Robert Stephens is Principal Engineer and Project Manager for Stephens Associates geotechnical/geological and earthquake consulting services. He served as District Manager, Project Manager, Project and Staff Engineer with nationally recognized engineering firms on the east and west coasts of the United States, Hawaii and Guam. Mr. Stephens has performed geotechnical, geological, earthquake and environmental engineering on buildings and infrastructure in the United States and overseas. He has evaluated and designed foundations, excavation support systems, embankments and slopes. Mr. Stephens has engineered rock slopes, and performed geotechnical, geological and seismic studies of existing facilities such as seismic safety evaluations for dams, including historic stone-masonry dams. Mr. Stephens is the Principal Investigator for a joint Federal Highway Administration/Massachusetts Highway Department Research Project involving pavement performance, material properties of organic soils, and the use of tire shreds as lightweight fill, and co-investigator for a Vermont Agency of Transportation Research Project on Integral Abutment (Jointless) Bridges. He is Secretary of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Co-Chair of the Editorial Board of Civil Engineering Practice, the Journal of the BSCES, and Past Chair of the Geotechnical Group of BSCES. He is Past Chair of the Section and Branches Council of the Geo-Institute (G-I) of ASCE, was a charter member of the G-I Professional Practice Council, and actively serves on the G-I Technical Committee on Embankments, Dams and Slopes.
Registrations/Certifications
Professional Engineer, Maine #10191
Professional Engineer, Massachusetts #40748
Professional Engineer, New Hampshire #10859
Professional Geologist, New Hampshire #435
Professional Engineer, Vermont #8180
Education
M.Eng/Civil (Geotechnical) Engineering/Cornell University, Ithaca, New York/1990
BS/Geology & Geophysics/ University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii/ 1989
Geological Engineering/ University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire/1982-1984
Mining Engineering/Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology/Butte, Montana/1980-1981
Professional Activities/Affiliations/Memberships
Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 1990 to Present
Member, National Technical Committee on Embankments, Dams and Slopes, Geo-Institute of ASCE
Chair, Sections and Branches Council, Geo-Institute of ASCE 2000-2003
Member, Geo-Institute of ASCE National Committee on Professional Practice 2001-2003
Session Chair, Measured Performance of Slopes and Embankments, Amherst 2K - Geo-Institute National Specialty Conference on Performance Confirmation of Constructed Geotechnical Systems, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, April 9-12, 2000
Chair, Geotechnical Group, Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (BSCES) of ASCE, 1999 to 2000
BSCES Liaison to the Geo-Institute of ASCE, 1997 to 2000
Co-Chair, Editorial Committee, Civil Engineering Practice, the Journal of BSCES, 2003 to present
Secretary, BSCES, 2003-2004
Chair, Fundraising Committee, BSCES 2003
Member, Cornell Society of Engineers
Invited Lecturer, Civil Engineering Applications of Tire Shreds, On the Road Again Session, Buy Recycled and EPP Vendor Fair, October 26, 2000, Boxborough, Massachusetts
Invited Lecturer, Geotechnical Application of Tire Shreds, Workshop on Beneficial Uses of Scrap Tires in Engineering Applications, January 30 and March 21, 2002
Representative Project Experience
RAILWAYS
ROADWAYS, BRIDGES and VIADUCTS
AIRPORTS AND RELATED FACILITIES
EMBANKMENTS, DAMS and SLOPES
ROCK ENGINEERING
SCHOOLS, ARENAS, LIBRARIES and CIVIC CENTERS
SEISMIC DESIGN AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
EXISTING AND HISTORIC STRUCTURES
WATERFRONT AND RELATED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
BUILDINGS, PARKING STRUCTURES, DEVELOPMENTS, ETC.
