HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoils Report 11.28.2017H-PKUMAR
Geotechnical Engineering I Engineering Geology
Materials Testing 1 Environmental
5020 County Road 154
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Phone: (970) 945-7988
Fax: (970) 945-8454
Email: hpkglenwood@kumarusa.com
Office Locations: Denver (HQ), Parker, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Summit County, Colorado
November 28, 2017
Mike Ruiz
775 Fir Avenue
Rifle, Colorado 81650
mike.unicorp@gmail.com
Subject:
Gentlemen:
Project No.17-7-798
Subsoil Study for Foundation Design and Percolation Test, Proposed Residence,
Lot 7, Native Springs, 19 Native Springs Drive, Garfield County, Colorado
As requested, H-P/Kumar performed a subsoil study for foundation design at the subject site.
The study was conducted in general accordance with our agreement for geotechnical engineering
services to Mike Ruiz, dated October 24, 2017. The agreement was changed to include a
percolation test for septic disposal system design information. The data obtained and our
recommendations based on the proposed construction and subsurface conditions encountered are
presented in this report. Hepworth-Pawlak Geotechnical (now H-P/Kumar) previously
conducted a preliminary geotechnical study for the subdivision development and presented the
findings in a report dated January 16, 2001, Job No. 100 460.
Proposed Construction: The proposed residence will be a single -story structure with slab -on -
grade floor located on the site as shown on Figure 1. Cut depths are expected to range between
about 2 to 6 feet below existing ground surface including about a 3 -foot deep cut into the slope
behind the residence. Foundation loadings for this type of construction are assumed to be
relatively light and typical of the proposed type of construction. The septic disposal system is
proposed to be located southwest of the residence.
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 building site was vacant at the time of our study and consists of a fallow
grass field. The ground surface slopes gently down to the southeast with about 3 to 4 feet of
-2 -
elevation difference across the building footprint. The grade steepens somewhat upslope to the
northwest of the building site at a grade of about 10 to 15%. A dry irrigation ditch traverses the
steep slope just above the lot. Vegetation consists of grass and weeds.
Subsurface Conditions: The subsurface conditions at the site were evaluated by observing 2
exploratory pits in the building area and two profile pits in the septic disposal area at the
approximate locations shown on Figure 1. The logs of the pits are presented on Figure 2. The
subsoils encountered, below about l to 1 foot of topsoil, consist of stiff, sandy silty clay to the
pit depths of 7 to 8 feet. Results of swell -consolidation testing performed on relatively
undisturbed samples of the clay soils, presented on Figures 3 and 4, indicate low compressibility
under existing moisture conditions and light loading and a low to moderate compressibility under
additional loading after wetting. Some of the soils are slightly porous and can have a collapse
potential when wetted under load. Results of gradation analyses performed on samples of soils
obtained from the septic disposal area pits are presented on Figures 5 & 6. The laboratory test
results are summarized in Table 1. No free water was observed in the pits at the time of
excavation and the soils were slightly moist to moist with depth.
Foundation Recommendations: Considering the subsoil conditions encountered in the
exploratory pits and the nature of the proposed construction, spread footings placed on the
undisturbed natural soil and designed for an allowable bearing pressure of 1,500 psf can be used
for support of the proposed residence with a settlement potential. The soils tend to compress
under loading and after wetting and there could be foundation settlements of around 1 to 11
inches. Footings should be a minimum width of 18 inches for continuous walls and 2 feet for
columns. The topsoil and loose disturbed soils encountered at foundation bearing level in the
excavation should be removed. The exposed soils should then be moisture adjusted to near
optimum and compacted. 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 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 (if any) should be designed to
resist a lateral earth pressure based on an equivalent fluid unit weight of at least 55 pcf for the
on-site soil as backfill.
H-P-KUMAR
Project No. 17-7-798
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Floor Slabs: The natural on-site soils, exclusive of topsoil, are suitable to support lightly loaded
slab -on -grade construction with low risk of slab movement. 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 relatively well graded sand and gravel such as road base
should be placed beneath slabs for support. This material should consist of minus 2 -inch
aggregate with less than 50% passing the No. 4 sieve and less than 12% passing the No. 200
sieve.
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 soils devoid of vegetation and topsoil.
Surface Drainage: Proper surface grading and drainage will be important to limit potential
wetting of the bearing soils below the building. 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 12 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. A swale will be
needed uphill to direct surface runoff around the residence.
4) Roof downspouts and drains should discharge well beyond the limits of all
backfill.
H-PKUMAR
Project No. 17-7-798
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5) Landscaping which requires regular heavy irrigation should be located at least 10
feet from the building. Consideration should be given to the use of xeriscape to
limit potential wetting of soils below the building caused by irrigation.
Percolation Testing: Percolation tests were conducted on November 2, 2017 to evaluate the
feasibility of an infiltration septic disposal system at the site. Two profile pits and three
percolation holes were dug at the locations shown on Figure 1. The test holes (nominal 12 -inch
diameter by 12 -inch deep) were hand dug at the bottom of shallow backhoe pits and were soaked
with water prior to testing. The soils exposed in the percolation holes are similar to those
exposed in the profile pits shown on Figure 2 and below the topsoil consist of loam. The
percolation test results are presented in Table 2. Based on the subsurface conditions encountered
and the percolation test results, the tested area should be suitable for a conventional infiltration
septic disposal system. We recommend the infiltration area be oversized due to the relatively
slow percolation rate. A civil engineer should design the infiltration septic disposal system.
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
expressed 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,
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 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 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
should provide continued consultation and field services during construction to review and
monitor the implementation of our recommendations, and to verify that the recommendations
H -P- KUMAR
Project No. 17-7-798
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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 of
the geotechnical engineer.
If you have any questions or if we may be of further assistance, please let us know.
Respectfully Submitted,
H -P ` KU MAR
Steven L. Pawlak, P • 1en 2
// ff9
Reviewed by:
Dance . Hardin. E.
SLP/kac
Attachments: Figure 1 — Location of Exploratory Pits
Figure 2 — Logs of Exploratory Pits
Figures 3 and 4 — Swell -Consolidation Test Results
Figures 5 & 6 — USDA Gradation Test Results
Table 1 — Summary of Laboratory Test Results
Table 2 — Percolation Test Results
cc: Westar, Inc — Stephen Kesler (westar@rof.net)
H-P�KUMAR
Project No. 17-7-798
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PROFILE PIT 29�
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SCALE—FEET
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NATIVE `1
' SPRINGS DRIVE
17-7-798
H-PtiKUMAR
LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY PITS
Fig. 1
DEPTH-FEET
TEST PIT 1 TEST PIT 2
0
5
//
/
/
/
WC=1 0.4
DD=105
WC=1 6.4
DD=104
UC=2,050
/
/
/ WC=9.4
/\DD=104
—200=81
WC=17.2
DD=105
PROFILE PIT 1 PROFILE PIT 2
/
/ / GRAVEL=1
/ SAND=43
SILT=36
/ /\ CLAY=20
/-
/
0
5
10 10
LEGEND
TOPSOIL; ORGANIC SANDY SILT AND CLAY, FIRM, BROWN.
CLAY (CL); SILTY, SANDY, STIFF, SLIGHTLY MOIST TO MOIST WITH DEPTH, BROWN, LOW
PLASTICITY, SLIGHTLY POROUS.
HAND DRIVEN LINER SAMPLE.
DISTURBED BULK SAMPLE.
NOTES
1. THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE OBSERVED ON NOVEMBER 2 AND 15, 2017 AND HAD BEEN DUG
WITH A BACKHOE.
2. THE LOCATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE MEASURED APPROXIMATELY BY PACING FROM
FEATURES SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN PROVIDED.
3. THE ELEVATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE NOT MEASURED AND THE LOGS OF THE
EXPLORATORY PITS ARE PLOTTED TO DEPTH.
4. THE EXPLORATORY PIT LOCATIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ACCURATE ONLY TO THE DEGREE
IMPLIED BY THE METHOD USED.
5. THE LINES BETWEEN MATERIALS SHOWN ON THE EXPLORATORY PIT LOGS REPRESENT THE
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN MATERIAL TYPES AND THE TRANSITIONS MAY BE GRADUAL.
6. GROUNDWATER WAS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE PITS AT THE TIME OF OBSERVATION.
7. LABORATORY TEST RESULTS:
WC = WATER CONTENT (%) (ASTM D 2216);
DD = DRY DENSITY (pcf) (ASTM D 2216);
—200= PERCENTAGE PASSING NO. 200 SIEVE (ASTM D 1140);
UC = UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (psf) (ASTM D 2166);
GRAVEL = PERCENT RETAINED ON NO. 10 SIEVE;
SAND = PERCENT PASSING NO. 10 SIEVE AND RETAINED ON NO. 325 SIEVE;
SILT = PERCENT PASSING NO. 325 SIEVE TO PARTICLE SIZE .002MM;
CLAY = PERCENT SMALLER THAN PARTICLE SIZE .002MM;
SILT AND CLAY = PERCENT PASSING THE NO. 325 SIEVE.
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
LOGS OF EXPLORATORY PITS
Fig. 2
1
0
—5
6
- KSF
10
100
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 3
SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay
FROM: Pit 1 @ 4'
WC = 10.4 %, DD = 105 pcf
ADDITIONAL COMPRESSION
UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE
DUE TO WETTING
These test results appy only to the
maniples tested. The testing report
shall not be reproduced. except In
full. without the written approval of
Kumar and Associates. Inc. Swell
Consolidation testing performed in
accordance with ASTM D-4546.
- KSF
10
100
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 3
CONSOLIDATION - SWELL
0
—2
— 3
—4
— 5
6
—7
D PRESSURE - KSF
10
100
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 4
SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay
FROM: Pit 2 CO 6'
WC = 17.2 %, DD = 105 pcf
—200 = x %, LL = x, PI = x
NO
MOVEMENT
WETTING
UPON
These tut results appy only to the
ample tasted. The testing report
shall not be reproduced. except in
lull, without the written approval of
Kumar and Associates. Inc. Swell
Consolidotion testing performed in
accordance with ASTM 0-4545.
