Geosciences Testing and Research, Inc.
55 Middlesex Street – Unit 225
North Chelmsford, MA  01863
Phone: 978-251-9395
Fax: 978-251-9396

Foundation Engineering Services, D.P.C
dba GTR Engineering of NY

80 Business Park Drive – Suite 306
Armonk, NY 10504
Phone: 914-600-8101

ABOUT GTR

Geoscience Testing and Research was founded in 1995 by Les R. Chernauskas, P.E. and Professor Samuel G. Paikowsky, Sc.D. from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell. GTR began as a geotechnical engineering firm specializing in the design and testing of deep foundations in the New England region. At that time, GTR, through Sam Paikowsky’s UMass-Lowell research, helped developed the resistance factors for deep foundations that became the genesis of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design specifications, which all 50 US Highway Departments use today to design their roads and bridge structures.

In 1997, Leo J. Hart joined GTR as its “first employee” following his tenure as a graduate research assistant under Dr. Paikowsky at the UMass-Lowell.  With expertise in the design of foundation systems, temporary structures, earth support systems, non-destructive testing and geotechnical instrumentation, Mr. Hart continues today to expand GTR’s geotechnical engineering, testing and research capacity. 

Over the last several decades, GTR has been involved and has continued advancing deep foundation research, the results of which are still in use today including;

  1. FHWA Report RD-94-042 –  A Simplified Field Method for Capacity Evaluation of Driven Piles” (1994) resulting in The Energy Approach pile capacity method,
  2. FHWA Report RD-99-194 – “Development and Field Testing of Multiple Deployment Model Pile (MDMP)” (1998) evaluating the time-dependent pile capacity gain phenomenon,
  3. TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 507 – Load Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) for Deep Foundations (2004) which has provided the basis for LRFD in the AASHTO Bridge Specifications,
  4. Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) white paper “Terminology and Evaluation Criteria of Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) as applied to Deep Foundations” (2019), that outlines State-of-the-Art guidance for the use of CSL acceptance criteria and CSL results,
  5. Design Phase Pile Load Testing Program – “Improvements to Interchange Route I-195, Providence, RI” (2004), establishing comprehensive driven pile design information for the Providence area.

Our Mission and Vision

As a full-service geotechnical consulting firm, GTR strives to be a leader in the Heavy Civil / Marine construction industry providing geotechnical engineering, specialty foundation consulting and foundation testing services to Owners, Developers, Engineering Firms, General and Design/Build Contractors. 

With our highly qualified and experienced staff as the heart and soul of our practice, GTR’s mission is to combine our unique expertise with decades of heavy civil construction experience and research in the deep foundation industry to deliver practical, pragmatic and cost-effective design solutions to our clients.  We believe it is this service-based philosophy, our understanding of our client’s needs and our focus on constructibility that sets GTR apart from other design firms and keeps us at the forefront of the Design/Build marketplace.

GTR Since 2013

In 2013, the Company Ownership transitioned with Mr. Chernauskas becoming President and Mr. Hart becoming Managing Partner and Treasurer of the firm. This ownership transition rapidly led to GTR expanding to New York and forming our sister company Foundation Engineering Services, D.P.C. dba GTR Engineering of New York in 2016. That same year, Mr. John E. Regan, P.E. a fellow UMass-Lowell alumnus who also worked alongside Les Chernauskas as a graduate research assistant to Dr. Paikowsky from 1991 to 1993, joined GTR as Vice President and Managing Partner.Mr. Regan brings over 30 years of geotechnical design, consulting and construction experience. He is now responsible for business development and project execution throughout New York, New Jersey and New England.

Today, GTR has grown and expanded into a full service geotechnical design firm with offices in Massachusetts and New York providing a wide range of design, testing, and instrumentation services to our clients throughout New England, New York and New Jersey.  This growth has been fueled by longtime employee and fellow UMass-Lowell alum Mr. Curtis A. George, P.E. who became a Principal in 2020 after 16 years of service to GTR and the addition of Mr. Seth H. Hamblin, P.E. who joined the firm in 2018 as a Principal.  Mr. George and Mr. Hamblin are responsible for GTR’s growing Geotechnical Engineering and Geotechnical Instrumentation practices, respectively.

Our services have been utilized during the design, construction, and post construction phases of geotechnical projects for both public and private agencies. GTR is currently involved in or has recently completed some of the largest federally supported public work projects in the USA.   Our clients include Public Agencies, Engineers, General Contractors, Design-Build Contractors, Deep Foundation Specialty Contractors, Architects, and Developers in the US and overseas.  We have completed multiple projects from Maine to Florida, as far west as Hawaii, and internationally in Jamaica, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.  GTR supports its clients wherever their next project may be – click here to see a partial client list.  With a unique combination of geotechnical engineering, testing and research experience, GTR has developed a dynamic and practical approach to geotechnical consulting based on years of heavy civil construction experience. 

Maintaining a strong academic and research background, GTR has become a well-respected, full service geotechnical firm offering a wide range of services including foundation design, construction engineering, instrumentation, and non-destructive testing.  The combination of our practical, construction based experience with our unique geotechnical research endeavors allows GTR to provide a rare suite of geotechnical and foundation engineering services for contractors and engineers worldwide.

Our Team

GTR employs over 30 personnel operating out of 2 offices throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey.