News
Re-Building After a Disaster - San Bruno, CA
AKA is proud to be part of the re-building effort after a natural gas pipeline explosion and fire devastated a quiet residential neighborhood in San Bruno, California. AKA is currently conducting a geotechnical investigation for re-construction of one of the many homes that were destroyed by the explosion and fire that occurred on September 9, 2010. Old foundations have been removed from the site, exploratory borings have been drilled, plans are being developed, and soon a new house will be rising from the ashes. AKA has also been busy in the neighborhood assisting in an insurance claim evaluation involving one of the many still standing homes in the explosion and fire impacted area.
Helios Energy Research Facility West - Berkeley, CA
AKA conducted the geotechnical investigation for the University of California, Berkeley’s Helios West project. Located at the north end of downtown Berkeley across from the UC Campus, the Helios West project will include a new five-story, 112,800-square-foot research building and public open space designed to enliven and enhance the community. When complete, researchers within this eco-friendly building will seek solutions to global climate change. AKA’s geotechnical investigation included historical research, borings and geophysical surveys designed to thoroughly characterize the subsurface conditions, and provided comprehensive geotechnical recommendations for the design of the project. The existing State of California Department of Health Services building that occupies the site will be demolished in 2010 as part of the first phase of the project; the Helios West project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
La Conchita Landslide - Ventura County, CA
AKA is leading a multi-disciplinary project team that is evaluating approaches to reduce slope-related risks at La Conchita for the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. La Conchita is situated on the California coast about 10 miles northwest of the city of Ventura, and has been the site of numerous slope failures including a catastrophic landslide that occurred in 2005. The principal components of our current phase of study include geologic characterization and hazards assessment, risk assessment, conceptual geotechnical mitigation designs and cost estimates.
