BRES2015-0110 Geotechnical Update0
45090 Golf Center Parkway, Suite F, Indio, CA 92201 (760) 863-0713 Far_ (760) 863-0847
6782 Stanton Avenue, Suite A, Buena Park, CA 90621 (714) 523-0952 Fax (714) 523-1369
450 Egan Avenue, Beaumont, CA 92223 (951) 845-7743 Fax (951) 845-8863
800 E. Florida Avenue, Hemet, CA 92543 (951) 766-8777 Fax (951) 766-8778
February 23, 2015
Christopher McFadden Architect
74-145 St. Charles Place, Suite 4
Palm Desert, California 92211
Project: Proposed Smith Residence
80-790 Via Montecito
The Hideaway
La Quinta, California
Subject: Geotechnical Update
RECEIVED
DEC 2 2 2015
CITY OF LA GIUINTA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Project No. 544-15044
15-02-089
MAR 3 12015
CITY OF Lai QUINTA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Ref: Geotechnical Engineering Report prepared by Earth Systems Southwest (ESSW) dated
September 22,2000; File No. 07117-10, Report No. 00-09-772
Report of Testing and Observation During Rough Grading prepared by ESS dated
August 28,2002; File No. 07117-11, Report No. 01-07-718
Report of Testing and Observation During Rough Grading, prepared by Sladden
Engineering dated October 12, 2003; Project No. 544-2199 Repor_ No. 03-10-647
As requested, we have reviewed the above referenced geotechnical reports as they relate to the
design and construction of the proposed custom residence. The project site is located at 80-790
Via Montecito within the Hideaway Golf Club development in the City cf La Quinta, California.
It is our understanding that the proposed residence will be a relatively 4.ghtweight wood -frame
structure supported by conventional shallow spread footings and concrete slabs on grade.
The subject lot was previously graded during the rough grading of the Hideaway project site and
was subsequently regraded. The rough grading included over -excavation of the native surface
soil along with the placement of engineered fill soil to construct the building pads. The regrading
included processing the surface soil along with minor cuts and fills to construct the individual
building pads to the current configurations. Some additional over -excavation was performed in
areas where the building envelopes were reconfigured. The most recent site grading is
summarized in the referenced Report of Testing and Observations During Rough Grading
prepared by Sladden Engineering along with the compaction test results.
The referenced reports include recommendations pertaining to the construction of residential
structure foundations. Based upon our review of the referenced reports, .t is our opinion that the
structural values included in the referenced grading report prepared by SIadden Engineering
remain applicable for the design and construction of the proposed residential structure
foundations.
Sladden Engineering
;;_,
February 23, 2015 -2- Project No. 544-15044
15-02-089
Because the lot has been previously rough graded, the remedial grading required at this time
should be minimal provided that the building falls within the previously established building
envelope. The building area should be cleared of surface vegetation, scarified and moisture
conditioned prior to precise grading. The exposed surface should be compacted to a minimum of
90 percent relative compaction is attained prior to fill placement. Any fill material should be
placed in thin lifts at near optimum moisture content and compacted to at least 90 percent
relative compaction.
The allowable bearing pressures recommended in the referenced grading report prepared by
Sladden Engineering remain applicable. Conventional shallow spread footings should be
bottomed into properly compacted fill material a minimum of 12 inches below lowest adjacent
grade. Continuous footings should be at least 12 inches wide and isolated pad footings should be
at least 2 feet wide. Continuous footings and isolated pad footings should be designed utilizing
allowable bearing pressures of 11500 psf and 2000 psf, respectively. Allowable increases of 300 psf
for each additional 1 foot of width and 300 psf for each additional 6 inches of depth may be
utilized if desired. The maximum allowable bearing pressure should be .3000 psf. The
recommended allowable bearing pressures may be increased by one-third for wind and seismic
loading.
