HomeMy WebLinkAboutGATEWAY AT HARMONY ROAD PUD, TACO CABANA - PRELIMINARY & FINAL - 1-88H - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - GEOTECHNICAL (SOILS) REPORT SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION REPORT
PROPOSED TACO CABANA
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
EEC PROJECT NO. 1952036
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EARTH ENGINEERING
CONSULTANTS, INC.
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1 June 7, 1995 E ,_
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IEARTH ENGINEERING
P.I.I. CONSULTANTS, INC.
It 1318 Paragon Place
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
II. Attn: Mr. Larry Clark
RE: Subsurface Exploration Report
X Proposed Taco Cabana
South College Avenue
Fort Collins, Colorado
II EEC Project No. 1952036
Mr. Clark:
Enclosed, herewith, are the results of the subsurface exploration you requested for the referenced
project. In summary, the subsurface materials encountered in the test borings consisted of low
IIplasticity sandy silty clay with occasional zones of silty clayey sand. A portion of the near surface
samples appeared to be fill materials. Based on the results of our field and laboratory testing, it
II is our opinion the proposed lightly loaded structure could be supported on conventional footing
foundations bearing on the natural site soils. It is our opinion the near surface materials would
also be acceptable for support of floor slabs and pavements for the proposed development.
II Geotechnical recommendations concerning design and construction of foundations and support of
floor slabs and pavements are presented in the text of the attached report.
II We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you on this project. If you have any questions
concerning the enclosed report, or if we can be of further service to you in any other way, please
do not hesitate to contact us.
IIVery truly yours,
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Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.t4„,,,,...,."„,,,t.,
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IIPrincipal Engineer Principal
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Ripply Associates/Linda Ripply
Centre For Advanced Technology
2301 Research Boulevard,Suite 104
Fort Collins,CO 80526
II (970)224-1522 FAX 224-4564
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SUBSURFACE EXPLORATION REPORT
PROPOSED TACO CABANA
SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
EEC PROJECT NO. 1952036
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June 7, 1995
111 I
INTRODUCTION
The subsurface exploration for the proposed Taco Cabana Restaurant to be located on the west
side of South College Avenue, nortli'"of Harmony Road, in Fort Collins, Colorado, has been
completed. Two (2) soil borings extending to depths of approximately 15 feet below existing site
grades were advanced in the proposed building area to develop information on existing subsurface
conditions relative to foundation and floor slab support. Two (2) other borings were advanced
to depths of approximately 5 feet below existing site grades in the parking areas to develop
additional information on subsurface conditions relative to support of the proposed pavements.
Individual boring logs and a diagram indicating the approximate boring locations are included with
this report.
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We understand the proposed Taco Cabana Restaurant will be a single story, slab-on-grade (non-
'. basement) structure. The new building will be constructed north of Harmony Road (north of the
existing McDonalds Restaurant) and west of South College Avenue. It is anticipated the new
I building will have light foundation loads with continuous walls loads less than 3 kips per lineal
foot and individual column loads less than 50 kips. Floor loads for the new restaurant will be
light, less than 100 psf. Paved drive and parking areas will be constructed to the south of the new
building and drive-thru facilities will be constructed on the north side of the structure. Cuts and
fills of less than 2 feet will be required to develop the site grades.
The purpose of this report is to describe the subsurface conditions encountered in the borings,
analyze and evaluate the test data and provide geotechnical recommendations concerning design
and construction of foundations and support of floor slabs and pavements.
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111 Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
_ June 7, 1995
Page 2
EXPLORATION AND TESTING PROCEDURES
The borings locations were determined and established in the field by Earth Engineering
1111 Consultants, Inc. (EEC) personnel. The field locations were established by pacing and estimating
angles from the references indicated on the attached boring location diagram. The boring
locations should be considered accurate only to the degree implied by the methods used to make
1111 the field measurements.
IIThe borings were performed using a truck mounted, CME 45 drill rig, equipped with a hydraulic
head employed in drilling and sampling operations. The boreholes were advanced using
111 continuous flight augers and samples of the subsurface materials encountered were obtained using
split-barrel sampling procedures in general accordance with ASTM Specifications D-1586. In the
split-barrel sampling procedure, a standard 2-inch O.D. split-barrel sampling spoon is driven into
the ground by means of a 140 pound hammer falling a distance of 30 inches. The number of
I blows required to advance the split barrel sampler is recorded and is used to estimate the in-situ
relative density of cohesionless soils and, to a lesser degree of accuracy, the consistency of
cohesive materials. All samples obtained in the field were sealed and returned to the laboratory
for further examination, classification and testing.
UMoisture content tests were performed on each of the recovered samples. In addition, the
unconfined strength of those samples was estimated using a calibrated hand penetrometer.
Atterberg limits and washed sieve analysis tests were performed on selected samples to aid in soil
classification and to determine the plasticity of the subgrade materials. Swells/consolidation tests
were also performed on selected samples to evaluate the potential for the site materials to change
volume with variation in moisture content. Results of the outlined tests are indicated on the
attached boring logs and summary sheets.
