3753_001.pdfNELSON EOT C ICAL
SSOCI ES, C.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERS & GEOLOGISTS
Main Office
17311 — 135" Ave NE, A-500
Woodinville, WA 98072
(425) 486-1669 - FAX (425) 481-2510
August 21, 2018
Mr. Derek Abbott
221 — 185"' Place SW
Bothell, Washington 98012
Construction Monitoring Summary Letter
Abbott Residence
16404 — 75" Place West
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 9175B 16
Dear Mr. Abbott:
Engineering -Geology Branch
5526 Industry Lane, #2
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
(509) 665-7696 • FAX (509) 665-7692
This letter summarizes our geotechnical construction monitoring services for the Abbott Residence
project located at 16404 — 75"' Place West in Edmonds, Washington.
Introduction
We were retained to provide part- to full-time monitoring and consultation services during the earthwork
phase of construction. Our earthwork monitoring activities at the project took place on a part- to full-time
basis from December 14, 2016 through July 13, 2018 and included observing soldier pile wall
installation, augercast pier installation, pin pile installation, footing drain installation, and erosion control
measures. Our observations and conclusions were documented in Field Reports 1 through 45, all of
which have been submitted to you and the City of Edmonds.
Site Observations
We observed the installation of 21 soldier piles that varied in length between 20 to 40 feet long into 24-
inch diameter drilled holes. Some of the holes experienced caving during drilling. When this occurred
the holes were cased to facilitate the beam installation. After each hole was drilled, the contractor placed
the steel beams into the holes and backfilled the holes with lean mix concrete to the bottom of the lagging
elevation. After the steel beams were set, the lagging was installed, which consisted of 4-inch by 12-inch
pressure treated timber spanning the spaces between the piles. Lagging was separated by '/4-inch nails
throughout the extent of the wall, to facilitate drainage through the lagging elements.
Construction Monitoring Summary Letter
Abbott Residence
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 9175B 16
August 21, 2018
Page 2
We then monitored the augercast pier installation activities for the structure foundations. We observed
the drilling of 71, 18-inch diameter holes advanced to depths of approximately 25 feet below the
residence foundation subgrade throughout the entire residence foundation area. Upon reaching this depth,
the auger was withdrawn from the hole while pumping structural concrete into the holes. Rebar cages
were installed into the holes after the auger was removed. Based on our observations, it is our opinion
that all of the augercast piers were installed in accordance with the approved plans and our
recommendations.
We also observed the installation of49, 4-inch lain files for the structural slabs. The; lain piles consisted
of Schedule 40 galvanized steel piles and were driven between 6.0 and 18.7 feet below the ground
surface. The pin piles were driven with a 1,100 TB425BX hammer to a refusal criteria of less than one
inch of movement during 15 seconds of continuous driving. Based on our observations, it is our opinion
that the pin piles were installed in accordance with the approved plans and our recommendations.
We also observed that footing drains were installed along the exterior portions of the residence and
garage. The drains consisted of 4-inch perforated pipes. The drains were surrounded with washed rock
and covered with filter fabric. We were informed by the contractor that the footing drains and the roof
drains were connected to the existing stormwater system along the northern portion of the property.
We observed the construction of both cut and reinforced -fill rockeries within the property. The rockery
subgrades were overexcavated and replaced with rock spalls. The rockeries were supported directly on
the rock spalls and were embedded a minimum of 18-inches below the ground surface. A drainage layer
of crushed rock was placed behind the rockery facing. A 4-inch perforated drain was placed behind the
rockeries within the upper portion of the site, while a drain pipe was excluded from the very lower
rockeries due to not having enough fall to a suitable discharge point. The reinforced fill rockeries were
then backfilled with granular pit -run soils. Geo-grid wraps were placed behind the rockery facing and
drainage layer extending back a minimum of five feet. We evaluated the backfill with a nuclear
densometer and the test results met or exceeded 95% compaction of ASTM D1557. Based on our
observations, it is our opinion that the rockeries within the site were suitably constructed in accordance
with the approved plans and our recommendations.
During construction, we observed that temporary erosion control measures generally consisted of a silt
fence and straw bales around the exterior portions of the excavation area along with a rock spall entrance.
We did not observe any indications of soil track out within the streets or erosion issues during
construction. We visited the site on August 17, 2018 to observe the final landscaping preparation. We
observed that all of the bare ground within the site had been covered with bark, grass and plants. It is our
opinion that the erosion control methods incorporated into the landscape design appear to be adequate.
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Construction Monitoring Summary Letter
Abbott Residence
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 9175B16
August 21, 2018
Page 3
Conclusion
Based on our part-time observations, it is our opinion that the geotechnical earthwork activities at this
site, including residential foundation subgrade, shoring wall, pier and pin pile installation, subsurface
drainage, and erosion control methods were completed in general accordance with our recommendations,
contract plans, and specifications. The site slopes should be closely monitored for any signs of distress.
If any distress is observed, we should be contacted immediately to evaluate the conditions and provide
recommendations for slope repairs. Also, long-term maintenance of the drains and landscaped areas is
important to prevent water from flowing over the site slopes and creating instability concerns. All other
recommendations and precautions presented in our report and memo regarding maintaining slope stability
should be strictly followed. We recommend that our report and memo along with this letter be passed on
to future home owners if the house is sold.
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Construction Monitoring Summary Letter
Abbott Residence
Edmonds, Washington
NGA File No. 9175B16
August 21, 2018
Page 4
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you on this project. We consider our services for this
project to be complete, unless you specifically contact us for additional work. If you have any questions
regarding this letter or require further information, please call.
Sincerely,
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.
Lee S. Bellah, LG
Project Geologist
Khaled M. Shawish, PE
Principal
LSB:KMS:dy
NELSON GEOTECHNICAL ASSOCIATES, INC.