HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoils Report 08.29.2018H-PKUMAR
Geotechnical Engineering 1 Engineering Geology
Materiels 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
SUBSOIL STUDY
FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN
PROPOSED RESIDENCE
LOT FW -5, THE FAIRWAYS
ASPEN GLEN DEVELOPMENT
GOLDEN BEAR
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
PROJECT NO. 18-7-525
AUGUST 29, 2018
PREPARED FOR:
KEVIN EVERSON
C/O RM CONSTRUCTION
ATTN: BLAKE PILAND
5030 COUNTY ROAD 154
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
blake@buildwithrm.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY - 1 -
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION - 1 -
SITE CONDITIONS - 2 -1
SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL - 2 -
FIELD EXPLORATION - 3 =
SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS , - 3 -
FOUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS - 4 -
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - 4 -
FOUNDATIONS - 4 -
FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS - 5 -
FLOOR SLABS - 6 -
UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM - 7 -
SURFACE DRAINAGE - 7 -
LIMITATIONS - 8 -
REFERENCES -9-
FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
FIGURE 2 - LOGS OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
FIGURE 3 - LEGEND AND NOTES
FIGURES 4 AND 5 - SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
TABLE 1- SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS
H-P-KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
This report presents the results of a subsoil study for a proposed residence to be located on Lot
FW -5, The Fairways, Aspen Glen Development, Golder Bear, Garfield County, Colorado. The
project site is shown on Figure 1. The purpose of the study was to develop recommendations for
the foundation design. The study was conducted in accordance with our agreement for
geotechnical engineering services to Kevin Everson dated August 16, 2018.
A field exploration program consisting of exploratory borings was conducted 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
Development plans were not available at the time of our study and we understand our findings
will be considered in the lot purchase. For our study, we assume the residence will be typical of
this area and be a 1 and 2 -story, wood frame structure above a partial or full basement level.
Ground floors could be structural above crawlspace or slab -on -grade. Grading for the structure
is assumed to be relatively minor with cut depths between about 3 to 10 feet. We assume
relatively light foundation loadings, typical of the proposed type of construction.
When building location, grading and loading information have been developed, we should be
notified to re-evaluate the recommendations presented in this report.
H-P�KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-2 -
SITE CONDITIONS
The lot was vacant and vegetated with grass and weeds at the time of our study. Willows are
located along the golf course pond near the southwest corner of the lot. The ground surface
slopes gently down to the north with about 2 feet elevation difference across the general building
area. Fairway 2 is located along the west side, Golden Bear roadway is along the east side and
vacant lots border the south and north sides of the lot.
SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL
Bedrock of the Pennsylvanian age Eagle Valley Evaporite underlies the Aspen Glen
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 possibility 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. During previous studies in the area, broad subsidence
areas and several sinkholes were observed scattered throughout the Aspen Glen development,
mainly to the east of the Roaring Fork River (Chen -Northern, 1991 and 1993). These sinkholes
appear similar to others associated with the Eagle Valley Evaporite in areas of the lower Roaring
Fork River valley.
The nearest sinkhole was mapped about 900 feet north of Lot FW -5. 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 borings were 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 FW -5 throughout the service life of the proposed residence, in our opinion, is low;
however, the owner should be made aware of the potential for sinkhole development. If further
investigation of possible cavities in the bedrock below the site is desired, we should be
contacted.
H-P%KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-3 -
FIELD EXPLORATION
The field exploration for the project was conducted on August 20, 2018. Two exploratory
borings were drilled at the locations shown on Figure 1 to evaluate the subsurface conditions.
The borings were advanced with 4 -inch diameter continuous flight augers powered by a truck-
mounted CME -45B drill rig. The borings were logged by a representative of H-P/Kumar.
Samples of the subsoils were taken with 1% -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-1586.
The penetration resistance values are 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 Logs of Exploratory Borings, Figure 2. The samples were returned to our
laboratory for review by the project engineer and testing.
SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
Graphic logs of the subsurface conditions encountered at the site are shown on Figure 2. The
subsoils, below about 1/2 foot of topsoil, consist of very stiff to stiff, sandy silt and clay to sandy
clay down to depths of 81/2 and 12 feet overlying dense, slightly silty sandy gravel and cobbles
with boulders. Drilling in the dense granular soils with auger equipment was difficult due to the
cobbles and boulders and drilling refusal was encountered in the deposit.
