REVIEWED BLD RESUB1 BLD2021-0274+GEO EVALUATION+5.7.2021_9.21.02_AM+2184539BLD2021-0274
RESUB
May 07 2021
CITY OF EDMONDS
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
DEPARTMENT
COBALT Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
G E 0 S C I E N C E S P.O. Box82243
Kenmore, Washington 98028
April 22, 2021
RR Foundation Specialist
Attn: Mr. Cory Myron
cory (& rrspecialist. net
RE: Limited Geotechnical Evaluation
Foundation Mitigation
167o6 74th Place West
Edmonds, Washington
In accordance with your authorization, Cobalt Geosciences, LLC has prepared this letter to
discuss the results of our limited geotechnical evaluation at the above -referenced location.
Site and Project Description
The site is located at 167o6 .74th Place West in Edmonds, Washington. The site consists of one
irregularly shaped parcel (No. 00513100010300) with a total area of about 1.16 acres.
The eastern portion of the site is developed with a residence with daylight basement along with
walkways, stairs, variable height walls, and patio areas. The remainder of the property is
vegetated with grasses, bushes, ferns, ivy, blackberry vines, and variable diameter trees. The site
slopes downward from east to west at variable magnitudes ranging from less than 10 percent up
to 35 percent and relief of about 70 feet.
We understand that portions of the residence have settled about 4 inches over time, likely
beginning after construction and potentially continuing today. The settlement mostly present in
the western portion of the residence. A concrete wall at the south end of the house has some
issues and will be reinforced with helical anchors used as tiebacks.
The project includes installation of helical piers below portions of the building and as noted
above, as tieback anchors through the existing wall (two rows). Anchors will be attached with
steel brackets and angle iron if necessary. Anchors are anticipated to be driven to refusal below
foundation elements and lifting will be performed as allowed by the structure. Slabjack may be
used to lift settled slab areas.
Area Geology
The site lies within the Puget Lowland near the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The
lowland is part of a regional north -south trending trough that extends from southwestern British
Columbia to near Eugene, Oregon. North of Olympia, Washington, this lowland is glacially
carved, with a depositional and erosional history including at least four separate glacial
advances/retreats. The Puget Lowland is bounded to the west by the Olympic Mountains and to
the east by the Cascade Range. The lowland is filled with glacial and non -glacial sediments
consisting of interbedded gravel, sand, silt, till, and peat lenses.
The Geologic Map of Washington — Northwest Quadrant, indicates that the site is underlain by
Vashon Advance Outwash and at depth by Transitional Beds.
www.cobaltgeo.com (2o6) 331-1097
April 22, 2021
Page 2 of 4
Limited Geotechnical Evaluation
Advance outwash includes fine to medium grained sand with gravel. Transitional Beds include
silt and clay with minor sand lenses. These deposits typically become dense within the upper 15
feet, below a weathered zone.
Soil & Groundwater Conditions
As part of our evaluation, we excavated one hand boring to 7 feet below grade. The hand boring
encountered approximately 6 inches of topsoil and vegetation underlain by approximately 5.5 feet
of loose to medium dense, silty -fine to medium grained sand trace to some gravel (Fill?). This
layer was underlain by medium dense, fine to medium grained sand with gravel (Advance
Outwash) which continued to the termination depth of the hand boring. Groundwater was not
encountered in the hand boring.
Conclusions and Recommendation
Based on our observations, it appears likely that the settlement is likely the result of insufficient
removal of loose weathered soils prior to foundation placement and possibly consolidation of fills
placed prior to foundation placement. It is common for foundation elements near the top of a
slope to have settlement over time. The native soils become denser with depth and in this case,
the eastern portion would be significant areas of cut, exposing denser soils, while looser
weathered soils would be present at the west side (near the top of the slope).
The proposed mitigation utilizing helical anchors as vertical and tieback (lateral support) with
steel connections and angle iron appears suitable to reduce settlement and support the affected
portions of the residence and wall. Based on our observations, we anticipate that helical anchors
and piers may extend 10 to 20 feet below grade, with an average depth of 15 feet. Tiebacks may
extend 15 to 25 feet or more depending on the soil density.
Helical Piers@
Helical Piers® may be used to support the residence and as tieback anchors. The Helical Piers®
could be installed using portable rotary tools, truck mounted rotary tools, backhoe mounted
rotary tools, caisson drills, or skid -steer loaders. It is important that the torque output, rotational
speed, down pressure capability, and angle control of the installation equipment is compatible
with the required foundation system. The pile installation equipment should have adequate
torque capacity to prevent refusal conditions at relatively shallower depths that are well above
recommended bearing depths or layers.
