Project Highlights

ACEC/SC Engineering Excellence Award

S&ME performed extensive subsurface explorations and comprehensive geotechnical analyses necessary to 1) estimate settlements due to the 400-kip to 700-kip structural loads and the weight of up to 12 ft of new fill, 2) evaluate the site soils for the 2000 International Building Code design earthquake, 3) estimate the risks of seismically-generated liquefaction, 4) provide foundation design alternatives, 5) address site preparation and earthwork issues, and 6) provide parameters for the design of below-grade walls.

S&ME provided an innovative foundation design for the hotel that included ground improvement in the building area to densify the site soils and significantly improve conditions for the consideration of shallow foundations. The ground modification method recommended and implemented was vibro-replacement, or the installation of sub-surface stone columns. By performing vibro-replacement at this site, the site soils were densified making the settlement due to the building loads an acceptable level and significantly reducing risks to the enormous hotel and conference center complex during an earthquake. The soils were pre-loaded with the planned fill and settlements were monitored. After sufficient settlement due to the weight of the fill occurred, then building construction could begin. S&ME designed a shallow foundation system for the hotel structures, as opposed to a costly deep foundation system. The use of vibro-replacement and shallow foundations instead of deep foundations is estimated to have provided a positive economic impact for the owner exceeding $1 million.