REVIEWED BLD BLD2021-0929+geo report+7.2.2021_2.58.00_PM+2282217:jneYZiPAKIROM
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC_
RECEIVED
Jul 26 2021
2401 1 Oth Ave E
Seattle, Washington 98102
(425)747-56I8
CITY OF EDMONDS
DEVELOPMENT ARTMENRVICES February 11, 2021
JN 20437
Todd and Christi Flynn
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington 98026
via email: tflynn(a-soundmarkwealth.com & christiflynn(c_comcast.net
Subject: Transmittal Letter — Geotechnical Engineering Study
Proposed Residence Remodel and Addition
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
Dear Flynn Family,
Attached to this transmittal letter is our geotechnical engineering report for the proposed residence remodel
and addition to be constructed in Edmonds, Washington. The scope of our services consisted of exploring
site surface and subsurface conditions, and then developing this report to provide recommendations for
general earthwork and design considerations for foundations, retaining walls, subsurface drainage, and
temporary excavations and shoring. This work was authorized by your acceptance of our proposal, P-10715,
dated September 24, 2020.
The attached report contains a discussion of the study and our recommendations. Please contact us if there
are any questions regarding this report, or for further assistance during the design and construction phases of
this project.
cc: H2D Architects — Heidi Helgeson
via email: heidi(a�h2darchitects.com
MKM/JHS:kg
Respectfully submitted,
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS, INC.
James H. Strange, P.E.
Associate
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING STUDY
Proposed Residence Remodel and Addition
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
This report presents the findings and recommendations of our geotechnical engineering study for the site of
the proposed residence remodel and addition to be located in Edmonds.
We were provided with preliminary architectural plans. H2D Architects developed these plans, which are
dated August 31, 2020. Based on these plans, we understand that a new addition is proposed to extend off
the southern side of the existing residence. This addition will contain a garage in its lower floor, with living
space above. The new living space will tie into the existing main floor level, which will undergo a remodel. In
addition, the existing tall crawlspace along the eastern side of the house is proposed to be excavated and
converted to basement space. We are not aware if new structural loads and/or foundations will need to be
constructed within the existing footprint, but the roof layout will be modified, which may introduce new
structural loading. No work outside of the remodel and addition are proposed at this time for the property.
Minimal excavations are planned for a majority of the project, but deeper excavations on the order of 10 feet
will be needed to excavate the eastern basement area.
If the scope of the project changes from what we have described above, we should be provided with revised
plans in order to determine if modifications to the recommendations and conclusions of this report are
warranted.
SITE CONDITIONS
SURFACE
The Vicinity Map, Plate 1, illustrates the general location of the site in Edmonds. The irregular shaped site has
dimensions of 282.2 to 316.7 feet in the north -south direction, and 101.6 to 189.9 feet in the east -west
direction. The site is bounded to the north by a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway, to the east and west by
single family properties, and to the south by Talbot Road.
The site is currently developed with a two-story residence located near the northern property line. The
residence contains a lower, basement floor that daylights on its southwestern side, with a main floor located
above. A garage space is located in the lower floor, which is accessed via a long driveway extending off
Talbot Road to the south. A small wooden bridge crosses over Perrinville creek, which runs from the
southeastern corner of the site, to a culvert system located southwest of the house. This culvert system pipes
the creek under the railroad located north of the site to the Puget Sound.
The grade across the site generally slopes downward from the east and south, to the west and north, with a
total elevation change of 12 feet across the mapped property bounds. The sloping topography creates a
localized low spot through the rough stream alignment that flows through the site, and facilitates the grade
drop from the upper, eastern main level entry, to the lower garage entry on the south of the residence. A
short, approximately 8-foot-tall steep slope is located off the northwestern corner of the yard north of the
residence. The grade continues to carry out past the residence at a moderate rate to the base of the railway,
where a rock fill slope leads up to the train tracks. This fill slope again drops back down to the north of the
railway, where the grade continues out to the Puget Sound.
The City of Edmonds GIS maps portions of the site within an erosion hazard area. No steep slopes are
mapped on the property. Perrinville Creek runs through the property, which conveys stormwater runoff from a
large tributary area of upslope developments within Edmonds and Lynnwood.
The adjacent eastern and western properties are both developed with single family residences. The eastern
adjacent residence is situated greater than 5 feet higher than the site grade at the eastern property line and
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February 11, 2021 Page 2
contains a two-story residence that is not underlain by a basement. This residence is located greater than 10
feet from the property line. The western adjacent property contains a two-story residence located at a slightly
lower elevation than the site and is located greater than 10 feet from the property bounds. Both residences
likely bear on conventional foundation systems at a shallow depth.
SUBSURFACE
The subsurface conditions were explored by drilling three test borings at the approximate locations shown on
the Site Exploration Plan, Plate 2. Our exploration program was based on the proposed construction,
anticipated subsurface conditions and those encountered during exploration, and the scope of work outlined
in our proposal.
The borings were drilled on December 23, 2020 using a track -mounted, hollow -stem auger drill. Samples
were taken at approximate 2.5 and 5-foot intervals with a standard penetration sampler. This split -spoon
sampler, which has a 2-inch outside diameter, is driven into the soil with a 140-pound hammer falling 30
inches. The number of blows required to advance the sampler a given distance is an indication of the soil
density or consistency. A geotechnical engineer from our staff observed the drilling process, logged the test
borings, and obtained representative samples of the soil encountered. The Test Boring Logs are attached as
Plates 3 through 5.
Soil Conditions
Test Borings 1 and 2 were drilled near the southwestern and southeastern corners of the existing
residence, respectively. Beneath the ground surface, native, sand with gravel was revealed. The sand
contained varying amounts of silt, gravel, and organics through the layer depth, and was initially
loose, becoming medium -dense beneath depths of 5 to 15 feet. These native soils are inferred to be
alluvial soils (soils deposited by lakes, rivers, and streams) and were not glacially compressed. The
loose and medium -dense alluvial soils continued to the base of Test Boring 1, where refusal was met
due to excessive heave. However, very dense, very silty sand was encountered beneath a depth of
feet in Test Boring 2. This very dense soil is glacially compressed and continued to the base of the
boring at 41 feet where the boring was terminated due to machine limitations in the upper heaving
sand.
Test Boring 3 was drilled on the upslope side of the site, near the northern entryway to the residence.
Beneath the ground surface, native, medium -dense silt sand was encountered. This layer of silty
sand continued to a depth of 12.5 feet and was underlain by the same alluvial sand encountered in
Test Borings 1 and 2. In Test Boring 3, the sand layer was mostly medium -dense, becoming dense
below a depth of 35 feet. Very dense, glacially compressed silty sand was encountered at the base of
the boring at a depth of 40 feet and was similar in composition to what was encountered at the base
of Test Boring 2.
No obstructions were revealed by our explorations. However, debris, buried utilities, and old
foundation and slab elements are commonly encountered on sites that have had previous
development.
Groundwater Conditions
Groundwater seepage was observed at a depth of 7.5 to 10 feet in Test Borings 1 and 2, and at a
depth of approximately 20 feet in Test Boring 3. The test borings were left open for only a short time
period. Therefore, the seepage levels on the logs represent the location of transient water seepage
and may not indicate the static groundwater level. Groundwater levels encountered during drilling can
be deceptive because seepage into the boring can be blocked or slowed by the auger itself.
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It should be noted that groundwater levels vary seasonally with rainfall and other factors. We
anticipate that groundwater levels could fluctuate seasonally following precipitation events, especially
due to the creek alignment running through the property.
The stratification lines on the logs represent the approximate boundaries between soil types at the exploration
locations. The actual transition between soil types may be gradual, and subsurface conditions can vary
between exploration locations. The logs provide specific subsurface information only at the locations tested. If
a transition in soil type occurred between samples in the borings, the depth of the transition was interpreted.
The relative densities and moisture descriptions indicated on the test boring logs are interpretive descriptions
based on the conditions observed during drilling.
SEISMIC CONSIDERATIONS
In accordance with the International Building Code (IBC), with regards to the building period and the soils
within 100 feet of the ground surface, Site Class Type E (Soft Soil) is most appropriate for this project. As
noted in the USGS website, the mapped spectral acceleration value for a 0.2 second (Ss) and 1.0 second
period (S1) equals 1.29 g and 0.51g, respectively.
The IBC and ASCE 7 require that the potential for liquefaction (soil strength loss) be evaluated for the peak
ground acceleration of the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE), which has a probability of occurring
once in 2,475 years (2 percent probability of occurring in a 50-year period). The MCE peak ground
acceleration is adjusted for site class effects (FPGA) and equals 0.48.
The site is underlain at approximately 7.5 to 20 feet by loose and medium -dense, saturated, alluvial soils
depending on the existing ground elevations. These saturated soils have been demonstrated to have a
moderate to high potential for liquefaction during a large earthquake. Using analysis procedures developed by
Seed, Idriss, et al. we calculated the approximate total ground settlement that could result if liquefaction were
to occur in the saturated, loose, and medium -dense soils as the result of the design earthquake. Based on
this analysis, it is probable that soil liquefaction could extend down to about 50 feet, following an MCE. Our
analysis indicated that total ground settlement of up to approximately 6 to 7.5 inches could result during the
MCE.
It is important to note that the study of liquefaction and its resulting effects is on -going, as development in
areas underlain by saturated alluvium or hydraulic fill has only really occurred to a great extent in the last 30
to 40 years. Recent observations from earthquakes occurring in the State of California and in Japan indicate
that ground surface subsidence due to liquefaction tends to occur either over a large area or at concentrated
points where sand boils occur.
The recommendations presented in this report for reinforcing and connecting all of the foundations and
supporting some of the foundation areas on pipe piles are intended to prevent catastrophic foundation
collapse during a large seismic event. By preventing catastrophic settlement of the foundations, the safety of
the occupants should be protected. The intent is not to prevent damage or ensure continued function of the
structures after the design seismic event.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
GENERAL
THIS SECTION CONTAINS A SUMMARY OF OUR STUDY AND FINDINGS FOR THE PURPOSES OF A
GENERAL OVERVIEW ONLY. MORE SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ARE
CONTAINED IN THE REMAINDER OF THIS REPORT. ANY PARTY RELYING ON THIS REPORT SHOULD
READ THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT.
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The test borings conducted for this study encountered loose and medium -dense, sands extending to great
depths beneath the ground surface. These native soils are alluvial deposits (soils deposited by streams or
rivers), which are typical of the area. A significant depth of the alluvial soils are below the groundwater table
and are saturated. These loose, wet alluvial soils extend to significant depths, and glacially compressed soils
were not encountered until depths of 40 feet in the test borings. Current structures in the area that have been
supported on typical conventional shallow foundations systems on top of the alluvial soils can experience
significant amounts of post -construction settlement due to consolidation of these loose soils over time.
Furthermore, sand in the area that is below the groundwater table is susceptible to liquefaction during a large
seismic event.
As part of the remodel and new construction for the addition, the potential liquefaction hazards should be
addressed. Considering the existing structure, anticipated limited or negligible additional structural loads
imparted on the existing foundations, and the anticipated relatively lightly loaded construction of the remodel,
it is our professional opinion that the existing residence footings should be retrofitted by installing continuous,
heavily reinforced footings (grade beams) adjacent to the existing footings. Any isolated footings should also
be attached to the main foundation with grade beams. The continuous footings would be constructed adjacent
to the existing residence foundations, and would effectively widen the footings, both decreasing the loads
imparted on the soil below by increasing the bearing area of the foundations and strengthening the foundation
to resist seismic differential settlements and potential localized loss of bearing due to sand boils. These
heavily reinforced foundations should be designed to structurally span a distance of 10 feet without soil
support, similar to grade beams. These recommendations are intended to account for the possibility for
isolated soil bearing loss as a result of a liquefied sand boil beneath the building footprint. These are typical
measures for foundations of new structures build atop alluvial soils. Additional recommendations can be
found in the Conventional Continuous Foundations section of this report.