A Helical Pier® consists of an anchor (lead section) with 1, 2, 3 or more helical flights on a shaft.
The number and diameter of the helices on the anchor are dependent on the soil characteristics of
the site and the design loads to be applied to the pier. Based on these parameters the anchor helix
configuration is chosen to best fit the site conditions.
As the anchor is advanced into the soil extension sections (shaft) are placed on the lead section.
The shaft configuration is based on the design loads and anticipated installation torque.
The static compression load capacity of a Helical Pier@ is the sum of all individual helix
capacities below liquefiable soils and in bearing layer. Individual helix static compression
capacity is the result of the projected area of the helix, and its bearing pressure.
www.cobaltgeo.com (206) 331-1097
April 22, 2021
Page 3 of 4
Limited Geotechnical Evaluation
It is recommended that the piers penetrate into relatively dense native soils a minimum of 7 feet,
or until refusal whichever is shallower. The bearing layer will be at variable depths below the
existing ground surface due to previously natural slope conditions (anticipated to be 10 to 20 feet)
and longer anchors for tiebacks.. Increased capacity can be obtained with increased penetration,
and additional helical flights on the lead section.
Helical Pier® installation should be monitored to verify installation torque, and proper
embedment into the presumed bearing layer. The Helical Pier® lengths may need to be modified
during construction if it is determined that the depth to the bearing layer varies. Helical Pier®
anchors are well suited to field adjustments as length can be varied by merely adding or deleting
extension sections (shafts) during installation.
Monitoring installation torque in the field is used to estimate the anchor compression capacity,
and also as a quality control during anchor installation, provided that the anchor is bearing in
dense or hard soils. Dependent on the pile size and the equipment used to install the anchors, an
empirical factor is multiplied by the average torque over the final 3 feet of installation to estimate
ultimate capacity.
Allowable Helical Pier Compression Capacity Pa may be estimated from the following equation
provided that the pier is in the recommended bearing soils:
Pa = Kt x T/FoS,
Where T is the applied torque, Kt is the empirical ratio factor. The following industry standards
apply to shafts with blades spaced along the shaft at 2.5 to 3.5 times the average blade diameter
on -center and meeting the manufacturer's specifications.
1.5" and 1.75" Square Shafts - Kt = 9 ft-1
2.875" O.D. Round Shafts - Kt = 9 ft-1
3.0" O.D. Round Shafts - Kt = 8 ft-1
3.5" O.D. Round Shafts - Kt = 7 ft-1
Proof testing of at least twenty percent of the helical piers in eight equal increments up to 200
percent of the design load, if required by the permitting authority. Each load increment up to the
200 percent of design load should be held for five (5) minutes and the vertical strain monitored. If
the total strain between 1 and 5 minutes is less than 0.04 inches, the helical pier may be
considered acceptable. If the recorded strain exceeds 0.04 inches, the helical pier should either be
deepened and retested or abandoned and a new helical pier shall be installed and tested.
Closure
The information presented herein is based upon professional interpretation utilizing standard
practices and a degree of conservatism deemed proper for this project. We emphasize that this
report is valid for this project as outlined above and for the current site conditions and should not
be used for any other site.
www.cobaltgeo.com (206) 331-1097
April 22, 2021
Page 4 of 4
Limited Geotechnical Evaluation
Sincerely,
Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
_ _ MNY,, _
54896
TONAL
4/22/2021
Phil Haberman, PE, LG, LEG
Principal
Figure 1; Site Plan
Figure 2; Repair Plan
Figure 3; Hand Boring Log
www.cobaltgeo.com (206) 331-1097
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Foundation & Wall Mitigation SITE PLAN
167o6 74th Place West
Edmonds, Washington FIGURE i
Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
P.O. Box 82243
Kenmore, WA 98028
(206) 331-1097
www.cobaltgeo.com
cobaltgeoPgmail.com
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Foundation & Wall Mitigation