INDUSTRIAL, ENERGY, PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS and REFINERIES
PIPELINES
ENVIRONMENTAL
RAILWAYS and TRANSIT
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Copley Station Renovations, Boston, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for ADA renovations and other upgrades to existing historic Subway Station. Projects construction costs estimated at $8M. Designed and supervised subsurface exploration program for four 40-foot-deep excavations. Responsible for preliminary design of excavation support and final design recommendations for foundation support and seismic interaction with ground and existing structures including the historic MBTA Station, Boston Public Library and Old South Church.
Brockton Area Transit Authority (BAT) Parking Garage, Brockton, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Designer and Project Manager for BATs new parking Garage. The new garage will be about one acre in footprint, and is being designed for up to 3 stories of parking. Devised and oversaw soil/rock borings for evaluation of excavation effort and foundation support.
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, Somerville, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for a geological, geotechnical and environmental services for this eight-acre maintenance facility for MBTA and AMTRAK trains. The new facility replaced the old Boston Engine Terminal and was founded on more than 3,000 piles bearing in glacial deposits or rock. Provided owner representation during static and dynamic load testing, and periodic observation of production pile driving and soil contaminant characterization during sampling, excavation and disposal. Reviewed and advised owner regarding contractor submittals for static and dynamic pile load testing, excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, dewatering of contaminated groundwater, and related matters. Provided consultation on contaminated material management issues related to the disposal of more than 200,000 cubic yards of soil.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Designed and oversaw construction of rock bolting and shotcrete facing of bedrock abutment foundation supporting the Kents Island access road bridge over the MBTA right-of-way. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
MBTA Bridge Evaluations, Newton, Massachusetts - Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer served as a consultant to project designer and provided geotechnical design and consultation. Evaluated subsurface conditions for foundation support for three MBTA-owned automobile bridges supporting busy city streets over the MBTA right-of-way. Using historical information and subsurface investigation, assessed extent of existing foundations and quality of supporting strata. Evaluated existing abutments for earth and hydrostatic loading.
Embankment Stability Evaluation, Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad, Hampton, New York Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for evaluation and mitigation of the causes of movements for a 100-year-old railroad embankment. Analyses indicated that the slope was stable under existing static conditions, but was marginally unstable under transient train loads. Performed design of alternatives, including constructing a replacement embankment and stabilizing the embankment soils using gabions, soil/cement columns, lime/cement columns and other soil stabilization techniques.
ROADWAYS, BRIDGES and VIADUCTS
Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts Principal-in-charge for first ever design and study of reconstruction of a roadway using tire shreds as lightweight and structural fill in Massachusetts. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained by the civil engineer, at the request of the Town of Tewksbury, to provide a value-engineered redesign of the first-ever use of tire shreds as lightweight fill in a roadway embankment in Massachusetts. The Town has experienced problems with Livingston Street for more than 40 years. The roadway traverses a wetland underlain by organic silt and peat. It was reconstructed in the late 1970s, but the Town has applied 7 to 8 overlays to various portions of this section since then. Significant portions of the existing roadway embankment are petroleum-contaminated. SA recommended the use of tire shreds as lightweight roadway embankment fill and provided environmental guidance in addressing the petroleum contamination. SA designed the tire-shred-fill embankment. The Roadway reconstruction is funded under MassHighway Chapter 90. The Town received approval from MassHighway to use those funds with this unique solution. The Contractors bid for the total reconstruction was about $500,000. The savings to the Town by using the tire shreds as lightweight fill are estimated to be more than $150,000. The construction will provide for the beneficial use of about 250,000 scrap tires.
FHWA/MHD Funded Research on Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts - At the request of MassHighway, SA submitted a proposal for research funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the study of pre- and post-construction performance of the reconstructed roadway embankment. The research budget is more than $120,000. SA received the funding from MassHighway and FHWA to perform the research. Research objectives include predicting and measuring pre- and post-construction behavior of organic foundation soils, embankment materials and pavement. The project includes an exhaustive literature search, extensive exploration, laboratory testing and geotechnical instrumentation plans, geotechnical instrument installation (e.g. vibrating wire piezometers, multiple (4) position) Borros Point extensometers, inclinometers, etc.), detailed finite element modeling using PLAXIS Finite Element Code for Soil and Rock Analysis, and roadway performance monitoring over 2 years. Deliverables include a final report summarizing research results and providing Standard Design Details and Construction Specifications for future use of tire shreds as lightweight fill.
