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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSoils Report 03.10.2020IC+A Kumar & Associates, Inc.® Geotechnical and Materials Engineers and Environmental Scientists 5020 County Road 154 Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 phone: (970) 945-7988 fax: (970) 945-8454 email: kaglenwood crkumarusa.com An Employee Owned Company www.kumarusa.com Office Locations: Denver (HQ), Parker, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, and Summit County, Colorado Auorfare SUBSOIL STUDY FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN PROPOSED RESIDENCE LOT IS -12, ASPEN GLEN, FILING 2 12 COLUMBINE GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO PROJECT NO. 20-7-157 MARCH 10, 2020 PREPARED FOR: RM CONSTRUCTION ATTN: BLAKE PILAND 5030 COUNTY ROAD 154 GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601 b lake(W, buildwith rm.com TABLE OF CONTENTS PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY - 1 - PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION - 1 - SITE CONDITIONS - 1 - SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL - 2 - FIELD EXPLORATION - 2 - SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS - 3 - FOUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS ... - 3 - DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS - 4 - FOUNDATIONS - 4 - FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS - 5 - FLOOR SLABS - 6 - UNDERDRAIN SYSTEM - 6 - SURFACE DRAINAGE - 7 - LIMITATIONS - 7 - FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS FIGURE 2 - LOGS OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS FIGURE 3 - LEGEND AND NOTES FIGURE 4 - SWELL -CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS FIGURE 5 - GRADATION TEST RESULTS TABLE 1- SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY This report presents the results of a subsoil study for a proposed residence to be located on Lot IS -12, Filing 2, Aspen Glen, 12 Columbine, 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 RM Construction dated February 24, 2020. 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 Design plans were conceptual at the time of this study. In general, the proposed residence will be a single -story structure. Ground floor could be slab -on -grade or structural above crawlspace. Grading for the structure is assumed to be relatively minor with cut depths between about 2 to 5 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. SITE CONDITIONS The site was vacant with minor snow covering the ground at the time of our field exploration. The ground was vegetated with grass and weeds. The site is located in the valley bottom with the terrain gently sloping generally down to the north. The adjacent lots are developed with 1 and 2 -story, single family residences. Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 2 SUBSIDENCE POTENTIAL Bedrock of the Pennsylvanian age Eagle Valley Evaporite underlies the Aspen Glen Subdivision. 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 work in the area, several sinkholes were observed scattered throughout Aspen Glen, mainly east of the Roaring Fork River. These sinkholes appear similar to others associated with the Eagle Valley Evaporite in areas of the middle to lower Roaring Fork River valley. Sinkholes were not observed on 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 L24 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. FIELD EXPLORATION The field exploration for the project was conducted on March 5, 2020. 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 Kumar & Associates, Inc. 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 Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 -3 - 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 consist of about one foot of topsoil overlying 5 to 51/2 feet of very stiff, sandy silty clay underlain by dense, slightly silty sandy gravel and cobbles with boulders to the depths explored of 8'/2 to 11 feet. Drilling in the coarse 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 gradation analyses. Results of swell -consolidation testing performed on relatively undisturbed drive samples of the clay soil, presented on Figure 4, indicate low to moderate compressibility under conditions of loading and wetting with a minor to low expansion potential when wetted under light loading. Results of gradation analyses performed on a small diameter drive samples (minus 11/2 -inch fraction) of the coarse granular subsoils are shown on Figure 5. 