As a part of the testing program, all samples were examined in the laboratory by an engineer and
classified in accordance with the attached General Notes and the Unified Soil Classification
System, based on the soil's texture and plasticity. The estimated group symbol for the Unified
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Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
I Proposed Taco Cabana
June 7, 1995
Page 3
Soil Classification System is shown in the appropriate column on the boring logs and a brief
description of that classification system is included with this report.
SITE AND SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
The proposed Taco Cabana site is located north of the existing McDonalds Restaurant (north of
Harmony Road) and west of South College Avenue. The site is presently an undeveloped open
field although topsoil and vegetation has been stripped from the site or fill materials have been
placed on the site covering the topsoil and vegetation. Site drainage is to the south and east with
maximum fall across the site on the order of 2 feet. Evidence of prior building construction was
not observed at the site by EEC field personnel.
An EEC field geologist was on site during drilling to evaluate the subsurface materials
encountered and direct the drilling activities. Field logs prepared by EEC field personnel were
based on visual and tactual observation of disturbed samples and auger cuttings. The final boring
logs included with this report may contain modifications to those field logs based on results of
laboratory testing and engineering evaluation. Based on the results of the field borings and
laboratory testing, subsurface conditions can be generalized as follows.
The soils observed at the test boring locations consisted of brown and light brown lean clay with
varying amounts of sand. Occasional sandier zones were observed in the subgrade soils with at
least a portion of the materials being described as silty clayey sand. The granular materials were
loose to medium dense with cohesive soils being very stiff. The very near surface materials,
111 including the top 1 to 2 feet of material, are potentially recently placed fill materials. It is
_ possible these materials are natural site soils which have been disturbed by site traffic. The
borings were terminated at depths ranging from approximately 5 to 15 feet in very stiff cohesive
materials.
The stratification boundaries shown on the boring logs represent the approximate locations of
changes in soil types; in-situ, the transition of materials may be gradual and indistinct.
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111 Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
_ June 7, 1995
Page 4
WATER LEVEL OBSERVATIONS
Observations were made while drilling and after completion of the borings to detect the presence
. and depth to free water. Free water was not observed in any of the borings either during or
immediately after their completion. The boreholes were backfilled immediately after completion
so that longer term observation of ground water levels was not possible. The site cohesive soils
have relatively low permeability so that longer term observations including the installation of
piezometers or monitoring wells which are sealed from the influence of surface water would be
• required to more accurately evaluate ground water levels. The depth to the ground water can
fluctuate over time depending on variations in hydrologic conditions and other conditions not
apparent at the time of this report. Zones of perched and/or trapped water may also be
encountered in more permeable zones in the subgrade soils at times throughout the year and the
111 location in the amount of perched water can also fluctuate depending on variations in hydrologic
conditions and other conditions not apparent at the time of this report.
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ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
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FOUNDATIONS
Based on the materials observed at the test boring locations, it is our opinion the proposed lightly
loaded structure could be supported on conventional footing foundations bearing in the natural,
stiff to very stiff silty sandy lean clay. For design of footing foundations bearing in the natural,
stiff to very stiff cohesive soils, we recommend using a net allowable total load soil bearing
pressure not exceed 3000 psf. The net bearing pressure refers to the pressure at foundation
bearing level in excess of the minimum surrounding overburden pressure. Swell tests on the site
materials indicate a low potential for volume change with fluctuations in moisture content.
Therefore, recommendations concerning a minimum dead load pressure for the footing
foundations are not being provided.
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Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
June 7, 1995
Page 5
Exterior foundations and foundations in unheated areas should be located a minimum of 30 inches
below adjacent exterior grade. We recommend formed continuous footings have a minimum
width of 16 inches and isolated column foundations have a minimum width of 30 inches.
Trenched foundations (grade-beam foundations) could be used in the near surface cohesive and
dirty granular soils. If used, we recommend those trenched foundations have a minimum width
of 12 inches.
Care should be taken during construction to see that footing foundations extend to bear below any
Ipreviously placed site fill materials. -.,In addition, care will be necessary to avoid disturbing the
bearing materials. Materials which are loosened or disturbed during the construction activities,
111 or materials which become dry and desiccated or wet and softened should be removed and
replaced beneath the footing foundations or the footing foundations should be extended to bear in
underlying acceptable natural soils.
1111 We estimate the long-term settlement of footing foundations designed and constructed as outlined
above would be small, less than 1/2 inch.
111 FLOOR SLAB AND PAVEMENT SUBGRADES
111 A portion of the near surface site materials may be recently placed fill. It is also possible these
materials are natural site soils disturbed by vehicle traffic. To further evaluate the suitability of
the near surface soils for support of the floor slabs and pavements, we recommend those soils be
proofrolled prior to placement of any additional fill, floor slabs or pavements. Proofrolling should
consist of several mutual perpendicular passes over the subgrade with heavy construction
equipment, such as a fully loaded tandem axle dump truck weighing not less than 40,000 pounds.
