HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubsoil Study for Foundation Design 04.24.2019t(+rt:*;,
lftÍmr & åsÉ$slãb6, lñG, 5020 County Road 154Geotechn¡câlândMaterlalsEnqíneers Glenwood Springs, CO AtOOt
ånd Env¡ronmðntal$cientiub phonå: (gi') S¿S-ZSSS
fax: (970) 945-8454
email : kaglenwood@kumarusâ.com
Ån Hnployco (hvngd Ëompony www.kumarusa.çotr
Ofüce Locations: Denver {HQ}, Farker, Çolorado Springs, Fort Coliins, Glenwood Springs, and $ummit County, tolorado
SUBSOIL STUDY
FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN
PROPOSED RESIDENCE
LOT 430 SPRTNG RIDGE RESERVE
HIDDEN VALLEY DRIVE
GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO
PROJECT NO. 19-7-236
APRIL 24,2019
PREPARED FOR:
CARRIE DION
46107 US HIGH\ryAY ó
GLENIryOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO 81601
c a rrie f¡ii dzremo deli n g.c o nn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
SITE CONDrTIONS......,.......
.- 1 -
1
I
GEOLOCY ,,.2
FIELD EXPLORATION -2-
SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS ...2-
FOT'NDATION BEARING CONDITIONS ....3 .
DES IGN RECOMMENDATIONS .......................
FOUNDATIONS
FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS
FLOOR SLABS
T.INDERDRATN SYSTEM .........
SITE GRADING...........
SURFACE DRAINAGE.............
LIMITATTONS 7-
FIGURE 1 - LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
FIGURE 2 . LOGS OF EXPLORATORY BORINGS
FIGURE 3 . LEGEND AND NOTES
FIGURE 4. SWELL-CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS
TABLE 1- SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS
Kumar & Aasociates, lnc.Project No. 1$.7.236
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF STUDY
This rcport presents the results of a subsoil study for a proposed residence to be located on
Lot 43, Spring Ridge Reserve, Hidden Valley Drive, 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 Carrie Dion dated April 16, 2019.
A field exploration prcgram consisting of exploratory borings was conducted to obtain
information on the subsurface conditions, Samples of the subsoils and bedrock 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
recomrnendations and other geotechnical engineering consiclerations based on the proposed
construction and the subsurface conrÌitions encountered.
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION
The proposed residence will be a one-story structure with an attached garage and walkout
basement level. Grading for the structure is assumed to be relatively minor with cut depths
between about 8 to l0 feet. We assume relatively light foundation loaclings, typical of the
proposed type of construction.
If building loadings, Iocation or grading plans change significantly from those described above,
we shoul<i be notified to rc-evaluate the recommendations contained in this report.
SITE CCINDITIONS
The lot was vacant at the time of our field exploration. The ground surface appears mostly
natural with possible fill near llidden Valiey Drive. The ground surface slopes down to the west
at about 12lo 15 percent in the prnposed building area and is nloderately steep near the roadway
Kumar & Associales, lnc.Project f{o, 19.7-?36
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Vegetation consists of grass and weeds. The surrounding lots have one to two'stoly single-
family residences. Sandstone bedrock outcrops were observed adjaoent to the castern side of
Hidden Valley Drive.
GEOLOGY
Accorcling to the Geologic Map of the Cattle Creek Quaclrangle, Garfield County, Coloraclo, by
Kirkham. R.M., Streufert, R.K., Hemborg. Thomas, and Stellìng, dated 2014, the site soils
consist of alluvium and colluvium ofthe Holocene age underlain by Maroon Formation
sandstone,
FIELD EXPLORATION
The fìeld exploration for the project was conducted on April 19, 2019. Two exploratory borings
were drjlied at the locations shown on Figure 1 to evaluate the subsurface conditions. The
building outline had been marked by others, The borings were advanced with 4-inch diarneter
continuous flight augers powered by a truck-mounted CME-458 drill rig. The borings were
logged by a representative of Kumar & Associates.
Samples of the subsoils were taken with a 2-inch I.D. spoon sampler. The sampler was 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-l586. The
peuetration resistance values are ar1 indication of the relative density or consistency of the
subsoils and hardness of the bedrock. 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 retumed 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 encountered, below aboutt/z fbot of topsoil, consist of loose to mediurn dense/medium
stiff t<l stiff sand and silt, underlain by hard to very hard sandstone bedrock. A thin layer of
weathered bedrock was encourltcred within Boring 2.
Kumar & Aseoeialos, lnc,Project No. 19-7-236
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Laboratory testing perfonned on samples obtained from the borings included natural moisture
content and clensity and finer than sand-size gradation analyses. Results of swell-consolidation
testing performed on a relatively undisturbecl drive sample of very silty sand, presented on
Figure 4, indicate low to moderate compressibility under conditions eif loading and wetting. 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 moist.