Jointless Bridge Research, Vermont Agency of Transportation Assistant Investigator for this primary and secondary research investigation on the performance of integral abutment bridges. SA was recently selected, as sub-consultant to is Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., a national engineering firm with an office in Andover, Massachusetts, to perform geotechnical and structural engineering research for the Vermont Agency of Transportations, Jointless Bridge Research Project. Mr. Stephens will manage SAs portion of the work, and provide literature search and geotechnical instrumentation consultation and monitoring.
MassHighway Bridge Over Stillwater River, Sterling, Massachusetts
- Principal Geotechnical Engineer and project Manager for evaluation of subsurface strata and existing substructure of this Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) Bridge. MassHighway is evaluating replacing the bridge carrying Muddy Pond Road over the Stillwater River. Home of a gaging station operated by the United States Geological Survey, the bridge will be widened and the deck will be replaced to accommodate current standards. Stephens Associates was retained by the prime consultant to perform a geotechnical and seismic evaluation of the abutments by AASHTO Standards. View the bridge and check out USGS water flow data at: http://ma.water.usgs.gov/projects/Stillwater/stillwater.htm
Vibration Monitoring, I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike) Bridge Over I-290, Auburn, Massachusetts
- Principal Geotechnical Engineer and project Manager for evaluation of bridge vibrations caused by vehicle traffic. Measured vibrations using the Instantel, Inc., MiniMate Plus Seismograph (Part No. 716A0403, Serial No. BE8135) equipped with external geophone sensor (Part No. 714A0301, Serial No. BG7186) and operating Software version 4.33.
Logan 2000 Terminal Area Roadways, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts - Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for major roadway renovations consisting of retained fill embankments, viaducts and at-grade roadways interfacing with the new Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Analyzed and designed major retained-fill embankments for settlement using alternatives of ordinary fill, Lightweight Aggregate Fill, and Lightweight Foam Concrete Fill, as well as combinations of same. Analyzed/designed deep viaduct foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by computer methods (e.g., COM624, etc.). Assisted management of large scale field investigation consisting of 16 borings to depths of up to 200 feet through deep marine clays overlain by peat, organic silt, sand and urban fill. Evaluated subsurface information for geotechnical design using new and existing borings. Reduced/evaluated laboratory data of samples taken from new borings.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Designed and oversaw construction of rock bolting and shotcrete facing of bedrock abutment foundation supporting the Kents Island access road bridge over the MBTA right-of-way. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
MBTA Bridge Evaluations, Newton, Massachusetts - Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer served as a consultant to project designer and provided geotechnical design and consultation. Evaluated foundation support for three Metropolitan District Commission (MBTA)-owned automobile bridges over the MBTA right-of-way. Using historical information and subsurface investigation, evaluated extent of existing foundations and quality of supporting soils. Evaluated existing abutments for earth and hydrostatic loading.
