Geotech_Memo.pdf

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Attached to: The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
Solicitation number: 693C73-19-B-000009
Issued by: Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

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Form FHWA-201 (Rev. 11-67)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

Use this form in lieu of transmittal slips within Dept. of Trans. When message comment is to be retained as file material. Do not prepare carbons. Not to be used in lieu of Form FHWA- 121 for informal correspondence. MEMORANDUM cc: TS Reading, Hydraulics, HD, All w/ attachment

M:\PROJECTS\_FWS\LAUM\103(1)\Techserv\Geotech\Reports\Preliminary Memo\LAUM 103(1), SICO 10(1), 104(1), 105(1) Geotech Memo (FINAL).docx

SUBJECT: Project FW-LAUM 103(1), FW-SICO 10(1), 104(1), 105(1) - Geotechnical Evaluations and Recommendations

TO MESSAGE/COMMENT FROM/DATE

Nilesh Makwana, Project Manager

Through:

A. Teikari Supervisor Highway Engineer

This memorandum summarizes the results of our subsurface exploration, design analyses, and presents our preliminary recommendations for proposed culvert replacements within Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (LAUM) in Coos County, New Hampshire and Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (SICO) in Essex County, Vermont.

GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Description LAUM project includes the replacement of three existing metal pipe culverts with a single, larger one. The centerline of the roadway is expected to be realigned approximately twenty feet to the north in the vicinity of the existing culvert location.

SICO project includes the replacement of five culverts at five sites with bottomless or embedded culverts along existing alignments. The Project Location Map is provided in Attachment No. 1, Figure 1.

GEOLOGIC SETTING

REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The geologic maps indicated that the parent rock in LAUM project site is biotite quartz diorite. The SICO project site is located within granitic gneiss and the Gile Mountain Formation, which consists of gray quartz-muscovite phyllite or schist, interbedded with gray micaceous quartzite, calcareous mica schist and locally, quartzose and micaceous crystalline limestone. Geologic Maps are included as Attachment 2.

SOIL SURVEY

According to the United States Department of Agriculture Web Soil Survey2 for Coos County, New Hampshire, the LAUM project site is located within the Peacham, Bucksport, and Rumney soils, which consist of basal lodgement till derived from granite and gneiss and/or schist. The Soil Survey for Essex County, Vermont shows the SICO project sites to be located within multiple soil units, primarily derived from loamy till. Soil Survey Maps are included as Attachment 3.

C. Lynch Geotechnical Engineer, EIT

Abouzakhm Division Geotechnical

S. Whittemore Technical Services

5/27/2014

PROCEDURES AND RESULTS

General EFLHD’s Subsurface Exploration Team drilled eight (8) soil borings at both sites from November 15th to 20th, 2013. Borings were drilled using a CME 750 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)-mounted rotary drill rig and were terminated at depths of 9.0 to 20.0 feet below existing site grades. Field data are listed in Table 1, and Boring Location Maps are provided in Attachment No. 4. Borings were located in proximity to existing culverts by EFLHD field personnel.

Ground surface elevations at the boring locations were determined from topographic maps provided by the Survey Division. Boring Logs include the sampling sequence and associated jar samples for each boring along with the visual description of each soil stratum.

Table 1. Summary of Boring Information.

Boring Number/Location

Ground Surface

Elevation (ft)

Depth to Auger

Refusal (ft)

Elevation of Top of

Bedrock (ft)

FW-LAUM 103(1); B-1

(Box Culvert) 1332.2 9.2 1323.0

FW-LAUM 103(1); B-2

(RT Edge of New Roadway

Alignment)

1332.4 9.0 1323.4

FW-SICO 10(1); B-1

(Site #241) 1712.8 8.4 1704.4

FW-SICO 10(1); B-2

(Site #241) 1712.8 9.0 1703.8

FW-SICO 10(1); B-3

(Site #220) 1643.5 18.5 1625.0

FW-SICO 104(1); B-1

(Site #334-336) 1346.3 15.5 1330.8

FW-SICO 104(1); B-2

(Site #331) 1341.8 18.9 1322.9

FW-SICO 105(1); B-1

(Site #043) 1758.2 >20.0 <1738.2

Sampling and Field Testing The borings were advanced using 3-¾ -inch (inside diameter) hollow stem augers. Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) were performed using a 2-¼ -inch (outside diameter) split-spoon sampler in general accordance with AASHTO T206. SPT soil samples were typically recovered at 2-foot intervals by driving the split-spoon sampler a distance of 24 inches, or until refusal, into the undisturbed soil under the action of a 140-pound automatic hammer free-falling 30 inches. The number of hammer blows required to advance the split-spoon sampler through the middle 12 inches of the 24-inch sample interval is designated as the “Standard Penetration Resistance” or N-value. Split-spoon refusal is defined as 50 blows per 1-inch of penetration of the split-spoon sampler. The N-values and the number of blows required to advance the sampler through each 6-inch interval was recorded on field boring logs.

