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June 9,2022 <br /> Page 13 of 15 <br /> Geotechnical Evaluation <br /> Utilities <br /> Utility trenches should be excavated according to accepted engineering practices following OSHA <br /> (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards,by a contractor experienced in such <br /> work. The contractor is responsible for the safety of open trenches. Traffic and vibration adjacent <br /> to trench walls should be reduced; cyclic wetting and drying of excavation side slopes should be <br /> avoided. Depending upon the location and depth of some utility trenches,groundwater flow into <br /> open excavations could be experienced, especially during or shortly following periods of <br /> precipitation. <br /> In general, silty and sandy soils were encountered at shallow depths in the explorations at this <br /> site. These soils have low cohesion and density and will have a tendency to cave or slough in <br /> excavations. Shoring or sloping back trench sidewalls is required within these soils in excavations <br /> greater than 4 feet deep. <br /> All utility trench backfill should consist of imported structural fill or suitable on site soils. Utility <br /> trench backfill placed in or adjacent to buildings and exterior slabs should be compacted to at <br /> least 95 percent of the maximum dry density based on ASTM Test Method D1557. The upper 5 <br /> feet of utility trench backfill placed in pavement areas should be compacted to at least 95 percent <br /> of the maximum dry density based on ASTM Test Method Di557. Below 5 feet, utility trench <br /> backfill in pavement areas should be compacted to at least 90 percent of the maximum dry <br /> density based on ASTM Test Method D1557. Pipe bedding should be in accordance with the pipe <br /> manufacturer's recommendations. <br /> The contractor is responsible for removing all water-sensitive soils from the trenches regardless of <br /> the backfill location and compaction requirements. Depending on the depth and location of the <br /> proposed utilities, we anticipate the need to re-compact existing fill soils below the utility <br /> structures and pipes. The contractor should use appropriate equipment and methods to avoid <br /> damage to the utilities and/or structures during fill placement and compaction procedures. <br /> CONSTRUCTION FIELD REVIEWS <br /> Cobalt Geosciences should be retained to provide part time field review during construction in <br /> order to verify that the soil conditions encountered are consistent with our design assumptions <br /> and that the intent of our recommendations is being met. This will require field and engineering <br /> review to: <br /> • Monitor and test structural fill placement and soil compaction <br /> • Observe foundation areas during excavation <br /> • Observe slab-on-grade preparation <br /> • Verify stormwater system soil locations(if utilized) <br /> • Monitor foundation drainage placement <br /> • Observe excavation stability <br /> • Verify pavement subgrade conditions <br /> Geotechnical design services should also be anticipated during the subsequent final design phase <br /> to support the structural design and address specific issues arising during this phase. Field and <br /> engineering review services will also be required during the construction phase in order to <br /> provide a Final Letter for the project. <br /> www.cobaltgeo.com (206)331-1097 <br />