West Kern Community College District Soil Mitigation Discussion August 2004 Kevin Cobb AIA/ARA, Principal Architect, the Addington Partnership On Man Lau, Geotechnical Engineer, BSK
Topics Existing Soil Conditions Problems in Neighboring Areas Existing Impacts on Campus Proposed Mitigation Measures Example solutions
Existing Soil Conditions Collapsable Soil Differential Settlement - Different portions of building settle at different amounts (3” one corner and 6” at another corner) Great Depths are involved Precludes removing and recompacting soil Water Intrusion is largest risk Removing water completely is impracticle, but shortest pathto reducing risk Sandy Creek History Re-alignment from early 20th century still impacting on-site soil conditions
Problems in Neighboring Areas Neighboring properties are situated on same local soil conditions Numerous locations have settlement problems Several have also completed remedial meaures without eliminating or reducing the root problem
Skilled Nursing Facility
Commercial property
Sheriff’s Office
Jefferson School
Existing Impacts on Campus Gymnasium is the most prominent example of differential settlement - numerous settlement cracks Administration Building has had past problems, shortly after construction complete Technical Arts has interior settlement cracks Science Building has interior settlement cracks and exterior skin popping Most impacts are hidden in attics, below finishes or inside structure
On-Campus Photos - Gym
On-Campus Photos - Tech & Sci Science Tech Arts
Proposed Mitigation Measures No 100% Mitigation Possible Reduce Water! Removing landscaping and irrigation near buildings Replacing green areas with hardscape design Where plants are used, kept in containers with drainage system Where turf areas are used, install underground drainage system Collect roof water in drainage system
Example Solutions Less aesthetic examples Pedestrian / Urban walkway design Container plantings Accent Turf / Hardscape Xeriscape
Less Aesthetic Examples
Pedestrian / Urban Walkway
Container Plantings
Accent Turf / Hardscape
Xeriscape
Questions