Leo Palace Resort Complex, Manenggon Hills, Guam Staff Engineer/Geologist for the largest privately funded project ever undertaken by Dames & Moore. Seismic/typhoon resistant design/build of this 1,300-acre resort complex included 3,000 condominiums, large world class hotel with water park, and five 9-hole golf courses and a major public access road with bridges, sloped and/or retained cuts and embankments. Site conditions consisted of soft residual cohesive soils, sapprolites, and weathered volcanic and carbonate (coral reef) bedrock. Analyzed and designed slopes and embankments, for more than 80 cofferdams and major fill embankments, including several exceeding 100 feet in height. Analyzed or supervised analysis, for internal and external stability, of more than 100 major retaining walls, using hand calculation and computer analysis. Performed computer analysis for lateral loading of pile foundations for bridge piers, abutments and retaining walls. Supervised and performed large-scale geologic investigations along alignment of a 2-mile-long access road through the jungle, including mapping and evaluation of rock quality for slope cuts and for reuse of excavate. During construction, supervised and inspected construction of major fill embankments and slopes, including the use of crushed rock drainage layers, soil blending and layering, and geotextiles. Performed some analyses on site as required during construction to address issues as they became evident in the field.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Parallel Crossing, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Project Engineer that served as a consultant to the contractor during the pile driving hammer selection/test pile program using 54 and 48-inch precast prestressed concrete cylinder piles (hollow core). Assessed the potential for damage to adjacent two-story wood residential-type structures resulting from vibrations and associated settlement of granular soils induced by pile driving.
AIRPORTS AND RELATED FACILITIES
New Radar Air Traffic Control Tower/Facility, Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine
Performing geotechnical engineering for the new 7-story radar air traffic control facility for the United States Navy. Devised and managed subsurface explorations consisting of 7 soil borings and associated rock coring for evaluation of strata for foundation support of the structure.
MASSPORT Logan Express Parking Garage, Framingham, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for this large parking garage for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Logan Express Site in Framingham, Massachusetts. The new structure will be 4-stories high and about 2-acres in footprint area, and capable of parking about 1200 cars. The construction will consist of precast concrete. Construction costs are estimated to be more than $15M. The site soils include un-engineered fills and loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, as well as buried wood and other organics. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical design including site specific seismic analysis and detail analysis of resistance of substructure to lateral loads. Because of the poor site soils and the heavy loads imposed by the precast concrete superstructure and cars, SA recommended pile foundations.
MASSPORT Airfield Lighting Vault, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Addition to the Airfield Lighting Vault at Logan International Airport. The new structure will be about 60 percent as large as the existing field lighting vault, and with electrical equipment will cost more than $15M to construct. The site soils include un-engineered hydraulically filled loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, organic silt and peat overlying glacial till. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical and structural design of foundations. Because of the poor site soils and the fact that the existing structure is pile supported, SA designed pile foundations.
Terminal B Expansion, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical investigation to construct a 300,000 square-foot, airside expansion of Terminal B. Foundation conditions consist of up to 20 feet of granular fill overlying about 20 feet of organic silt and peat, overlying Boston Blue Clay to a depth of up to 100 feet. Underlying the Boston Blue Clay is till overlying Cambridge Argillite. Recommended foundation design alternatives for the $200,000,000 expansion.
Logan 2000 Terminal Area Roadways, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts - Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for major roadway renovations consisting of retained fill embankments, viaducts and at-grade roadways interfacing with the new Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Analyzed and designed major retained-fill embankments for settlement using alternatives of ordinary fill, Lightweight Aggregate Fill, and Lightweight Foam Concrete Fill, as well as combinations of same. Analyzed/designed deep viaduct foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by computer methods (e.g., COM624, etc.). Assisted management of large scale field investigation consisting of 16 borings to depths of up to 200 feet through deep marine clays overlain by peat, organic silt, sand and urban fill. Evaluated subsurface information for geotechnical design using new and existing borings. Reduced/evaluated laboratory data of samples taken from new borings.
Value Engineering, Logan 2000 West Parking Garage, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager served as consultant to the contractor. Provided evaluation and negotiation of changes to the foundation design. Performed value-engineered redesign of deep foundations based on evaluation of axial and lateral load capacity of alternate foundation system. Assessed the potential for damage to adjacent concrete parking structure from vibrations and associated settlement induced by pile driving. As contractors representative, solicited MASSPORT (owner) to use value-engineered approach, which resulted in savings of about $500,000 to MASSPORT. The contractor realized similar financial benefits.
