HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubsoil Study for Foundation Design 04.22.2021lGnU***gggfl;ü*"
An Enploy;a Olrncd Compoq¡
5020 Cormty Road 154
Gle¡rwood Springs, C0 81601
phone (970) 945-7988
fax (970) 945-M54
emait kaglenwood@kunrarum,com
wwv¡.kurna¡usa.com
Office l,ocalions: Denver (HQ), Parksr, Colorado Spingss FtrÎ Colling Glenr*'ond Springg and Summit ComS, Colmado
April22,202l
Alius Design Group
Attn: Michael Edinger
108 Diamond A Ranch Road
Carbondale, Colorado 81623
michael@'aliusdc'com
project No. 21-7-26g
Subject: Subsoil Study for Foundation Design, Proposed Residence, Lot E-54, Aspen Glen
Subdivision,4TSDiamond A Ranch Road, Garfield County, Colorado
Dear Michael:
As requested, Kumar & Associates, Inc. performed a subsoil study for design of foundations at
the subject site. The study was conducted in accordance with our agreement for geotechnical
engineering services to Alius Design Group dated March 15,2021. The data obtained and our
recommendations based on the proposed construction and subsurface conditions encountered are
presented in this report.
Proposed Construction: Plans for the residence were not available at the time of our study.
The proposed residence is assumed to be a one- or two-story residence with attached garage
located in the area of the pits shown on Figure l. Ground floors are assumed to be a combination
of structural over crawlspace and slab-on-grade. Cut depths are expected to range between about
2 to 4 feet. Foundation loadings for this type of construction are assumed to be relatively light
and typical of the proposed type of construction.
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 reporl.
Site Conditions: The subject site was vacant at the time of our field exploration. A pond is
located north of the subject site. Minor overlot grading as part of the original subdivision
development may have placed a small amount of fill to level the lot. The ground surface is
relatively flat in the building area with a slope dov¿n to the pond at a grade of around 10 percent.
Subsidence Potential: Bedrock of the Pennsylvanian age Eagle Valley Evaporite underlies the
Aspen Glen Subdivision. These rocks are a sequence of grpsiferous shale, fine-grained
sandstone and siltstone with some massive beds of rypsum and limestone. There is a possibility
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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 the Aspen Glen Subdivision. These sinkholes appear similar to
others associated with the Eagle Valley Evaporite in areas of the lower Roaring Fork River
Valley
Sinkholes were not observed in the immediate area of the subject lot. The nearest mapped
sinkholes are 600 feet west and 700 feet northeast of this lot. No evidence of cavities was
encountered in the subsurface materials; however, the exploratory pits were relatively shallow,
fbr fbundation design only. Based on ouT present knowledge of the site, it cannot be said for
certain that sinkholes will not develop. In our opinion, the risk of ground subsidence atLotB-54
is low and similar to other lots in the area but the owner should be aware of the potential for
sinkhole development.
Subsurfncc Conditions: The subsurface conditions at the site were evaluated by exoavating two
exploratory pits at the approximate locations shown on Figure 1. The logs of the pits are
presented on Figure 2. The subsoils encountered, below aboutYz to 1 foot of topsoil, consist of
dense, very sandy gravel with cobbles to the maximum explored depth of 5Yz feet. Results of a
gradation analysis performed on a sample of clayey gravel (minus 3-inch fraction) obtained from
the site are presented on Figure 3. No free water was observed in the pits at the time of
excavation and the soils were slightly moist to moist.
Foundation Recommendations: Considering the subsoil conditions encountered in the
exploratory pits and the nature of the proposed construction, we recommend spread footings
placecl on the unclistt¡rbecl natural granular soil clesignecl for an allowable soil bearing pressure of
2,500 psf for support of the proposed residence. Footings should be a minimum width of
16 inches for continuous walls and 2 feet for columns. Loose disturbed soils and topsoil
encourtered at the foundation bearing level within the excavation should be removed and the
footing bearing level extended dor¡¡n to the undisturbed natural soils. Exterior footings should be
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footings at least 36 inches below the exterior grade is typically used in this area. Continuous
foundation walls should be reinforced top and bottom to span local anomalies such as by
assuming an unsupportecl length of at least 10 feet. Foundatjon walls acting a"s retaining
structures should be designed to resist a lateral earth pressure based on an cquivalcnt fluid unit
weight of at least 50 pcf for the on-site soil as backfill.
Kumar & Åssociates, lnc. o Project No. 21-7-26ß
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tr'loor Slabs: The natural on-site soils, exclusive of topsoil, are suitable to support lightly to
moderately 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 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 consist of minus 2-inch aggregate with less than
50% passing the No. 4 sieve and less than2%o passing the No. 200 sieve.
All fill materials for support of floor slabs should be compacted to at least95Yo 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.
We recommend vapor retarders conform to at least the minimum requirements of ASTM 81745
Class C material. Certain floor types are more sensitive to water vapor transmission than others.
For floor slabs bearing on angular gravel or where flooring system sensitive to water vapor
transmission are utilized, we recommend a vapor barrier be utilized conforming to the minimum
requirements of ASTM 81745 Class A material. The vapor retarder should be installed in
accordance with the manufacturers' recommendations and ASTM 81643.
Underdrain System: Although free water was not encountered during our exploration, 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 runoff can create a perched
condition. We recommend below-grade construction, such as retaining walls, crawlspace and
basement areas (if any), 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 1o/oto
a suitable gravity outlet, drywell or sump and pump. Free-draining granular material used in the
underdrain system should contain less than 2Yopassingthe No. 200 sieve, less than 50% passing
the No. 4 sieve and have a maximum stze of 2 inches. The drain gravel backfill should be at
least lVz feet deep.
