07-27-1994 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page Two A total of four soil test borings were put down at the site by others on June 2, 1994. The logs of the borings are attached. The logs generally indicate the presence of fly ash fill at the surface. The fly ash fill was typically found to be underlain by mineral (non - organic) soils such as silty sands and clays. Boring 3 did indicate the presence of a thin layer of peat between depths of about 6' and 8'. For construction of the building, the report recommended excavation of existing fly ash fill and peat, to expose mineral soils such as brown silty sands and gray clays prior to fill placement. In all cases, the recommended subcut elevation was below the elevation of groundwater at the site. You have indicated that the cost of earthwork performed per the recommendations made in the soil boring report are prohibitive and would preclude construction on this site. Accordingly, you requested that we consider alternative (less costly) earthwork procedures which would still result in a serviceable building at lower initial cost to you. We understand that the City of Little Canada would prefer that the building include at least 50% masonry construction rather than the all steel type of building which is the typical commercial building type within the subject industrial park area. TEST PIT EXPLORATION We were present at the site on June 20, 1994, to observe test pits excavated by Frattalone Excavating and Grading. The purpose of the test pitting was to attempt to define the extent of the peat layer encountered at the northeast building corner and also to judge the density or consistency of the various layers within the profile, such as the fly ash fill, mineral sands and mineral clay soils. Test pits were put down approximately as shown on the attached sketch. The test pit procedure was initiated in the northeast quadrant in an attempt to define the area where significant thicknesses of peat remain within the profile. Test pits were then performed adjacent to perimeter footings or between interior column lines. The results of the test pitting are shown on the attached logs. According to the logs, fly ash fill was encountered at the surface of all borings. In some instances, the initial 1' to 2' of fly ash was found to be in a loose condition. In most cases, however, the fly ash was found to be quite firm. The thickness of fly ash at the test pit locations varied from 2.5' t -o 8'. At some test pit locations, the fly ash was found to be underlain by what we judged to be silty sand fill. This brown silty sand layer ranged in thickness from 2' to 3' at the test pit locations and we judged the soil to be in a firm condition. Page 52