Challenge

Our client planned to redevelop the former fruit packaging and cannery property into a multi-story, single and family-style residential complex, which included affordable housing units that incorporated the integrity and historical significance of two original brick walls, dating back to the early 1900’s. The proposed new Stewart Cannery site is adjacent to Santa Rosa Creek and active railroad tracks, and is located on old fill materials generated from historic fire debris and the original cannery structures and liquefiable soils. Our client needed a geotechnical engineering study with recommendations for the most feasible and cost-effective approach for project design and construction.

Solutions

The client contracted with Geo-Logic Associates wholly owned subsidiary, RGH Consultants (RGH), to perform a geotechnical engineering study for design recommendations and to provide geotechnical field observation and testing services during construction. Our comprehensive geotechnical study included drilling soil borings within the constraints of the existing eastern and southern masonry walls and footprint of the new building, digging test pits to expose original foundations for the brick walls, and performing cone penetration tests to obtain comprehensive profiles that would identify lenses of potentially liquefiable soil. We also performed geotechnical engineering analyses as part of the study, including liquefaction potential, stability analysis of the creek bank under general soil conditions and after liquefaction, and consolidation settlement. Based upon our findings, RGH recommended using a mat foundation to reduce the impacts of liquefaction and settlement. As part of the design team RGH provided geotechnical consultation through the final phases of design development, and geotechnical field observation and materials testing, and special inspection services throughout the entirety of the two-year construction period.

Results

RGH’s comprehensive geotechnical engineering study allowed us to provide the client with evidence-backed and technically feasible recommendations to reduce the impacts of liquefaction and settlement on the proposed development. As part of the design team we were able to provide ongoing consultation through final planning and design, verification of construction of the project in accordance with our recommendations and current building codes, as well as offering timely geotechnical solutions as unanticipated conditions or challenges occurred during construction.