HomeMy WebLinkAbout; Knob Hill; Soils Report; 1969-02-12SOIL ‘l‘L:S:l’IxG I‘.uwILiTORU
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
\ra .,: 423 HALE AVE. - 4 ESCONDIDO, CALIF. 92025
ESCONDIDO-746.2333
OCEANSIDE-722-2125
February 12, 1969
D. A. Gannon Company
-1 /0~3 A. Pi++-@
San Clemente, California
Re: Job No. 69-20
Preliminary Soils Investigation
Knob Hill,
Carlsbad, California
Dear Mr. Gannon:
i . x,,
In accordance with your request, we have completed the soils
investigation of the subject property located NortherIy of Falcon
Hills Subdivision, in Carlsbad, California. This report des-
cribes the results of the investigation and inckdes the recomm-
endations for the foundation design of the proposed structures.
Respectfully submitted,
SOIL TESTING LABORATORY
OF NORTH COUNTY, INC.
/ / ,- ,’ ,, /
D. A. GANNON CO.
.“ILOI”* . DIYIL0.C”.
D. A. (DON) OANNON I I
J
E. Brian Smith’ RCE 13, 817
EBS:ce
TELEPHONES IO8 B. “IRWc5A SAN CLEMENTE. CILIC. WR OFF. tn.> de* 111, *es. tn4 .w lo74 ESCOND,DO PROJEDT 014 4s za*.
:, . ; .-
ENGINEERING DEPT. LIBRARY ciiy ol carlsbad 2075 Las Palmas Drive Girlsbad CA 92999-4859
APR 1 d 1369
CITY OF CARLSBAD
EnglWW ,hwtment
PRELIMINARY SOILS INVESTIGATION
KNOB HILL
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
JOB NO. 69-20
FOR
D. A. GANNON COMPANY
* /03E, /Y‘+“//n~~~
San Clemente, California
BY
SOIL TESTING LABORATORY
OF NORTH COUNTY, INC.
FEBRUARY 12, 1969
SOIL TESTING l~ABOl~A’J’Ol1Y
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
TABLEOFCONTENTS
-
I. General Information
II. Purpose of Investigation
III. Field Investigation
A. Surface Conditions
B. Test Holes
C. Soils Encountered
IV. Laboratory Tests
v. Conclusions
VI. Recommendations
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
. . .
. . .
. . .
APPENDIX
Locations of Test Borings . . .
Logs of Borings . .
Unified Soil Classification Chart
Specification for Construction of Controlled Fills
PAGE
1
1
1 i
1
2
2
2&3 &4
4
4&5
PLATE
1
2-6
SOIL TESTISG LABORATORY
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
SOIL ‘l’~S;TING LAE0I~fYFOI~Y
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
I.
423 XALE AVE. . ESCONDIDO, CALIF. 92025
ESCONDIDO-746.2333
PRELIMINARY SOILS INVESTIGATION OCEANSIDE-722-2125
KNOB HILL
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA
GENERAL INFORMATION:
A preliminary soils investigation has been completed on the proposed
subdivision site in Caslsbad. California.
It is understood that the property is to be developed into a residential !
subdivision. Future drainage of the residential lots will be directed /
into the streets and storm drains.
The Tentative Map indicates that cut and fill slopes will have maximum
heights of less than 20 feet, and probable maximum slope ratios of&
horizontal to 1 vertical for cut slopes and 2 horizontal to 1 vertical for
fill slopes. -
II. PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION:
The purpose of this investigation was to determine the soil conditions
and make recommendations concerning the following:
I. Grading, including the stability of proposed cut and fill
slopes.
2. Disposition and treatment of any potentially expansive soils.
3. Availability of select fill material.
4. Allowable bearing pressures for foundations in natural
undisturbed ground and compacted filled ground.
5. Most suitable type and the required depth of the proposed
foundations.
III. FIELD INVESTIGATION:
A. Surface Conditions:
The site is situated on the Northerly slope of a small North-South
trending ridge. The elevation of the site ranges from approximately
262 feet in a draw on the Northerly property line to a maximum of
approximately 290 feet at the top of the ridge on the Southerly pro-
perty line. Vegetation consists generally of a sparce covering of
grass.
-l-
B. Test Holes:
In order to accomplish the objectives, five exploratory test holes
were made with a backhoe on January 30, 1969, at the approximate
locations indicated on Plate No. 1 entitled, “Location of Test Holes. ”
Samples of the soils excavated were obtained for laboratory analysis.
A continuous log of the soils encountered in the test holes was re-
corded in the field. The Logs of Borings shown on Plates 2 to 6
inclusive, are based on the field logs, an inspection of the samples,
and on the laboratory test results.
