geotechnical engineering
A company which calculates soil conditions and foundation requirements for a structure.
A geotechnical engineer is a company responsible for determining soil conditions and foundation requirements. It generally plays a major role in determining the choice of foundation design made by the structural engineer.
The assessment establishes ground conditions and the resulting requirements for foundations. It provides information that influences the choice of foundation design, rather than being the physical construction of the foundation.
A foundation engineer specializes in substructure design, load calculation, and inspection. A ground surveyor prepares site maps and diagrams, which is distinct from determining soil conditions and foundation requirements.