West Kern Community College District

Soil Mitigation Discussion

August 2004Kevin Cobb AIA/ARA, Principal Architect, the Addington Partnership

On Man Lau, Geotechnical Engineer, BSK

Topics

Existing Soil Conditions Problems in Neighboring Areas Existing Impacts on Campus Proposed Mitigation Measures Example solutions

Existing Soil Conditions

Collapsable Soil Differential Settlement - Different portions of building settle at

different amounts (3” one corner and 6” at another corner) Great Depths are involved

Precludes removing and recompacting soil Water Intrusion is largest risk

Removing water completely is impracticle, but shortest pathto reducing risk

Sandy Creek History Re-alignment from early 20th century still impacting on-site soil

conditions

Problems in Neighboring Areas

Neighboring properties are situated on same local soil conditions

Numerous locations have settlement problems Several have also completed remedial meaures without

eliminating or reducing the root problem

Skilled Nursing Facility

Commercial property

Sheriff’s Office

Jefferson School

Existing Impacts on Campus

Gymnasium is the most prominent example of differential settlement - numerous settlement cracks

Administration Building has had past problems, shortly after construction complete

Technical Arts has interior settlement cracks Science Building has interior settlement cracks and

exterior skin popping Most impacts are hidden in attics, below finishes or

inside structure

On-Campus Photos - Gym

On-Campus Photos - Tech & Sci

ScienceTech Arts

Proposed Mitigation Measures

No 100% Mitigation Possible Reduce Water!

Removing landscaping and irrigation near buildings

Replacing green areas with hardscape designWhere plants are used, kept in containers with

drainage systemWhere turf areas are used, install underground

drainage systemCollect roof water in drainage system

Example Solutions

Less aesthetic examples Pedestrian / Urban walkway design Container plantings Accent Turf / Hardscape Xeriscape

Less Aesthetic Examples

Pedestrian / Urban Walkway

Container Plantings

Accent Turf / Hardscape

Xeriscape

Questions