N-values reported are as measured in the field, and no corrections have been applied. Recovered soils were placed into glass sample jars, labeled, and transported to EFLHD Material Testing Laboratory in Sevierville, Tennessee for testing and storage.

The sampling sequence and associated samples for the boring are presented in Attachment No. 5. The boring logs in Attachment No. 5 represent a compilation of field data and description of the soil samples by a geotechnical engineer.

These records may not include all data recorded on the driller’s logs and field data sheets, but include all information considered relevant to the design.

Groundwater depth readings were made at the times and under the conditions stated on the boring logs. Fluctuations in groundwater elevations due to seasonal variations, rainfall, temperature, and other factors not evident at the time measurements were made should be expected.

Laboratory Testing Laboratory testing was performed on select samples from each of the six culvert locations investigated for this project, and included sieve gradation analysis (AASHTO T-88). Table 2 contains a summary of laboratory test results, and laboratory data sheets can be found in Attachment No. 6.

Table 2. Summary of Laboratory Test Results.

Boring Number / Location

Sample Depth

(ft) Gravel

Sand

Fines

D10 (in)

D50 (in)

D90 (in)

FW-LAUM

103(1);

(Box Culvert) 3-7 45.5 44.0 10.5 0.003 0.146 1.000

FW-SICO 10(1);

B-1 (Site #241) 5-7 22.3 69.4 8.3 0.003 0.051 0.591

FW-SICO 10(1);

B-3 (Site #220) 3-5 9.8 51.2 39.0 - 0.005 0.187

FW-SICO

104(1); B-1

(Site #334-336) 5-7 5.5 79.6 14.9 - 0.018 0.071

FW-SICO

104(1);

B-2 (Site #331) 5-7 14.8 59.3 25.9 - 0.012 0.315

FW-SICO

105(1);

B-1 (Site #043) 5-7 12.2 63.9 23.9 - 0.017 0.236

FINDINGS

Data Summary The results of field tests and measurements were recorded on the driller’s field logs and appropriate data sheets in the field. These data sheets and logs contain information concerning the boring methods, samples recovered, indications of the presence of various materials such as gravel and organic matter and observations of groundwater. Recorded field data represents both factual and interpretative information.

Subsurface Conditions The subsurface conditions encountered during our drilling operations are shown in the boring logs. The stratification lines designating the interfaces between soil types on the logs represent approximate boundaries. The transition between materials may be gradual. It should be noted that one or more of the units may be absent at specific locations.

Soils encountered in the borings can be generalized into two strata – a fill material underlain by natural, glaciofluvial or alluvial deposits. The soil conditions encountered for all eight borings are generalized below. Refer to the borings logs for more detailed descriptions.

FILL – This stratum extended from the ground surface to approximate depths of 4 to 8 feet below existing site grades, and consisted of sandy gravel, silty sand, sandy silt, silty clay, sandy clay, sand with gravel, and peat with wood fragments. SPT N-values ranged from 1 blow per foot (bpf) to 50 blows per 4 inches.

ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS – This stratum was typically found underneath the fill materials and extended to auger refusal depths, which were encountered at 8 to 20 feet below exiting site grades, and consists of silty sand, sandy clay, and sand, with various amounts of gravel. SPT N-values ranged from 1 blow per foot (bpf) to 50 blows per 0 inch.

GROUNDWATER – Groundwater depths were measured in select boreholes and ranged from 5 to 12 feet below existing site grades.

Geotechnical Evaluation

Very soft and very loose soils were encountered at different locations and different depths across the sites. These soils typically exhibit low bearing capacity and may yield excessive settlements. Some type of ground improvement may be needed prior to placing the new culverts. Dewatering may be required.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Culverts

We recommend that the new culverts be placed on top of a Cellular Confinement Systems (CCS). CCS should be filled with AASHTO No. 57 stone. Three layers of 8-inch CCS cells are recommended, providing a total CCS thickness of 24 inches. A Type III-A stabilization geotextile should be placed on top of the newly exposed subgrade prior to placing the CCS system.

