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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGeotechnical Investigation.pdfGgargefiNtenLiNvatitwrioN DIVIDLROADMIAtegMOLITY CARRELS,COUNTY, COLORADO March 7,, 202 Prepawl For: Sevin Mcanwe Encana Olt& Gan (USA), Inc. 370 471h Ctivet,Cmith 1700 DOnver, CO 80202 Prepweg By: Yolvand Atadat.011, inc. 4,425'01816)4Wilin0 Dionwq00.4ptings, CO8-1801 1:4101.1f 384.1500 Fax 010)4144101. Project No. 212-011 Divide Road Water Facility Project No, 212-011 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PROJECT INFORMATION 1 1.1 Purpose and Scope 1 1.2 Proposed Construction 1 1.3 Site Conditions 2 1.4 Site Geology 2 2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION 2 2.1 Subsurface Investigation 2 2.2 Subsurface Conditions 3 2.2.1 Groundwater 4 2.3 Site Grading 4 3.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS 5 3.1 Pump House Foundation 5 3.2 Treatment Area and Storage Tank Foundations 6 4.0 SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS 6 5.0 CONCRETE AND CORROSIVITY 7 6.0 LIMITATIONS 7 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 —Approximate Site Location Figure 2 — Approximate Test Hole Locations Figure 3 — Treatment Area Drill Logs Figure 4 — Storage Tank Area Drill Logs Figure 5 — Drill Log legend Figures 6 and 7 — Sieve Analysis Test Results Laboratory Test Results and Summary Table Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 1.0 PROJECT INFORMATION 1.1 Purpose and Scope This report presents the results of our geotechnical investigation for the Divide Road Water Facility in northern Garfield County, Colorado (Figure 1). The investigation was performed to provide foundation design recommendations for proposed buildings, tanks, site grading and surface drainage. The site investigation consisted of geologic reconnaissance and exploratory test hole drilling to investigate subsurface conditions. Test hole drilling was observed by a representative of Yeh and Associates. Samples obtained during the field exploration were examined by the project personnel and representative samples were subjected to laboratory testing to determine the engineering characteristics of materials encountered. This report summarizes our field investigation, the results of our analyses, and our conclusions and recommendations based on the proposed construction, site reconnaissance, subsurface investigation, and results of the laboratory testing. 1.2 Proposed Construction From site plans dated January 28, 2012, provided by the client, proposed construction will include new pads (upper and lower) with structures related to the collection, treatment and storage of waste water associated with natural gas production. The upper pad will include structures that include but are not limited to DAF units, sludge tanks, condensate storage tanks, duplex pump houses, truck off load bays, off load tanks, fresh water tanks, separators, vapor recovery units, generators, mcc, polymer storage, coagulant storage tanks, polymer and coagulant mix tanks, flow equalizing tanks, high pressure pump house and a control equipment room. We believe that the DAF units and high pressure pump house will be enclosed. Cuts of 5 feet or less are planned for the majority of the upper pad. Fills of up to 13 feet are planned on the eastern edge to accommodate the access road and pump house. Fill slopes are planned between 3H:1V and 4H:1V. A cut slope down to the lower pad is proposed at 2H:1V. The lower pad area will consist of three storage tanks, 168 feet in diameter and 54 feet tall. A combination of a berm and 5 -foot high concrete containment wall is planned around the tanks. Cuts of between 3 and 18 feet are planned for the tanks and cuts of up to 10 feet are planned for the 1 Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 pad with the exception of the south pad edge and corners, which will require up to 14.5 feet of fill. Again, fill slopes are planned between 3H:1 V and 4H:1 V. 1.3 Site Conditions The proposed Divide Road Water Facility was approximately 21 road miles north and west of Parachute, Colorado (Figure 1) and was located on the Roan Plateau in the northern Piceance Basin of western Colorado, a major gas production area made up of high plateaus, mesas, ridges and deep valleys. The proposed site was located on a southwest trending ridge and was undeveloped with a two -track unimproved road along the top of the ridge. The existing grade was nearly level along the southwest trend of the ridge with elevations ranging from 8261 to 8286 feet. Divide Road was located adjacent to the north end of the site. Existing vegetation included sage, scrub oak and other natural brush and grasses. At the time of our investigation, the site was snow covered with drifts up to 3 feet deep. 1.4 Site Geology The Piceance Basin of western Colorado is a complex of numerous anticlines and synclines and a major gas production area. The asymmetrical, arc -shaped basin is 100 miles long by 50 miles wide, is oriented northwest -southeast, and is deepest on the east edge. It is bounded structurally on the northeast by the Axial Uplift, on the east by the White River Uplift/Grand Hogback and the Elk Mountains, on the south by the Uncompahgre Uplift and on the west by the Douglas Creek Arch. Exposed in the project area was Tertiary age sedimentary rocks including the slopes and ledges of light brown and gray siltstone and sandstone and slopes of siltstone and claystone of the Uinta Formation. The surficial deposits included alluvium and residuum of the erosional surface of the Uinta Fomtation which included clay, silt, sand and gravel. 