HomeMy WebLinkAbout6300 CATTAIL CT - SPECIAL INSPECTIONS - 10/2/20209100 W Jewell Ave
Lakewood, CO 80232
720-440-9450
www.dlengineer.com
10/2/2020
Complete Basement Systems
11795 East 45th Ave.
Denver, CO 80239
RE: Job Number 2020-8143
Site Observation Visit (Pippin)
6300 Cattail Ct.
Fort Collins, CO 80525
DL Engineering Inc. reviewed the progress of construction for the subject project on September 23,
2020. The following is a summary of the observations made:
New Observations:
• Reviewed the wall anchors. There were 6 wall anchors installed in the north wall spaced
at approximately 6' o.c. The interior and exterior steel plates were observed.
o The wall anchor spacing was observed and appears to be in conformance with
the construction documents.
o The exterior plates were located a minimum of 12' from the house. The top of
the plates were a minimum of 3' below existing grade.
o The wall anchors appear to be installed in conformance with the structural
mitigation plan.
• Reviewed the helical piers. There was 1 pier installed under north west porch column
and concrete slab.
o The pier spacing was observed and appears to be in conformance with the
construction documents.
o The piers were installed to refusal or to a depth no less than that specified in the
construction documents.
o The helical piers appear to be installed in conformance with the structural
mitigation plan.
• The mono posts were observed. There were 2 steel posts installed on the north beam
line of the house spaced at approximately 15' o.c. And 1 steel post installed on the south
beam line of the house spaced at approximately 13' o.c.
o The mono posts were attached to the beam above and to the foundation below.
o The steel mono posts appear to be installed per the structural plans.
• Site grading around the perimeter of the house did not appear to be modified.
• Vegetation around the perimeter of the house did not appear to be modified.
• New slab around the perimeter of the house did not appear to be modified.
Volatile Soils:
The moisture around the foundation elements must be controlled for the useful life of the building.
Time has shown that Colorado soils can be unstable, and structures can experience damaging
movements due to expanding and shrinking soils, primarily when moisture changes occur. Maintaining
consistent soil moisture contents around all foundation elements is crucial to minimizing foundation
movements. Even with properly engineered/constructed foundation systems these volatile soils can still
exert excessive pressures causing damage in the residence. If the Owner would like further insight
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about the on-site soil conditions and preventative measures, a Geotechnical Engineer should be
consulted.
Geotechnical Consideration:
It is possible that the wall anchors may consolidate the soil behind the foundation wall. Because of this,
periodic surveys of the supported structures should be conducted to assure project success. The Owner
should be responsible for annual surveys certifying project success. It is recommended that a baseline
survey be conducted immediately. The Owner should report all findings and reports to the Structural
Engineer. If horizontal movement of the foundation walls or wall anchors is discovered, the anchors
should be re-tensioned. A Geotechnical Engineer should be present for the re-torqueing of the wall
anchors.
It is possible that the piers may consolidate the soil under the piers. Because of this, periodic surveys of
the supported structures should be conducted to assure project success. The Owner should be
responsible for annual surveys certifying project success. It is recommended that a baseline survey be
conducted immediately. The Owner should report all findings and reports to the Structural Engineer. If
vertical movement of the foundation walls is discovered, the piers should be re-pressurized. A
Geotechnical Engineer should be present for the re-pressurizing of the piers.
Disclaimer:
In as much as the site review of an existing structure for the purpose of observing the structure
conditions requires that certain assumptions be made regarding existing conditions and because some
of these assumptions may not be verifiable without expending additional sums of money or destroying
otherwise adequate or serviceable portions of the building, the Client agrees that , except for negligence
on the part of the Engineer, the Client will hold harmless, indemnify and defend Engineer from and
against any and all claims arising out of the professional services we have provided.
If you should have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at (720) 440-9450 or
jslama@dlengineer.com.
Sincerely,
Jim Slama, P.E.