D PRESSURE - KSF
10
100
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 4
c.\Draftng\177798-08 to
HYDROMETER ANALYSIS
SIEVE ANALYSIS
24HR
n45
TIME READINGS
7 H 1MIN.
MIN 15 MIN. €OMIN. 19MIN. 4MIN. #325
U.S. STANDARD SERIES 1 CLEAR SQUARE OPENINGS
#140 #60 #35 #18 #10 #4 3/8" 3/4" 11/2" 3" 5"6" 8"
__
PERCENT RETAINED
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 b' o
0 0 0 oo 0 0 0 0 0
PERCENT PASSING
'" 001 002
0
.005 009 .019 .045 .106 025 .500 1.00 2.00 4.75 95 19.0 37.5 762 152 203
DIAMETER OF PARTICLES IN MILLIMETERS
CLAY
SILT
SAND
GRAVEL
V. FINE 1 FINE I MEDIUM 1 COARSE IV COARSE
SMALL 1 MEDIUM 1 LARGE
COBBLES
GRAVEL 1 % SAND 34 % SILT 0 % CLAY 65 %
USDA SOIL TYPE: Loam FROM: Profile Pit 2 @ 3-4'
17-7-798
H -P- KUMAR
USDA GRADATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 5
HYDROMETER ANALYSIS
SIEVE ANALYSIS
24
D45
TIME READINGS
HR. 7 HR 1 MIN.
MIN. 15 MIN. 60MIN. 19MIN 4 MIN. #325
U.S. STANDARD SERIES I CLEAR SQUARE OPENINGS
#140 #60 #35 #18 # 10 #4 3/8" 3/4" 1 1/2" 3' 5° 6" 8"
_ _ _
PERCENT RETAINED
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PERCENT PASSING
' 001 .002
0
.005 .009 _019 .045 .106 .025 500 1.00 200 415 9 5 19.0 37.5 76.2 152 203
DIAMETER OF PARTICLES IN MILLIMETERS
CLAY
SILT
SAND
GRAVEL
V_ FINE 1 FINE 1 MEDIUM 1 COARSE 1V. COARSE
SMALL I MEDIUM 1 LARGE
COBBLES
GRAVEL 1 % SAND 34 % SILT 0 % CLAY 65 %
USDA SOIL TYPE: Loam FROM: Profile Pit 2 @ 3-4'
17--7-798
H -P--- KUMAR
USDA GRADATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 6
Project No. 17-7-798
I-
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M
ce cn
W
co
< i_
co
2 i_
W
}
1-'
ix
W
J H
Co ix
)) F_ CO
Q
13—
J
LL
thi
0
CCQ
E
2
0
(1)
SOIL TYPE
Sandy Silty Clay
Sandy Silty Clay II
Sandy Silty Clay 11
Sandy Silty Clay
ct
ct
0
Loam 11
USDA SOIL TEXTURE
4 o
0
O
N
36 39 24
1--
J c
(7)M
VD
CI
:::,C;
4
co0
Cr)
d'
GRAVEL
(%)
PERCENT
PASSING
NO. 200
SIEVE
81
GRADATION
4 o
0)
GRAVEL
(%)
SO1
(tad)
A1ISN30
AUG
waniVN
104
104
1)
O
NATURAL
MOISTURE
CONTENT
(%)
10.4
d.
N
t
11 SAMPLE LOCATION
DEPTH
(ft)
M
IPerc Pit 3 3-4
0
N
a�"
H-P1<UMAR
TABLE 2
PERCOLATION TEST RESULTS
PROJECT NO. 17-7-798
HOLE NO.
HOLE
DEPTH
(INCHES)
LENGTH OF
INTERVAL
(MIN)
WATER
DEPTH AT
START OF
INTERVAL
(INCHES)
WATER
DEPTH AT
END OF
INTERVAL
(INCHES)
DROP IN
WATER
LEVEL
(INCHES)
AVERAGE
PERCOLATION
RATE
(MIN./INCH)
P-1
491/2
15
Water Added
7
6
1
60
6
51/4
3/4
71/2
7
1/2
7
63/4
1/4
63/4
61/2
1/4
61/2
61/4
'/4
61/4
6
'/a
P-2
511/2
15
101/2
91/2
1
45
91/2
83/4
3/4
83/4
8
3/4
8
73/4
1/4
73/4
7'
1/2
71/4
7
%
7
61/2
1/2
61/2
61/4
1/4
P-3
48
15
101/4
93/4
1/2
60
93/4
91/2
1/4
91/2
91/4
%
9'/4
9
'/4
9
83/4
1/4
83/4
81/2
1/4
81/2
81/4
%
81/4
8
1/4
Note: Percolation test holes were hand dug in the bottom of backhoe pits and soaked
on November 2, 2017. Percolation tests were conducted on November 2, 2017.
The average percolation rates were based on the last three readings of each
test.