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At first glance, the site southwest of Taylorsville Road and Pebblestone Road in Dale looks like open Central Texas grassland. The real design problem sits a few feet below that grass. This part of Caldwell County is underlain by the Wilcox Group- Paleocene to Eocene Gulf Coastal Plain deposits mapped on the Geologic Atlas of Texas. Those beds were laid down in fluvial-deltaic to marginal marine settings. Near the surface they are typically fine-grained and clay-rich, with sa

The Texas Hill Country looks deceptively stable—rolling oak woodland, limestone outcrops, and clear skies. Beneath the surface, however, the Glen Rose Formation creates some of the more nuanced geotechnical conditions in Central Texas. Recent fieldwork by A.C.E. in the Spicewood area (and similar Hill Country sites) brought these challenges into sharp focus. The photos from those days tell part of the story. What Is the Glen Rose Formation? The Glen Rose (Lower Cretaceous) co

Today, August 5, 2026, marks the eleventh annual Professional Engineers Day - a day set aside to recognize the licensed Professional Engineers whose work quietly and reliably shapes the safety, resilience, and quality of the built environment. At A.C.E., we join engineers across Texas and the nation in celebrating this important observance. As a firm led by a licensed Professional Engineer and dedicated exclusively to civil engineering, we understand firsthand the weight of t

The First 100 Years: Turning Vision into Connection In 1776, the United States was a collection of colonies with rudimentary paths and waterways. Within decades, engineers began transforming the landscape: The Erie Canal (completed 1825) opened the interior of the continent to trade and settlement. Railroads stitched the nation together, enabling westward expansion and industrial growth. Iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge (1883) demonstrated that American engineering

At A.C.E., we pride ourselves on hands-on fieldwork that informs every recommendation we make. Recently, our team conducted subsurface exploration in an area underlain by the Bee Cave Marl (Kbc), part of the Walnut Formation within the Fredericksburg Group of the Lower Cretaceous. The Bee Cave Marl is known for its interbedded sequence of clay-rich marls, nodular limestones, and fossiliferous beds (commonly featuring Exogyra texana). This geology creates a distinctive landsca

At A.C.E., we take pride in supporting the growth of Texas infrastructure through our comprehensive geotechnical engineering services. Our recent work on a new restaurant project exemplifies our commitment to providing clear, actionable recommendations. These recommendations help clients navigate the challenging subsurface conditions that are common across the region. Understanding Subsurface Conditions Central Texas sites often feature expansive clay soils and variable strat

When planning any construction or development project, understanding the risks associated with the site is crucial. Preliminary site investigation reports play a vital role in identifying potential hazards and informing decision-making. These reports provide essential data that help owners, developers, architects, engineers, contractors, and public entities manage risks effectively and ensure project success. Importance of Site Investigation Reports Risk Assessment Site inves

Soil boring is a fundamental process in geotechnical engineering. It provides critical information about subsurface conditions that influence the design and construction of structures. Understanding soil properties helps prevent costly failures and ensures safety. In this post, I explore various soil boring techniques, and their applications shape site investigation. Understanding Soil Boring Techniques Soil boring involves drilling into the ground to collect soil samples or

Leander, Texas: A.C.E.'s Role in the Shops at Hero Way Phase II Development ========================================================================== Leander, Texas, continues its remarkable trajectory as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Groundbreaking on Shops at Hero Way Phase II marks another milestone in its commercial evolution. A.C.E. is proud to have provided the geotechnical engineering services that laid the groundwork—literally—for this 17,100 SF mu

At A.C.E., we’re proud to announce the successful completion of our geotechnical engineering report for the Retail at SH 249 project located along Tomball Parkway in Houston, Texas. This exciting new one-story retail development will feature approximately 15,500 square feet of commercial space, along with a well-planned parking lot, drive-thru lanes, fire lanes, and thoughtfully designed landscaping. Our role was to provide the subsurface data and practical recommendations ne

We're excited to announce that A.C.E. has successfully completed the Readiness Training Program – Funnel 1, Cohort 5 ! This specialized program, delivered by the Bureau of Business Research and the IC² Institute at The University of Texas at Austin , is designed to small businesses like ours to build capacity, navigate government contracting processes, and compete more effectively for public sector opportunities in the Austin region and beyond. As a Texas-based geotechnic

The drill rig has been busy this week under clear Texas skies, and the shelby tube samples tell a familiar (and challenging) story: we’re firmly in the Navarro Group, specifically the Marlbrook Marl member. These Upper Cretaceous Gulf-series sediments are classic for this part of the region — dark gray to bluish-gray, blocky to waxy, extremely high-plasticity montmorillonitic fat clays (CH) with just enough calcareous content to earn the name “marl.” If you’ve built anywhere

Y’all, if this ain’t the most Texas way to kick off the holidays, I don’t know what is. Last week the A.C.E. threw on a Santa hat for an Ortega Elementary kid in East Austin with our good friends at the TSPE Travis Chapter for the annual Holiday Party. And let me tell ya: the lobby looked like the North Pole done moved to ATX. We hauled in a mountain of wrapped gifts, piled ’em high around a Christmas tree, turned that entryway into a full-blown winter wonderland, and then le

In the heart of Texas Hill Country, where the Guadalupe River winds through lush landscapes, communities are rebounding from one of the most tragic flooding events in recent history. As part of the vital recovery efforts, A.C.E. is leading geotechnical investigations to pave the way for resilient redevelopment. Today, we're taking you behind the scenes of our on-site drilling operations—a critical step in ensuring safe, sustainable rebuilding near the river and adjacent lake

At A.C.E., we're passionate about turning the invisible forces beneath our feet into the bedrock of tomorrow's infrastructure. Our latest...

In the world of geotechnical engineering, obtaining high-quality soil samples is crucial for accurate laboratory analysis and informed...

As Labor Day 2025 draws near on September 1, we're excited to share our special tribute at A.C.E. Titled "Building Bridges to a Brighter...

Hello, fellow engineers, developers, contractors and Austin locals! At A.C.E., we're always excited to dive into projects that enhance...

🚀 Exciting News! A.C.E. is now SBE & DBE Certified with Texas Department of Transportation! 🛠️ We’re thrilled to announce that A.C.E....

🎉 We’re Officially DBE Certified! 🎉 A.C.E. is thrilled to announce our certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)!...