Geotechnical Section

The Geotechnical Section provides geotechnical engineering support for the design, construction, repair, and maintenance of U.S. military facilities in Korea.  The Geotechnical Section typically takes the lead in project execution.  Geotechnical input is critical in both armistice and contingency situations.  Geotechnical activities are accomplished with in-house manpower and equipment, augmented as needed by contract services) and assistance from other Corps organizations during periods of peak workload or when specialized expertise is required.  These geotechnical-related products and services are provided:

  • Laboratory testing of soil, rock, and other construction materials.
  • Foundation engineering design for both above and below ground structures.
  • Pavement evaluation and design for roads and airfields.
  • Development of earthwork requirements and slope stabilization measures.
  • Geotechnical criteria for major land development activities.
  • Quality assurance testing and performance monitoring during construction.
  • Borrow material evaluations.
  • Damage assessments, such as subgrade settlement, flooding, and landslides.
  • Development of process enhancements.
  • Review of project designs and construction contractor submittals.
  • Involvement in military planning exercises and possible contingency applications. 

Environmental Section

The Environmental Section provides environmental support for the design, construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of facilities and for environmental investigations and associated mitigation measures on US military installations in Korea. The Environmental Section typically takes the lead in project execution. Environmental input is critical in both armistice and contingency situations.  Environmental tasks are conducted in accordance with customer and project requirements, USFK Regulation 201-1 Environmental Governing Standards, and other applicable DoD and/or Korean environmental laws and regulations.  Environmental activities are accomplished with in-house resources, assisted by other Corps organizations and contract services (e.g. environmental IDIQs, site investigations, asbestos and lead-based paint building surveys, soil borings, and chemical and physical testing) during periods of peak workload or when specialized expertise is required.  These environmental-related products and services are provided:

  • Technical provisions of Scopes of Work.
  • Independent Government Estimates for environmental and special study work.
  • A-E and service contractor pre-selection and selection boards.
  • Guidance on environmental requirements during planning, design, and construction.
  • Quality assurance testing and performance monitoring.
  • Environmental and safety training.
  • Asbestos and lead-based paint surveys.
  • Chemical data quality review for HTW and other environmental projects.
  • Environmental site investigations including expedited spill responses.
  • Development of process enhancements.
  • Sampling and analysis of asbestos bulk and air samples.
  • Sampling and analysis of soil, water, air and wastes.
  • Physical and chemical testing of groundwater aquifers
  • Various environmental studies and assessments (e.g. cultural and natural resources surveys).
  • Chemical or scientific quality assurance oversight.
  • Scopes of work for various environmental-related projects.
  • Site remediation design and construction supervision.
  • Review designs, plans, and other selected project submittals for environmental compliance.
  • Involvement in military planning exercises and possible contingency applications.

Geology and Exploration Section

The Geology and Hydrology Section performs surface and subsurface geological, geophysical, and and geotechnical site investigations, field monitoring, and materials testing in support of geotechnical and environmental design and construction projects.  For this work, either the Geotechnical Section or Environmental Section typical have project management responsibilities within the Branch, with the Geology and Hydrology Section responsible for technical elements of the work.  The Section is tasked with the construction, maintenance, repair, protection, and closure of groundwater production wells on U.S. military facilities in Korea.  The Geology and Hydrology Section typically takes the lead in project execution.  The District’s water well mission is critical in both armistice and contingency situations.  Groundwater resource services are primarily accomplished with in-house manpower and equipment, augmented as needed by contract services (e.g. hydrogeologic site surveys for groundwater development) and assistance from other Corps organizations during periods of peak workload or when specialized expertise is required.  These specific products and services are provided:

  • Exploratory drilling, testing, and monitoring for geotechnical investigations.
  • Geologic and geophysical surveys for site characterization.
  • Hydrogeologic studies for groundwater monitoring and development.
  • Subsurface soil investigations for environmental projects.
  • Groundwater monitoring and investigations.
  • Geologic mapping and rock discontinuity analyses for above and below ground construction projects.
  • Preparation, description and testing of retrieved rock core and hand samples.
  • Instrumentation, monitoring, and analysis of ground settlement and other movements.
  • Hydrogeologic studies for groundwater monitoring and development.
  • Water well drilling.
  • Preventive Maintenance and emergency repair of existing water wells.
  • Wellhead protection and abandonment.
  • Water line replacement projects.
  • Monitoring well installation support for environmental investigations.
  • Involvement in military planning exercises and possible contingency applications.

Geomatics and Support Section

The Geomatics and Support Section is tasked with developing and applying effective and innovative processes and state-of-the-art information technologies for managing and utilizing data associated with planning, engineering, environmental science, and facility management for Branch, District, and external customers.  The Geomatics and Support Section typically has the lead in project execution.  The Section manages the Branch Geographic Information System (GIS) and provides GIS development and maintenance support to other Army, Air Force, and Navy organizations in Korea on a reimbursable basis.  Geomatics services are critical in both armistice and contingency situations.  The Section is responsible directly to the Branch Chief for QC oversight of the Branch Materials Testing and Environmental Testing Laboratories (MTL and ETL).  Geomatics services are primarily accomplished with in-house resources, supplemented with expertise from other Corps organizations and contract assets as required.  The Section also develops and maintains various project management databases which greatly facilitate the efficient conduct of Branch operations.  These specific products and services are provided:

  • Topographic, hydrographic, and property boundary surveys.
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) development and related database management.
  • Expertise in GIS technology and promotion of standards and common methodologies.
  • Procurement, manipulation, and visual presentation of high resolution remote sensing imagery.
  • Development and implementation of state-of-the-art data automation technologies.
  • Maintain management, technical and funding databases for Branch projects.
  • Develop and maintain Branch electronic library of standards, criteria, guidance, and literature.
  • Manage hardware/software programs and other digital data applications.
  • Assist in the interface of project billings between Branch database and CEFMS.
  • Tracks and maintains Branch supply and equipment inventory.
  • Performs Government Purchase Card procurement actions as approved by Branch Chief.
  • Prepare reports, graphics, briefings, and contract support documents for assigned projects.
  • Responsible to Branch Chief for independent QC oversight of Branch MTL/ETL laboratories.
  • Conducts QC audits of MTL/ETL, identifies deficiencies, and recommends corrective actions.
  • Consults with technical experts in Corps and professional industry on latest standards.
  • Reviews design and as-built drawings for compliance with applicable GIS database standards.
  • Formats construction as-built drawings for inclusion in facility GIS programs.
  • Involvement in military planning exercises and possible contingency applications.