When it comes to building safely and sustainably in California, few cities present as unique a set of challenges as San Jose and Berkeley. From seismic design requirements to environmental regulations, these cities demand a multifaceted engineering approach. Bagg Engineers meets this demand with expertise in environment engineering, geotechnical engineering, special inspection, and fully equipped certified laboratories.

San Jose & Berkeley: Engineering Complexity Meets Opportunity

In San Jose, the tech capital of Silicon Valley, rapid development often intersects with former industrial sites, requiring detailed environmental and structural oversight. Berkeley, known for its varied topography and geological sensitivity, mandates rigorous geotechnical planning and inspection protocols.

By integrating services across environmental, geotechnical, and construction phases, Bagg Engineers ensures projects in both cities remain safe, compliant, and efficient.

Environment Engineering: Compliance-Driven Solutions

Environmental safety is a cornerstone of our services. Our environment engineering team helps developers and municipalities navigate:

• Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

• Hazardous waste management and remediation

• Soil vapor and groundwater monitoring

• Air quality control and environmental permitting
  
  

In Berkeley, we recently supported a brownfield redevelopment that required extensive vapor intrusion assessment. In San Jose, our engineers are actively involved in stormwater management systems to meet regional discharge regulations.

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Geotechnical Engineering: Tailored for Seismic Zones

Both cities lie within seismic risk zones, with Berkeley’s Hayward Fault presenting unique ground-shaking hazards. Geotechnical engineering is therefore critical to ensure safe foundation design and earth retention systems.

Our services include:

• Subsurface investigations (borings, test pits, CPT)

• Site classification and seismic response analysis

• Retaining wall and slope design

• Foundation recommendations (spread footings, drilled piers, mat slabs)
  
  

Using data from field and lab testing, our engineers deliver comprehensive reports with practical recommendations. In San Jose, this includes mitigation strategies for collapsible and expansive soils commonly found in the area.

Learn about our geotechnical expertise

Special Inspection: Code Compliance You Can Count On

Code compliance isn’t just a requirement—it’s the backbone of public safety. Our special inspection division provides real-time verification of construction elements, including:

• Reinforced concrete, structural steel, and masonry

• Welding and bolting

• Fireproofing and shotcrete

• Post-tensioning systems
  
  

We are approved by multiple jurisdictions and DSA-certified, with inspectors trained in ICC standards. Whether you’re managing a university building in Berkeley or a high-tech facility in San Jose, our inspections ensure every bolt and beam meet or exceed design standards.

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Certified Laboratories: On-Site, Accurate, and Accredited

Supporting every field service is our network of certified laboratories, strategically located for fast, local testing in the Bay Area. We are certified by:

• AASHTO and Caltrans

• ASTM standards for materials testing

• DSA and OSHPD for school and healthcare projects
  
  

Typical lab services include:

• Compaction and soil classification

• Concrete compressive strength tests

• Rebar and masonry prism testing

• Asphalt design and density
  
  

With certified laboratories servicing both San Jose and Berkeley, we help projects stay on schedule and within compliance from subgrade to superstructure.

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Project Highlight: San Jose Transit-Oriented Development

A recent project in San Jose required integrated engineering services for a high-density residential complex near a planned BART station. Our environment engineering team conducted a soil vapor survey, followed by subsurface exploration and CPT logs performed by our geotechnical engineering division.

During construction, special inspection teams monitored post-tensioned slabs and rebar placement, while our certified laboratories validated compressive strength of all concrete batches. This full-circle collaboration led to successful DSA inspection clearance and accelerated project approval.

Partnering with Bagg Engineers: Built on Integrity

We take pride in serving public agencies, private developers, and institutions across the Bay Area. Here’s why clients trust Bagg Engineers:

• Decades of experience in San Jose, Berkeley, and neighboring cities

• A fully integrated engineering and testing workflow

• Transparent reporting and communication with agencies

• A relentless commitment to safety and compliance
  
  

Let’s Build Responsibly—Together

Whether your project lies along the Caltrain corridor in San Jose or in the Berkeley Hills, the success of your development depends on a solid engineering foundation. At Bagg Engineers, we bring together environment engineering, geotechnical engineering, special inspection, and support from certified laboratories to give you complete confidence from design to ribbon cutting.

Contact us today to discuss your project’s engineering needs.