Enclosures:

Attachment No. 1 – Figure 1 – Project Location Map Attachment No. 2 – Figures 2A, 2B – Geologic Maps Attachment No. 3 – Figures 3A, 3B – Soil Survey Maps Attachment No. 4 – Boring Location Maps Attachment No. 5 – Boring Logs Attachment No. 6 – Laboratory Test Results Attachment No. 7 – Photographs

Attachment No. 1

Figure 1 – Project Location Map

STATEREG

LAUM 103(1), SICO

10(1), 104(1), 105(1)

TOTAL

SHEETS

SHEET

NO. PROJECT

1NE 1NH/VT

FIGURE 1

PROJECT LOCATION MAP

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

STERLING, VIRGINIA

Attachment No. 2

Figures 2A, 2B – Geologic Maps

Source: Bennett, D. S, , Wittkop, C.A., and Dicken, C.L., 2006 , Bedrock Geologic Map of New Hampshire - A Digital Representation of the Lyons and others 1997 map and ancillary files: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 215, scale 1:250,000, CD-ROM. http://mrdata.usgs.gov/sgmc/nh.html

2NH

FIGURE 2A

GEOLOGIC MAP

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

STERLING, VIRGINIA NE

SHEET

NO. PROJECT

STATEREG

LAUM 103(1)

TOTAL

SHEETS

Biotite quartz diorite in northeastern New Hampshire (D6): Part of the New Hampshire Plutonic Suite (Late to Early Devonian) ‐ Includes synkinematic and postkinematic granitoids related to the Acadian orogeny. Ages range from 410 to 365 Ma.

Geologic Age: Early‐Late Devonian Primary Rock Type: quartz diorite Secondary Rock Type: None

Dead River Formation, undivided (O‐Cd): Part of the Central Maine Composite Terrane (Central Maine Trough) ‐ Variably metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks of greenschist to granulite facies, locally migmatized. Area includes structural belts between the Monroe fault on the west and the Campbell Hill fault on the east; that is, the Bronson Hill anticlinorium, Piedmont allochthon, Kearsarge‐central Maine synclinorium, central New Hampshire anticlinorium, and Rochester‐Lebanon (Maine) antiformal synclinorium.

Geologic Age: Upper Cambrian? ‐ Lower Ordovician? Primary Rock Type: meta‐argillite Secondary Rock Type: quartzite

Ammonoosuc Volcanics, Bimodal volcanic rocks (Oalx): Part of the Central Maine Composite Terrane (Central Maine Trough) ‐ Variably metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks of greenschist to granulite facies, locally migmatized. Area includes structural belts between the Monroe fault on the west and the Campbell Hill fault on the east; that is, the Bronson Hill anticlinorium, Piedmont allochthon, Kearsarge‐central Maine synclinorium, central New Hampshire anticlinorium, and Rochester‐Lebanon (Maine) antiformal synclinorium.

Geologic Age: Middle‐Upper Ordovician Primary Rock Type: bimodal suite Secondary Rock Type: None

Ammonoosuc Volcanics, Metabasalt (Oalb): Part of the Central Maine Composite Terrane (Central Maine Trough) ‐ Variably metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks of greenschist to granulite facies, locally migmatized. Area includes structural belts between the Monroe fault on the west and the Campbell Hill fault on the east; that is, the Bronson Hill anticlinorium, Piedmont allochthon, Kearsarge‐central Maine synclinorium, central New Hampshire anticlinorium, and Rochester‐Lebanon (Maine) antiformal synclinorium.

Geologic Age: Middle‐Upper Ordovician Primary Rock Type: meta‐basalt Secondary Rock Type: None

O‐Cd

LAUM 103(1)

Oalx

Oalb

Oalx

Oalb

O‐Cd

Umbagog Lake

Nicholson, S.W., Dicken, C.L., Horton, J.D., Foose, M.P., Mueller, J.A.L., and Hon, Rudi, 2006, Preliminary integrated geologic map databases for the United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006-1272.

http://mrdata.usgs.gov/sgmc/nh.html

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

NE VT SICO 10(1), 104(1),

105(1)STERLING, VIRGINIA

FIGURE 2B

GEOLOGIC MAP

REG STATE PROJECT SHEET

NO.

TOTAL

SHEETS

2 2

Undifferentiated Granitic Gneiss (nhu): Part of Plutonic Rocks (Including a few dike rocks and volcanic rocks.), New Hampshire Plutonic Series Geologic Age: Devonian Primary Rock Type: granitic gneiss Secondary Rock Type: None

Gile Mountain Formation (Dg): Gile Mountain Formation ‐ Gray quartz‐muscovite phyllite or schist, interbedded and intergradational with gray micaceous quartzite (graywacke northeast of Nulhegan River), calcareous mica schist, and, locally, quartzose and micaceous crystalline limestone like that of the Waits River formation. The phyllite and schist commonly contain porphyroblasts of biotite, garnet, or staurolite, and locally kyanite, andalusite, or sillimanite. Used as Early Devonian Gile Mountain Formation. Generally consists of gray to tan metawacke and schist or phyllite, gradational into its Meetinghouse Slate Member, but much more thickly bedded and less pelitic. Contains minor metavolcanic lentils. Unnamed metavolcanic member is possibly equivalent to Putney Volcanics of southeastern VT. Separately mapped interbedded gray slate or phyllite and brown‐ weathering calcite‐ankerite metasiltstone, and minor marble and quartzite, resembles Waits River Formation of VT. Meetinghouse Slate Member consists of gray to black phyllite and silty metasandstone turbidite. Report includes geologic map, cross sections, correlation chart, and four 1:500,000‐scale derivative maps (Lyons and others, 1997).

