HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubsoil Study for Foundation Design 01.24.17H.PTKUMAR 5020 County Fload 154
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Phone: (970) 945-7998
Fax (970) 945-8454
Email: hpkglenwood@kumarusa.com
Geotechnical Engineering I Engineering Geology
Materials Testing I Environmental
Office Locations: Parker, Glenwood Springs, and Silverthorne, Colorado
SUBSOIL STUDY
FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN
PROPOSED RESIDENCE
LOT 31,ITERON CROSSING AT IRONBRIDGE
RIVER BEND WAY
GaRFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
PROJECT NO. t7-7-t29
JANUARY 24,2017
PREPARED FOR:
RM CONSTRUCTION
ATTN: TOM DOOGAN
" 5O3O COUNTY ROAD'154
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO 81601M
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
SITE CONDITIONS
SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL.....,
FMLD EXPLORATION
SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
FOIJNDATION BEARING CONDMIONS
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS .........
FOUNDATIONS
FLOOR SLABS
I.JNDERDRAIN SYSTEM..
SURFACE DRAINAGE
LIMITATIONS
FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORING
FIGURE 2 -LOG OF EXPLORATORY BORING
FIGURE 3 - SWELL-CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
TABLE 1 - SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS
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H-P \ KUMAR Project No. 17-7-129
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
This report presents the results ofa subsoil study for a proposed residence to be located on Lot
31, Heron Crossing at lronbridge, River Bend V/ay, Garf,reld County, Colorado. The project site
is shown on Figure 1. The purpose of the stlrdy was to develop recommendations for the
foundation design. The study was conducted in accordance with our agreement for geotechnical
engineering services to RM Construction dated January 16,2017. Hepworth-Pawlak
Geotechnical (now H-P/Kumar) previously conducted a preliminary subsoil study in the Heron
Crossing at konbridge development area and presented the findings in a report dated Febnrary
28,2014, Job No. 113 471A.
An exploratory boring was drilled to obtain information on the subsurface conditions. Samples
of the subsoils obtained during the field exploration were tested in the laboratory to determine
their classification, compressibility or swell and other engineering characteristics. The results of
the field exploration and laboratory testing were analyzed to develop recommendations for
foundation types, depths and allowable pressures for the proposed building foundation. This
report summarizes the data obtained during this study and presents our conclusions, design
recommendations and other geotechnical engineering considerations based on the proposed
construction and the subsurface conditions encountered.
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
Building plans were conceptual at the time of our study. In general, the proposed residence will
be a one-story structure with an attached slab-on-grade garage located as shown on Figtrre L
Ground floor of the residence will be structural over crawlspace. Grading for the structure is
assumed to be relatively minor with cut depths between about 3 to 5 feet. We assume relatively
light foundation loadings, typical of the proposed type of construction.
If building loadings, location or grading plans change significantly from those described above,
we should be notified to re-evaluate the recommendations contained in this report.
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SITE CONDITIONS
The lot was vacant and covercd with about 2 inches of snow and scattered weeds and grass at the
time of the field exploration. The ground surface had been stripped of topsoil. The ground
surface gently slopes down to the north. River Bend Way is asphalt paved and follows the
northeast boundary of the lot.
SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL
Bedrock of the Pennsylvanian age Eagle Valley Evaporite underlies the Ironbridge Development.
These rocks are a sequence of gypsiferous shale, fine-grained sandstone and siltstone with some
massive beds of gypsum and limestone. There is a possibiiity that massive gypsum deposits
associated with the Eagle Valley Evaporite underlie portions of the lot. Dissolution of the
gypsum under certain conditions can cause sinkholes to develop and can produce areas of
localized subsidence. Several sinkholes were observed during geological assessments conducted
for the konbridge development. These sinkholes appear similar to others associated with the
Eagle Valley Evaporite in areas of the Roaring Fork Valley. A sinkhole opened in the cart
storage pa*ing lot in January 2005 and iregular bedrock conditions have been identified in the
affordable housing site located roughly 500 to 1,000 feet south of the cunent development area.
