Geotechnical Engineering Report
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Geotechnical Engineering Report Subgrade Evaluation and Pavement Thickness Design Eagle Meadow Filing 2A SE of Eagle Meadow Drive and Golden Eagle Drive City of Dacono, Colorado February 26, 2016 Terracon Project No. 22165009 Prepared for: CivilArts 1500 Kansas Avenue, Suite 2-E Longmont, Colorado 80501 Prepared by: Terracon Consultants, Inc. 1242 Bramwood Place Longmont, Colorado 80501 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. i INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 PROJECT INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 1 Project Description .................................................................................................. 1 Site Location and Description ................................................................................. 2 SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS ........................................................................................ 3 Typical Profile ......................................................................................................... 3 Laboratory Testing .................................................................................................. 3 Groundwater ........................................................................................................... 5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ...................................... 5 Geotechnical Considerations .................................................................................. 5 Expansive Subgrade Soils ........................................................................ 5 Earthwork ............................................................................................................... 5 Site Preparation ........................................................................................ 5 Fill Material Types .................................................................................... 6 Compaction Requirements ....................................................................... 6 Excavation and Utility Trench Construction .............................................. 7 Pavements .............................................................................................................. 8 Subgrade Preparation .............................................................................. 8 Design Considerations and Pavement Thickness ................................... 10 Pavement Drainage ................................................................................ 12 Pavement Performance and Maintenance .............................................. 12 Additional Design and Construction Considerations .............................................. 13 Soluble Sulfates ..................................................................................... 13 GENERAL COMMENTS ............................................................................................... 14 APPENDIX A – FIELD EXPLORATION Exhibit A-1 Field Exploration Description Exhibit A-2 Boring Location Plan Exhibits A-3 to A-10 Boring Logs APPENDIX B – LABORATORY TESTING Exhibit B-1 Laboratory Testing Exhibits B-2 to B-6 Swell-Consolidation Test Results Exhibits B-7 to B-8 Atterberg Limits/Percent Fines Test Results Exhibit B-9 Moisture-Density Relationship Test Results Exhibits B-10 to B-11 Remolded Swell Potential Test Results Exhibit B-12 R-value Test Results TABLE OF CONTENTS – continued APPENDIX C – SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS Exhibit C-1 General Notes Exhibit C-2 Unified Soil Classification Exhibit C-3 Rock Classification Exhibit C-4 Design Nomograph for Flexible Pavements Exhibit C-5 Pavement Design Calculations February 26, 2016 CivilArts 1500 Kansas Avenue, Suite 2-E Longmont, Colorado 80501 Attn: Mr. Frank Drexel, PLS P: [303] 682 1131 E: [email protected] RE: Geotechnical Engineering Report Subgrade Evaluation and Pavement Thickness Design Eagle Meadow Filing 2A City of Dacono, Colorado Terracon Project Number: 22165009 Mr. Drexel: Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) has completed the geotechnical and pavement engineering services for the project referenced above. This study was performed in general accordance with our proposal number P22165007 dated January 15, 2016. This report presents the findings of the subsurface exploration and provides geotechnical recommendations concerning subgrade preparation, general earthwork and pavement design and construction for the proposed project. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you on this project. Materials testing and construction observation services are provided by Terracon as well. We would be pleased to discuss these services with you. If you have any questions concerning this report, or if we may be of further service, please contact us. Sincerely, Terracon Consultants, Inc. 27741 2/26/2016 Eric S. Willis, P.E. Eric D. Bernhardt, P.E. Senior Project Manager/Engineer Geotechnical Department Manager Copies to: Addressee (via email) Terracon Consultants, Inc. 1242 Bramwood Place, Ste. 2 Longmont, Colorado 80501 P [303] 776 3921 F [303] 776 4041 www.terracon.com Geotechnical Engineering Report Subgrade Evaluation & Pavement Thickness Design Eagle Meadow Filing 2A ■ City of Dacono, Colorado February 26, 2016 ■ Terracon Project No. 22165009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A subgrade evaluation and pavement thickness design has been performed for Eagle Meadow Filing 2A located southeast of the intersection of Eagle Meadow Drive and Golden Eagle Drive in the City of Dacono, Colorado. In accordance with City standards, eight (8) exploratory borings, designated P-1 through P-8, were performed to depths of about 8 to 10 feet below the existing ground surface. Based on the information obtained from our subsurface exploration and laboratory testing program, the site appears suitable for the proposed construction from a geotechnical point of view provided certain precautions and design and construction recommendations presented in this report are followed. The following geotechnical conditions and considerations were identified: Subgrade soils encountered in the test borings consisted of about 4 to 8 feet, or more, of lean to fat clays with varying amounts of sand. Claystone and interbedded claystone/siltstone/sandstone bedrock was encountered below the overburden clays in most of the borings at depths of about 4 to 7 feet and these materials extended to the bottom of the borings. Soil classification and R-value testing indicate the subgrade soils offer poor pavement support. No groundwater was observed or measured in the borings at the time of the field exploration and when checked 3 days after completion of drilling to the depths explored. Five samples of the subgrade soil tested showed volumetric expansion ranging from about 7.5 to 10.1 percent under a confining pressure of 200 psf. Results of swell tests indicate the subgrade soils have high swell potential at their in-place moisture content and density. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 2014 Pavement Design Manual characterizes these materials as having a high “Probable Swell Damage Risk”. Therefore, special pavement design and construction methods/precautions will be required for this project in order to mitigate pavement heave concerns. Heave mitigation techniques and recommendations are discussed in the report. Expansive subgrade soils are present on this site. The presence of expansive soils implies that pavements may heave and crack. The risks associated with swelling subgrade soils can be mitigated by careful design, construction and maintenance procedures; however, it should be recognized that these procedures will not eliminate risk. The owner should be aware and understand that pavements may be affected to some degree by the swelling soils on this site even if heave mitigation is performed. Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable i Geotechnical Engineering Report Subgrade Evaluation & Pavement Thickness Design Eagle Meadow Filing 2A ■ City of Dacono, Colorado February 26, 2016 ■ Terracon Project No. 22165009 On-site soils typically appear suitable for use as engineered fill on the site provided they are placed and compacted as described in this report. Import materials (if needed) should be evaluated and approved by the geotechnical engineer prior to delivery to the site. Close monitoring of the construction operations and implementing drainage recommendations discussed herein will be critical in achieving the intended pavement performance. We therefore recommend that Terracon be retained to monitor this portion of the work. This summary should be used in conjunction with the entire report for design purposes. It should be recognized that details were not included or fully developed in this section, and the report must be read in its entirety for a comprehensive understanding of the items contained herein. The section titled GENERAL COMMENTS should be read for an understanding of the report limitations. Responsive ■ Resourceful ■ Reliable ii GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING REPORT SUBGRADE EVALUATION AND PAVEMENT THICKNESS DESIGN EAGLE MEADOW FILING 2A CITY OF DACONO, COLORADO Terracon Project No. 22165009 February 26, 2016 INTRODUCTION A subgrade evaluation and pavement thickness design has been performed for Eagle Meadow Filing 2A located southeast of the intersection of Eagle Meadow Drive and Golden Eagle Drive in