Proofrolling should be observed by qualified personnel. If soft or loose zones are observed during
proofrolling, it may be necessary to remove and replace those materials with acceptable fill soils
or it may be possible to rework those materials in place prior to placement of overlying fill, floor
slabs or pavements.
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Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
June 7, 1995
Page 6
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After proofrolling, we recommend the exposed subgrades be scarified to a minimum depth of 9
inches, adjusted in moisture content and compacted to at least 95% of the materials' maximum
dry density as determined in accordance with ASTM Specification D-698, the standard Proctor
procedure. The moisture content of the scarified soils should be adjusted to be within the range
of ±2 percent of standard Proctor optimum moisture. A portion of the near surface soils may
contain high silt contents and exhibit instability and strength loss when wetted to 2% over standard
Proctor optimum moisture. For these soils, in a lower moisture content may be necessary to
maintain stability in the subgrades.
Fill materials required to develop the floor slab or pavement subgrades should consist of
approved, low-volume change materials, free from organic matter and debris. Soils similar to the
near surface silty sandy clays or silty clayey sand could be used as low volume change fill. If off
site granular materials are used, we recommend those materials contain sufficient fines to prevent
ponding of water in these materials. Normally, low volume change materials have a liquid limit
of 40 or less and plasticity index of 18 or less.
Fill materials in floor slab and pavement subgrade areas should be placed in loose lifts not to
Iexceed 9-inches thick, adjusted in moisture content as recommended for the scarified soils and
compacted to at least 95% of the materials' maximum dry density as determined in accordance
with the standard Proctor procedure. In landscape areas of the site, the compaction of the fill
materials could be reduced to 90% of standard Proctor maximum dry density.
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After completion of the subgrades, care should be taken to avoid disturbing the in-place materials.
Materials which are loosened or disturbed by the construction activities or materials which become
dry and desiccated or wet and softened should be reworked in place or removed and replaced prior
111 to placement of the overlying pavements or floor slabs.
Positive drainage should be developed across the pavements and away from the pavement edges
to reduce potential for wetting of the subgrades. Subgrades allowed to become wetted could result
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Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
June 7, 1995
Page 7
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in premature failure of the pavement sections. Positive drainage should also be developed away
111 from the structure to avoid wetting of the floor slab subgrades and bearing materials.
PAVEMENTS
Based on previous experience with similar facilities and subgrade conditions, we recommend the
111 pavement section for the Taco Cabana Restaurant consist of 3 inches of hot bituminous pavement
overlying 6 inches of aggregate base. The hot bituminous pavement should be compatible with
City of Fort Collins standard criteria fQr SC-1 or SC-2 materials. The aggregate based should be
compatible with Colorado Department of Transportation requirements for Class 5 or Class 6
materials.
The higher silt contents soils observed on the site may be subject to instability and strength loss
when wetted. Consideration could be given to stabilization of the pavement subgrades to reduce
the potential for instability during construction and to reduce the required aggregate and/or asphalt
pavement sections. We would be pleased to provide additional information concerning subgrade
stabilization, if requested.
In areas which are designated as automobile parking only, a reduction in the pavement section
Ucould be considered. Likewise, in areas where heavy truck traffic is expected, such as the area
for trash service, consideration should be given to construction of a thicker pavement section.
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The recommended pavement section is minimum and, as such, periodic maintenance should be
111 expected. The pavement section is based on light to moderate volumes of a vehicle mix consisting
almost exclusively of automobiles and light trucks. Occasional delivery trucks or similar type
vehicles are expected although repeated loadings of heavy trucks, such as a trash truck, may cause
pavement distress.
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• Earth Engineering Consultants, Inc.
Proposed Taco Cabana
June 7, 1995
Page 8
111
GENERAL COMMENTS
The analysis and recommendations presented in this report are based upon the data obtained from
I the soil borings performed at the indicated locations and from any other information discussed in
this report. This report does not reflect any variations which may occur between borings or
across the site. The nature and extent of such variations may not become evident until
111 construction. If variations appear evident, it will be necessary to re-evaluate the recommendations
of this report.
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It is recommended that the geotechnical engineer be retained to review the plans and specifications
so that comments can be made regarding the interpretation and implementation of our geotechnical
recommendations in the design and specifications. It is further recommended that the geotechnical
engineer be retained for testing and observations during earthwork and foundation construction
phases to help determine that the design requirements are fulfilled.
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of P.I.I. for specific application to the project
. discussed and has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted geotechnical engineering
practices. No warranty, express or implied, is made. In the event that any changes in the nature,
design or location of the project as outlined in this report are planned, the conclusions and
._ recommendations contained in this report shall not be considered valid unless the changes are
reviewed and the conclusions of this report modified or verified in writing by the geotechnical
engineer.
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® TEST BORING LOCATION DIAGRAM
TACO CABANA
® FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
JUNE 1995
IIPROJECT No: 1952036 Earth Engineering Consultant: