Laserfiche WebLink
Geotechnical Engineering Report <br /> Community Transit Merrill Creek Operating Base <br /> 7100 Hardeson Road <br /> Everett, Washington <br /> February 28, 2018 <br /> RN File No. 3224-002A <br /> Page 5 <br /> Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to determine the erosion hazard of the on-site soils. <br /> The site surface soils were classified using the SCS classification system as 'Pits'. This unit <br /> consists of areas that have been excavated for sand or gravel. While a corresponding geologic <br /> unit for these soils is not noted, our site explorations encountered advance outwash sand and <br /> gravel. We expect the erosion hazard for the soil on the surrounding slopes to be moderate to <br /> severe depending on the slope inclinations. We have included the soil survey as Appendix A. <br /> Seismic Hazard: It is our opinion based on our subsurface explorations that the Soil Profile in <br /> accordance with the 2015. International Building Code (IBC) is Site Class D with Seismic Design <br /> Category D. We used the US Geological Survey program "U.S. Seismic Design Maps Web <br /> Application." The design maps summary report for the 2012/15 IBC is included in this report in <br /> Appendix B. <br /> Additional seismic considerations include liquefaction potential and amplification of ground <br /> motions by soft soil deposits. The liquefaction potential is highest for loose sand with a high <br /> groundwater table. The underlying dense outwash deposits are considered to have a very low <br /> potential for liquefaction and amplification of ground motion and seismically induced lateral <br /> spread. <br /> The project is mapped on Faults and Earthquakes in Washington State (Jessica L. Czajkowski <br /> and Jeffrey D. Bowman, USGS OFR 2014-05) as located in the Southern Whidbey island fault <br /> zone. This is a class A fault and is considered to have a low potential for surface displacement <br /> because of the thickness of the glacial overburden. The location of the fault zone is shown on <br /> the map in Appendix B. <br /> Site Preparation and Grading <br /> The first step of site preparation should be to strip the asphalt and loose fill soils to expose <br /> medium dense or firmer soils in pavement areas. Because the fill thickness ranges from about <br /> 14 to 19 feet in the pavement replacement areas, it is not feasible to completely remove all fill <br /> material. We therefore recommend approximately 2 feet of existing fill be removed from the <br /> underlying pavement. The excavated material should be removed from the site, or stockpiled <br /> for later use as landscaping fill. The resulting subgrade should be compacted to a firm, non- <br /> yielding condition. Areas observed to pump or yield should be repaired prior to placing hard <br /> surfaces. <br /> The on-site fill likely to be exposed during construction is considered moisture sensitive, and <br /> the surface will disturb easily when wet. We expect these soils would be difficult, if not <br /> impossible, to compact to structural fill specifications in wet weather. We recommend that <br /> earthwork be conducted during the drier months. Additional expenses of wet weather or winter <br /> construction could include extra excavation and use of imported fill or rock spalls. During wet <br /> weather, alternative site preparation methods may be necessary. These methods may include <br /> utilizing a smooth-bucket trackhoe to complete site stripping and diverting construction traffic <br /> around prepared subgrades. Disturbance to the prepared subgrade may be minimized by <br /> placing a blanket of rock spalls or imported sand and gravel in traffic areas. Cutoff drains or <br /> Robinson Noble, Inc. <br />