El Cerrito High School - El Cerrito, CA

Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Investigation (2005)

Construction Observation and Testing Services (2006-present)

AKA conducted a design-level geotechnical investigation and geologic hazards study for the new El Cerrito High School (ECHS) campus in Contra Costa County. ECHS is located near the base of the East Bay hills in a geologic environment that includes landslides, faults and shallow bedrock. Our study included trenching to locate the toe of an adjacent landslide complex, establishing appropriate landslide setbacks, drilling borings to evaluate geotechnical conditions, and producing a design-level geotechnical and geologic hazard evaluation report. Removal of old fill and re-use of onsite excavated bedrock as non-expansive select fill were also key geotechnical issues. Our report was favorably peer-reviewed with no exceptions by the California Geological Survey.

AKA is currently providing comprehensive geotechnical engineering services during the construction of the new campus. The scope of our construction-phase services includes observation/testing of fill placement, foundation construction and drainage; consultation; and preparation of daily reports, summary reports and Geotechnical Verified Reports for submittal to the DSA.

Berkeley High School - Berkeley, CA

Student Union, Cafeteria, Library, Gym, and Pool Buildings

Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Investigation (1998)

Construction Observation and Testing Services (2001-2003)

AKA conducted a design-level geotechnical investigation and geologic hazards study for a significant expansion to Berkeley High School’s campus. The project location, in downtown Berkeley, is near the former location of Strawberry Creek and adjacent areas have recently been designated by the California Geological Survey as a liquefaction hazard zone. Our geotechnical investigation found the two-block-long building site to be generally free of liquefaction hazards and identified strong earthquake ground shaking, old fills and expansive onsite soils as the primary concerns. Geotechnical mitigation involved supporting the buildings on deepened spread footings bearing on compacted fill or natural soil below the depth of significant shrink/swell behavior.

AKA provided comprehensive geotechnical services during construction of this major school expansion project, which included replacing unsuitable onsite fill soils with engineered fill. All our work for the project was performed in accordance with DSA requirements and the school buildings are all open and actively in use.

Prospect Sierra School - El Cerrito, CA

Arts Building

Geotechnical Investigation (2006)

Geotechnical Services during Construction (2006-2007)

AKA conducted a geotechnical investigation for a new Arts Building at Prospect Sierra School, which is located in El Cerrito near the base of the East Bay hills. A review of published information showed the Arts Building site to be located along the edge of a very large landslide complex that extends thousands of feet upslope. However, AKA’s detailed review of onsite geotechnical data and targeted test borings were able to demonstrate that the proposed site was disconnected from the upslope portion of the nearby landslide, and that the landslide did not pose a significant hazard to the future Arts Building. A conventional shallow foundation system was therefore deemed appropriate for foundation support, which resulted in significant cost savings for the project. Follow-on services provided by AKA included a geotechnical review of the project plans and specifications and comprehensive geotechnical services during construction. The Arts Building is now open and in active use.

Pinole Middle School - Pinole, CA

Gymnasium and Library/Classroom Building

Geotechnical and Geologic Hazards Investigation (2005)

Construction Observation and Testing Services (2006-present)

AKA conducted a design-level geotechnical investigation and geologic hazards study for the new Pinole Middle School Gymnasium and Library/Classroom Building in Contra Costa County. Our study included drilling borings to evaluate geotechnical conditions and producing a design-level geotechnical and geologic hazard evaluation report. Our investigation revealed that extensive deposits of old fill existed in areas where the new buildings were planned. During an initial phase, we worked closely with the school district to identify alternate building locations to reduce the amount of mitigation required. Geotechnical mitigation involved the removal of old fill, installation of subdrainage and construction of a new engineered fill slope and pad. Our report was favorably peer-reviewed with no exceptions by the California Geological Survey.

AKA is currently providing comprehensive geotechnical engineering services during the construction of the new buildings. The scope of our construction-phase services includes observation/testing of excavation, drainage installation, fill placement, and foundation construction; consultation; and preparation of daily reports, summary reports and Geotechnical Verified Reports for submittal to the DSA.

Lowell High School - San Francisco, CA

Classroom Building

Geotechnical and Seismic Hazards Investigation (1999)

Construction Observation and Testing Services (2001-2003)

AKA conducted a design-level geotechnical investigation and geologic hazards study for a recent expansion to Lowell High School in San Francisco. AKA identified strong earthquake ground shaking and differential settlement of loose dune sands as the primary seismic hazard for this major new multi-story classroom building. AKA consulted with the project team on foundation alternatives, which included drilled piers, piles and footings supported on improved ground. Cost-benefit analyses led to a preferred ground improvement alternative involving the excavation and recompaction of loose near-surface soils, which allowed the building to be supported on cost-effective spread footing foundations.

AKA observed and tested during geotechnical mitigation, foundation construction, and other geotechnical aspects of the project. DSA interactions were managed by the project Inspector of Record, to whom we submitted daily reports documenting our geotechnical observations and test results. All our work for the project was performed in accordance with DSA requirements and the school building is open and actively in use.

Alice Fong Yu Alternative School - San Francisco, CA

Geotechnical Investigation and Geologic Hazards Evaluation (1998)

Construction Observation and Testing Services (1999)

AKA performed both a geotechnical investigation and geologic hazards evaluation (in conjunction with Joyce Associates) for two new classroom buildings and a multi-purpose building at the Alice Fong Yu Alternative School in San Francisco. Potentially loose dune sands underlie the site. The potential for seismic hazards was determined to be low and normal foundation construction was approved. AKA monitored the construction of the new facilities.