The new addition will be constructed south of the existing residence and impart new foundation loads into the
unconsolidated alluvial soils and would be predicted to undergo more excessive post -construction settlement
with respect to the existing structure (since the existing structure has already experienced nearly all of its
primary settlement during its lifetime. To reduce this differential settlement potential, we recommend that the
new southern addition foundations be supported on deep foundations consisting of small diameter pipe piles
that are driven to refusal in the underlying very dense soils encountered beneath the alluvial deposits. If larger
than anticipated new structural loads are planned to be added to the existing residence footprint, the
foundations should also be underpinned with pipe piles instead of with grade beams. Recommendations for
deep foundations can be found in the Pipe Piles section of this report.
Both of the recommended foundation systems are intended to distribute the building loads, reduce the
necessary bearing capacity, bridge over any excessively soft areas of soil or localized soil liquefaction
(sand boils), and reduce the amount of differential settlement across the building. The use of a heavily
reinforced grade beam foundation instead of conventional footings will result in more uniform settlement
of the existing building and interior floors as the underlying soils undergo long-term consolidation, and
the use of pipe piles will greatly reduce any post construction settlement for the proposed addition.
However, settlement -tolerant construction such as wood and metal framing and siding should still be
used. Masonry, stucco, tile, and other settlement -sensitive materials should be avoided.
The excavations for a majority of the project will be minimal and will be limited to what is needed to construct
the new grade beams and pile supported foundations. However, the excavation along the eastern side of the
residence for the new basement space will be more extensive. Based on the soil encountered in the test
boring drilled east of the existing residence, a temporary excavation of no steeper than a 1:1
(Horizontal:Vertical) should be used. Vertical excavations should not be made on, or near the shared property
lines, or near any settlement sensitive structure. Based on the existing property line setback and house
location, the excavation may be able to be laid back along the north and south of the residence. However,
several large trees exist east of the residence, within the excavation influence zone. Unless these trees can
be removed prior to excavation, temporary shoring will be needed along the eastern wall of the residence to
facilitate the deeper excavations. The most appropriate shoring system for this area, given site access and
soil conditions, would be to utilize closely spaced, driven beam shoring. This rigid shoring system can be
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installed with smaller machinery than drilled soldier piles and requires less preparation to facilitate machine
access. More information can be found in the Temporary Shoring section of this report.
Due to the shallow groundwater table, we do not recommend that concentrated infiltration or dispersion
systems be used for the project. Any attempt to utilize a concentrated system will likely lead to early failure of
the system, especially during the wet season. All collected stormwater should be tightlined to the appropriate
facilities.
While the site is mapped as an Erosion Hazard Area, the potential for adverse erosion impacts will be
mitigated by properly installed temporary erosion control measures. The erosion control measures needed
during the site development will depend heavily on the weather conditions that are encountered. We
anticipate that a silt fence will be needed around the downslope sides of any cleared areas. Existing
pavements, ground cover, and landscaping should be left in place wherever possible to minimize the amount
of exposed soil. Rocked staging areas and construction access roads should be provided to reduce the
amount of soil or mud carried off the property by trucks and equipment. Wherever possible, the access roads
should follow the alignment of planned pavements. Trucks should not be allowed to drive off of the rock -
covered areas. Cut slopes and soil stockpiles should be covered with plastic during wet weather. Silty runoff
should not be allowed to flow into the stream alignment on the site. Depending on the time of year of
construction, onsite containment may be needed for stormwater runoff. Following clearing or rough grading, it
may be necessary to mulch or hydroseed bare areas that will not be immediately covered with landscaping or
an impervious surface. On most construction projects, it is necessary to periodically maintain or modify
temporary erosion control measures to address specific site and weather conditions.
The drainage and/or waterproofing recommendations presented in this report are intended only to prevent
active seepage from flowing through concrete walls or slabs. Even in the absence of active seepage into and
beneath structures, water vapor can migrate through walls, slabs, and floors from the surrounding soil, and
can even be transmitted from slabs and foundation walls due to the concrete curing process. Water vapor
also results from occupant uses, such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. Excessive water vapor trapped
within structures can result in a variety of undesirable conditions, including, but not limited to, moisture
problems with flooring systems, excessively moist air within occupied areas, and the growth of molds, fungi,
and other biological organisms that may be harmful to the health of the occupants. The designer or architect
must consider the potential vapor sources and likely occupant uses, and provide sufficient ventilation, either
passive or mechanical, to prevent a build up of excessive water vapor within the planned structure.
As with any project that involves demolition of existing site buildings and/or extensive excavation and shoring,
there is a potential risk of movement on surrounding properties. This can potentially translate into noticeable
damage of surrounding on -grade elements, such as foundations and slabs. However, the demolition, shoring,
and/or excavation work could just translate into perceived damage on adjacent properties. Unfortunately, it is
becoming more and more common for adjacent property owners to make unsubstantiated damage claims on
new projects that occur close to their developed lots. Therefore, we recommend making an extensive
photographic and visual survey of the project vicinity, prior to demolition activities, installing shoring, and/or
commencing with the excavation. This documents the condition of buildings, pavements, and utilities in the
immediate vicinity of the site in order to avoid, and protect the owner from, unsubstantiated damage claims by
surrounding property owners. Additionally, any adjacent structures should be monitored during demolition and
construction to detect soil movements. To monitor their performance, we recommend establishing a series of
survey reference points to measure any horizontal deflections of the shoring system. Control points should be
established at a distance well away from the walls and slopes, and deflections from the reference points
should be measured throughout construction by survey methods.
Geotech Consultants, Inc. should be allowed to review the final development plans to verify that the
recommendations presented in this report are adequately addressed in the design. Such a plan review would
be additional work beyond the current scope of work for this study, and it may include revisions to our
recommendations to accommodate site, development, and geotechnical constraints that become more
evident during the review process.
