HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoils Report 01.10.2012io
January 10, 2012
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David Lubrant david1ubrantra.:live.coiu
338 Stagecoach Trail
Durango, Colorado 81301
Subject:
Dear David:
Job No.11 1 394A
Subsoil Study for Foundation Design, Proposed Residence, Lot E7, Aspen
Equestrian Estates, 38 Equestrian Way, Garfield County, Colorado
As requested, Hepworth-Pawlak Geotechnical, Inc. performed a subsoil study for design
of foundations at the subject site. The study was conducted in accordance with our
agreement for geotechnical engineering services to you dated December 29, 201 1. The
data obtained and our recommendations based on the proposed construction and
subsurface conditions encountered are presented in this report. We previously performed
a subsoil study for development of the Aspen Equestrian Estates Subdivision dated
August 8, 1998, Job No. 198 501.
Proposed Construction: The proposed residence will be one story wood frame
construction with an attached garage located on the site in the area shown on Figure 1.
Ground floor will be slab -on -grade. Cut depths are expected to range between about 3 to
4 feet. Foundation loadings for this type of construction are assumed to be relatively light
and typical of the proposed type of construction.
If building conditions or foundation loadings are significantly different from those
described above, we should be notified to re-evaluate the recommendations presented in
this report.
Site Conditions: The site was vacant and free of snow at the time ofour field work. The
lot is flat with a slight slope down to the south. An inactive irrigation ditch is located on
the west property line. The ditch bottom is about 3 feet lower than the majority o f the lot.
-2 -
The site is vegetated with grass and weeds with thick willow brush along the ditch. A
wire fence is located on the south property line. The adjoining lot to the east is developed
with a two story wood frame house. The lot to the northwest was vacant but had a
construction trailer and some building materials on it.
Subsidence Potential: Aspen Equestrian Estates is underlain by Pennsylvania Age Eagle
Valley Evaporite bedrock. The evaporite contains gypsum deposits. Dissolution ofthe
gypsum under certain conditions can cause sinkholes to develop and can produce areas of
localized subsidence. Sinkholes associated with dissolution ofthe underlying bedrock
have been observed in the Roaring Fork Valley. Sinkholes have not been observed in
Aspen Equestrian Estates or in the immediate area of the subject lot. The exploratory pits
were shallow, for foundation design only, but evidence of sinkholes were not observed in
the pits. Based on our present knowledge of the site, it cannot be said for certain that
sinkholes will not develop. In our opinion, the risk of ground subsidence at Lot E7 is low
and similar to other lots in the area but the owner should be aware of the potential for
sinkhole development.
Subsurface Conditions: The subsurface conditions at the site were evaluated by
excavating four exploratory pits at the approximate locations shown on Figure I. The
logs of the pits are presented on Figure 2. The subsoils encountered, below about 1 foot
of partly frozen topsoil, consist of h to 5 feet of sandy silty clay overlying relatively
dense sandy gravel with cobbles to the maximum pit depth of6h feet. Results of swell -
consolidation testing performed on a relatively undisturbed sample of sandy silty clay,
presented on Figure 3, indicate moderate compressibility under wetting and loading.
Results of a gradation analysis performed on a sample of sandy gravel with cobbles
(minus 5 inch fraction) obtained from the site are presented on Figure 4. No free water
was observed in the pits at the time of excavation and the soils were moist. The subsoil
conditions encountered at this site are similar to those encountered on the adjoining lots.
It has been our experience that groundwater in this area can be at about 3 to 4 feet deep
during the irrigation season.
Job No 1 I 1 394A
-3 -
Foundation Recommendations: Considering the subsoil conditions encountered in the
exploratory pits and the nature of the proposed construction, we recommend spread
footings placed on the undisturbed natural gravel soils designed for an allowable soil
bearing pressure of 2,500 psf for support of the proposed residence. Settlement of
footings placed on the gravel soils should be less than l inch. The clay soils tend to
compress under Ioad and should be removed from below footing areas. Footings should
be a minimum width of 16 inches for continuous walls and 2 feet for columns. Loose and
disturbed soils and existing clay encountered at the foundation bearing level within the
excavation should be removed and the footing bearing level extended down to the
undisturbed natural soils. Exterior footings should be provided with adequate cover
above their bearing elevations for frost protection. Placement of footings at least 36
inches below the exterior grade is typically used in this area. Continuous foundation
walls should be reinforced top and bottom to span local anomalies such as by assuming
an unsupported length of at least 10 feet. Foundation walls acting as retaining structures
(if any) should be designed to resist a lateral earth pressure based on an equivalent fluid
unit weight of at least 50 pcf for the on-site soil as backfill. Due to the potential for
shallow groundwater during irrigation season, we recommend against constructing a
crawlspacc.
Floor Slabs: The natural on-site soils, exclusive of topsoil, are suitable to support lightly
loaded slab -on -grade construction. To reduce the effects of some differential movement,
floor slabs should be separated from all bearing walls and columns with expansion joints
which allow unrestrained vertical movement. Floor slab control joints should be used to
reduce damage due to shrinkage cracking. The requirements for joint spacing and slab
reinforcement should be established by the designer based on experience and the intended
slab use. A minimum 4 inch layer of free -draining gravel should be placed beneath slabs
to act as a break for capillary moisture rise. This material should consist of minus 2 inch
aggregate with less than 50% passing the No. 4 sieve and less than 2% passing the No.
200 sieve (3/ -inch screened rock).
