundation soil failure – the Transcona grain elevator

June 10, 2021

The Canadian Pacific Railway Company built the Transcona grain elevator near Winnipeg, Canada in 1913. The warehouse was designed to store grain from the city of Winnipeg and the wider area. Winnipeg, being located at the intersection of roads connecting the east and the west of Canada, developed one of the largest grain markets in […]

Open pit protection and sealing design – Keight Hotel, Katarina Line

May 25, 2021

In the center of the city of Opatija, within the Slatina zone, the construction of a building for catering and tourism purposes ― a 5-star hotel ― is planned. The location intended for construction is bordered by Veli Jože Street on the west side, the Opatija Hotel on the north side and a town villa […]

Geotechnical investigation and testing – Albatros 2 Hotel in Cavtat

May 11, 2021

The construction of a new Albatros 2 Hotel building is planned on a plot of about 50 thousand square meters near the town of Cavtat, about 850 meters from the historic center between the Žal Promenade and Put od Oboda Street. Planned works Sports courts and the existing Albatros 1 Hotel built in the seventies […]

Groundwater level measurement

April 16, 2021

Groundwater is one of the greatest treasures of Croatia, but in geotechnics it often causes great problems when excavating open pits. In the Republic of Croatia, about 90% of drinking water is in the form of groundwater. To better understand the processes related to groundwater, long-term (one year minimum) monitoring of groundwater levels is necessary. […]

Discovery of Mohorovičić’s (Moho) Discontinuity

April 1, 2021

Andrija Mohorovičić was a Croatian geophysicist, born on January 23, 1857 in Volosko near Opatija. After finishing primary school in Volosko and high school in Rijeka, he moved to Prague where he studied mathematics and physics at the Faculty of Philosophy. One of his professors was Ernst Mach, the famous physicist. After graduating, he worked […]

Foundation and retaining structure design – Radeševo cable car, Platak

March 11, 2021

As part of the Platak Sports Center, there is a cable car in Radeševo for sporting and recreational purposes, which was built in the 80s. In order to achieve a higher passenger capacity of the cable car and provide additional services (transport of passengers and bicycles when the cable car is not being used for […]

Subgrade reaction modulus

February 25, 2021

In foundation design, it is common to assume that the reaction of the soil foundation at each point of the foundation is proportional to its deflection. The vertical deformation characteristics of the foundation are defined by independent, closely spaced, discrete and linearly elastic springs. This relatively simple mechanical representation of the soil foundation was first […]

Petram Resort Savudrija – the aparthotel foundation design

December 17, 2020

Located at the northernmost point of the Croatian coast, on the very border with Slovenia and Italy, at the micro-location Alberi in Savudrija in northwestern Istria, the construction of the impressive Petram Resort is planned. The new resort will offer 252 top-quality properties for holiday or residence. As part of the resort, the construction of […]

INA Rijeka Refinery Modernization Project

November 12, 2020

The modernization of the Rijeka Oil Refinery is the largest single investment project in the history of the INA oil company. The project includes the construction of a heavy waste treatment plant, the reconstruction of existing units, as well as the construction of a new port with a closed coke warehouse at the INA Rijeka […]

QUALITY STANDARD CERTIFICATES ISO 9001:2015 and SCCP:2011

October 9, 2020

In order to ensure the quality and efficiency of our services, we decided to upgrade our business processes with certificates of quality. The certification scope of our work is geotechnical investigation and testing, design services, supervision and consulting in geotechnical engineering. The certification procedure has proved the top quality of our services as defined by […]

Lighting effects in the longest road tunnel in the world – the Lærdal Tunnel, Norway

October 7, 2020

Norway is a country of an exceptional landscape, known for its fjords and high mountains, so it is no wonder that Norwegians build tunnels that not only pass through hills and mountains but also connect fjords.The Lærdal Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in the world. This impressive 24.5 km long tunnel stretches between Aurland […]

Sign up for Knowledge Transfer – a project of the University of Rijeka Foundation

September 14, 2020

As part of the Riječka ideja, the University of Rijeka Foundation in cooperation with the companies Alarm Automatika d.o.o. and Geotech d.o.o. has announced a competition for the granting of the Knowledge Transfer Award. Since we are always happy to respond to calls for cooperation from the University of Rijeka Foundation, we decided to participate […]

Laboratory testing of rock mass strength

September 10, 2020

Laboratory testing is one of the most important segments in the study of rock properties and behavior in different conditionst is an integral part of geotechnical exploration and investigation works. There are several methods of laboratory testing of rock mass strength, and the most important are UCS (Uniaxial compressive strength), PLT (Strength index determined by […]

Local soil conditions – Mexico City earthquake

August 27, 2020

What is earthquake? An earthquake is the shaking of the ground surface. It is result of sudden fracture and slippage of brittle rock formation in the Earth’s lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Seismic waves propagate through the earth in all directions. The ground shaking is caused by the waves that reach the earth’s surface. Shaking […]