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We recommend including this report, in its entirety, in the project contract documents. This report should also
be provided to any future property owners so they will be aware of our findings and recommendations.
PIPE PILES
4-inch-diameter pipe piles driven with an 850- or 1,100- or 2,000-pound hydraulic jackhammer to the following
final penetration rates may be assigned the following compressive capacities.
INSIDE PILE FINAL DRIVING FINAL DRIVING FINAL DRIVING ALLOWABLE
DIAMETER RATE RATE RATE COMPRESSIVE
(850# hammer) (1,100# hammer) (2,000# hammer) CAPACITY
Note: The refusal criteria indicated in the above table are valid only for pipe piles that are installed
using a hydraulic impact hammer carried on leads that allow the hammer to sit on the top of the pile
during driving. If the piles are installed by alternative methods, such as a vibratory hammer or a
hammer that is hard mounted to the installation machine, numerous load tests to 200 percent of the
design capacity would be necessary to substantiate the allowable pile load. The appropriate number
of load tests would need to be determined at the time the contractor and installation method are
chosen.
As a minimum, Schedule 40 pipe should be used. The site soils are located near a body of water, and
groundwater was encountered at a shallow depth. As a result, they have an elevated corrosion potential.
Considering this, it is our opinion that corrosion protection, such as galvanizing, should be used for the pipe
piles.
Pile caps and grade beams should be used to transmit loads to the piles. Isolated pile caps should include a
minimum of two piles to reduce the potential for eccentric loads being applied to the piles. Subsequent
sections of pipe can be connected with slip or threaded couplers, or they can be welded together. If slip
couplers are used, they should fit snugly into the pipe sections. This may require that shims be used or that
beads of welding flux be applied to the outside of the coupler.
Lateral loads due to wind or seismic forces may be resisted by passive earth pressure acting on the vertical,
embedded portions of the foundation. For this condition, the foundation must be either poured directly against
relatively level, undisturbed soil or be surrounded by level compacted fill. We recommend using a passive
earth pressure of 250 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) for this resistance. If the ground in front of a foundation is
loose or sloping, the passive earth pressure given above will not be appropriate. We recommend a safety
factor of at least 1.5 for the foundation's resistance to lateral loading, when using the above ultimate passive
value.
CONVENTIONAL CONTINUOUS FOUNDATIONS
We recommend that continuous footings have a minimum width of 24 inches. Exterior footings should also be
bottomed at least 18 inches below the lowest adjacent finish ground surface for protection against frost and
erosion. The local building codes should be reviewed to determine if different footing widths or embedment
depths are required. The foundations should all be sufficiently reinforced to be able to theoretically span a
distance of at least 10 feet without soil support, similar to grade beams. If excessively soft or yielding soils
are encountered beneath the existing foundations, they should be removed, and replaced with clean, angular
crushed rock such as ballast rock or quarry spalls. Alternately, lean mix concrete could be used to fill in the
soft areas, if encountered.
An allowable bearing pressure of 1,000 pounds per square foot (psf) is appropriate for the continuous
footings. A one-third increase in this design bearing pressure can be used when considering short-term wind
or seismic loads. For the above design criteria, it is anticipated that the total post -construction settlement of
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footings founded on native soil, will be 2 to 3 inches, with differential settlements on the order of one inch in a
distance of 25 feet along a continuous footing with a uniform load.
Lateral loads due to wind or seismic forces may be resisted by friction between the foundation and the
bearing soil, or by passive earth pressure acting on the vertical, embedded portions of the foundation. For the
latter condition, the foundation must be either poured directly against relatively level, undisturbed soil or be
surrounded by level, well -compacted fill. We recommend using the following ultimate values for the
foundation's resistance to lateral loading:
PARAMETER ULTIMATE
VALUE
Coefficient of Friction 0.45
Passive Earth Pressure 300 pcf
Where: pcf is Pounds per Cubic Foot, and Passive Earth
Pressure is computed using the Equivalent Fluid Density.
If the ground in front of a foundation is loose or sloping, the passive earth pressure given above will not be
appropriate. The above ultimate values for passive earth pressure and coefficient of friction do not include a
safety factor.
FOUNDATION AND RETAINING WALLS
Retaining walls backfilled on only one side should be designed to resist the lateral earth pressures imposed
by the soil they retain. The following recommended parameters are for walls that restrain level backfill:
PARAMETER
Active Earth Pressure *
VALUE
35 pcf
Passive Earth Pressure
300 pcf
Coefficient of Friction
0.45
Soil Unit Weight
115 pcf
Where: pcf is Pounds per Cubic Foot, and Active and Passive
Earth Pressures are computed using the Equivalent Fluid
Pressures.
* For a restrained wall that cannot deflect at least 0.002 times its
height, a uniform lateral pressure equal to 10 psf times the height
of the wall should be added to the above active equivalent fluid
pressure. This applies only to walls with level backfill.
The design values given above do not include the effects of any hydrostatic pressures behind the walls and
assume that no surcharges, such as those caused by slopes, vehicles, or adjacent foundations will be
exerted on the walls. If these conditions exist, those pressures should be added to the above lateral soil
pressures. Where sloping backfill is desired behind the walls, we will need to be given the wall dimensions
and the slope of the backfill in order to provide the appropriate design earth pressures. The surcharge due to
traffic loads behind a wall can typically be accounted for by adding a uniform pressure equal to 2 feet
multiplied by the above active fluid density. Heavy construction equipment should not be operated behind
retaining and foundation walls within a distance equal to the height of a wall, unless the walls are designed for
the additional lateral pressures resulting from the equipment.
The values given above are to be used to design only permanent foundation and retaining walls that are to be
backfilled, such as conventional walls constructed of reinforced concrete or masonry. It is not appropriate to
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use the above earth pressures and soil unit weight to back -calculate soil strength parameters for design of
other types of retaining walls, such as soldier pile, reinforced earth, modular or soil nail walls. We can assist
with design of these types of walls, if desired.