Sinkholes were not observed in the immediate area of the subject lot. No evidence of cavities
was encountered in the subsurface materials; however, the exploratory boring was relatively
shallow, for foundation design only. Based on our present knowledge of the subsurface
conditions at the site, it cannot be said for certain that sinkholes will not develop. The risk of
future ground subsidence on Lot 31 throughout the service life ofthe proposed residence, in our
opinion, is low; however, the owner should be made aware of the potential for sinkhole
development. If ftrrther investigation of possible cavities in the bedrock below the site is desired,
we should be contacted.
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FIELD EXPLORATION
The field exploration for the project was conducted on January 17,2017. One exploratory
boring was drilled at the location shown on Figure I to evaluate the subsurface conditions. The
boring was advanced with 4 inch diameter continuous flight augers powered by a truck-mounted
cME-458 drill rig. The boring was logged by a representative of H-p/Kumar.
Samples of the subsoils were taken with l% inch and 2 inch I.D. spoon samplers. The samplers
were driven into the subsoils at various depths with blows from a 140 pound hammer falling 30
inches. This test is similar to the standard penetration test described by ASTM Method D-15g6.
The penetration resistance values ale an indication of the relative density or consistency of the
subsoils. Depths at which the samples were taken and the penetration resistance values are
shown on the Log of Exploratory Boring, Figure 2. The samples were returned to our laboratory
for review by the project engineer and testing.
SUBSURFACB CONDITIONS
A graphic log of the subsurface conditions encountered at the site is shown on Figgre 2. The
subsoils consist ofabout I 1 feet ofvery stiff, sandy silt and clay overlying dense, silty sandy
gravel with probable cobbles and boulders.
Laboratory testing performed on samples obtained from the boring included natural moisture
content and density, and finer than sand size (minus No. 200 sieve) gradation analyses. Resglts
of swell-consolidation testing performed on relatively undisturbed drive samples of the upper silt
and clay soil, presented on Figure 3, indicate low to moderate compressibility under conditions
of loading and wetting with a nil to low swell potential when wetted. The laboratory testing is
summarized in Table 1,
No free water was encountered in the boring at the time of drilling and the subsoils were slightly
morst.
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F'OUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS
The upper sandy silt and clay soils have low bearing capacity and low to moderate
compressibility mainly when loaded after wetting. Shallow spread footings placed on the natural
silt and clay soils can be used with a risk of movement as described below. The footing bearing
level should be at least 4 feet below existing ground surface so there is no more than 7 feet of
compressible soils below the bearing level. Use of a deep foundation placed on the underlying
dense gravel soils could be used to achieve a low settlement risk. The expansion measured on
mainly the sample from 5 feet depth appears to be an anomaly but the expansion potential should
be ftuther evaluated at the time of construction.
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
FOUNDATIONS
Considering the subsurface conditions encor¡ntered in the exploratory boring and the nature of
the proposed construction, we tecommend the building be founded with spread footings bearing
on the natural silt and clay soils. If a deep foundation is desired, we should be contacted for
supplemental recommendations.
The design and construction criteria presented below should be observed for a spread footing
foundation system.
1) Footings placed on the undisturbed natural granular soils should be designed for
an allowable bearing pressure of 1,000 psf. Based on experience, we expect
settlement of footings designed and constructed as discussed in this section will
be abor-rt % to I inch or less. Additional differential movement up to I inch could
occur if the bearing soils are wetted.
2) The footings should have a minimum width of 20 inches for continuo¡rs walls and
2 feet for isolated pads.
3) Exterior footings and footings beneath unheated areas should be provided with
adequate soil cover above their bearing elevation for frost protection. Placement
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of foundations at least 36 inches below exterior grade is typically used in this
area.