Laboratory testing performed on samples obtained from the borings included natural moisture
content and density and finer than sand size gradation analyses. Results of swell -consolidation
testing performed on relatively undisturbed drive samples of the silt and clay soils, presented on
Figures 4 and 5, indicate low compressibility under conditions of light loading and natural
moisture content. The samples showed variable expansion (Boring 1 at 21/2 feet) or compression
(Boring 2 at 5 feet) when wetted. The laboratory testing is summarized in Table 1.
No free water was encountered in the borings at the time of drilling and the subsoils were
slightly moist.
H-P-KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-4 -
FOUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS
The upper silt and clay soils have variable load capacity and movement potential, mainly when
wetted and use of mitigation methods to reduce the movement risk appears warranted. The
underlying dense granular soils have moderate load capacity and low settlement potential.
Partial or total removal of the silt and clay soils and replacement with compacted structural fill to
a maximum depth of around 5 feet could also be used to achieve relatively low settlement
potential. The suitability of the silt and clay soils to support building foundations and floor slabs
should be further evaluated at the time of construction.
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
FOUNDATIONS
Considering the subsurface conditions encountered in the exploratory borings and the nature of
the proposed construction,
on the natural granular soils or compacted structural fill.
we recommend the building be founded with spread footings bearing
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 or compacted structural
fill should be designed for an allowable bearing pressure of 2,500 psf. Based on
experience, we expect settlement of footings designed and constructed as
discussed in this section will be about 1 inch or less.
2) The footings should have a minimum width of 16 inches for continuous 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
of foundations at least 36 inches below exterior grade is typically used in this
area.
4) 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.
H-PvKUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-5 -
Foundation walls acting as retaining structures should also be designed to resist
lateral earth pressures as discussed in the "Foundation and Retaining Walls"
section of this report.
5) The topsoil, silt and clay soils and any loose disturbed soils should be removed
down to the relatively dense natural granular soils. The exposed soils in footing
area should then be moistened and compacted. Structural fill placed to reestablish
design bearing level should consist of a relatively well graded granular soil (such
as road base) excluding organics and rock larger than 6 inches compacted to at
least 98% of standard Proctor density at near optimum moisture content. The
structural fill should extend laterally out beyond the footing edges a minimum
distance of one-half the fill depth below the footing.
6) A representative of the geotechnical engineer should observe all footing
excavations prior to concrete placement to evaluate bearing conditions and test
structural fill for compaction.
FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS
Foundation walls and retaining structures which are laterally supported and can be expected to
undergo only a slight amount of deflection should be designed for a lateral earth pressure
computed on the basis of an equivalent fluid unit weight of at least 55 pcf for backfill consisting
of the on-site fine-grained soils. Cantilevered retaining structures (if any) which are separate
from the residence and can be expected to deflect sufficiently to mobilize the full active earth
pressure condition should be designed for a lateral earth pressure computed on the basis of an
equivalent fluid unit weight of at least 50 pcf for backfill consisting of the on-site fine-grained
soils. Backfill should not contain organics, debris or rock larger than about 6 inches.
All foundation and retaining structures should be designed for appropriate hydrostatic and
surcharge pressures such as adjacent footings, traffic, construction materials and equipment. The
pressures recommended above assume drained conditions behind the walls and a horizontal
backfill surface. The buildup of water behind a wall or an upward sloping backfill surface will
increase the lateral pressure imposed on a foundation wall or retaining structure. An underdrain
should be provided to prevent hydrostatic pressure buildup behind walls.
H-P-MKUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
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Backfill should be placed in uniform lifts and compacted to at least 90% of the maximum
standard Proctor density at near optimum moisture content. Backfill placed in pavement and
walkway areas should be compacted to at least 95% of the maximum standard Proctor density.
Care should be taken not to overcompact the backfill or use large equipment near the wall, since
this could cause excessive lateral pressure on the wall. Some settlement of deep foundation wall
backfill should be expected, even if the material is placed correctly, and could result in distress to
facilities constructed on the backfill. A relatively well graded granular material such as road
base and compaction to at least 98% of standard Proctor density could be used to limit the
settlement potential.
