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Rock engineering projects require a thorough understanding of the interplay of mass and material properties. All structures, large and small, require adequate foundations. For structures placed on soil or rock the foundation materials must be assessed in terms of: material type and strength, soil consolidation characteristics and rock material and joint compressibility, foundation load distribution and active and passive load estimates, the effects of water, and an understanding of how these measurements are applied to the large scale engineering project. Large foundation loads must be distributed throughout the foundation so as to minimise total and differential settlements and maintain an adequate factor of safety over failure. Heavy foundations for power stations, bridges and retaining structures have been investigated and designed by Antonio Associates. Foundation materials have ranged from weak and compressible alluvial soils through residual soils and soft rocks such as chalk, to hard rocks with compressible joint sets.

Highways projects generally bring a series of foundation problems not only for the highway construction itself but also for the foundations of bridges and embankments.

Coastal defenses, canals and water crossings require repair and upgradin, frequently with sheet piling.

On strong rock, the critical factor is often rock structure. Joints, particularly when weathered, give rise to compressible layers which cause settlement problems due to the very high loads generated by bridge abutments and other large structures.

As the site topography changes, so may the geology water levels and ground structure. Adjacent foundations may require different solutions and interactions can arise.

A thorough understanding of ground conditions and structure loading is developed and applied to each site.