Project Description
Whitestone provided environmental, geotechnical, and construction phase oversight of the developer’s preliminary earthwork for the construction of a 112,000 total square feet, four-level specialty care facility with one level partially below grade.
Environmental Services included a Phase I ESA of the subject property to reveal evidence of recognized environmental conditions (RECs) as well as business environmental risks in connection with the subject property. As a result of the Phase I ESA findings, a Phase II Site Investigation was conducted to further evaluate the RECs documented during the Phase I ESA. The Phase II SI included a geophysical survey and soil boring installation/sampling program. The geophysical survey was conducted using ground penetrating radar and magnetic equipment to confirm the absence of underground storage tanks, former UST removal excavations, and other subsurface features of potential environmental concern. Soil and historic fill material were submitted for laboratory analyses to evaluate contaminant conditions at the subject property for evaluate of subsequent management.
Geotechnical Services included preliminary and final geotechnical investigation as well as a geologic review and electromagnetic survey to evaluate the presence of potential incipient sinkholes at the subject property. Whitestone’s subsurface exploration included the installation of 40 soil test borings and 18 test pits. Since the site is located in a regional area of carbonate bedrock that is prone to sinkhole development, Whitestone performed a geologic hazard study that included a literature review of published geologic data and field verification with electromagnetic geophysical surveys and rock coring. The field testing revealed uncontrolled, debris-laden existing fills and buried topsoil that required overexcavation within the proposed future building pad. The results of the literature review and subsurface exploration were used to ascertain the various soil profile components; estimate the engineering characteristics of the proposed foundation bearing and subgrade materials; provide geotechnical criteria for use by the design engineers in preparing the foundation, floor slab, retaining wall, and pavement designs; provide recommendations for required earthwork and subgrade preparation; and record groundwater and subsurface rock level impacts on the proposed construction.
Phase Testing Services included geotechnical oversight during building pad preparation activities. Whitestone directed supplemental testing to delineate unsuitable materials; monitored overexcavation activities of unsuitable soils beneath the future building pad; determined depths of overexcavation and inspected subgrade conditions prior to structural fill and/or backfill placement; periodically inspected structural backfill placement for conformance with project specifications for material, lift thickness, and compaction, including in-place density testing during fill placement; reviewed testing and inspection reports provided by the testing laboratory with regard to project plans and specifications; and participated in meetings/conference calls.