The test holes were located in the field with the aid of a Tentative
Map dated December 6, 1968, prepared by Roy L. Klema Engineers,
Inc.
Field density tests were performed in the test holes at various
depths to determine the moisture content and dry density of the soils.
The vertical position and results of each test is shown on the Logs
of Borings.
C. Soils Encountered:
The soils underlying the site, as indicated by the test holes, consist
generally of 1 to 3 feet of silty fine to medium sand (topsoil) underlain
by firm to dense, clayey silty fine to medium sand to the depths ex-
plored, being a maximum of 10 feet below the existing ground surface.
Loose topsoil was encountered to depths of 3 feet and 1 foot in Test
Holes 3 and 5 respectively. No expansive soil was encountered dur-
ing this investigation.
No ground water was encountered in the Test Holes during the ex-
cavations.
The soils were visually classified by field identification procedures
in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification Chart. A simplified
description of this classification system is presented in the Appendix
to this report.
IV. LABORATORY TESTS:
The samples obtained in the test holes were visually classified and evalu-
ated with respect to strength and expansive characteristics.
In order to substantiate the classification,mechanical sieve analysis tests
were performed in accordance with A. S. T. M. Designation D422-61T. The
results of these tests are tabulated as follows on Sheet 3.
SOIL TESTISG I.ABOKATOI<Y
OF NORTH COUNTY INC. 7
Percent Finer By Weight
U.S. Std. Soil Type Soil Type Soil Type Soil Type
Sieve Size No. 1 2 3 4
4 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
10 100.0 100.0 100.0 97.2
40 80.2 85.0 79.5 56. 8
200 21.7 37,0 37.0 27.2
Soil Description Brown silty Reddish-Brown Reddish-Brown Grey, silty
fine to med. clayey, silty, fine silty, clayey clayey med.
sand to med. sand fine to med. sand to fine sand
An expansion test was performed on one of the clayey soils encountered to
determine its volumetric change characteristics with change in moisture
content. The recorded expansion of the sample is presented below:
Boring Bag Depth Soil Percent Expansion Under
No. Sample In Feet Description Unit Load of 150 Pounds per
Square foot from Air Dry
to Saturation
4 3 2.5 Reddish-Brown 1. 5
clayey fine to
medium sand
Direct shear tests were performed on saturated and drained~’ samples in
order to determine the minimum angle of internal friction and apparent
cohesion. The test results and calculated angle of internal friction and
apparent cohesion are presented below:
Soil Type Normal Shearing Angle of Apparent
Load In Kips/ Resistance Internal Cohesion
Sq. Ft. Kips/Sq. Ft. Friction lb/sq.ft.
2
Degrees
1. 0 I. 09 30 480
1. 5 1. 35
2. 0 1. 66
4 1. 0 1. 00 31 400
1. 5 1.18
2. 0 1. 62
Laboratory compaction tests were performed on representative samples
of the soils expected to be excavated to establish compaction criteria.
The soils were tested according to A. S. T. M. D1557-64T method which uses
25 blows of a 10 pound hammer falling from a height of 18 inches on each of
5 layers in a 4 inch diameter l/30 cubic foot compaction cylinder.
SOIL TI~STING LABOl~A1’01<Y
OF NDRTH COUNTY INC.
The results of the tests are presezted as follows:
Boring Bag Depth Soil Max. Dry Optimum
No Sample In Feet Description Density Moisture Con-
lb/ cu. ft. tent, %
Dry Wt.
2 1 0 to 1.0 Brown silty fine 126. 5 9. 5
to med. sand
2 2 3. 0 to 10. 0 Reddish-Brown 120. 0 13. 5
Clayey, silty, fine
to med. sand
4 3 2.0 to 3.0 Reddish-Brown 128. 5 10.3
silty, clayey, fine
to med. sand
v. CONCLUSIONS:
The ground which will receive fill and/or residential structures will have
an adequate bearing capacity to safely support the proposed residential
structures when treated as described in the recommendations and the
“Specifications for Construction of Controlled Fills” contained in the
Appendix to this report. Footings for residential structures placed on
non-expansive undisturbed, firm native soil or properly compacted r.on-
expansive fill may be designed for a bearing pressure of 1500 pounds
per square foot for l-foot wide contimous footings founded at least I-
foot below the lowest adjacent ground surface.
The existing soils expected to be used in the fills have low volume change
characteristics and may, in our opinion, be classified as non-expansive.
Loose soil encountered in the draw area (Test Hole 3) on the Northerly
side of the site will require removal.