The passive pressure given is appropriate only for a shear key poured directly against undisturbed native soil,
or for the depth of level, well -compacted fill placed in front of a retaining or foundation wall. The values for
friction and passive resistance are ultimate values and do not include a safety factor. Restrained wall soil
parameters should be utilized the wall and reinforcing design for a distance of 1.5 times the wall height from
corners or bends in the walls, or from other points of restraint. This is intended to reduce the amount of
cracking that can occur where a wall is restrained by a corner.
Wall Pressures Due to Seismic Forces
Per IBC Section 1803.5.12, a seismic surcharge load need only be considered in the design of walls
over 6 feet in height. A seismic surcharge load would be imposed by adding a uniform lateral
pressure to the above -recommended active pressure. The recommended seismic surcharge pressure
for this project is 8H pounds per square foot (psf), where H is the design retention height of the wall.
Using this increased pressure, the safety factor against sliding and overturning can be reduced to 1.2
for the seismic analysis.
Retaining Wall Backfill and Waterproofing
Backfill placed behind retaining or foundation walls should be coarse, free -draining structural fill
containing no organics. This backfill should contain no more than 5 percent silt or clay particles and
have no gravel greater than 4 inches in diameter. The percentage of particles passing the No. 4 sieve
should be between 25 and 70 percent. A minimum 12-inch width of free -draining gravel or drainage
composite similar to Miradrain 6000 should be placed against the backfilled retaining walls. The
gravel or drainage composites should be hydraulically connected to the foundation drain system. Free
draining backfill should be used for the entire width of the backfill where seepage is encountered. The
later section entitled Drainage Considerations should also be reviewed for recommendations
related to subsurface drainage behind foundation and retaining walls.
The purpose of these backfill requirements is to ensure that the design criteria for a retaining wall are
not exceeded because of a build-up of hydrostatic pressure behind the wall. Also, subsurface
drainage systems are not intended to handle large volumes of water from surface runoff. The top 12
to 18 inches of the backfill should consist of a compacted, relatively impermeable soil or topsoil, or
the surface should be paved. The ground surface must also slope away from backfilled walls at one
to 2 percent to reduce the potential for surface water to percolate into the backfill.
Water percolating through pervious surfaces (pavers, gravel, permeable pavement, etc.) must also be
prevented from flowing toward walls or into the backfill zone. Foundation drainage and waterproofing
systems are not intended to handle large volumes of infiltrated water. The compacted subgrade
below pervious surfaces and any associated drainage layer should therefore be sloped away.
Alternatively, a membrane and subsurface collection system could be provided below a pervious
surface.
It is critical that the wall backfill be placed in lifts and be properly compacted, in order for the above -
recommended design earth pressures to be appropriate. The recommended wall design criteria
assume that the backfill will be well -compacted in lifts no thicker than 12 inches. The compaction of
backfill near the walls should be accomplished with hand -operated equipment to prevent the walls
from being overloaded by the higher soil forces that occur during compaction. The section entitled
General Earthwork and Structural Fill contains additional recommendations regarding the
placement and compaction of structural fill behind retaining and foundation walls.
The above recommendations are not intended to waterproof below -grade walls, or to prevent the
formation of mold, mildew, or fungi in interior spaces. Over time, the performance of subsurface
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drainage systems can degrade, subsurface groundwater flow patterns can change, and utilities can
break or develop leaks. Therefore, waterproofing should be provided where future seepage through
the walls is not acceptable. This typically includes limiting cold -joints and wall penetrations and using
bentonite panels or membranes on the outside of the walls. There are a variety of different
waterproofing materials and systems, which should be installed by an experienced contractor familiar
with the anticipated construction and subsurface conditions. Applying a thin coat of asphalt emulsion
to the outside face of a wall is not considered waterproofing and will only help to reduce moisture
generated from water vapor or capillary action from seeping through the concrete. As with any
project, adequate ventilation of basement and crawl space areas is important to prevent a buildup of
water vapor that is commonly transmitted through concrete walls from the surrounding soil, even
when seepage is not present. This is appropriate even when waterproofing is applied to the outside of
foundation and retaining walls. We recommend that you contact an experienced envelope consultant
if detailed recommendations or specifications related to waterproofing design or minimizing the
potential for infestations of mold and mildew are desired.
SLABS -ON -GRADE
The building floors can be constructed as slabs -on -grade atop competent native soil, or on structural fill. The
subgrade soil must be in a firm, non -yielding condition at the time of slab construction or underslab fill
placement. Any soft areas encountered should be excavated and replaced with select, imported structural fill.
Even where the exposed soils appear dry, water vapor will tend to naturally migrate upward through the soil
to the new constructed space above it. This can affect moisture -sensitive flooring, cause imperfections or
damage to the slab, or simply allow excessive water vapor into the space above the slab. All interior slabs -on -
grade should be underlain by a capillary break drainage layer consisting of a minimum 4-inch thickness of
clean gravel or crushed rock that has a fines content (percent passing the No. 200 sieve) of less than 3
percent and a sand content (percent passing the No. 4 sieve) of no more than 10 percent. Pea gravel or
crushed rock are typically used for this layer.
As noted by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in the Guides for Concrete Floor and Slab Structures,
proper moisture protection is desirable immediately below any on -grade slab that will be covered by tile,
wood, carpet, impermeable floor coverings, or any moisture -sensitive equipment or products. ACI
recommends a minimum 10-mil thickness vapor retarder for better durability and long-term performance than
is provided by 6-mil plastic sheeting that has historically been used. A vapor retarder is defined as a material
with a permeance of less than 0.3 perms, as determined by ASTM E 96. It is possible that concrete
admixtures may meet this specification, although the manufacturers of the admixtures should be consulted.
Where vapor retarders are used under slabs, their edges should overlap by at least 6 inches and be sealed
with adhesive tape. The sheeting should extend to the foundation walls for maximum vapor protection.
If no potential for vapor passage through the slab is desired, a vapor barrier should be used. A vapor barrier,
as defined by ACI, is a product with a water transmission rate of 0.01 perms when tested in accordance with
ASTM E 96. Reinforced membranes having sealed overlaps can meet this requirement.
