We’ve built a reputation for solving complex geotechnical challenges on over 4,000 transportation projects across the U.S. With experience that extends across land, sea, and air transport, Schnabel is a valued partner to owners, designers, and contractors in this industry. We hold active contracts with numerous federal, state, and local DOTs, transit agencies, freight rail operators, airports, and seaport facilities.

All told, we’ve worked on design-build and P3 transportation projects collectively valued at over $15 billion. This experience translates into innovative design, construction cost savings, schedule attainment, and satisfied clients who appreciate our exceptional client service, team-oriented culture, and distinct array of services beyond the usual geotechnical engineering.

As the designer of record for tunnels, dams, and complex geostructures such as specialty foundations, underpinning, ground improvements, excavation support and slope stabilization, we specialize in some of the riskiest design elements for transportation projects. We also bring expertise in pavements, geohazards, instrumentation, hydraulics and hydrology, and environmental contamination.

Geotechnical and Construction Engineering Inspection
Subsurface investigations, soil laboratory testing, foundation design, and construction QA/QC have been the core of our practice for over 60 years.

Geostructural Engineering
We are design leaders in specialty foundations, underpinnings, ground improvements, and earth support for abutments, retaining walls, and slopes.

Tunnel Engineering
We provide tunnel design, baseline studies, risk registry, cost estimating, instrumentation, and construction management.

Soil Structure Interaction Modeling
We bring significant expertise in advanced numerical modeling to assess soil-structure interaction of piers, abutments, slopes, and walls under static or dynamic conditions.

Earthquake Engineering
An uncommon expertise, our earthquake concentration includes earthquake hazard evaluations for a wide range of infrastructure projects.

Geohazards Mitigation
Our geohazards specialization includes assessment and mitigation design for soil and rock slopes, rockfall catchment, landslides, karst and sinkholes, and mine subsidence.

Pavement Engineering
Schnabel’s pavement engineers are expert in the design of new asphalt and concrete pavements as well as in providing condition assessments and pavement preservation and rehabilitation recommendations for existing pavements using FHWA, FAA, and other methodologies.

Geoenvironmental Services
We deliver turn-key assessment and remediation services for sites with contaminated soil and groundwater.

Our Experts

Brian K. Banks, PG

Principal / Senior Vice President
National Transportation Services Leader

Paul E. Diggs, PE

Principal / Co-President, Geotechnical Engineering Services

Chad C. Mayers, PE

Principal / Co-President, Geotechnical Engineering Services
Board of Directors