It is concluded that cuts may be safely excavated at slope ratios of 2
horizontal to 1 vertical. Fill slopes, when uniformly compacted to not
less than 90 percent of the maximum dry density, will be stable, in our
opinion, at slope ratios of 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. i
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is recommended that all loose soils not removed by the grading opera-
tion be excavated to firm native ground. The maximum depth of loose soil
as found in Test Hole 3 was approximately 3 feet. The actual depth of
compaction should be controlled in the field by a qualified Soil Engineer
upon visual examination of the exposed soil.
SOIL TESTING LABOH~TOl~P
OF NORTH CCIUNTY INC.
-A-
No expansive soil was encountered during this investigation however,
if expansive soil is encountered during the grading operation laboratory
tests should be performed to determine the strength and expansive
characteristics. It is recommended the upper 2 feet of fill on all lots
be constructed of non-expansive soil.
Recommendations for the placement of filled ground are presented in
the attached “Standard Specifications for Placement of Compacted
Filled Ground. ”
If any soil types are encountered during the grading of the site that
were not tested in the process of this investigation> additional labora-
tory tests shall be conducted in order to determine their physical
characteristics. Supplemental reports and recommendations will auto-
matically become a part of the specifications.
The data presented in the attached Appendix are a part of this report.
Respectfully submitted,
SOIL TESTING LABORATORY
OF NORTH COUNTY, INC. ,/ I .t.. ,, -+/ ,,. ~, I’
E. Brian Smith RCE 13, 817
EBS:ce
Enclosure
SOIL TESTIKG LABOICATOICY
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
-E-
I
\ b \
\
&
5 \ VA \
r ----- 7 0 1 x s I
o- APPROX. LOcA?-/ON
OF ?-EST HOLE
SOIL TBST~N~ EABQDATQQY \
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
\
69-20
P-/2-69
-
LOGS OF BORINGS
BORING NO 1
ELEVATION 242.5*
Brown silty fine to med. sand.
FIRM
SOIL TYPE # 1
Reddish-brown clayey, silty fine to med.
sand.
IlENSE
SOIL TYPE # 2
O- Indicates moisture/density test
sample
n- Indicates bag sample
+ Elevations determined by interpolation
of the contours shown on the tentative
map, entitled “Knob Hill” dated
December 6, 1968, prepared by
Roy L. Klema Engineers, Inc.
:
--c
Ii
jM
jM,
AC, 3. 8
,2. I
1
16.2/ ~96. I
/ , ! I
15.5 ~ 96.:
I
L
18.71 ~93.
I
I
I
~
Dote: I-30-69 KNOB HILL Job No. 69-20 _
By: Jennings CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Plate No. 2
Sc)IL TESTING LADORATC)RY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
LOGS OF BORINGS
z ”
2” BORING NO 2
Y :cj
z 2
ELEVATION 275. 0%
Brown silty fine to med. sand.
FIRM
SOIL TYPE # 1 . ..a...
. ‘. . ‘. * Reddish-brown clayey, silty fine to
! j::::::: med. sand
FIRM !...e... , *...... SOIL TYPE # 3
3 .,..... 1
.,..... i
. ,. . . . . j ~
I /
1 I..“.‘. I
7. .a... DENSE
I
I......
. . . . . . .
~ .,..I..
. . . . .
, . . .._\ ,...,..
.O ‘.......i
SOIL TYPE #2
Date: I-30-69 KNOZ HILL Job No. 69-20 ~~
By: Jennings CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Plate No. 3
§0lL TESTING LADQRATQRY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
-
LOGS OF BORINGS /
z
$5 ”
2’: BORING NO 3
IL! 2 n ! ELEVATION 266+
Brown silty fine to med. sand
LOOSE
SOIL TYPE #l
Grey silty, clayey med. to fine sand.
DENSE
SOIL TYPE # 4
Dote: I-30-69 KNOB HILL Job No. 69-20
By: Jennings CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Plate No. 4
SQIL TESTING LADORATQRY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
-
-41
LOGS OF BORINGS
BORING NO 4
ELEVATION 2 8 8 0 :‘:
Brown silty fine to med. sand
FIRM
!
SOIL TYPE # 1 / !
Reddish-brown clayey, silty fine to / SM- 12. 4~113.6~
; q 3:: med. sand. FIRM
3 , . . .
‘. . ., “’ .‘. ,, ‘4. ,,. . . .! Reddish-brown silty, clayey
4 - ,. I / (. 8 . ..I
SOIL 1_:
fine to med. sand
DENSE , . # . . . , . . .
1
! 1 I
1. . . 3
i”“‘. ~, ,. . .
