0001 - Subsurface Exploration Report - Question 58.pdf

This is a geotechnical engineering report for a proposed Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital multi-story parking ramp structure at 3495 Bailey Avenue in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. The report presents findings from subsurface exploration and provides foundation design recommendations for the project, which involves approximately 96,000 square feet of parking ramp structure with a slab-on-grade and concrete-framed design.

The subsurface investigation included six test borings drilled to depths of 32 to 40 feet using a truck-mounted Diedrich D-50 rotary drill with continuous flight augers and standard penetration testing per ASTM D1586. Soil conditions consist of asphalt pavement and subbase gravel overlying variably thick cohesive fill on silty clay glacial till above weathered limestone bedrock at depths of 32 to 43 feet below surface. The report recommends a deep foundation system using straight-shaft drilled piers bearing on weathered limestone bedrock, with allowable axial loads ranging from 280 kips (2.0-foot diameter) to 1,490 kips (5.5-foot diameter). For shallow foundations, the report limits bearing capacity to 1,500 psf for approved subgrades. The concrete mix for pier foundations requires a minimum 28-day unconfined compressive strength of 3,500 psi with Type I/II Portland cement. The report also provides detailed specifications for site preparation, earthwork, pavement design, retaining walls, and construction monitoring by experienced geotechnical personnel, with lateral earth pressure coefficients and specific recommendations for managing wet conditions and groundwater control during construction.