FOUNDATION BEARING CONDITIONS
At assumed excavation depths, we expect the subglade will transition natural sand and silt soils
and sanclstone bedrock. The natural soils at the site possess low bearing capacity, relatively low
settlement potential and the bedrock possesses a high bearing capacity, Both the natural soil and
bedrock are considered competent bearing materials fcrr the support of shallow fcrundations and
slabs-on-grade provided the subgrade remain undisturbed during construction. The topsoil is not
oonsidered suitable for the support of shallow foundations and slabs-on-grade due to its potential
cornpressibility and should be fi.rlly removed from the building footprint, Excavation within the
very hard sandstone bedrock will be diftìcult and may require specialized heavy duty equipment.
DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS
FOLINDATIONS
Consiclering 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 granular soils and bedrock.
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 g!jsq!,p$!. Footings placed on sandstone bedrock
should be designed for an allowable bearing pressure of 4,000 psf. Based on
experience, we expect settlement of footings designed and constructed as
discussed in this section will be about I inch or less.
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2)Thefootingsshou1dhaveanrinimumwidthofrybrcontinuouswallsanc1
2 feg!þr isolated pads.
\r--
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+
4)
area,
Continuous founclation 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 discussetl in the "Foundation and Retaining Vy'alls"
section of this report,
The topsoil and any loose or disturbed soils should be removed and thc footing
bearing level extended down to the natural granular soils or bedrock. The
exposed soils in footing area should thcn bc moistencd and compacted,
A representative of the geotechnical engineer sliould observe all footing
excavations prior to concrete placement to evaluate bearing conditions.
FOI-INDATION AND RETAINÏNG WALLS
lìoundation walls and retaining structures which are laterally supported and can be expected to
undergo only a slight amount of deflection should be clesigned 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 soils. Cantilevered retaining structures which are separate from the residence and
can be expected to deflect sufficiently to rnobilize the full active earth pressure condition should
be designed t'or a lateral earth pressure computed on the basis of an equivalent fluid unit weight
of at least 40 pcf for backfill consisting of the on-site soils.
All foundation and retaining structures should be designed for appropriate hydrostatic and
surcharge pressures such as adjacent footings, traffic, construction materials arrd 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 buiidup behind walls.
exterior grade is t¡pically used in this
s)
6)
Kumar & As*ocialos, lne.Project No. 19"7"236
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Backfill shoulcl 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 g5% of the maximum standarcl 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 comectly, and could result in distress to
facilities construoted on the backfill. Backfill should not contain organics, debris or rock larger
than about 6 inches.
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 f iction of 0.40. Passive pressure of compacted backfill against the
sides of the footings can be calculated using an equivalent f'luid unit weight of 375 pcf. The
coeffìcient of friction and passive prÊssure values recommended above assumc ultimate soil
strenglh. 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 rnoisture content near optimum.
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 movennent. Floor slab control joints should be used to reduce clamage due to shrinkage
cracking. 'Ihe requirements for joint spacing and slab reinforcement should be established by the
designer based on experience and the intended slab use. A minirnum 4-inch layer of free-
draining gravel should be placed beneath basement level slabs to facilitate drainage. This
material should consist of minus 2-inch aggregate with at least 50% retained on the No. 4 sievc
and less than2o/o passing the No. 200 sieve.
Kumar & As*oeiales, lnc.Project No. 19"7-?36
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All fill materials for support of floor slabs should be compacted to at leastg1Yo of maximum
standard Proctor density at a moisture content near optimum. Required fill can consist of the on-
site granular soils devoid of vegetation, topsoil and oversized rock.
LINDERDRAIN SYSTEM
Although free water was not encountered during our exploration, it has been our experience in
mountainous areas and where bedrock is shallow that local perched groundwater can develop
during times of heavy precipitation or seasonal runoff. Frozen ground during spring runoffcan
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 I foot below lowest adjacent finish grade and sloped at a minimum l%oto
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 1% feet deep.
SITE GRADING
The risk of construction-induced slope instability at the site appears low provided cut and fill
depths are limited. We assume the cut depths for the basement level will not exceed one level,
about l0 to 12 feet" Fills should be limited to about I to 10 feet deep. Embankment fills should
be compacted to at least 95% of ths maximum standard Proctor density near optimum moisture
content. Prior to fill placement, the subgrade should be carefully prepared by removing all
vegetation and topsoil and compacting to at least 95% of the maximum standard Proctor density
The fill should be benched into slopes that exceed 2A% graðe.
Permanent unretained cut and fill slopes should be graded at 2 horizontal to I vertical or flatter
and protected against erosion by revegetation or other means. The risk of slope instability will
be increased if seepage is encountered in cuts and flatter slopes may be neÇessary, If seepage is
encountered in pennanent cuts, an investigation should be conducted to determine if the seepage
Kumar & Aseociates, lnc,Project Ho. '19-7-236
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will adversely affect the cut stability. This office should review site grading plans for the project
prior to construction.