Logan 2000 Terminal E - International Gateway, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer for the major renovations and expansions of terminal areas and upgrades to facilities including satellite plane docking facilities. Analyzed/designed several deep foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by numerical methods (e.g., COM624 computer software).
Logan 2000 Fuel Farm, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer of four, 80-foot diameter storage tanks providing analysis of the ring wall foundation system for lateral loading and prepared construction specifications for pipe-pile installation.
New Medical Facility, US Coast Guard Air Station, Humbolt Bay, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this detailed study on this critical facility. Lead team of engineering geologists to evaluate seismic safety, geotechnical suitability, and hazardous materials in ground and in existing structures. Performed a deep exploratory trench to evaluate historic seismically generated ground displacements. Prepared detailed map of the trench. Performed exploratory borings and test pits to evaluate geotechnical and environmental issues. Prepared several detailed design reports on the results of our investigations.
Jet Fuel Pipe Trestle, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this pipe trestle, including computer analysis and design of axially loaded piles.
Large Chemical Storage Tanks, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California Staff Engineer providing analysis and design of pile foundations for axial and lateral loading using numerical modeling with LPILE software.
Metals Removal Plant, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Staff Engineer for the geotechnical and environmental (soil and groundwater) study for new metals removal plant, which removes heavy metals from industrial solvents used in airline industry. Geotechnical engineering included computer analysis and design of axially and laterally loaded piles.
EMBANKMENTS, DAMS and SLOPES
Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts Principal-in-charge for first ever design and study of reconstruction of a roadway using tire shreds as lightweight and structural fill in Massachusetts. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained by the civil engineer, at the request of the Town of Tewksbury, to provide a value-engineered redesign of the first-ever use of tire shreds as lightweight fill in a roadway embankment in Massachusetts. The Town has experienced problems with Livingston Street for more than 40 years. The roadway traverses a wetland underlain by organic silt and peat. It was reconstructed in the late 1970s, but the Town has applied 7 to 8 overlays to various portions of this section since then. Significant portions of the existing roadway embankment are petroleum-contaminated. SA recommended the use of tire shreds as lightweight roadway embankment fill and provided environmental guidance in addressing the petroleum contamination. SA designed the tire-shred-fill embankment. The Roadway reconstruction is funded under MassHighway Chapter 90. The Town received approval from MassHighway to use those funds with this unique solution. The Contractors bid for the total reconstruction was about $500,000. The savings to the Town by using the tire shreds as lightweight fill are estimated to be more than $150,000. The construction will provide for the beneficial use of about 250,000 scrap tires.
FHWA/MHD Funded Research on Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts Principal Investigator for this joint research study. At the request of MassHighway, SA submitted a proposal for research funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the study of pre- and post-construction performance of the reconstructed roadway embankment. The research budget is more than $120,000. SA received financial support from MassHighway and FHWA to perform the research. Research objectives include predicting and measuring pre- and post-construction behavior of organic foundation soils, embankment materials and pavement. The project includes an exhaustive literature search, extensive exploration, laboratory testing and geotechnical instrumentation plans, geotechnical instrument installation (e.g. vibrating wire piezometers, multiple (4) position) Borros Point extensometers, inclinometers, etc.), detailed finite element modeling using PLAXIS Finite Element Code for Soil and Rock Analysis, and roadway performance monitoring over 2 years. Deliverables include a final report summarizing research results and providing Standard Design Details and Construction Specifications for future use of tire shreds as lightweight fill.
Logan 2000 Terminal Area Roadways, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts - Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for major roadway renovations consisting of retained fill embankments, viaducts and at-grade roadways interfacing with the new Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Analyzed and designed major retained-fill embankments for settlement using alternatives of ordinary fill, Lightweight Aggregate Fill, and Lightweight Foam Concrete Fill, as well as combinations of same. Analyzed/designed deep viaduct foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by computer methods (e.g., COM624, etc.). Assisted management of large scale field investigation consisting of 16 borings to depths of up to 200 feet through deep marine clays overlain by peat, organic silt, sand and urban fill. Evaluated subsurface information for geotechnical design using new and existing borings. Reduced/evaluated laboratory data of samples taken from new borings.