The lateral resistance of foundation or retaining wall footings will be a combination of the
sliding resistance of the footing on the foundation materials and passive earth pressure against
the side of the footing. Resistance to sliding at the bottoms of the footings can be calculated
based on a coefficient of friction of 0.45. Passive pressure of compacted backfill against the
sides of the footings can be calculated using an equivalent fluid unit weight of 400 pcf. The
coefficient of friction and passive pressure values recommended above assume ultimate soil
strength. Suitable factors of safety should be included in the design to limit the strain which will
occur at the ultimate strength, particularly in the case of passive resistance. Fill placed against
the sides of the footings to resist lateral loads should be a granular material compacted to at least
95% of the maximum standard Proctor density at a moisture content near optimum.
FLOOR SLABS
The natural on-site soils, exclusive of topsoil, can be used to support lightly loaded slab -on -grade
construction with a risk of movement and distress. The movement potential can be reduced by
replacing at least 2 feet of the silt and clay soil below slab areas with structural fill such as road
base. 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 basement level slabs to facilitate drainage. This material should
H-P1KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-7 -
consist of minus 2 -inch aggregate with at least 50% retained on the No. 4 sieve and less than 2%
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 or imported granular soils devoid of vegetation, topsoil and oversized rock.
UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM
Although free water was not encountered during our exploration, it has been our experience in
the area and where there are clay soils that local perched groundwater can develop during times
of heavy precipitation or seasonal runoff. Frozen ground during spring runoff can create a
perched condition. We recommend below -grade construction, such as retaining walls,
crawlspace and basement areas, be protected from wetting and hydrostatic pressure buildup by
an underdrain system.
The drains should consist of drainpipe placed in the bottom of the wall backfill surrounded above
the invert level with free -draining granular material. The drain should be placed at each level of
excavation and at least 1 foot below lowest adjacent finish grade and sloped at a minimum 1% to
a suitable gravity outlet. Free -draining granular material used in the underdrain system should
contain less than 2% passing the No. 200 sieve, less than 50% passing the No. 4 sieve and have a
maximum size of 2 inches. The drain gravel backfill should be at least 11/2 feet deep. An
impervious membrane such as 20 mil PVC should be placed beneath the drain gravel in a trough
shape and attached to the foundation wall with mastic to prevent wetting of the bearing soils.
The liner can be omitted where the footings bear directly on the natural gravel soils.
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.
H-P1KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-8-
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 paved areas. Free -draining wall backfill should be
covered with filter fabric and capped with about 2 feet of the on-site soils to
reduce surface water infiltration.
4) Roof downspouts and drains should discharge well beyond the limits of all
backfill.
5) Landscaping which requires regular heavy irrigation should be located at least 5
feet from foundation walls.
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 borings drilled 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 moldor 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 borings 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
should provide continued consultation and field services during construction to review and
H-P%KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
-9 -
monitor the implementation of our 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 of
the geotechnical engineer.
Respectfully Submitted,
H -P KU MAR
Steven L. Pawlak,
Reviewed by:
Daniel E. Hardin, P.E.
Sj.,P/kac
oLL
REFERENCES
Chen -Northern, Inc., 1991, Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Study, Proposed Aspen Glen
Development, Garfield County, Colorado, prepared for Aspen Glen Company, dated
December 20, 1991, Job No. 4 112 92.
Chen -Northern, Inc, 1993, Geotechnical Engineering Study for Preliminary Plat Design, Aspen
Glen Development, Garfield County, Colorado, prepared for Aspen Glen Company,
dated May 28, 1993, Job No. 4 112 92.
H-Pk4KUMAR
Project No. 18-7-525
BENCHMARK:
MANHOLE RIM
EL. 100' ASSUMED
GOLDEN BEAR
®4^F—yam ...M.M•+ +•
eel
LOT FW 6
i
1
1
1
a
BORING 1
LOT FW 5
NOT TO SCALE
18-7-525
2ND FAIR WAY
H-PtiKUMAR
BORING 2
1
1
+w.••=ms
LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
Fig. 1
0
5
10
15
18-7-525
BORING 1
EL. 101'
21/12
WC=6.B
DD=115
9/12
WC=10.1
DD=94
-200=67
50/4
H-P---*KIJMAR
BORING 2
EL. 103'
19/12
15/12
WC=6.9
DD=94
19/12
WC=7.2
DD=113
-200=66
LOGS OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
0
0
DEPTH -FEET
10
15-
Fig. 2
LEGEND
TOPSOIL; ORGANIC SANDY SILT AND CLAY, FIRM, SLIGHTLY MUISI, BROWN.
