Project Highlights

ACEC/VA Engineering Excellence First Place Award

Virginia Geotechnical Services, a division of S&ME, Inc. (VGS) provided geotechnical engineering, environmental and construction monitoring services for the construction of a six-story office building, three seven-story apartment buildings, seven three-story townhouse complexes, a six-story parking deck and associated infrastructure.

As part of our geotechnical design services, we completed 27 test borings to depths up to 76 feet, 12 test pits, and 12 CPT probes to develop data for geotechnical design. VGS also performed laboratory testing, including unconsolidated undrained triaxial, one-dimensional consolidation tests. VGS provided geotechnical engineering analysis and recommendations for shallow and deep foundation design, pavement design, pile installation as well as general construction considerations.

Our analysis and design recommendations were complicated by an eight-foot thick layer of fill materials consisting of coal ash, demolition debris and remnants of basements and foundations.

VGS provided Phase I ESA services for five separate sites in the same area, which included research of available Local, State, and Federal records. The properties were in a historic and long-industrialized section of the city. We provided on-site observation for existing conditions and on-site photography, assessed site history through knowledgeable parties, acquired and reviewed historical aerial photography, acquired and reviewed City Directory abstracts prepared by EDR, acquired and reviewed Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps and prepared a detailed report. VGS subcontracted, REC, Inc. to provide asbestos, lead-based paint survey and sampling for one of the five properties. At our client’s request, VGS completed Phase II ESA services including collection of samples of surficial material, subsurface soils, and groundwater for extensive chemical analysis. We advised the client on potential environmental liabilities at each of the five sites. Our previous work on four of the five sites allowed us to provide additional information about site history rapidly and at low cost.

VGS will provide the necessary testing for soil, groundwater, aggregate, and asphalt concrete as the project progresses. Additional material and Special Inspection services can be provided to the Rocketts Landing Team at anytime that additional support is requested.