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. FOUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS The natural silty clay soils encountered in about the upper 6 feet of the borings possess low bearing capacity and variable compressibility/expansion potential when loaded and wetted. The underlying gravel soils possess moderate bearing capacity and typically low settlement potential. At assumed excavation depth, the subgrade is expected to be clay soils but deeper excavation could expose either materials. Spread footings placed on the natural soils should be feasible for foundation support of the residence. The compressibility/expansion potential of the clay soils should be further evaluated at the time of excavation. To reduce the risk of differential movement due to the variable bearing conditions, the footings could be extended down to the natural gravel soils. Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 4 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS FOUNDATIONS Considering the subsurface conditions encountered in the exploratory borings and the nature of the proposed construction, we recommend the building be founded with spread footings bearing on the natural soils. The design and construction criteria presented below should be observed for a spread footing foundation system. 1) Footings placed on the undisturbed natural soils should be designed for an allowable bearing pressure of 2,000 psf. Footings placed entirely on the natural dense granular soils can be designed for an allowable bearing pressure of 3,500 psf. Based on experience, we expect initial settlement of footings constructed on the natural soils will be about 1 inch or less and could be differential between clay and gravel bearing soils. Additional movement of about %2 inch could occur with footings bearing on the clay soils if they become wetted. 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 12 feet. 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 and any loose or disturbed soils should be removed and the footing bearing level extended down to the firm natural soils. The exposed soils in footing area should then be moistened and compacted. 6) A representative of the geotechnical engineer should observe all footing excavations prior to concrete placement to evaluate bearing conditions. Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 -5 - 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 soils. Cantilevered retaining structures 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 45 pcf for backfill consisting of the on-site 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. Backfill should be placed in uniform lifts and compacted to at least 90% of the maximum standard Proctor density at a moisture content near optimum. 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. 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 0.30 for clay soils and 0.50 for gravel soils. Passive pressure of compacted backfill against the sides of the footings can be calculated using an equivalent fluid unit weight of 450 pcf for gravel backfill. 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 Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 -6 - 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, appear suitable to support lightly loaded slab -on - grade construction. The expansion potential of the clay soils should be further evaluated at the time of excavation and the need for sub -excavation to a depth of around 2 feet and replacement with compacted structural fill. 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 (if any) to facilitate drainage. This material should 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 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 Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 -7- a suitable gravity outlet or drywell based in the underlying granular soils. 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. 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 paved areas. Free -draining wall backfill should be covered with filter fabric and capped with about 2 feet of the on-site finer graded 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 mold or other biological contaminants (MOBC) developing Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 8 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 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, Kumar & Associates, lc Steven L. Pawl Reviewed by: Daniel E. Hardin, P.E. SLP/kac Kumar & Associates, Inc. ® Project No. 20-7-157 3 8820043 3931 102014 R820048 9319 02019 410 R820042 23931910201'3 BORING 1 ROW 0 R820049 239319102020 LOT 15-i2 82 2.39319102006 R820036 •3' 319102007 ,17`6.5 9G 731MWI BORING 2 R820040 239319102011 e._ R820050 R:- 0037 2'3931910' 008 R820038 239319102009 820 239319102010 G R820052 2.3 23c gal4Ci4nesng. 