SURFACE DRAINAGE
The following drainage precautions should be observed during construction and maintained at all
times after the residence has been comploted:
1) Inundation ofthe foundation excavations and underslab areas should be avoidecl
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 90a/o of tlne maximum standard Proctor density in landscape areas,
3) The ground surface surrounding the exteríor 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 I 0 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 frlter fabric and capped witli 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 inigation shoulcl be located at least l0
feet from foundation walls.
LIMITATIONS
This study has been conducted in accordance with gerrerally accepted geotechnical engineeling
principles and practices in this area at this time. We make no warranty either express or implied.
The conclusions and recommendations subrnitted in this report are based upon the data obtained
frorn the exploratory borings drilled excavated at the locations 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 rnold or other biological contaminants
(MOBC) developing irr the future. If the client is concemed about MOBC, then a professional in
this special field ofpractice should be consulted. Our findings include interpolation and
Kumar & Associates, lnc.Project No, 1S.7"236
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extrapolation of the subsurface conditíons identified at the exploratory borings and variations in
the subsurface conditions may not become evident until excavation is performed. If conditions
encounterecl 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
ofexcavations and foundation bearing strata and testing ofstructural fìll by a representative of
the geotechnical engineer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kumar & Ässociates, Ine.
Shane J. Robat, P.E.
Project Manager
Reviewed by:
Steven L. Pawlak, P
SJR/kac
Kumar & Associâtcg, lnc.Project lr¡o, 19.7.23û
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BORING 1
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BORING
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tNC=4,7
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19-7 -236 Kumar & Associates LOGS OF TXPLORATORY BORINGS Fig. 2
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TOPSOIL; ORGANIC, SANDY SILT, FIRM, DARK BROWN, MO|ST.
SAND AND SILT (SM-ML); LOosE TO MËDIUM DTNSE/MEDIUM STIFF To sTlFF, SLIGHTLY
MOIST TO MOIST, RED.
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WEATHERED SANDSTONË; MEÐIUM HARD, MOIST, RED.
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SANDSTONE BEDROCK; VERY HARÞ, SLIGHTLY MOIST, RED. MAROON FORMATI0N.
DRIVE SAMPLE, ?*INCH I.D. CALIFORNIA LINER SAMPLE.
q71' DRIVE SAMPLE ELOW COUNI. INDICATES THAT 5 BLOWS OF A'14O-POUND HAMMER",'. FALLING 30 INCHIS WERE REQUIRED TO DRIVE THE SAMPLER 12 INcHEs.
NOTES
1. THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE DRILLED ON APRIL 19,2019 WITH A 4-INCH_DIAMETER
CONTINUOUS*FLIGHT POWER AUGER,
2. THE LOCATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE MËASURED APPROXIMATELY BY PACING
FROM TEATURES SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN PROVIDED. THE BUILDING CORNERS HAD BEEN
STAKED.
3. THE ELEVATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY BORINGS WERE MEASURED BY HAND LEVEL AND REFER
TO BORING 1 AS 100,, ASSUMËD,
4. THE EXPLORATORY BORING LOCATIONS AND EIEVATIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ACCURATE
ONLY TO IHE DEGREE IMPTIED BY THE METHOD USED.
5. T]JE LINES BETWEEN MATERIALS SHOWN CIN THE EXPLORATORY BORING LOGS REPRËSENT THE
APPROXIMATE BOUNDARIES BEIWEEN MATER¡AL TYPES AND THE TRANSITIONS MAY BE GRADUAL
6. GROUNDWATER WAS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THË BORINGS AT THË TIME OF DRILLING
7, LABORATORY TE$T RESULTS:
wc = wATER CONÍENT (%) (ASTM 0221 6);
DD = DRY DENSITY (pcf) (ASTM D2216);
-ZOQ= PERCENTAGE PASSING NO. 200 SIEVE (ASTM Dl 140)
19-7-236 Kumar & Associates LEGTND AND NOTTS Fig. 3
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19-7-236 Kumar & Associates SWTLL-CONSOLIDATION TEST RESULTS Fi1, 4
l(+rtffiffitli'**"-:iTABLE 1SUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTS19.7.236SOIL TYPËVery Silty SandVery Siþ Sand'Weathered Sandstone(psf)UilCOilF[IEDcoilPRESSf\rESÏRËHGTHPljSilCn¡DÐ(t%lATTERBERG LIil]IrSL¡QUIT}UMT{0/JPERCEI{TPASStilG ilO.ã!0$a,E4401sAltt)(%)GRADÂTIôTI{%}GRAVETlocfìI¡ATURAtDRYoElr$û1151CI4tt4t2.74.84.7I¡ATURALHOISTURECOI{TENTBORINGLOCATtOi¡ÐEPTH2t/252y,12