2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION 2.1 Subsurface Investigation Eleven test holes were drilled on February 14 and 15, 2012. Test holes TH-1 through TH-6 were drilled in the proposed treatment area (upper pad) and test holes TH-7 through TH-11 were drilled in the general area of the proposed water storage tanks (lower pad). Yeh and 2 /A Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 Associates chose test hole locations and used a hand held GPS unit to field locate test holes. Location accuracy is only within the limits of the methods/instrument used. Test hole depths were drilled at least 5 feet below proposed elevations at the test hole location. The locations of the test holes are presented in Figure 2. All test holes were advanced using a CME 55 rubber track rig and test holes were advanced using 4 -inch continuous flight auger to pre -determined depths where a modified California or split -spoon sampler was used to record blow counts and obtain samples. Bulk samples were also obtained at depths indicated on test hole logs presented on Figures 3 and 4. To perform the modified California penetration resistance tests, a 2.0 -inch Inside diameter sampler was seated at the bottom of the test hole, then driven up to 12 inches with blows of a standard hammer weighing 140 pounds and falling a distance of 30 inches utilizing a "cat head" hammer (ASTM D1586). The number of blows (Blow Count) required to drive the sampler 12 inches or a fraction thereof, constitutes the N -value. The N -value, when properly evaluated, is an index of the consistency or relative density of the material tested. Test hole Togs and legend are presented on Figures 3 through 5. 2.2 Subsurface Conditions Subsurface conditions generally consisted of topsoil over about 1- foot of silty sand underlain by weathered to comparatively unweathered sandstone bedrock. Differentiation between the topsoil and natural silty sand soils was difficult and therefore, topsoil depths were approximated. Hard to very hard sandstone bedrock was encountered in all test holes at depths of between 1 and 5 feet from existing grades. The sandstone bedrock was occasionally cemented, but able to be penetrated with a 4 -inch auger. One sandstone bedrock sample (test hole TI -I-6 at 2 feet) had 12 percent fines (material passing the No. 200 sieve). Atterberg limit testing indicated the sample was non -liquid and non -plastic, One weathered bedrock sample (test hole TH-9 at 2 feet) tested indicated 37 percent fines and was non -liquid and non -plastic. Additionally, a water soluble sulfate was also performed on this sample. Results are reported under the foundation concrete and corrosion section of this report. The silty sand classified as an SM according to the Unified Soll Classification System 3 11 Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 (USCS). Results of the laboratory testing are summarized in the Summary of Laboratory Test Results. 2.2.1 Groundwater Groundwater was not encountered during drilling and test holes were backfilled at completion of drilling and sampling. Variations in groundwater conditions may occur seasonally. The magnitude of the variation will be largely dependent upon the amount of spring snowmelt, duration and intensity of precipitation, site grading changes, and the surface and subsurface drainage characteristics of the surrounding area. 2.3 Site Grading Cuts of up to 18 feet and fills of up to 14.5 feet are planned for the proposed construction. Based on drilling and our observations, we believe that material can be excavated by conventional construction equipment; however, hard to very hard sandstone bedrock (occasionally cemented) may need to be excavated by -means of heavy ripping and/or blasting. We believe that proposed fill slopes of 3H:1 V to 4H:1 V and cut slopes of 2H:1V are appropriate for the soil conditions at the site. The on-site (cut) soils can be used in site grading fills provided the material is substantially free of organic material, debris and particles are no larger than 6 inches. Areas to receive fill should be stripped of vegetation, organic soils and debris. Topsoil is not recommended for fill material. Fill should be placed in thin, loose lifts of 8 inches thick or less. We recommend