GTA recently provided geotechnical consultation services to facilitate the design and construction of the 166,000-SF, seven-story, Class A office/retail building at 515 Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown.
Here are some interesting details about the scope of the project:
▶️ The subsurface profile was typical of karst geology in an urban landscape and included demolition debris from the former Colonial Theater - a highly variable rock surface with fine-grained residual soils and several very soft soil layers.
▶️ Due to the high column loads, initial preliminary design concepts included deep foundations consisting of micro piles. However, GTA was able to offer significant cost savings using a limited foundation over-excavation and replacement scheme in conjunction with deeper soil improvement, void stabilization, and compaction grouting techniques.
▶️ These combined over-excavation and stabilization methods minimized the total and differential settlements across the building footprint, which was underlain by variable materials consisting of shallow rock pinnacles and deep weathered soft soil troughs.
▶️ GTA's work included technical guidance throughout site excavation with sinkhole remediation recommendations, underpinning of the adjacent historic county courthouse, soldier pile and lagging installation, and design of a temporary precast modular block wall for excavation support along Hamilton Street.
▶️ Additionally, we conducted comprehensive construction testing services for soils, concrete, masonry, structural steel, and sprayed fire-resistive materials in general accordance with Chapter 17 (Special Inspections) of the International Building Code.
#GeoTechnologyAssociates
#EnvironmentalConsulting
#GeotechnicalEngineering
#GeoTechnical
#Engineers
#Construction
#Observation
#Testing
Chief Executive Officer & Member of the Board, Strike
1moGreat job on this project by the Northern Business Unit.