8 i,...:
. . . . .
I” a.., I. ,. . .
9 SOIL TYPE # 2
! 1
i i i
I I
Date: l-30-69 KNOB HILL Job No. 69-20
By: Jennings CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Plate No. 5 J
SORK TESTING LADODATORY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
-
LOGS OF BORINGS
z ” gi 22 BORING NO L
g ,z
ELEVATION 270. 5+
Brown silty fine to med. sand
LOOSE
1 SOIL TYPE NO. 1
I ,a “’ l:P:#: : Tan fine to med. sand
4 CLEAN - FIRM
2 /‘oh * a Cobbles up to 4” lkameter
/
Grey silty, clayey med. to
fine sand
DENSE
6 SOIL TYPE # 4
! I
Date: I-30-69 KNOB HILL Job No. 69-20
By: Jennings CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA Plate No. 6
§QlL TBSTIING LARQRATQRY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
Sc)IL TESTING LABORAlXlRY OF Wok,” COUNTY INC.
423 HALE AVE. ESCONDIDO, CALIF. 92025
ESCONDIDO-746.2333
OCEANSIDE-722.2125
UNIFIED SOIL CLASSIFICATION CHART
SOIL DESCRIPTION GROUP TYPICAL SYMBOL NAMES
1. COARSE GRAINED, More than
half of material is larger than No. 200 sieve size.
GRAVELS CLEAN GRAVELS GW
More than half of coarse frac- GP
tion is larger
than No' 4 sieve GRAVELS W/FINES size but smaller GM
than 3 inches. (Appreciable amt. of fines.) GC
SANDS CLEAN SANDS SW
More than'half of coarse frac- SP
tion is smaller than No. 4 sieve SANDS WITH FINES SM
size. (Aaareciable amt.
o>-fines)
11. FINE GRAINED, More than half
of material is smaller than
No. 200 sieve size.
SILTS & CLAYS
Liquid Limit Less than 50
SILTS & CLAYS
Liquid Limit
Greater than 50
111. HIGHLY ORGANIC SOILS
SC
ML
CL
OL
MH
CH
OH
PT
Well graded gravels, gravel- sand mixtures, little or no fines.
Poorly graded gravels, gravel- sand mixtures, little or no fines.
Silty gravels, poorly graded gravel-sand-silt mixtures. Clayey gravels, poorly graded
gravel-sand-clay mixtures.
Well graded sand, gravelly sand,
little or no fines.
Poorly graded sands, gravelly sands, little or no fines.
Silty sands, poorly graded sand- silt mixtures.
Clayey sands , poorly graded sand-clay mixtures.
Inorganic silts and very fine
sands-, rock, flour, sandy silt or clayey-silt-sand mixtures with slight plasticity. Inorganic clays of low to med- ium plasticity, gravelly clays, sandy clays, silty clays, lean clays. Organic silts, and organic silty- clays of low plasticity.
Inorganic silts, micaceous or ditomaceous fine sandy or silty
soils, elastic silts. Inorganic clays of high plasticity,
fat clays. Organic clays of medium to high plasticity.
Peat and other highly organic
soils.
S(>IL TESTING LABORATORY OF NORTH COUNTY I N c.
423 HALE AVE. ESCONDIDO, CALIF. 92025
ESCONDIDO-746.2333
OCEANSIDE-722.2125
SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CONTROLLED FILLS --
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This item shall consist of all clearing and --7---- grubbing, removal of existing structures and foundations, prepara- tion of land to be filled, excavation of earth and rock from cut areas, filling of the land, spreading, compaction and control of the fill, and all other subsidiary work necessary to complete the grading of the fil-
led areas to conform with the lines, grades and slopes as shown on the
accepted plans.
CLEARING, GRUBBING AND PREPARING AREAS TO BE FILLED: -----
(a) All timber, logs, trees, brush, vegetation and other rubbish shall
be removed, piled and burned or otherwise disposed of so as to leave the
areas that have been disturbed with a neat and finished appearance free
from unsightly debris.
(b) Any soft, swampy or otherwise unsuitable areas shall be corrected by draining or removal, or both, to the depths indicated on the plans or as
directed by the soils engineer. _- (c) The natural ground which is determined to be satisfactory for the
support of the filled ground shall then be plowed or scarified to a depth
of at least six inches (6"), and until the surface is free from ruts, hummocks, or other uneven features which would tend to prevent uniform compaction by the equipment to be used.
