Consultant's Corner
Newsletter of the Earth Systems group of companies

Building on the Past
Centuries of excavations under Paris have resulted in a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels, passages, and caverns.  Since the late 1700s, above-ground construction has been affected by geotechnical issues associated with underground excavations.  London's Big Ben is also experiencing the unintended consequences of construction underground. "Building on the Past" details the history and present day under- and above-ground conditions in Paris and London.  Additional stories cover tsunami debris, a skateboard park fundraising event, and fun facts about rhyolite.

Winter 2012

East Coast vs. West Coast Earthquakes
After the 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck near Virginia in August 2011, Earth Systems explains how compressional forces building up over time in the middle of the North American Tectonic Plate produced the earthquake. On the West Coast, the more frequent earthquakes result from the forces along the boundaries of two tectonic plates.  The history of the New Madrid earthquakes of the early 1800s is also presented.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.

Fall 2011

Kayaking the California Coast
In this issue, we highlight five kayaking tours from Big Sur to San Diego. Our retired employee, Robert Mohle, wrote the book on it: Adventure Kayaking, Trips from Big Sur to San Diego, and we highlight his work just in time for a summer or fall kayaking trek. We also profile leadership transitions with Earth Systems. Our Rock of the Season is Pyrite, which also makes a showing in our New of the Earth section.  There you'll learn about deep sea vents and iron disbursement throughout the ocean. In The Kitchen Sink, find out the origins of the term "Bluetooth" and the phrase "know the ropes."
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Summer 2011

Anatomy of a Tsunami
After the May 2011 tsunami along the northern coast of Japan, we thought it would helpful to explain the nature of the tsunami: its causes, behaviors, and early warning signs. Also in the spring issue, we profile our geotechnical work on one of our major projects: the Rose Bowl Renovation in Pasadena, California. We cover our annual technical seminar. And we feature serpentinite in Our Rock of the Season, and poke fun at engineers in The Kitchen Sink.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Spring 2011

Wine Caves are Back in Style
In this issue we delve into the long tradition of wine caves: their history, their advantages; and their construction. We also profile one of our employees and his experience as a contestant on "The Apprentice." We cover our participation in the I Madonnari Street Painting Festival, and announce a short course in wind turbine design. Our Rock of the Season is Flourite, and we just for fun there are jokes and trivia in The Kitchen Sink.
View the pdf of the full color newsletter.
Winter 2011

Low Impact Development: Geotechnical Considerations that May Affect Your Project
Although the benefits of on-site storm water infiltration are great, caution must be exercised in implementation due to the potential for unintended and potentially disastrous geotechnical consequences. The keys to avoiding unintended geotechnical consequences are identification of potential site constraints and proper siting of infiltration features.
View the pdf to read other articles including a profile of "Our Man in China."
Fall 2010

Coastal Development in a Warming World
State and local policies have been developed to require that coastal projects be set back from the edges of ocean bluffs. The policies of the California Coastal Commission have evolved in an effort to more accurately predict future bluff erosion rates and avoid situations such as what recently occurred in Pacifica, California. This article details what the Commission currently requires.
View the pdf to read other articles including "Mitigating Subsurface Water".
Summer 2010

Testing the Limits of High-Rise Construction
Designing and constructing the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates involved numerous technological challenges. This article details the process, as well as profiles other high-rise projects that presented various problems. "...a strong design team, adequate geotechnical investigation and competent quality assurance during construction are crucial to a successful project outcome."
Spring 2010

Earth Systems Global, Inc., a New Earth Systems’ company
 The newest member of Earth Systems, ESGI was formed to support the growth of renewable energies both nationally and internationally. Focusing on wind and solar energy development, ESGI offers unique and innovative foundation designs for support of wind turbines, thermal concentrators, and power distribution infrastructure. ESGI is the leading expert in the use of the P&H foundation designs: tensionless pier, and rock- and pile-anchor foundations. ESGI will be a key partner in the growth of renewable energy worldwide.
Winter 2010

Earth Systems, Inc. – Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
 The Earth Systems group of companies mark the 40th anniversary of operations.  The article traces the company’s evolution from a relatively small, local company to one of the larger, primarily geotechnical engineering firms in California.  
Fall 2009

Being Green Starts at the Ground
 The importance of obtaining geotechnical recommendations early in the process of a Green Building project; how Earth Systems can assist in achieving LEED certification.
Summer 2009

Engineers Without Borders: Building a Better World One Community at a Time
 A Professional Engineer from Earth Systems Pacific and students from the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo chapter of Engineers Without Borders conduct a site survey and assess geotechnical conditions for the development of a local health clinic in Nicaragua.
Spring 2009

It Could Have Been Worse
 How to minimize your risk to environmental contamination by evaluating properties and assessing possible environmental impairments prior to purchase. 
Winter 2009

Newsletter Archives