1617o6174th Place West
Edmonds, Washington
REPAIR
PLAN
FIGURE 2
Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
P.O. Box 82243
Kenmore, WA 98028
(206) 331-1097
www.cobaltgeo.com
cobaltgeoPgmail.com
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS)
MAJOR DIVISIONS SYMBOL
TYPICAL DESCRIPTION
GW
Clean Gravels
Well -graded gravels, gravels, gravel -sand mixtures, little or no fines
Gravels
(more than 50%
(less than 5% _ GP
fines)
Poorly graded gravels, gravel -sand mixtures, little or no fines
COARSE
GRAINED
SOILS
of coarse fraction
retained on No. 4
sieve)
GM
Gravels with
Fines
(more than 12% GC
fines)
Silty gravels, gravel -sand -silt mixtures
Clayey gravels, gravel -sand -clay mixtures
(more than 50%
retained on
;°e sw
Clean Sands
Well -graded sands, gravelly sands, little or no fines
No. 200 sieve)
Sands
(50% or more
of coarse fraction
(less than 5% SP
fines)
Poorly graded sand, gravelly sands, little or no fines
passes the No. 4
sieve)
sM
Sands with Fines
Silty sands, sand -silt mixtures
(more than 12% sc
fines)
Clayey sands, sand -clay mixtures
ML
Inorganic silts of low to medium plasticity, sandy silts, gravelly silts,
FINE GRAINED
SOILS
(50% or more
Silts and Clays
(liquid limit less
than 50)
Inorganic cL
or clayey silts with slight plasticity
Inorganic clays of low to medium plasticity, gravelly clays, sandy clays
silty clays, lean clays
oL
Organic
Organic silts and organic silty clays of low plasticity
passes the
MH
Inorganic silts, micaceous or diatomaceous fine sands or silty soils,
No. 200 sieve)
Silts and Clays
(liquid limit 50 or
more)
Inorganic CH
elastic silt
Inorganic clays of medium to high plasticity, sandy fat clay,
or gravelly fat clay
OH
Organic
Organic clays of medium to high plasticity, organic silts
HIGHLY ORGANIC
SOILS
primarily organic matter, dark in color, PT
and organic odor
Peat, humus, swamp soils with high organic content (ASTM D4427)
1 Classification of Soil Constituents 1
MAJOR constituents compose more than 50 percent,
by weight, of the soil. Major constituents are capitalized
(i.e., SAND).
Minor constituents compose 12 to 50 percent of the soil
and precede the major constituents (i.e., silty SAND).
Minor constituents preceded by "slightly" compose
5 to 12 percent of the soil (i.e., slightly silty SAND).
Trace constituents compose o to 5 percent of the soil
(i.e., slightly silty SAND, trace gravel).
Relative Density
(Coarse Grained Soils)
Consistency
(Fine Grained Soils)
N, SPT,
Relative
N, SPT,
Relative
Blows/FT
Density
Blows/FT
Consistency
0-4
Very loose
Under 2
Very soft
4 -10
Loose
2-4
Soft
10 - 30
Medium dense
4-8
Medium stiff
30 - 50
Dense
8 -15
Stiff
Over 50
Very dense
15 - 30
Very stiff
Over 3o
Hard
Grain Size Definitions
Description
Sieve Number and/or Size
Fines
<#200 (0.08 mm)
Sand
-Fine
#200 to #40 (0.08 to 0.4 mm)
-Medium
#40 to #10 (0.4 to 2 MM)
-Coarse
#10 to #4 (2 to 5 mm)
Gravel
-Fine
#4 to 3/4 inch (5 to 19 mm)
-Coarse
3/4 to 3 inches (19 to 76 mm)
Cobbles
3 to 12 inches (75 to 305 mm)
Boulders
>12 inches (305 mm)
Moisture Content Definitions
Dry Absence of moisture, dusty, dry to the touch
Moist Damp but no visible water
Wet Visible free water, from below water table
Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
P.O. Box 82243
Kenmore, WA98028 Soil Classification Chart Figure C1
(206) 331-1097
_ www.cobalt eg o.com
cobaltgeo(d-) gmail.com
Log of Hand Boring HB-1
Date: March. 2021
Depth: 7'
Initial Groundwater: None
Contractor:
Elevation: N/A
Sample Type: Grab
Method: Hand Auger
Logged By: PH Checked By: SC
Final Groundwater: N/A
o
Moisture Content (%)
Plastic Liquid
u-
O
U
-0
E
3
Limit Limit
oa
�
Material Description
o
SPT N-Value
C)
0 10 20 30 40 5
Vegetation/Topsoil
----
- 1
----
--
---
SM/
--------------------------------------------
Loose, silty -fine to medium grained sand trace to with gravel,
Sp
dark yellowish brown to yellowish brown,
moist. (Fill?/Weathered Outwash?)
—2
y
— 3
y.
—4
—5
;
Medium dense, fine to medium grained sand with gravel,
yellowish brown to grayish brown, moist. (Glacial Outwash)
End of Hand Boring 7'
—8
—9
— 10
Cobalt Geosciences, LLC
P.O. Box 82243 Foundation and Wall Mitigation Hand
Kenmore, WA98028 16 o6 th PlaceWest Boring (2o6) 331-1097 % %4
_ www.cobaltgeo.com Edmonds, Washington Log
cobaltgeo (& gmail. corn