We recommend that the contractor, the project materials engineer, and the owner discuss these issues and
review recent ACI literature and ASTM E-1643 for installation guidelines and guidance on the use of the
protection/blotter material.
EXCAVATIONS AND SLOPES
Temporary excavation slopes should not exceed the limits specified in local, state, and national government
safety regulations. Also, temporary cuts should be planned to provide a minimum 2 to 3 feet of space for
construction of foundations, walls, and drainage. Temporary cuts to a maximum overall depth of about 4 feet
may be attempted vertically in unsaturated soil if there are no indications of slope instability. However, vertical
cuts should not be made near property boundaries, or existing utilities and structures. Unshored excavations
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
Flynn Family JN 20437
February 11, 2021 Page 10
should not extend beneath the groundwater table. Based upon Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 296,
Part N, the soil at the subject site would generally be classified as Type B. Therefore, temporary cut slopes
greater than 4 feet in height should not be excavated at an inclination steeper than 1:1 (Horizontal:Vertical),
extending continuously between the top and the bottom of a cut.
The above -recommended temporary slope inclination is based on the conditions exposed in our explorations,
and on what has been successful at other sites with similar soil conditions. It is possible that variations in soil
and groundwater conditions will require modifications to the inclination at which temporary slopes can stand.
Temporary cuts are those that will remain unsupported for a relatively short duration to allow for the
construction of foundations, retaining walls, or utilities. Temporary cut slopes should be protected with plastic
sheeting during wet weather. It is also important that surface runoff be directed away from the top of
temporary slope cuts. Cut slopes should also be backfilled or retained as soon as possible to reduce the
potential for instability. Please note that loose soil can cave suddenly and without warning. Excavation,
foundation, and utility contractors should be made especially aware of this potential danger. These
recommendations may need to be modified if the area near the potential cuts has been disturbed in the past
by utility installation, or if settlement -sensitive utilities are located nearby.
All permanent cuts into native soil should be inclined no steeper than 2:1 (H:V). Fill slopes should not be
constructed with an inclination greater than 2:1 (H:V). To reduce the potential for shallow sloughing, fill must
be compacted to the face of these slopes. This can be accomplished by overbuilding the compacted fill and
then trimming it back to its final inclination. Adequate compaction of the slope face is important for long-term
stability and is necessary to prevent excessive settlement of patios, slabs, foundations, or other
improvements that may be placed near the edge of the slope.
Water should not be allowed to flow uncontrolled over the top of any temporary or permanent slope. All
permanently exposed slopes should be seeded with an appropriate species of vegetation to reduce erosion
and improve the stability of the surficial layer of soil.
TEMPORARY DRIVEN SHORING
Cantilevered, driven soldier piles have proven to be an efficient method for providing excavation shoring when
onsite soil conditions facilitate their use. The shoring design should be submitted to Geotech Consultants, Inc.
for review prior to beginning site excavation. We are available and would be pleased to assist in this design
effort.
Soldier Pile Installation
Soldier pile walls would be constructed after making planned cut slopes, and prior to commencing the
mass excavation, by driving steel H-beams to a predetermined depth. As excavation proceeds
downward, the space between the piles should be lagged with timber, and any voids behind the
timbers should be filled with pea gravel, or a slurry comprised of sand and fly ash. Treated lagging is
usually required for permanent walls, while untreated lagging can often be utilized for temporary
shoring walls. Temporary vertical cuts will be necessary between the soldier piles for the lagging
placement. The prompt and careful installation of lagging is important, particularly in loose or caving
soil, to maintain the integrity of the excavation and provide safer working conditions. Additionally, care
must be taken by the excavator to remove no more soil between the soldier piles than is necessary to
install the lagging. Caving or overexcavation during lagging placement could result in loss of ground on
neighboring properties. Timber lagging should be designed for an applied lateral pressure of 30
percent of the design wall pressure if the pile spacing is less than three pile diameters. For larger pile
spacings, the lagging should be designed for 50 percent of the design load.
Soldier Pile Wall Design
Temporary soldier pile shoring that is cantilevered, and that has a level backslope, should be
designed for an active soil pressure equal to that pressure exerted by an equivalent fluid with a unit
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
Flynn Family
February 11, 2021
J N 20437
Page 11
weight of 35 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). The existing trees above the piles will exert surcharge
pressures on the wall if it is determined that the trees need to remain in place. Slopes above the
shoring walls will exert additional surcharge pressures. These surcharge pressures will vary,
depending on the configuration of the cut slope and shoring wall. We can provide recommendations
regarding surcharge pressures when the preliminary shoring design is completed.
It is important that the shoring design provides sufficient working room to drive and install the soldier
piles, without needing to make unsafe, excessively steep temporary cuts. Cut slopes should be
planned to intersect the backside of the drilled holes, not the back of the lagging.
Lateral movement of the soldier piles below the excavation level will be resisted by an ultimate
passive soil pressure equal to that pressure exerted by a fluid with a density of 300 pcf. A reduction
factor is included in this passive pressure to account for strain compatibility in regard to pile
deflection. For permanent walls, we recommend a minimum factor of safety of 1.5 be applied to
overturning and sliding calculations when using this ultimate value (temporary installations may use a
factor of safety of 1.2). This soil pressure is valid only for a level excavation in front of the soldier pile;
it acts on three times the beam width. Cut slopes made in front of shoring walls significantly decrease
the passive resistance. This includes temporary cuts necessary to install internal braces or rakers.
The minimum embedment below the floor of the excavation for cantilever soldier piles should be
equal to the height of the "stick-up."
DRAINAGE CONSIDERATIONS
We anticipate that permanent foundation walls may be constructed against the shoring walls. Where this
occurs, a plastic -backed drainage composite, such as Miradrain, Battledrain, or similar, should be placed
against the entire surface of the shoring prior to pouring the foundation wall. Weep pipes located no more
than 6 feet on -center should be connected to the drainage composite and poured into the foundation walls or
the perimeter footing. A footing drain installed along the inside of the perimeter footing will be used to collect
and carry the water discharged by the weep pipes to the storm system. Isolated zones of moisture or
seepage can still reach the permanent wall where groundwater finds leaks or joints in the drainage composite.