Job No.111 394A
-4 -
All fill materials for support of floor slabs should be compacted to at least 95% of
maximum standard Proctor density at a moisture content near optimum. Required fill can
consist of the on-site gravel soils or a suitable imported gravel devoid of vegetation,
topsoil and oversized rock.
Unde(rdrain System: An underdrain system should not be necessary and is —13t--.)
n
recommended for the proposed slab -on -grade construction.
Surface Drainage: The following drainage precautions should be observed during
construction and maintained at all times after the residence has been completed:
1) Inundation of the foundation excavations and underslab areas should be
avoided during construction.
2) Exterior backfill should be adjusted to near optimum moisture and
compacted to at least 95% of the maximum standard Proctor density in
pavement and slab areas and to at least 90% of the maximum standard
Proctor density in Landscape areas.
3) The ground surface surrounding the exterior of the building should be
sloped to drain away from the foundation in all directions. We
recommend a minimum slope of 6 inches in the first 10 feet in unpaved
areas and a minimum slope of 3 inches in the first 10 feet in pavement and
walkway areas.
4) Roof downspouts and drains should discharge well beyond the limits of all
backfill.
Limitations: This study has been conducted in accordance with generally accepted
geotechnical engineering principles and practices in this area at this time. We make no
warranty either express or implied. The conclusions and recommendations submitted in
this report are based upon the data obtained from the exploratory pits excavated at the
locations indicated on Figure 1 and to the depths shown on Figure 2, the proposed type of
construction, and our experience in the area. Our services do not include determining the
presence, prevention or possibility of mold or other biological contaminants (MOBC)
Job No. I I 1 394A
-5 -
developing in the future. If the client is concerned about MOBC, then a professional in
this special field of practice should be consulted. Our findings include interpolation and
extrapolation ofthe subsurface conditions identified at the exploratory pits and variations
in the subsurface conditions may not become evident until excavation is performed. If
conditions encountered during construction appear different from those described in this
report, we should be notified at once so re-evaluation ofthe recommendations niay be
made.
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use by our client for design purposes. We
are not responsible for technical interpretations by others ofour information. As the
project evolves, we should provide continued consultation and field services during
construction to review and monitor the implementation ofour recommendations. and to
verify that the recommendations have been appropriately interpreted. Significant design
changes may require additional analysis or modifications to the recommendations
presented herein. We recommend on-site observation of excavations and foundation
bearing strata and testing of structural fill by a representative ofthe geotechnical
engineer.
If you have any questions or if we may be of further assistance, please let us know.
Respectfully Submitted,
HEPWORTH - PAWL
Daniel E. Har
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attachments
Figure I — Location of Exploratory Pits
Figure 2 -- Logs of Exploratory Pits
Figure 3 — Swell -Consolidation Test Results
Figure 4 — Gradation Test Results
Table I — Summary of Laboratoiy Test Results
Job No.1 11394A
G tech
APPROXIMATE SCALE
1"=30'
LOT 8E 44;
HP GEOTECH
JOB NO. 111348A
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PIT 1
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PIT 4
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APPROXIMATE
PROPOSED
RESIDENCE
LOCATION
PIT 2
LOT E7
111 394A
HIFPwoR11+PAWIMt G@07eCIQ CAL
LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY PITS
Figure 1
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LEGEND:
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PIT1
WC=19.7
00=101
-200=87
PIT 2
• I +4=70
— J -200=4
PIT 3
TOPSOIL; organic sandy silt and clay, moist, dark brown, frozen.
CLAY (CL); sandy, silty, medium stiff, moist, brown.
PIT 4
GRAVEL (GM -GP); with cobbles and small boulders, sandy, slightly silty, dense, moist, light brown,
subrounded rocks.
2" Diameter hand driven finer sample.
Disturbed bulk sample.
0
5
10
NOTES:
1. Exploratory pits were excavated on January 3, 2012 with a Bobcat 337 mini -excavator.
2. Locations of exploratory pits were measured approximately by pacing from features shown on the site plan
provided.
3. Elevations of exploratory pits were not measured and the logs of exploratory pits are drawn to depth.
4. The exploratory pit locations and elevations should be considered accurate only to the degree Implied by the method
used.
5. The lines between materials shown on the exploratory pit Togs represent the approximate boundaries between
material types and transitions may be gradual.
6. No free water was encountered in the pits at the time of excavating. Fluctuation In water level may occur with time.
7. Laboratory Testing Results:
WC = Water Content (%)
DD = Dry Density (pcf)
+4 = Percent retained on the No. 4 sieve
-200 = Percent passing No. 200 sieve
111 394A
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LOGS OF EXPLORATORY PITS
Figure 2
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Moisture Content = 19.7 percent
Dry Density = 101 pcf
Passing No. 200 Sieve = 87 percent
Sample of: Sandy Silty Clay
From: Pit 1 at 1 Y Feet
Compression
upon
wetting
0.1
111 394A
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HEPWORTH-PAW LAK GROTECHICCAL
14
APPLIED PRESSURE - ksf
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
100
Figure 3
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HYDROMETER ANALYSISSIEVE ANALYSIS
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DIAMETER OF PARTICLES IN MILLIMETERS
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9.5 519.0 37.6
12.
762 121 2 203
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SILT AND CLAY 4 %
CLAY TO T
FNE 1 WO▪ W • !coma I
GRAVEL 70 %
SAMPLE OF: Sandy Gravel with Cobbles
111 394A
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H1!PWORfH.PAWLMt GtOTECHHICAL,
SAND 26 %
FROM: Pit 2 at 3 to 4 Feet
GRADATION TEST RESULTS
90
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Figure 4
°TECHNICAL, INC.
Job No. 111 394A
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