Palm Islands – a view from space

July 9, 2020

The Palm Islands are the largest artificial islands in the world. Built in the shape of a stylized palm tree, they are located on the outskirts of Dubai in the Persian Gulf. They are so large that they are visible to the naked eye from space. To create the look of the perfect palm tree, […]

Open pit protection and foundation design – Aparthotel Žnjan

June 26, 2020

The construction of a new catering and tourism facility, the Aparthotel Žnjan, is planned in the southeastern part of the city of Split, in the seaside district of Žnjan. The location for the planned construction is between Šetalište Pape Ivana Pavla II Street on the south side and Put Žnjana Street on the north side. […]

Corner effect in a building pit – comparison of 2D and 3D analysis

June 18, 2020

Design of the retaining structure (building pit) is important for choosing a reliable and cost-effective solution. This brings the necessity of a realistic calculation approach. Most of the computer programs for design of retaining structures are based on two-dimensional modeling. Two-dimensional (2D) plane-strain assumption is that section continues infinitely along the axis perpendicular to the […]

Rockfall and slope protection on state road D66, section 003, from km 15+000 to km 23+000

May 28, 2020

Works on rockfall and slope protection on state road D66, section 003, from km 15+000 to km 23+000 are completed. We have carried out the engineering geological and geotechnical exploration and investigation works and made the main and detailed rockfall and slope protection design. In addition, we have carried out the engineering supervision which included […]

The Louisiana – from the most important road in history to a tourist attraction

April 23, 2020

The Louisiana road (also known as Louisiana and Via Ludovice) was one of the most important roads in Croatian history. It was the shortest road connecting Rijeka and Karlovac and one of the most significant roads in Austria-Hungary. Not only did it meet the requirements of developing commerce and both manufacturing and industrial production at […]

Retaining structures remediation methods

April 3, 2020

Retaining structures are used to retain soil or rock mass. They are commonly used to retain changes of ground elevation and buttress the toe of slopes. There are several types of retaining structures: Gravity retaining walls Cantilever retaining walls Anchored and reinforced soil structures Gabion retaining walls Collapse of a retaining structure Total collapses of […]

Ancient Roman roads – a monument to history and road construction

March 26, 2020

The ancient Romans were famous builders. They left behind them many bridges, canals, stone-paved roads and other engineering masterpieces all throughout the Roman Empire. The vast Roman Empire boasted a very large and extensive network of roads. It is estimated that the roads in the network were more than 400,000 km long and that over […]

Terramesh system – Reinforced soil retaining structure

March 19, 2020

The Terramesh system is one of the systems used in the construction of reinforced soil retaining structures. Reinforced soil retaining structures are executed by combining the embankment behind the front side of the retaining structure with tensile elements such as geomesh, hexagonal mesh, traps, etc. This type of structure is stable thanks to the interaction […]

Landslide mapping using Remote Sensing

March 13, 2020

Landslides are phenomena that occur as a result of sliding processes. In some cases, landslides can also occur after other types of movement which occur either immediately after a breakdown or later, when a mass moves down a slope, as a consequence of the changes in the properties of the triggered material. Landslide mapping methods […]

GIS system application in business planning

February 25, 2020

Regardless of the type of data, objects and activities one is working with, the easiest way to manage and organize them is by using a system. In the case of business and spatial planning, the most useful is the geographic information system, or GIS. Although all systems involve connecting activities and objects that serve a […]

Three-dimensional numerical analysis – Plaxis 3D

February 14, 2020

It seems almost unimaginable today to conduct a problem analysis and structure calculation in geotechnical engineering without the use of numerical modeling. The use of advanced numerical methods, such as the finite element method, allows us to carry out complex analyses that help us describe soil behavior and structure, as well as their interaction. Because […]

A review of the past year – The year of the major projects

February 7, 2020

Geotech’s CEO Mirko Grošić gives a brief overview of 2019, a successful and eventful year in all business aspects. Read the following interview to find out what was most significant in the past year and what our plans for the future are… How satisfied are you with what you achieved during the past year? The […]

Top-down construction method

January 23, 2020

In most common construction methods, buildings with underground parts are built by the bottom-up method where sub-structure and super-structure floors are constructed sequentially from the lowest level of basement to the top of the building. Though this conventional method, also called a bottom-up method, is simple in both design and construction, it is not feasible […]

Deep foundation for a new school building in Osijek

December 19, 2019

The construction for a new school building of the Prva gimnazija high school is planned in the northwestern part of Osijek. The site is located between Strossmayerova street to the south, opposite the Pejačević Castle, with Podravska street to the east and the river Drava to the north. Planned works The new building will cover […]