fill materials be moisture conditioned to within 2 percent of optimum moisture content and compacted to at least 95 percent of maximum standard Proctor dry density (ASTM D 698). Placement and compaction of fill should be observed and tested by a representative of the geotechnical engineer. We believe that 3 to 13 feet of fill (northwest to southeast building corners) would likely result in differential settlement of the pump house. For a differential fill depth of 10 feet, we would estimate differential settlements on the order of 1 to 2 inches (or about 2 to 3 inches of total movement), provided the fill is placed in general conformance with the recommendations above. Total and differential movements cannot be totally eliminated. Movement tolerances should be 4 Ell Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 determined by the structural engineer. If movements exceed the tolerances of the structure, several alternatives such as moving the pump house into the cut side of the excavation or penetrating the fill with a deep foundation system could be employed. As an altemative, a deep foundation system could include drilled bedrock piers (shafts), helical piers or micropiles. Typically, helical piers and micropiles are designed and installed by a specialty contractor. We could provide recommendations for a deep foundation system, if needed. 3.0 FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS We believe that the site is favorable for proposed construction. We believe structures for both the upper pad (treatment area excluding pump house) and lower pad (storage tanks) can be supported by a footing, mat or pad foundation placed on sandstone bedrock. We believe that the pump house can be supported by a footing, mat or pad foundation placed on controlled fill. We believe that consolidation of the controlled fill would be low and therefore, a low risk of assoclated foundation movement. If movements exceed structure tolerances, then alternatives such as moving the structure or a deep foundation as described above should be employed. Foundation recommendations for structures supported by sandstone bedrock and controlled fill are presented below. 3.1 Pump House Foundation Foundations should be constructed on undisturbed, controlled fill. We believe that 3 to 13 feet of fill (northwest to southeast building corners) would likely result in differential settlement of the pump house. For a differential fill depth of 10 feet, we would estimate differential settlements on the order of 1 to 2 inches (or about 2 to 3 inches of total movement). Settlement is discussed in more detail in section 2.3. Loose, disturbed soils encountered at foundation level should be removed and the foundation should be extended to undisturbed controlled fill and/or natural soils. 1. Foundations can be designed for a maximum allowable soil pressure of 3,000 psf. 2. Resistance to sliding at the bottom of the mat foundation can be calculated based on a coefficient of friction of 0.35. Passive pressure against the side of the footing can also 5 Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 be considered for the sliding resistance if it is properly compacted. Passive pressure can be estimated based on an equivalent fluid density of 350 pcf for a level backfill. 3. The soils below foundations should be protected from freezing. We recommend the bottom of foundations be constructed at least 3.5 feet below finished exterior grade or as required by local municipal code. 4. All foundation excavations should be observed by a representative of the geotechnical engineer prior to placement of concrete. 3.2 Treatment Area and Storage Tank Foundations Foundations should be constructed on undisturbed, sandstone bedrock. Loose, disturbed bedrock encountered at foundation level should be removed and the foundation should be extended to undisturbed bedrock. 1. Foundations can be designed for a maximum allowable soil pressure of 4,000 psf. 2. Resistance to sliding at the bottom of the mat foundation can be calculated based on a coefficient of friction of 0.40. Passive pressure against the side of the footing can also be considered for the sliding resistance if it is properly compacted. Passive pressure can be estimated based on an equivalent fluid density of 350 pcf for a level backfill. 3. The soils below foundations should be protected from freezing. We recommend the bottom of foundations be constructed at least a5 feet below finished exterior grade or as required by local municipal code. 4. All foundation excavations should be observed by a representative of the geotechnical engineer prior to placement of concrete. 4.0 SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS Based upon the nature of the subsurface materials, a Site Class C, should be used for the design of the structures for the proposed project (2006 International Building Code, Table No. 1613.5.3 (1) and (2)). The project site is located in seismic area with a mapped maximum short period (Ss) and 1 -second period (51) ground motion, respectively, of 0.28g and 0.068g as indicated on Figures 1613.5 (1) and (2), in the 2006 International Building Code. The site coefficients, Fa and F, for the same periods are 1.2 and 1.7, respectively. 