Leo Palace Resort Complex, Manenggon Hills, Guam Staff Engineer/Geologist for the largest privately funded project ever undertaken by Dames & Moore. Seismic/typhoon resistant design/build of this 1,300-acre resort complex included 3,000 condominiums, large world class hotel with water park, and five 9-hole golf courses and a major public access road with bridges, sloped and/or retained cuts and embankments. Site conditions consisted of soft residual cohesive soils, sapprolites, and weathered volcanic and carbonate (coral reef) bedrock. Analyzed and designed slopes and embankments, for more than 80 cofferdams and major fill embankments, including several exceeding 100 feet in height. Analyzed or supervised analysis, for internal and external stability, of more than 100 major retaining walls, using hand calculation and computer analysis. Performed computer analysis for lateral loading of pile foundations for bridge piers, abutments and retaining walls. Supervised and performed large-scale geologic investigations along alignment of a 2-mile-long access road through the jungle, including mapping and evaluation of rock quality for slope cuts and for reuse of excavate. During construction, supervised and inspected construction of major fill embankments and slopes, including the use of crushed rock drainage layers, soil blending and layering, and geotextiles. Performed some analyses on site as required during construction to address issues as they became evident in the field.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Designed and oversaw construction of rock bolting and shotcrete facing of bedrock abutment foundation supporting the Kents Island access road bridge over the MBTA right-of-way. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
Embankment Stability Evaluation, Clarendon & Pittsford Railroad, Hampton, New York Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for evaluation and mitigation of the causes of movements for a 100-year-old railroad embankment. Analyses indicated that the slope was stable under existing static conditions, but was marginally unstable under transient train loads. Performed design of alternatives, including constructing a replacement embankment and stabilizing the embankment soils using gabions, soil/cement columns, lime/cement columns and other soil stabilization techniques.
Forensic Evaluation, Failed Stone Revetment/Slope, Portsmouth, Rhode Island As Principal Investigator/Expert Witness, evaluated cause of failure of a stone revetment supported/protected slope on the Sakonnet River, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Slope was about 40 feet high. River was in coastal zone and affected by tidal fluctuations.
Engineering Geology of Private Property, Salem, Massachusetts Principal Engineering Geologist/Project Manager for evaluation failing of rock slope at residential property. Evaluated initial design and construction. Recommended remedial action alternatives. Designer of interim and final remedial measures for rock slope repairs to reduce risk of failure/rock fall.
Dartmouth College Tennis Facility, Hanover, New Hampshire Principal-in-charge, as a subcontract to the design engineer, provided geotechnical engineering of embankment preload for mitigation of primary consolidation settlement for this settlement-sensitive structure. Reduced and evaluated embankment preload data to determine when preload embankment should be removed. Evaluated completion of primary consolidation settlement of the embankment, foundation fills and foundation native soils.
Northeast Refrigerated Distributing, Tewksbury, Massachusetts - Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for a new, $3.6M, 35,000 sf, 40-foot-high refrigerated warehouse for storage of frozen foods. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) provided geotechnical design and consultation for this large specialty structure being constructed under a Design-Build Contract. The evaluation was concerned with native and reused (fill) subgrade soils beneath the structure, including buried organics, and the loading dock subject to traffic loads from large trucks. SA designed foundations and made construction recommendations for site, including design of deep soil cuts.
Greenough Pond Dam Rehabilitation, Carlisle, Massachusetts - Principal-in-Charge for inspection, engineering evaluation, design and implementation of rehabilitation for this Intermediate-sized embankment dam with concrete bridge-type outlet structures.
