Geotechnical, drilling and testing services were provided for the design and construction phases of an expansion to the treatment plant.  The proposed structures included 2 pump stations, 8 aeration and reaeration tanks, 2 final clarifiers, filter building, chemical buildings and chlorine contact tanks.  The investigation included drilling 25 test borings. Extensive soil testing was performed, particularly to evaluate settlements, because areas of the site had soft clay soils to depths of 40 feet.

The site is located in an area with Karst geology and areas of the site were previously impacted by sinkhole activity.  Drilled minipile foundations were used for some of the structures where deposits of soft clays and erratic rock profiles made mat foundations unsuitable.  Ground improvement by “cap-grouting” was also performed in selected areas to mitigate the risk of future sinkhole activity. Inspection services were provided for the minipile installation and grouting program.

Lab Testing:

• Soil classification
• Compaction
• Shear strength
• Consolidation

• Analyzing settlement for structures with mat foundations given soft clay subsoils and erratic bedrock profile.
• Designing and installing pile foundations for Karst conditions.