This is often an acceptable risk in unoccupied below -grade spaces, such as parking garages. However,
formal waterproofing is typically necessary in areas where wet conditions at the face of the permanent wall
will not be tolerable. If this is a concern, the permanent drainage and waterproofing system should be
designed by a specialty consultant familiar with the expected subsurface conditions and proposed
construction. A typical shoring drainage detail is attached to this report as Plate 6.
Footing drains should be used where: (1) crawl spaces or basements will be below a structure; (2) a slab is
below the outside grade; or (3) the outside grade does not slope downward from a building. Drains should
also be placed at the base of all earth -retaining walls. These drains should be surrounded by at least 6 inches
of 1-inch-minus, washed rock that is encircled with non -woven, geotextile filter fabric (Mirafi 140N, Supac
4NP, or similar material). At its highest point, a perforated pipe invert should be at least 6 inches below the
bottom of a slab floor or the level of a crawl space. The discharge pipe for subsurface drains should be sloped
for flow to the outlet point. Roof and surface water drains must not discharge into the foundation drain system.
A typical footing drain detail is attached to this report as Plate 7. For the best long-term performance,
perforated PVC pipe is recommended for all subsurface drains. Clean -outs should be provided for potential
future flushing or cleaning of footing drains.
Underslab drainage OR Drainage inside the building's footprint should also be provided where (1) a crawl
space or slab will slope or be lower than the surrounding ground surface, (2) an excavation encounters
significant seepage, or (3) an excavation for a building will be close to the expected high groundwater
elevations. We can provide recommendations for interior drains, should they become necessary, during
excavation and foundation construction.
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
Flynn Family JN 20437
February 11, 2021 Page 12
As a minimum, a vapor retarder, as defined in the Slabs -On -Grade section, should be provided in any crawl
space area to limit the transmission of water vapor from the underlying soils. Crawl space grades are
sometimes left near the elevation of the bottom of the footings. As a result, an outlet drain is recommended
for all crawl spaces to prevent an accumulation of any water that may bypass the footing drains. Providing a
few inches of free draining gravel underneath the vapor retarder is also prudent to limit the potential for
seepage to build up on top of the vapor retarder.
Groundwater was observed during our field work. If seepage is encountered in an excavation, it should be
drained from the site by directing it through drainage ditches, perforated pipe, or French drains, or by
pumping it from sumps interconnected by shallow connector trenches at the bottom of the excavation.
The excavation and site should be graded so that surface water is directed off the site and away from the tops
of slopes. Water should not be allowed to stand in any area where foundations, slabs, or pavements are to be
constructed. Final site grading in areas adjacent to the residence should slope away at least one to 2 percent,
except where the area is paved. Surface drains should be provided where necessary to prevent ponding of
water behind foundation or retaining walls. A discussion of grading and drainage related to pervious surfaces
near walls and structures is contained in the Foundation and Retaining Walls section.
GENERAL EARTHWORK AND STRUCTURAL FILL
All building and pavement areas should be stripped of surface vegetation, topsoil, organic soil, and other
deleterious material. The stripped or removed materials should not be mixed with any materials to be used as
structural fill, but they could be used in non-structural areas, such as landscape beds.
Structural fill is defined as any fill, including utility backfill, placed under, or close to, a building, or in other
areas where the underlying soil needs to support loads. All structural fills should be placed in horizontal lifts
with a moisture content at, or near, the optimum moisture content. The optimum moisture content is that
moisture content that results in the greatest compacted dry density. The moisture content of fill is very
important and must be closely controlled during the filling and compaction process. The soil that will be
excavated for the construction of new foundations will not be suitable for use as backfill, due to the fine-
grained, silty nature of the soils and poor drainage characteristics. Imported, free -draining clean crushed rock
should be used where wall backfill is needed.
The allowable thickness of the fill lift will depend on the material type selected, the compaction equipment
used, and the number of passes made to compact the lift. The loose lift thickness should not exceed 12
inches, but should be thinner if small, hand -operated compactors are used. We recommend testing structural
fill as it is placed. If the fill is not sufficiently compacted, it should be recompacted before another lift is placed.
This eliminates the need to remove the fill to achieve the required compaction. The following table presents
recommended levels of relative compaction for compacted fill:
Beneath slabs or 95%
walkways
Filled slopes and 90%
behind retaininq walls
95% for upper 12 inches of
Beneath pavements subgrade; 90% below that
level
Where: Minimum Relative Compaction is the ratio, expressed in
percentages, of the compacted dry density to the maximum dry
density, as determined in accordance with ASTM Test
Designation D 1557-91 (Modified Proctor).
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
Flynn Family
February 11, 2021
LIMITATIONS
J N 20437
Page 13
The conclusions and recommendations contained in this report are based on site conditions as they existed
at the time of our exploration and assume that the soil and groundwater conditions encountered in the test
borings are representative of subsurface conditions on the site. If the subsurface conditions encountered
during construction are significantly different from those observed in our explorations, we should be advised
at once so that we can review these conditions and reconsider our recommendations where necessary.
Unanticipated conditions are commonly encountered on construction sites and cannot be fully anticipated by
merely taking samples in test borings. Subsurface conditions can also vary between exploration locations.
Such unexpected conditions frequently require making additional expenditures to attain a properly
constructed project. It is recommended that the owner consider providing a contingency fund to
accommodate such potential extra costs and risks. This is a standard recommendation for all projects.