Emergency Action Plan, Town of Wolfeboro Wastewater Treatment Plant Storage Reservoir Dike, Wolfeboro, Massachusetts - Project Manager and primary author for preparation of a detailed emergency action plan for a 40 ft.-high crescent-shaped earth embankment dam. Worked with town officials, state police and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Dam Bureau personnel to address issues of concern.
Old Berkshire Mill Dam Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 15 foot high, 80-foot long concrete gravity dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Safety Evaluation, Middlesex Hydro Station, Green Mountain Power, Winooski River, Vermont Performed detailed field survey including video recording of cracks in large hydro-electric concrete dam and appurtenances. Surveyed local geology for assessment of geologic effects of blast vibrations associated with rock excavation for a nearby Vermont Agency of Transportation (VAOT) highway widening project.
Slope Failure Investigation, Jericho, Vermont Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer to a homeowner that experienced a 30-foot-high, 100-foot-long slope failure behind house. Failure was close to garage (within 5 feet) and house (within 15 feet). Design and construction of mitigating measures (slope repairs) was time-sensitive due to threat of progressive failures on detached garage, and eventually the house.
Byron-Weston Mill Dam No. 1 Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 30-foot high, 120-foot long rock masonry dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Goose Pond Dam Evaluation, Tyringham, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic stability evaluation of a 33-foot high, 285-foot long earth dam for existing and alternative configurations. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Hartford Reservoir No. 2 Dam Safety Evaluation, West Hartford, Connecticut Project Engineer for the evaluation of static and seismic stability of a 1,200-foot long, 42-foot high earth dam for existing and proposed reservoir levels and configurations based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers criteria.
Water Distribution Pipeline for Seawater Intrusion Mitigation, Monterey County, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a 46-mile, up to 54-inch diameter water irrigation pipeline for mitigation of seawater intrusion. Extensive use of wells for agricultural irrigation had caused salt seawater to infiltrate the aquifer. The pipeline was designed and constructed to distribute water from a nearby wastewater treatment plant to be use for irrigation in lieu of well water, thus recharging the aquifer with fresh water. Geotechnical engineering included design of trench width and backfill requirements, pipe jacking, pipeline and backfill design, and seismic evaluation of unsuitable soils. The investigation included 55 borings, 148 cone penetration tests (CPT), 10 field vane tests, laboratory testing, and development of geotechnical and seismic engineering recommendations for pipeline design.
Landfill Slope Stability Monitoring, Sunnyvale, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for the slope movement monitoring by Sinco slope inclinometer of two landfills exceeding 100 feet in height. Monitoring included data collection, reduction, interpretation and reported findings.
Chemical Containment Pond Dike Studies, ChevChem Corporation, Richmond, California Staff Engineer for the proposed expansion of pond depth/area, provided analysis of seismic and static stability of chemical processing/evaporation pond containment dikes by numerical methods. Existing dikes were 15 to 20 feet high, several hundred feet long and were built on very soft clay foundations. Dikes were evaluated for minimum factors of safety of 1.5 and 1.2 for static and seismic stability, respectively.
Kansas Power and Light Dam Failure Investigation As a staff engineer for the forensic slope stability analyses of a 150-foot high clay-core earth dam, evaluated stability of staged construction and assessed seismic stability of dam repairs by numerical methods.
Seismic Safety Evaluation, Hidden Dam, California Staff Engineer, working in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), reconnoitered site and planned field investigation for the seismic safety evaluation of this 30-year old, 180-foot high and Ό mile long dam. Performed civil design of expedient access roads for subsurface and in-situ exploration equipment. Reviewed construction documents and met with engineer involved in dam construction to assess potential for liquefaction of foundation soils left in place.
Seismic Safety Evaluation, Success Dam, California Staff Engineer, working in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), reconnoitered site and planned for field investigation and planning for this 150-foot high, ½ mile long, rockfill dam. Assisted COE in planning the exploration program for assessment of seismic parameters for analysis.