(d) Where fills are made on hillsides or exposed slope areas, greater than 5 per cent, horizontal benches shall be cut into firm undisturbed natural ground in order to provide both lateral and vertical stability. This is to provide a horizontal base so that each layer is placed and
compacted on a horizontal plane. The initial bench at the toe of the fill shall be at least 10 feet in width on firm undisturbed natural ground at
the elevation of the toe stake. The soils engineer shall determine the
width and frequency of all succeeding benches which will vary with the
soil conditions and the steepness of slope.
(e) After the natural ground has been prepared, it shall be brought to the proper moisture content and compacted to not less than 90% of max- imum density in accordance with A.S.T.M. D1557-58T.
MATERIALS: The fill soils shall consist of select materials so graded that at least 40 percent of the material passes a No. 4 sieve. This may be obtained from the excavation of banks, borrow pits of any other appro- ved sources and by mixing soils from one or more sources. The material used shall be free from vegetable matter, and other deleterious substances, and shall not contains rocks or lumps greater than 6 inches in diameter. If excessive vegetation, rocks, or soils with inadequate strength or
other unacceptable physical characteristics are encountered, these shall
be disposed of in waste areas as shown on the plans or as directed by
-- l--
.I- the soils engineer. If during grading operations, soils not encount-
ered and tested in the preliminary investigation are found, tests on these soils shall be performed to determine their physical character-
istics. Any special treatment recommended in the preliminary or sub-
sequent soil reports not covered herein shall become an addendum to
these specifications.
No material of a perishable, spongy, or otherwise improper nature shall
be used in the fills.
PLACING, SPREADING AND COMPACTING FILL MATERIAL: -- ---
(a) The selected fill material shall be placed in layers which, when
compacted, shall~ not exceed six inches (6"). Each layer shall be spread
evenly and shall~ be thoroughly blade mixed during the spreading to insure
uniformity of material and moisture in each layer.
(b) When the moisture content of the fill material is below that speci- fied by the soils engineer, water shall be added until the moisture con-
tent is near optimum as specified by the soils engineer to assure thor- ough bonding during the compacting process.
(c) When the moisture content of the fill material is above that speci-
fied by the soils engineer, the fill material shall be aerated by blading
and scarifying or other satisfactory methods until the moisture content is near optimum as specified by the soils engineer.
(d) After each layer has been placed, mixed and spread evenly, it shall
be thoroughly compacted to not less than the specified maximum density in accordance with A.S.T.M. D1557-58T. Compaction shall be by means of
tamping or sheepsfoot rollers, multiple-wheel pneumatic-tired rollers or
other types of rollers. Rollers shall be of such design that they will be able to compact the fill to the specified density. Rolling of each
layer shall be continuous over its entire area and the roller shall make sufficient trips to insure that the desired density has been obtained. The entire area to be filled shall be compacted to the specified density.
(e) Fill slopes shall be compacted by means of sheepsfoot rollers or other suitable equipment. Compacting operations shall be continued until
the slopes are stable but not too dense for planting and until there is no appreciable amount of loose soil on the slopes. Compacting of the
slopes shall be accomplished by backrolling the slopes in increments of
3 to 5 feet in clcvation gain or by other methods producing satisfactory results.
(f) Field density tests shall be made by the soils engineer for approx- imately each foot in elevation gain after compaction, but not to exceed two feet in vertical height between tests. The location of the tests in plan shal:l be so spaced to give the best possible coverage and shall be taken no farthcr than 100 feet apart. Tests shall be taken on corner and terrace lots for each two feet in elevation gain. The soils engineer may take additional tests as considered necessary to check on the uniform-
--*--
SOIL TESTING LABORATGRY OF NORTH COUNTY INC.
,_- ity of compaction. Where sheepsfoot rollers are used, the tests shall
be taken in the compacted material below the disturbed surface. No additional layers of fill shall be spread until the field density tests indicate that the specified density has been obtained.
(g) The fill operation shall be continued in six inch (6") compacted
layers, as specified above, until the fill has been brought to the fin- ished slopes and grades as shown on the accepted plans.
SUPERVISION: Supervision by the soils engineer shall be made during the --- fill and contracting operations so that he can certify that the fill
was made in accordance with accepted specifications.
SEASONAL LIMITS: No fill material shall be placed, spread or rolled whileit is frozen or thawing or during unfavorable weather conditions. When the work is interrupted by heavy rain, fill operations shall not be resumed until field tests by the soils engineer indicate that the
moisture content and density of the fill are as previously specified. In the event that, in the opinion of the engineer, the soils unsatis-
factory for grading purposes are encountered, they shall not be incor- porated in the grading and disposition will be made at the engineer's
discretion.
--3--
Sc)IL TESTING LABQRATORY
OF NORTH COUNTY INC.