50 0 50 100 APPROXIMATE SCALE -FEET 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS Fig. 1 1 E 1 gE 1- w w O a w 0 — 0 5 -- 10 BORING 1 EL. 100' 11 34/12 WC=6.8 DD=108 16/12 WC=9.6 DD=100 -200=81 BORING 2 EL. 100' //I 24/12 / 16/12 WC=9.8 / DD=104 51/12 WC=1 .3 +4=58 -200=7 50/3 0 5 10 — 15 15 a w 0 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates LOGS OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS Fig. 2 LEGEND kw i TOPSOIL; SANDY SILT AND CLAY WITH ORGANICS, BROWN. CLAY (CL); SILTY, SANDY, VERY STIFF, SLIGHTLY MOIST, RED, LOW PLASTICITY, SLIGHTLY POROUS, CALCAREOUS TRACES. GRAVEL AND COBBLES (GM—GP); SLIGHTLY SILTY, SANDY, PROBABLE BOULDERS, DENSE, SLIGHTLY MOIST, ROUNDED ROCK. DRIVE SAMPLE, 2—INCH I.D. CALIFORNIA LINER SAMPLE. IDRIVE SAMPLE, 1 3/8—INCH I.D. SPLIT SPOON STANDARD PENETRATION TEST. 34/12 DRIVE SAMPLE BLOW COUNT. INDICATES THAT 34 BLOWS OF A 140—POUND HAMMER FALLING 30 INCHES WERE REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE SAMPLER 12 INCHES. t PRACTICAL AUGER REFUSAL. NOTES i. THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE DRILLED ON MARCH 5, 2020 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 BORING 1 AS 100', ASSUMED. 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 D2216); DD = DRY DENSITY (pcf) (ASTM D2216); +4 = PERCENTAGE RETAINED ON NO. 4 SIEVE (ASTM D6913); —200= PERCENTAGE PASSING NO. 200 SIEVE (ASTM D1140). 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates LEGEND AND NOTES Fig. 3 CONSOLIDATION - SWELL CONSOLIDATION - SWELL 1 0 1 2 —3 4 5 2 1 0 1 2 1 0 APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF 10 T00 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates SWELL—CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS Fig. 4 SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay FROM: Boring 2 IP 5' SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay FROM: Boring 1 CO 2.5' WC = 9.8 %, DD = 104 pcf WC = 6.8 %, DD = 108 pcf I 1 Li L �''� — EXPANSION UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE UPON WETTING EXPANSION UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE UPON WETTING N These teenne apply only to The samples tested. The testing sport shall not be reproduced, exc pt In full, without the written approval of (Kumar and Associates, Inc. Swell iConsolidation testing perform d in accordance with ASTM D-4546, 1 0 APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF 10 T00 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates SWELL—CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS Fig. 4 SAMPLE OF: Sandy Silty Clay FROM: Boring 2 IP 5' WC = 9.8 %, DD = 104 pcf I 1 Li L �''� — EXPANSION UNDER CONSTANT PRESSURE UPON WETTING These teenne apply only to The samples tested. The testing sport shall not be reproduced, exc pt In full, without the written approval of (Kumar and Associates, Inc. Swell iConsolidation testing perform d in accordance with ASTM D-4546, 1 0 APPLIED PRESSURE - KSF 10 T00 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates SWELL—CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS Fig. 4 100 90 80 70 60 5 50 40 30 20 10 0 42$ 2.0 DIAMETER OF PARTICLES IN MILLIMETERS 152 CLAY TO SILT SAND GRAVEL FINE MEDIUM COARSE FINE COARSE COBBLES GRAVEL 58 LIQUID LIMIT SAMPLE OF: Slightly Silty Sandy Gravel SAND 35 PLASTICITY INDEX SILT AND CLAY 7 FROM: Boring 2 ® 7.5' 10 20 30 40 B a 50 60 a 70 80 90 100 These test results apply only to The samples which were tested. The ilte report shall not be reproduced, cotes In full, without the written approval of Kumar & Associates, Inc. Slave analysis testing Is performed In accordotle6 with ASTM D6913, ASTM D7929, ASTM C136 and/or ASTM D1140. 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates GRADATION TEST RESULTS Fig. 5 HYDROMETER ANALYSIS SIEVE ANALYSIS 24 HRS 7 HRS 45 MIN 5 MIN 6p.8N TIME READINGS 191WN 4M1N 2N)N 12y10 /100 U 6 5. STANDARD SERIES 0 j40 435 ;I .42) 4D 44 3/8" CLEAR 3/4" SQUARE I OPENINGS 2" 5' 6' - j I 1 1 I I 1 -i--. 1 1 I f -1 1 I 1 —t`-" L h I 1_ I .1 1 —I -- 1 I I l_ .—I l 1F r I 1 1 1 �' — .1— I 11< I ] h I I I I 1 Ali I 1- --.1 1 I- 1 � I -1--11 1 1 ! 1 1 1 11 1 II I 1! 1 1 1 F 1 , 1. I 1 1 1 1 11 0Z .• • �. .006. .1108 .018 .037 .075 .150 .300 1 .600 1.18. 1 2,36 4.75 9 5 16 38,1 763 927 201 42$ 2.0 DIAMETER OF PARTICLES IN MILLIMETERS 152 CLAY TO SILT SAND GRAVEL FINE MEDIUM COARSE FINE COARSE COBBLES GRAVEL 58 LIQUID LIMIT SAMPLE OF: Slightly Silty Sandy Gravel SAND 35 PLASTICITY INDEX SILT AND CLAY 7 FROM: Boring 2 ® 7.5' 10 20 30 40 B a 50 60 a 70 80 90 100 These test results apply only to The samples which were tested. The ilte report shall not be reproduced, cotes In full, without the written approval of Kumar & Associates, Inc. Slave analysis testing Is performed In accordotle6 with ASTM D6913, ASTM D7929, ASTM C136 and/or ASTM D1140. 20-7-157 Kumar & Associates GRADATION TEST RESULTS Fig. 5 1(+A Kumar & Associates, Inc.® Geotechnical and Materials Engineers and Environmental Scientists TABLE 1 SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS Project No. 20-7-157 SAMPLE LOCATION NATURAL MOISTURE CONTENT (%) NATURAL DRY DENSRY(%) (pct) GRADATION PERCENT PASSING 200 SIEVE ATTERBERG LIMITS 1 UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH [Ps`1 SOIL TYPE BORING DEPTH (ft) -- GRAVEL SAND (%) LIQUID LIMIT (%) PLASTIC INDEX (%) 1 21/z 6.8 108 Sandy Silty Clay 5 9.6 100 81 Sandy Silty Clay 2 5 9.8 104 Sandy Silty Clay 7Y2 1.3 58 35 7 Slightly Silty Sandy Gravel