The Project.
On the already dense University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus, adding student housing requires creativity. The result: three new towers, with two sitting on a two-story podium structure underlain by a basement. At the ground level, a fresh food concept dining facility – complete with healthy menus, culinary classes, indoor-outdoor seating and a café – serves the 2,500-student neighborhood.
Client:
Hensel Phelps
Location:
Irvine, CA
Services:
- Geotechnical
- Geotechnical Testing
Project Fact:
Leed Platinum: Many green building features are exposed to view, and sustainable programs are illustrated to students and staff.
The Leighton Solution.
Leighton provided a geotechnical exploration to delve into the subsurface conditions at the site, perform onsite percolation testing, and provide geotechnical recommendations to the design-build team.
The site is located outside of designated hazard areas for fault rupture, liquefaction, and seismic slope instability. Previous investigations by other consultants on campus identified a trace of the Pelican Hill fault system, resulting in 50-foot fault setbacks. Leighton’s assessment of this projected lineament concluded the fault was not active and not present at the project location, therefore no fault related setbacks were required.
Leighton evaluated shallow and deep foundation systems for the project. For the deep foundations, an analysis was performed to develop axial and lateral pile capacities of various pile diameters Leighton worked closely with the structural engineer and UCI to obtain the approval of our geotechnical exploration report.
In-situ percolation testing was performed in accordance with the County of Orange Technical Guidance Document for the Preparation of Conceptual/Preliminary and/or Project Water Quality Management Plans with respect to the proposed onsite storm water infiltration system.
Leighton provided geotechnical observation and testing services during excavation, shoring installation, grading and foundation construction.