SILT AND CLAY (ML—CL); SANDY, VERY STIFF TO STIFF, SLIGHTLY MOIST, BROWN, SLIGHTLY
POROUS AND CALCAREOUS.
/F1 GRAVEL AND COBBLES (GM—GP); SLIGHTLY SILTY, SANDY, PROBABLE BOULDERS, DENSE,
SLIGHTLY MOIST, MIXED BROWN, ROUNDED ROCK.
RELATIVELY UNDISTURBED DRIVE SAMPLE; 2—INCH I.D. CALIFORNIA LINER SAMPLE.
DRIVE SAMPLE; STANDARD PENETRATION TEST (SPT), 1 3/8 INCH I.D. SPLIT SPOON
SAMPLE, ASIM 0-1586.
21/12 DRIVE SAMPLE BLOW COUNT. INDICATES [HAI 21 BLOWS OF A 140—POUND HAMMER
FALLING 30 INCHES WERE REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE CALIFORNIA OR SPT SAMPLER 12 INCHES.
I PRACTICAL AUGER REFUSAL.
NOTES
1. THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE DRILLED ON AUGUST 20, 2018 WITH A 4—INCH DIAMETER
CONTINUOUS FLIGHT POWER AUGER.
2. THE LOCATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE MEASURED APPROXIMATELY BY PACING
FROM FEATURES SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN PROVIDED.
3. THE ELEVATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE MEASURED BY HAND LEVEL AND REFER
TO THE BENCHMARK ON FIG. 1.
4. THE EXPLORATORY BORING 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 BORING LOGS REPRESENT THE
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN MATERIAL TYPES AND THE TRANSITIONS MAY BE GRADUAL.
6. GROUNDWATER WAS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE BORINGS AT THE TIME OF DRILLING.
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).
18-7-525
H-P45KUMAR
LEGEND AND NOTES
Fig. 3
F
5
s
s
J
CONSOLIDATION - SWELL
3
2
0
—1
—2
—3
18-7-525
f0
H-PtiKUMAR
APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF
10
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
100
Fig. 4
SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay
FROM: Boring 1 ® 2.5'
WC = 6.8 %, DD = 115 pcf
EXPANSION UNDER CONSTANT
PRESSURE UPON WETTING
.4
�.1
e
_
—
4----
— —
—...�
—
Th... test mull. tippy tiny to 1M'
Oionotoi t..ted. Tn. falling .wart
oTeO not 110 eep}advCed, on pt in
M. .IU.oul p.. .:H,n npp.wal al
Humor and Anacleto., Inc. S..II
=doiGnn�ria p.elmn a M
occwaw.c. �ih u o—+S.E.
18-7-525
f0
H-PtiKUMAR
APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF
10
SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
100
Fig. 4
2
0
J —2
W
3
N
CONSOLIDATION
—4
—6
8
—10
—12
18-7-525
H-P-KUMAR
SWELL—CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 5
SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silt and Clay
FROM: Boring 2 ® 5'
WC = 6.9 %, DD = 94 pcf
��J-E
ADDITIONAL COMPRESSION
UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE
DUE TO WETTING
-.
Th.m teat results apply only to In.
wimples teated. T. Luting report
shall ,,o1 In ropra_,,v. a,c pt in
fuU. r'iFoul the • nIl.. arp•c.al el
Kumon and Aaaocialea. Inc 5..11
Consolidation tasting pMarm.d In
occordanc. Mtn ASTY 0-4346.
1 Q APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF 10 1flfl
18-7-525
H-P-KUMAR
SWELL—CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
Fig. 5
H-PI<UMAR
TABLE 1
SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS
Project No. 18-7-525
SAMPLE LOCATION
NATURAL
MOISTURE
CONTENT
(%)
NATURAL
DRY
DENSITY
(Fact)
GRADATION
PERCENT
PASSING
NO. 200
SIEVE
ATTERBERG LIMITS
UNCONFINED
COMPRESSIVE
STRENGTH
(Psf)
SOIL TYPE
BORING
DEPTH
(ft)
GRAVEL
(%)
SAND
(%)
LIQUID
LIMIT
(%)
PLASTIC
INDEX
(%O
1
21/2
6.8
115
Sandy Silty Clay
5
10.1
94
67
Sandy Silt and Clay
2
5
6.9
94
Sandy Silt and Clay
10
7.2
113
66
Sandy Silt and Clay