Kumar & Âssochtes, Inc. 3 Project No. 21-7-2ú
-4-
Surface Drainage: The following drainage precautions should be observed during construction
and maintained at all times after the residence has been completed:
1) Inundation ofthe foundation excavations and underslab areas shouldbe avoided
during construction.
2) Exterior backfill should be adjusted to near optimum moisture and compacted to
at least 95% of the maximum stanclarclProctor clensity in pavement and slab areas
and to at least 90% of the maximum standard Proctor density in landscape areas.
Free-draining wall backfill should be capped with about 2feet of the on-site, ftner
graded soils to reduce surface water infiltration.
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 l0 feet in pavement ancl walkway areas.
4) Roof downspouts and drains should discharge well beyond the limits of all
backfill.
Limitations: This study has been oonducted in aocordance with generally accepted geoteclurical
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 pits excavated at the locations indicatcd on Figurc I
and to the depths shown on Figure 2, the proposed type of construction, and our experience in
the area. Or¡r services clo not include determining the presence, prevention or possibility of mold
or other biological contaminants (MOBC) cleveloping in the future Tf the client is çoncemed
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 a¡e not
responsible for technical interpretations by others of our information. As the project evolves, we
should provide continued consultation and freld services during oonstruotion to review and
monitor the implementation of our recommendations, and to verify that the recommendations
have been appropriately interpreted. Signifrcant design changes may require additional analysis
Ksmar & Ässocíates, lnc. o Projec.t No. 21-7-2ú
-5-
or modifications to the recommendations presented herein. We recommend on-site observation
of excavations and foundation bearing strata and testing of structural fiIl by a representative of
the geotechnical engineer.
If you have any questions or if we may be of further assistance, please let us know.
Respectfrrlly Submitted,
Kr:msr & ilssoci*tes, Inc"
Ð"-r1t?þ. 1@
Jarnes H. Parsons, P.E. '
Reviewed by:
Daniel E.
JHP/kac
attachments of Exploratory Píts
Figure 2 - Logs of Exploratory Pits
Figure 3 - Gradation Test Results
Table 1 - Summary of Laboratory Test Results
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Kumar & Aesocíates, lnc, .''ProjectNo. 21',7-288
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LOT E-54
21 -7 -268 Kumar & Associates LOCATION OF EXPLORATORY PITS Fig. 1
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TOPSOIL; CLAY, SANDY, SCATTERED GRAVEL, ORGANICS, FIRM, MOIST, BROWN.
GRAVEL (GM); SANDY WITH COBBLES, SCATTERED BOULDERS, DENSE, MOIST TO SLIGHTLY
MOIST WITH DEPTH, BROWN TO GRAY WITH DEPTH.
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DISTURBED BULK SAMPLE
REFUSAL TO BACKHOE DIGGING
NOTES
1. THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE EXCAVATED WITH A RUBBER TRACKED EXCAVATOR ON APRIL 2,
2021.
2. THE LOCATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE MEASURED APPROXIMATELY BY TAPING FROM
FEATURES SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN PROVIDED.
5. THE ELEVATIONS OF THE EXPLORATORY PITS WERE MEASURED BY HAND LEVEL AND REFER TO
THE GROUND SURFACE AT PIT 1 AS 1OO FEET ASSUMED BENCHMARK.
4, THE EXPLORATORY PIT 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 PIT LOGS REPRESENT THE
ÀPPROXIMATE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN MATERIAL TYPES AND THE ÏRANSITIONS MAY BE GRADUAL.
6. GROUNDWATER WAS NOT ENCOUNTERED IN THE PITS AT THE TIME OF EXCAVATION. PITS WERE
BACKFILLED SUBSEQUENT TO SAMPLING.
7, LABORATORY TEST RESULTS¡+4 = PERCENTAGE RETAINED ON NO. 4 SIEVE (ASIM D 422);
-2OO= PERCENTAGE PASSING N0. 200 SIEVE (ASTM D 1140).
Kumar & Associates LOGS OF EXPLORATORY PITS rî9. 221-7-268
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-125 IN MILLIMETERS
CLAY IO SILT COBBLES
GRAVEL 57 % SAND
LIQUIO LIMIT
SAMPLE OF: Very Sondy Grovel
4091 SILT AND CLAY 3 %
PLASTICITY INOEX
FROM; Boring 1 O 4.5' to 5.5'
Th.e! lcal rrsults opply only lo lh.
somplcs whlch wcrc lcslcd. th¡
l!3llng rcporl sholl nol bê r.produc.d,
excepl ln full, wllhoul lhe wrlllen
opprovdl ol Kumor & Ai¡ociol¡r, lnc.sl.vr Enolyeh l.lllng i! p6rlormed ln
occordqnc! wlth ASTM 05913, AsTy Ð7928,
ASTM C136 qnd/qr ASIM Dl14o.
SAND GRAVEL
FINE COARSEFINEMEDIUMCOARSE
Fig. 321 -7-268 Kumar & Associates GRADATION TEST RTSULTS
I (+rI $ffi¡[*-#fffif*$Ë;n''**tu:TABLE ISUMMARY OF LABORATORY TEST RESULTSNo.21-7-268SOIL TYPEVery Sandy Gravel(ps0UNCONFINEDCOMPRESSIVESTRENGTHPLASTICINDEX(o/o)ATTERBERG LIMITS(o/olLIQUID LIMITPERCENTPASSING NO.200 stEvEJ(/"1SAND40GRADÀTION(:/"1GRAVEL57(ocûNATURALDRYDENSITYlo/olNATURAL¡IOISTURECONTENTfft)DEPTH4%to 5%ISAMPLE LOCATIONPIT