Lateral forces may be resisted by friction along the base of the foundations and passive resistance
along the sides of the footings, A friction coefficient of 0.50 times the normal dead load forces is
recommended for use in design. Passive resistance may be estimated using an equivalent fluid
weight of 300 pcf. If used in combination with the passive resistance, the frictional resistance
should be reduced by one third to 0.33 times the normal dead load forces.
The bearing soil is non -expansive and falls within the "very low" expansion category in
accordance with 2013 California Building Code (CBC) classification criteria. Slab thickness and
reinforcement should be determined by the structural engineer. We recommend a minimum
floor slab thickness of 4.0 inches. All slab reinforcement should be supported on concrete chairs
to ensure that reinforcement is placed at slab mid -height.
Slabs with moisture sensitive surfaces should be underlain with a moisture vapor retarder
consisting of a polyvinyl chloride membrane such as 10 -mil Visqueen, or equivalent. All laps
within the membrane should be sealed and at least 2 inches of clean sand should be placed over
the membrane to promote uniform curing of the concrete. To reduce the potential for punctures,
the membrane should be placed on a pad surface that has been graded smooth without any sharp
protrusions. If a smooth surface can not be achieved by grading, consideration should be given to
placing a 1 -inch thick leveling course of sand across the pad surface prior to placement of the
membrane.
Based on our field observations and understanding of local geologic conditions, the soil profile
type judged applicable to this site is So, generally described as stiff soil. The following presents
additional coefficients and factors relevant to seismic mitigation for new construction based upon
the 2013 California Building Code (CBC).
February 23, 2015 -3- Project No. 544-15044
15-02-089
The seismic design category for a structure may be determined in accordance with Section 1613
of the 2013 CBC or ASCE7. According to the 2013 CBC, Site Class D mEy be used to estimate
design seismic Ioading for the proposed structures. The 2013 CBC Seismic Design Parameters are
summarized below.
Risk Category (Table 1.5-1): I/II/III
Site Class (Table. 1613.3.2): D
Ss (Figure 1613.3.1):1.500g
Sl (Figure 1613.3.1): 0.684g
Fa (Table 1613.3.3(1)): 1.0
Fv (Table 1613.5.3(2)):1.5
Sms (Equation 16-37 (Fa X Ss]): 1.500g
Sm1 (Equation 16-38 (Fv X S11): 1.026g
SDS (Equation 16-39 (2/3 X Sms]):1.000g
SD1 (Equation 16-40 [2/3 X Sml)): 0.684g
Seismic Design Category: D
If you have questions regarding this letter or the referenced report:a, please contact the
undersigned.
Respectfully submitted,
SLADDEN ENGINEET
Brett L. Anders n
Principal Engineer
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Copies: 4 / Addressee
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A QUINT A
Pidase verify that soils reports contain all of the above Information. In additlon, to assure
continuity between•the investigation/reporting stage and the execution stage, please use
the following checklist to verify that the conclusions and recommendations in the report
corer all the required -elements. Only then- can we be assured that the construction
documents address all of the site soil conditions,
.La Quinta Geotechnical Report Checldist
Does the "Conclusions and Recommendations" section of the sport address each of the
following criteria?
"Address" means;
(a) the Criterion is considered significant and mitigation-neasure(s) noted, .or;
(b) the criterion Is considered insighificant and explicitly so stated.
Y9s No Criterion
® Foundation criteria to mitigate the effects of expansive soils,
® Foundation criteria based upon bearing capacity. -of -iatural or -compacted soil.
. ® Foundation criteria to mitigate the effects of liquefaction.
® Foundation criteria• to mitigate the effgcts of seismically Induced differential
settlement,
E3 Foundation criteria to mitigate the effects of long-term differential settlement.
� ® .. Foundation, crlterta._to .mitigate, the.effects.of.varying soli strength. .
® Foundation criteria to mitigate expected total and deferential settlement,
Any "No" answers to the -above checklist should be noted as specific required
COf l ections,