Wake Forest University Maya Angelou Freshman Residence Hall
Maya Angelou Residence Hall is a new five-story coed dormitory in honor of the poet, author, and civil rights activist. S&ME performed professional services for the construction of the building located in the southeast corner of the campus.
The project presented some unconventional challenges. First, the location sat atop a former parking lot straddling sewer and storm mains and adjacent to a retention pond. Second, the H-shaped building has load-bearing interior and exterior walls, isolated steel columns, and cast-in-place concrete stair shafts. Third, shallow spread foundations bearing on compacted aggregate pier improved soils provided support for the building. All told, the design of the deep rammed aggregate pile foundation system would need to be consistent with sound geotechnical practices.
S&ME performed a subsurface exploration consisting of 11 soil test borings. In addition, our team provided recommendations for foundation design and soil bearing capacity, excavation and groundwater conditions. Design analysis also included fill placement recommendations, lateral earth pressure for design of below-grade walls, and seismic Site Class.
Our team also performed construction materials and Special Inspections testing and observation services. These included proofrolling, subgrade stabilization, engineered fill placement, and compacted aggregate pier installation. Other services include foundation bearing material evaluation, pre- and post-placement concrete, concrete, aggregate base course, masonry, cold-formed metal framing, structural steel, and sprayed fire resistive materials.
Highlights
- Compressed construction schedule
- Project attempting LEED silver certification