Mendocino Community College retained LACO to conduct a Geologic Hazards / Geotechnical Evaluation and provide Construction Materials Testing and Inspection services for a new building site at their main Ukiah, California campus. The site was developed with a two-story, 48,000-square foot structural steel building that includes a library, teaching labs, study group rooms, media viewing areas, classrooms, and administrative and faculty offices.
Our Professional Geologists and Geotechnical Engineer conducted geotechnical and geological hazards evaluations to support design and construction of the project. Our team utilized a geotechnical drill rig to conduct the subsurface exploration during our field evaluation services. Our project team analyzed soil samples collected during the evaluations for classification, strength, and corrosion characteristics. LACO presented a report with results from the geotechnical / geological evaluations and a laboratory testing program to the design team for their use on the project. The California Geological Survey under contract to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) reviewed and approved the report.
Following completion of our geotechnical/geologic hazards investigation, our Professional Engineers and Certified Technicians provided materials testing and special Inspections during the construction phase of the project. Special inspections and testing included batch plant inspection, concrete mix design review and approval, concrete sampling and testing, testing of concrete reinforcing steel, structural steel welding inspection, and laboratory testing of proposed structural backfill materials, placement observation and testing of engineered fill. We responded to all requests for testing and inspection within 24 hours of notice.
Our project team conducted literature review, geotechnical exploration, laboratory testing, engineering analysis, and field observations / testing during earthwork to assess site soil-profile and subsurface conditions for suitable support of the relatively heavy building loads. Our findings indicated that the project was feasible as proposed, and that the building could be supported on relatively conventional shallow foundations. However, a majority of the site soils were old undocumented fill requiring removal and recompaction to properly support foundations and reduce differential settlement to tolerable limits.
