As part of our interview series with technical leaders at Anddes, we spoke with Joel Gaspar, Head of the Geotechnical Laboratory at Geolab, to learn about his approach to managing a key area that supports decision-making in geotechnical engineering. Joel shares his perspective on quality standards, working with multidisciplinary teams, and the role of technological innovation in laboratory testing.
From your role, what are the fundamental principles for ensuring quality in laboratory testing?
From my perspective, the quality of testing is primarily based on two key aspects: the technical competence of personnel and the full traceability of the test. Technical competence ensures that every stage—from sample preparation to the delivery of the test report—is carried out with appropriate professional judgment. At the same time, full traceability guarantees complete control of the test, including sample identification, technical records, equipment calibration, and verification. These elements, together with a well-implemented quality management system and compliance with international technical standards (ASTM, AASHTO, or ISRM), ensure accurate and reliable results for geotechnical engineering decision-making.
How is the laboratory’s work coordinated with the geotechnical, geomechanics and field supervision teams?
Our role is to provide agile and reliable technical support. We coordinate closely with geotechnical, geomechanical, and field supervision teams, from test planning through to the issuance of test reports. During execution, we work continuously, providing the necessary technical guidance while meeting established deadlines. We also maintain constant feedback, which allows us to contribute to continuous improvement within Geolab.
How important is technology in the evolution of the laboratory and how are you integrating it?
Technology is one of Geolab’s strategic pillars. We consistently invest in the development and innovation of proprietary equipment, as well as in the automation of our processes, aligning them with our operational needs and the highest technical standards. We continuously incorporate new specialized tests; among the most recent are infiltration-induced consolidation tests and triaxial tests for determining the critical state line, among others.
Additionally, we are accredited by the National Institute for Quality (INACAL) under the international standard NTP-ISO/IEC 17025:2017, which supports the technical competence of our laboratory and strengthens the quality of our services, positioning us as a regional benchmark. Complementarily, we have unique equipment in Latin America, which significantly expands our technical capabilities and enables us to address highly complex projects. In this context, we also stand out for our ability to adapt to the specific requirements of each project, ensuring results that are accurate, reliable, and consistent with real field conditions.
How do you ensure that the laboratory team demonstrates a high level of technical competence?
We have a team of highly experienced professionals, but we recognize that continuous training is essential. Therefore, we conduct regular internal training sessions and evaluations, both theoretical and practical. We also frequently participate in national and international conferences, which keeps us at the forefront of laboratory testing. Finally, we promote a team-oriented work environment to support continuous improvement.
From your experience, how does the laboratory add value to the services offered by Anddes?
The laboratory adds significant value to geotechnical services by providing reliable results that enable the development of a more representative geotechnical model of the study area and reduce uncertainty in its analysis, resulting in safer and more efficient designs. Furthermore, these results help verify compliance with the project’s technical specifications, ensuring that each stage is executed according to the highest quality standards.