Engineering
grounded in
science.

Geotechnical and railway engineering consulting built on rigorous research, trusted by industry across Canada and internationally.

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45+combined years of experience
280+scientific publications
P.Eng.licensed in AB, SK & BC

About

Research-driven consulting for complex engineering challenges

Hendry & Macciotta Ltd. is a Canadian engineering consulting firm based in Edmonton, Alberta. Founded by Dr. Michael Hendry and Dr. Renato Macciotta, the firm brings together decades of academic research leadership and hands-on engineering practice to solve problems at the intersection of geotechnical engineering, railway infrastructure, and geohazard risk management.

Our work is grounded in the principle that the best engineering decisions are informed by rigorous science. We combine advanced field investigation, monitoring technologies, and quantitative risk assessment to deliver practical solutions for our clients in the railway, mining, transportation, and energy sectors.

Technical Rigour

Every recommendation is supported by thorough investigation, sound engineering judgment, and the latest research. We bring the depth of academic research to practical engineering problems.

Industry Integration

We work closely with railways, mining companies, government agencies, and infrastructure owners. Our research is shaped by real operational needs and our consulting is informed by leading-edge science.

Safety Focus

From landslide risk to rail network integrity, our work is ultimately about protecting people, infrastructure, and the environment through better understanding and informed decision-making.

Services

Two complementary scopes of practice

Our expertise spans two distinct but interconnected disciplines, allowing us to address the full spectrum of ground-related engineering challenges.

Geotechnical Engineering

Comprehensive geotechnical services for natural and engineered slopes, foundations, and subsurface characterization. We specialize in complex geological settings where conventional approaches fall short.

  • Slope stability assessment and landslide risk management
  • Rock slope characterization and rockfall hazard evaluation
  • Quantitative and qualitative geohazard risk assessment
  • Remote sensing and in-situ monitoring systems
  • Dam safety inspections and tailings facility review
  • Mining geotechnics: pit slopes, waste dumps, tailings
  • Geotechnical investigation and subsurface characterization
  • Expert panel review and independent technical advice

Railway Engineering

Specialized railway engineering services informed by over a decade of leading Canada's foremost railway research programs. We address the unique challenges of maintaining safe and efficient rail networks.

  • Railway ground hazard identification and mitigation
  • Enhanced Train Control (ETC) standards development
  • Track substructure assessment and subgrade evaluation
  • Dynamic loading analysis and track modulus measurement
  • Rail steel fracture toughness and cold weather performance
  • Regulatory impact analysis and safety assessments
  • Frost heave susceptibility evaluation
  • Research program development and management

Team

Senior Partners

Our principals bring complementary expertise spanning railway engineering, geohazard risk management, slope stability, and mining geotechnics.

Dr. Renato Macciotta

Renato Macciotta

Principal / Co-Founder

Ph.D., P.Eng. (APEGA, APEGS, EGBC) · Professor, University of Alberta

Dr. Macciotta has been practicing since 2004. His experience includes civil, mining, and risk engineering projects. His expertise spans stability assessments for mining and transportation infrastructure, quantitative risk assessment, and the application of novel remote sensing and monitoring techniques for geohazard management.

  • Chair, Turtle Mountain Expert Panel (Frank Slide), Alberta Geological Survey
  • International consulting for mining clients across South America and Canada
  • Over 100 peer-reviewed publications including 75 journal articles
  • Ph.D., University of Alberta; B.Sc., Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Dr. Michael T. Hendry

Michael T. Hendry

Principal / Co-Founder

Ph.D., P.Eng. (APEGA, EGBC) · Professor, University of Alberta

Dr. Hendry has been practicing since 2003, with experience in geohazards, civil infrastructure, and monitoring technology, much of it related to railways. He is a co-investigator for the Railway Ground Hazard Research Program and previously held an NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Railway Engineering. He has supervised 78+ graduate students and researchers and produced over 180 scientific publications.

  • Director, Canadian Rail Research Laboratory
  • NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Railway Engineering (2018–2025)
  • Expert witness to the Canadian Senate on climate change & infrastructure
  • Ph.D. & M.Sc., University of Saskatchewan; B.Eng., Western University

Selected Projects

Representative experience

A selection of projects illustrating our range of capabilities across railway engineering and geotechnical consulting.

Railway

Enhanced Train Control Standards Development

Supporting the Railway Association of Canada in developing interoperability standards for future ETC systems, including safety, communication, signalling, and security requirements.

Railway Association of Canada

Railway

Track Modulus Measurement via Instrumented Wheelset

Developing methods to measure track modulus from NRC instrumented wheelset data for maintenance planning and identification of soft subgrade sections.

NRC / QNS&L Railway

Railway

Rail Steel Fracture Toughness in Cold Weather

Multi-phase research program testing the low-temperature mechanical properties of rail steels used in Canada, confirming a 20% fracture toughness decrease from +23°C to −40°C.

CN / AAR

Geotechnical

Turtle Mountain Expert Panel

Chairing the expert panel to review and advise the Alberta Geological Survey on monitoring strategies for the stability of Turtle Mountain, site of the 1903 Frank Slide.

Alberta Geological Survey

Geotechnical

Alberta Highway Rock Slope Stability

Review and advice on rock slope characterization, rockfall hazard evaluation, trajectory modelling, and mitigation strategies for highway corridors in Alberta.

Alberta Transportation / KCB

Mining

Risk Analysis for Mining Waste Storage Structures

Risk analyses for ten geotechnical waste storage structures following FMEA-based methodology, including failure mode identification and HIRA workshop facilitation.

Vale / KCB Brazil

Publications

Contributing to the science

Our consulting is backed by an extensive record of peer-reviewed research across our disciplines.

280+Total publications
143Journal articles
100+Conference papers
78+Graduate students supervised

Railway Geotechnics

Track substructure behaviour, ground hazard assessment, dynamic loading, frost heave, and railway safety systems.

Landslide & Slope Engineering

Landslide risk assessment, failure forecasting, slope monitoring, rock slope characterization, and rockfall hazard evaluation.

Risk & Reliability

Quantitative risk assessment, reliability-based design criteria, failure modes analysis, and risk management for geotechnical structures.

Contact

Let's discuss your project

We welcome inquiries from industry, government, and research partners. Reach out to start a conversation about how we can support your engineering needs.

info@hendry-macciotta.ca

hendry@hendry-macciotta.ca

macciotta@hendry-macciotta.ca