Geologic Age: Middle‐Upper Ordovician Primary Rock Type: phyllite Secondary Rock Type: mica shist nhu

FW‐SICO 10(1), Site #241

FW‐SICO 10(1), Site #220

FW‐SICO 105(1), Site #043

FW‐SICO 104(1), Sites #331, 334‐336 nhu nhu nhu

Attachment No. 3

Figures 3A, 3B – Soil Survey Maps

Coos County Area, New Hampshire (2012) Source: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx

897A - Peacham, Bucksport, and Rumney soils, ponded Parent material: Basal lodgement till derived from granite and gneiss and/or basal lodgement till derived from schist.

Typical profile:

0 to 11 inches: Muck 61C - Tunbridge-Lyman-Rock outcrop complex 11 to 23 inches: Silt loam Parent material: LAblation till derived from mica schist and/or 23 to 65 inches: Silt loam ablation till derived from granite and gneiss.

Typical profile:

169B - Sunapee fine sandy loam, very stony 0 to 2 inches: Silt loam

Parent material: Till 2 to 25 inches: Silt loam Typical profile: 25 to 34 inches: Cobbly fine sandy loam 0 to 4 inches: Fine sandy loam 34 to 38 inches: Unweathered bedrock 4 to 35 inches: Fine sandy loam 35 to 65 inches: Gravelly loamy fine sand W - Water

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

3NH

FIGURE 3A

SOIL SURVEY MAP EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

STERLING, VIRGINIA

TOTAL

SHEETS

SHEET

NO. PROJECT

STATEREG

LAUM 103(1)

FW‐LAUM 103(1)

SIE11 Cabot silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony Parent material: Loamy basal till Typical profile:

0 to 3 inches: Highly decomposed plant material 3 to 7 inches: Silt loam 7 to 13 inches: Fine sandy loam 13 to 65 inches: Fine sandy loam

SIE12 Cabot-Colonel complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony Parent material: Loamy basal till Typical profile:

0 to 3 inches: Highly decomposed plant material 3 to 7 inches: Silt loam 7 to 13 inches: Fine sandy loam 13 to 65 inches: Fine sandy loam

SIE21 Wilmington-Colonel complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes, very stony Parent material: Loamy basal till Typical profile:

0 to 6 inches: Highly decomposed plant material 6 to 7 inches: Sandy loam 7 to 17 inches: Fine sandy loam 17 to 65 inches: Gravelly fine sandy loam

SIE32 Colonel-Dixfield complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very stony Parent material: Loamy basal till Typical profile:

0 to 0 inches: Slightly decomposed plant material 0 to 4 inches: Fine sandy loam 4 to 6 inches: Fine sandy loam 6 to 14 inches: Gravelly fine sandy loam 14 to 65 inches: Gravelly sandy loam

SIE33 Dixfield-Colonel complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very stony Parent material: Loamy basal till Typical profile:

0 to 1 inches: Slightly decomposed plant material 1 to 3 inches: Sandy loam 3 to 13 inches: Sandy loam 13 to 27 inches: Sandy loam 27 to 65 inches: Sandy loam

SIE41 Tunbridge-Dixfield-Wilmington complex, 0 to 8 percent, very stony Parent material: Loamy till Typical profile:

0 to 1 inches: Slightly decomposed plant material 1 to 4 inches: Fine sandy loam 4 to 25 inches: Fine sandy loam 25 to 35 inches: Unweathered bedrock

SIE52 Lyman-Tunbridge complex, 8 to 15 percent slopes, very rocky Parent material: Loamy till Typical profile:

0 to 1 inches: Slightly decomposed plant material 1 to 5 inches: Fine sandy loam 5 to 13 inches: Fine sandy loam 13 to 23 inches: Unweathered bedrock

SIE53 Tunbridge-Lyman complex, 15 to 35 percent slopes, very rocky Parent material: Loamy till Typical profile:

0 to 1 inches: Slightly decomposed plant material 1 to 4 inches: Fine sandy loam 4 to 25 inches: Fine sandy loam 25 to 35 inches: Unweathered bedrock

Essex County, Vermont (2012) Source: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

EASTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

NE VT SICO 10(1), 104(1),

105(1)STERLING, VIRGINIA

FIGURE 3B

SOIL SURVEY MAP

REG STATE PROJECT SHEET

NO.

TOTAL

SHEETS

2 3

Site #043

Site #220

Site #241