4)Continuous foundation walls should be heavily reinforced top and bottom to span
local anomalies such as by assuming an unsupported length of at least 14 feet.
Foundation walls acting as retaining structures should also be designed to resist a
lateral earth pressure coffesponding to an equivalent fluid unit weight of at least
55 pcf for on-site silt and clay soil as backfill.
Any existing fill, topsoil and any loose or disturbed soils should be removed. The
exposed soils in footing area should then be moistened and compacted.
A representative ofthe geotechnical engineer should observe all footing
excavations prior to concrete placement to evaluate bearing conditions.
The natural on-site soils, exclusive of topsoil, are suitable to support lightty loaded slab-on-grade
construction with a movement risk if the bearing soils are wetted. 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.
All fill materials for support of floor slabs should be compacted to at least 957a of maximum
standard Proctor density at a moistrlre content near optimum. Reqr-rired fill can consist of the on-
site silt and clay soils devoid of vegetation and topsoil.
UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM
It is our understanding the finished floor elevation at the lowest level will be at or above the
surrounding grade. Therefore, a foundation drain system is not required. It has been our
experience in the area that local perched groundwater can develop during times of heavy
precipitation or seasonal runoff. Frozen ground during spring mnoff can create a perched
condition. We recommend below-grade construction, such as retaining walls and basement
5)
6)
FLOOR SLABS
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areas, be protected from wetting and hydrostatic pressure buildup by an underdrain and wall
drain system. An underdrain should not be plovided around the crawlspace to help prevent
surface water infiltration down to the bearing soils.
If the finished floor elevation of the proposed structure has a basement level, we should be
contacted to provide recommendations for an underdrain system. All earth retaining stmctures
should be properly drained.
SURFACE DRAINAGE
Proper surface grading and drainage will be critical to the satisfactory performance of the
building. The following drainage precatttions should be observed during construction and
maintained at all times after the residence has been completed:
1) Inundation ofthe foundation excavations and underslab areas should be avoided
during construction.
2) Exterior backfill should be adjusted to near optimum moisturc and compacted to
at least 95Vo of the maximum standard Proctor density in pavement and slab areas
and to at least 907o 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 12 inches in the first 10 feet in unpaved areas and a minimum slope of 3
inches in the first 10 feet in paved areas. Drainage swales should have a
minimum slope of 3Vo.
4) Roof gutters should be provided with downspouts and drains that discharge well
beyond the limits of all backfill.
5) Landscaping which requires regular heavy irrigation should be located at least 10
feet from foundation walls. Consideration should be given to Lrse of xeriscape to
reduce the potential for wetting of soils below the building caused by irrigation.
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
H-P * KUMAR Project No. 17-7-129
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The conclusions and recommenclations submittecl in this report are based upon the data obtained
from the exploratory boring drilled at the location indicated on Figure l, 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) 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 of the
subsurface conditions identified at the exploratory boring 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 so
that re-evaluation of the recommendations may 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 of our information. As the project evolves, we
shottld provide continued consultation and field services during construction to review and
monitor the implementation of our recommendations, and to verify that the recommendations
have been appropriately interpreted. Significant design changes may require additional anaiysis
or modifications to the recommendations presented herein. 'We recommend on-site observation
ofexcavations and foundation bearing strata and testing ofstructural fill by a representative of
the geotechnical engineer.
Respectftrlly Submitted,
I.I-P* KUM,AR
Ålrrrt* r/r(Nt\@
Shane M. Mello, Staff Engineer
Reviewed by:
Steven L. Pawlak, P
SMM/ksw
H.P I KUMAR Project No.17-7-129
RIVER BEND WAY
LOT 30 LOT 52
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PROPOSED
BUILDING
AREA
a
BORING 1
LOT 51
EUILDING SETBACK LINE
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SCALE-FEET
17-7 -129 H-PryKUMAR LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORING Fig. 1
BORING 1 LEGEND
0 SILT AND CLÄY (ML-CL); SANDY, VERY STIFF, SUGHTLY MO|ST,
SROWN, SUGHTLY POROUS.
t6/12
WC=6.3 lF n*outl (cM); srLTy, sANDy, coBBLEs AND BouLDrRs
[:..H rnoamLE, DENSE, SLIGHTLY M0|ST, BRoWN, RoUNDED RocK.0D=1 01
5 2t/12
WC=7.0
DD=l 09
F
i
DRIVE SAMPLT, z-INCH I.D. CALIFORNIA LINER SAMPLE
t-l¡!