This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Todd and Christi Flynn and their representatives, for
specific application to this project and site. Our conclusions and recommendations are professional opinions
derived in accordance with our understanding of current local standards of practice, and within the scope of
our services. No warranty is expressed or implied. The scope of our services does not include services
related to construction safety precautions, and our recommendations are not intended to direct the
contractor's methods, techniques, sequences, or procedures, except as specifically described in our report for
consideration in design. Our services also do not include assessing or minimizing the potential for biological
hazards, such as mold, bacteria, mildew, and fungi in either the existing or proposed site development.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
In addition to reviewing the final plans, Geotech Consultants, Inc. should be retained to provide geotechnical
consultation, testing, and observation services during construction. This is to confirm that subsurface
conditions are consistent with those indicated by our exploration, to evaluate whether earthwork and
foundation construction activities comply with the general intent of the recommendations presented in this
report, and to provide suggestions for design changes in the event subsurface conditions differ from those
anticipated prior to the start of construction. However, our work would not include the supervision or direction
of the actual work of the contractor and its employees or agents. Also, job and site safety, and dimensional
measurements, will be the responsibility of the contractor.
During the construction phase, we will provide geotechnical observation and testing services when requested
by you or your representatives. Please be aware that we can only document site work we actually observe. It
is still the responsibility of your contractor or on -site construction team to verify that our recommendations are
being followed, whether we are present at the site or not.
The following plates are attached to complete this report:
Plate 1
Vicinity Map
Plate 2
Site Exploration Plan
Plates 3 - 5
Test Boring Logs
Plate 6
Typical Shoring Drain Detail
Plate 7
Typical Footing Drain Detail
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
Flynn Family
February 11, 2021
J N 20437
Page 14
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service on this project. Please contact us if you have any questions, or
if we can be of further assistance.
MKM/JHS:kg
Respectfully submitted,
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS, INC.
2/11 /21
James H.
Associate
Strange, Jr., P.E.
GEOTECH CONSULTANTS. INC.
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VICINITY MAP
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
Job No: Date: Plate:
20437 1 Jan.2021 1 1 1
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Legend:
Test Boring Location
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
\
SITE EXPLORATION PLAN
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
Job No: Date: Plate:
20437 1 Jan. 2021 No Scale 1 2
4i
10
15
20
25
30
BORING 1
�'�°� G Description
Topsoil
4 1 Brown and red -brown SAND with gravel, fine-grained, moist, loose
3 2 -becomes dark -brown with a large root
3 3 -becomes gray -brown, very moist to wet, gravelly
1
5 4 -becomes gray with trace organics, wet
19 5SP -becomes very wet, with trace silt
�
**30 6 (**Blow counts overstated due to heaving sand)
**31 7 .
* Test boring was terminated at 30 feet on December 23, 2020 due to excessive heave.
* Groundwater seepage was encountered at 14 feet during drilling.
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
BORING LOG
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds ,Washington
Job Date: Logged by. Plate:
20437 1 Jan.2021 1 MKM 3
;l
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
BORING 2
° 4°SSG Description
Topsoil
3 1 Brown slightly gravelly SAND with trace organics, fine-grained, very moist,
loose
16 2 -becomes gray -brown with rusting, very moist to wet, medium -dense
I
13 3 1':: -becomes gray with trace silt, very wet,
17 4 -becomes brown with thin, dark -brown lenses
I
19 5 -becomes gray
24 6 SP -becomes gravelly
18 7
I
19 8
17 9�
50 101 1,61, f I Uray mottled oranae. very silty SAND. f'ne-ara'ned. very monst, very densE
6"
* Test boring was terminated at 41 feet on December 23, 2020.
* Groundwater seepage was encountered at 7.5 feet during drilling.
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
BORING LOG
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds ,Washington
Job Date: Logged by: Plate:
20437 Jan.2021 MKM 4
BORING 3
4, '�� 5G Description
Topsoil
17
1
Light -brown silty SAND with roots, very fine-grained, dry, medium -dense
5
13
2�
-becomes slightly gravelly
18
3�
SM
-becomes gray
10
18
4
-reduced silt content
15
13
5
Gray slightly gravelly SAND, fine-grained, moist, medium -dense
20
22
6
-becomes fine to medium -grained, wet
25
24
7SP
'
30
22
8
35
39
9
-becomes slightly silty, dense
40
50
SM
Gray mottled orange, slightly gravelly, very silty SAND, very fine-grained, moist,
100
very dense
6"
* Test
boring was terminated at 41 feet on December 23, 2020.
* Groundwater
seepage was encountered at 20 feet during drilling.
45
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
BORING LOG
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds ,Washington
Job Date: Logged by. Plaf
20437 Jan.2021 MKM :5]
Vapor retarder ,
Non -woven filter fabri,
Washed rock or pea g
4" pi
(h
2" PVC wee
(Pour into
Attach weep pipe to d
Pierce waterproofing
of drainage composite
Note - Refer to the report for additional considerations related to drainage and waterproofing.
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
SHORING DRAIN DETAIL
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
Job No: Date: Plate:
20437 1 Jan.2021 1 1 6
Slope backfill away from
foundation. Provide surface
drains where necessary.
Tightline Roof Drain
(Do not connect to footing drain)
Backfill
(See text for
requirements)
O
c�
Nonwoven Geotextile =
Filter Fabric O
Washed Rock LL Possible Slab
(7/8" min. size) o e.a o e.a a o 0 o.Q
O O O oo<oa Q.o<oe.Q._000e.o..000p.o•.o>oo.Q
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 o ao Do0°� o ooQ°p o°o Ooa°p o°o Ooa°p p°o Oo6°p o'a Do
000 0 0 0 0 0 Q°.
Q Qv0-o
0a00OOo
4" min. ������ Vapor Retarder/Barrier and
Capillary Break/Drainage Layer
(Refer to Report text)
4" Perforated Hard PVC Pipe
(Invert at least 6 inches below
slab or crawl space. Slope to
drain to appropriate outfall.
Place holes downward.)
NOTES:
(1) In crawl spaces, provide an outlet drain to prevent buildup of water that
bypasses the perimeter footing drains.
(2) Refer to report text for additional drainage, waterproofing, and slab considerations.
GEOTECH
CONSULTANTS, INC.
FOOTING DRAIN DETAIL
8229 Talbot Road
Edmonds, Washington
Job No: Date: Plate:
20437 1 Jan.2021 1 1 7