6 Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212011 5.0 CONCRETE AND CORROSIVITY The concentration of water-soluble sulfate measured in the laboratory on a shallow sample (test hole TH-9 at 2 feet) was 0.006 percent. This concentration of water-soluble sulfate represents a negligible/low (Class 0 exposure) degree of sulfate attack on concrete exposed to this material. The degree of attack is based on a range of 0.00 to less than 0.10 percent as presented in the American Concrete Institute Guide to Durable Concrete. Due to the negligible/low degree indicated by the test results, no special requirements for concrete are necessary for Class 0 exposure. 6.0 LIMITATIONS This study was conducted in accordance with generally accepted geotechnical engineering practices in this area for use by the client for design purposes. The conclusions and recommendations submitted in this report are based upon the data obtained from exploratory test holes, field reconnaissance and anticipated construction. The nature and extent of subsurface variations across the site may not become evident until excavation is performed. If during construction, conditions appear to be different from those described herein; this office should be advised at once so reevaluation of the recommendations may be made. We recommend on-site observation of excavations by a representative of the geotechnical engineer. The scope of services for this project did not include, specifically or by implication, any environmental or biological (e.g., mold, fungi, and bacteria) assessment of the site or identification or prevention of pollutants, hazardous materials or conditions or biological conditions. If the owner is concerned about the potential for such contamination, conditions or pollution, other studies should be undertaken. The report was prepared in substantial accordance with the generally accepted standards of practice for geotechnical engineering as exist in the site area at the time of our investigation. No warranties, express or implied, are intended or made. Respectfully Submitted: YEH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. 7 Divide Road Water Facility Project No. 212-011 Keith E. Asay Staff Engineer 8 Reviewed by: Richard D. Johnson, P.E. Project Manager • .rfrp "4 r:V)r-T:-..1lt• ; • • Topographic maps created yeah TOPOIRC Magma! Geographic Yeh andasinelates, Inc. coildisithiosii-hes‘cientists eitigteati teteirtifEr DESiGNE.D413D.kneons Os, USA 1.1.00En Divide Road Water Facility eRODEGT:liCRIBER,218‘011. SDALE HORIZ. Nig ID SCALE VERT; DDT TO SCALE Approximate , Site LocatiOn FIGURE 1 BORE HOLE LIGATION # zact x: uclz CO CD 0.0 <0 r- N - lc; co (.1 N ed 65 06 06 06 o � 06 c6 c6 os 5 ti FiE0E04 Fi c6 o6 ai c6 •ci o6 oft06 uogenei3 <6 us <6 to <6 Project Number: 212-011 Ls t2 w g 0 < 0 0 Ow j (I) COz Cc's' CI Z < 5 r ujw ›- 0 I /62 larfati rdOSDOI'lltrEIL 37IS Y NOILVAE13 AEI Sa0N3J 1 •I g 2 cci co aft co .co co g 4 cO" co IJORWAH3 zisx-moyaa mologn o-zq any- yomAirs3oN34 IYEH AND ASSOCIATES, INC. I Project: Divide Road Water Facility GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS Project Number 212-011 Legend for Symbols Used on Test Hole Logs Sample Types ® Bulk sample was obtained from auger cuttings at the depths indicated. n Modified California Sampler. The symbol 29/12 indicates that 29 blows from a 140 pound hammer falling 30 inches was used to drive 2 -inch I.D. sampler 12 inches. Split Spoon Sampler. The symbol 50/1.5 Indicates that 50 blows from a 140 pound hammer falling 30 inches was used to drive 1.5 -inch I.D. sampler 1.5 Inches. Soil Lithology a; Topsoil, brown, dark brown. Sand, silty, clayey, loose, slightly moist to moist, brown (SM). Bedrock Lithology Weathered sandstone bedrock, medium hard, slightly moist, white, light brown, rust. Sandstone bedrock, occasionally cemented, hard to very hard, slightly moist, white, light brawn, rust. NOTES: 1. Test holes were drilled on February 14 and 15, 2012 with 4 -inch continuous flight auger. 2. Groundwater was not encountered. 3. Test hole descriptions are subject to explanations contained in this report. 4. Elevations were estimated from topography by others. 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YEH & ASSOCIATES, INC Summary of Laboratory Test Results 4 N N Soil Description Sandstone Bedrock Weathered Sandstone Bedrock d2 0.006 Atterberq Limits o- z z J 0- Cl. z d z Z Z 1 Gram Size Analysis qJ N o L V V s N o 0) N v Vo 0 o in P 0 rn Moisture l Content (%) tq ra o a 'c V7 m Sample Location 3 N co I-- V) Q CA co U Depth (ft) N N 1 1 CA - Indicates Modified Test Hole rm I- S I- .0 = N = CO L'Y CP- C C O C 1 mmC Is U a � c a Z Z r 0) N a