LJlr
It¡-o-l¡lo
0RtvE sAMpLE, I 5/S-|NCH t.D. SpLtT SP0ON STANDARD PENEIRATTON
TEST.
10 2a/n
WC=4.4
0D=l 08
-200=57
16712DR|VE SAMPLT BLOW COUNT. INDICATES ÎHAT 16 BL0WS OF¡-,'-A 110-POUND HAMMER FALLING 50 INCHES WERE RTAUIRED
TO DRIVE THE SAMPLER 12 INCHES.
15 NOTES
so/4 THE EXPLORATORY BORING WAS DRILLED ON JANUARY 17, 2017
WIÏH A 4-INCH DIAMETER CONTINUOUS FLIGHT POWER AUCER.
2, THE LOCATION OF THE EXPLORATORY BORING WAS MIASURTD
APPROXIMATELY BY PACING FROM FEATURES SHOWN ON THE
SITT PLAN PROVIDED.
20 3. THE ELEVATION OF THE EXPLORATORY BORING WAS NOT
MIASURED AND THE LOG OF THE IXPLORATORY BORING IS
PLOTTED TO DEPTH.
4, THE IXPLORÂTORY BORING LOCATION SHOULD BE CONSIDEREO
ACCURATE ONLY TO THE DEGRTE ÍMPLIED BY THE METHOD USEÓ.
5. ÏHE LINES BETWEEN MATERIALS SHOWN ON THE EXPLORATORY
BORING LOG REPRESilT THE APPROXIMATE BOUNDARIES BETWIEN
MATERIAL TYPTS ANO THE TRÄNSITIONS MAY BE GRADUAL.
6. GROUNDWATER WAS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE BORING AT
THE TIMT OF DRILLING.
7, LABORATORY TEST RESULTS:
WC = WATER coNTtNT (%) (ASTM 0 22t6);
DD = DRy DENstry (pcf) (tSru o zzto);'
-2OO = PERCENTAGE PASSING NO. 2OO SIEVT (ASTM D If4O).
17 -7 -129 H-PryKUMAR LOG OF EXPLORATORY BORING Fig. 2
SAMPLE OF: Sondy Sill ond Ctoy
FROM:Boring 1@ 2.5'
WC = 6.5 %, DD = 101 pcf
EXPANSION UNDER CONSTANT
PRESSURE UPON WETTING
JJ
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t/1zoo
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=UI
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altz()()
1
0
-1
-2
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2
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t0
SAMPLE 0F: Sondy Silt ond Cloy
FR0M:Boring 1 @ 5'
WC = 7.0 %, DD = 1Og pcf
lnd
h
17 -7 -129 H.PryKUMAR SWELL-CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS Fis. 3
H.P*KUMARTABLE 1SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTSProject No. 17-7-129SOIL TYPESandy Silt ancl ClaySandy Silt and ClaySandy Silt and ClayUNCONFINEDCOMPRESSIVESTRENGTHIPSF}ATTERBERG LIMITSPLASTICINDEX(%lLIQUIDLIMIT(%lPERCENTPASSINGNO.200SIEVE57GRADATIONSAND(V"lGRAVEL%t6.3101NATURALDRYDENS]TY{pcf}109108"NATURALMOISTURECONTENT(o/"17.44.4SAMPLE LOCATIONEORINGDEPTH2%5I01