River Levees Gas Transmission Pipeline Relocation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento River Delta, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for construction feasibility analysis for the relocation of gas transmission pipeline river crossings. Alternatives included cut-and-cover (dredging), pipe jacking and horizontal drilling installation methods through 25-foot high river levees and soft sediments. Evaluated protective measures for scour/hooking protection of pipeline.
Manoa Hillside Residential Development, Oahu, Hawaii As a staff engineer, surveyed geology for suitability of rock for surface water cutoff (diversion) trench to mitigate slope failures (mudslides). Made on-the-spot assessments of locations requiring application of shotcrete as trench liner.
ROCK ENGINEERING
Engineering Geology of Private Property, Salem, Massachusetts Principal Engineering Geologist/Project Manager for evaluation failing of rock slope at residential property. Evaluated initial design and construction. Recommended remedial action alternatives. Designer of interim and final remedial measures for rock slope repairs to reduce risk of failure/rock fall.
Brockton Area Transportation Authority (BAT) Multimodal Centre Parking Garage, Brockton, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Designer and Project Manager for this new 1-acre, 2-story parking structure designed for future expansion.
MASSPORT Logan Express Parking Garage, Framingham, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for this large parking garage for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Logan Express Site in Framingham, Massachusetts. The new structure will be 4-stories high and about 2-acres in footprint area, and capable of parking about 1200 cars. The construction will consist of precast concrete. Construction costs are estimated to be more than $15M. The site soils include un-engineered fills and loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, as well as buried wood and other organics. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical design including site specific seismic analysis and detail analysis of resistance of substructure to lateral loads. Because of the poor site soils and the heavy loads imposed by the precast concrete superstructure and cars, SA recommended pile foundations bearing in relatively shallow bedrock.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Designed and oversaw construction of rock bolting and shotcrete facing of bedrock abutment foundation supporting the Kents Island access road bridge over the MBTA right-of-way. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
MBTA Bridge Evaluations, Newton, Massachusetts - Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer served as a consultant to project designer and provided geotechnical design and consultation. Evaluated foundation support for three Metropolitan District Commission (MBTA)-owned automobile bridges over the MBTA right-of-way. Using historical information and subsurface investigation, evaluated extent of existing foundations and quality of supporting soils. Evaluated existing abutments for earth and hydrostatic loading.
Manoa Hillside Residential Development, Oahu, Hawaii As a staff engineer, surveyed geology for suitability of rock for surface water cutoff (diversion) trench to mitigate slope failures (mudslides). Made on-the-spot assessments of locations requiring application of shotcrete as trench liner.
Leo Palace Resort Complex, Manenggon Hills, Guam Staff Engineer/Geologist for the largest privately funded project ever undertaken by Dames & Moore. Seismic/typhoon resistant design/build of this 1,300-acre resort complex included 3,000 condominiums, large world class hotel with water park, and five 9-hole golf courses and a major public access road with bridges, sloped and/or retained cuts and embankments. Site conditions consisted of soft residual cohesive soils, sapprolites, and weathered volcanic and carbonate (coral reef) bedrock. Analyzed and designed slopes and embankments, for more than 80 cofferdams and major fill embankments, including several exceeding 100 feet in height. Analyzed or supervised analysis, for internal and external stability, of more than 100 major retaining walls, using hand calculation and computer analysis. Performed computer analysis for lateral loading of pile foundations for bridge piers, abutments and retaining walls. Supervised and performed large-scale geologic investigations along alignment of a 2-mile-long access road through the jungle, including mapping and evaluation of rock quality for slope cuts and for reuse of excavate. During construction, supervised and inspected construction of major fill embankments and slopes, including the use of crushed rock drainage layers, soil blending and layering, and geotextiles. Performed some analyses on site as required during construction to address issues as they became evident in the field.
New Library and Math/Science Buildings, Governor Dummer Academy, Byfield, Massachusetts Served as Project Engineer for two large buildings consisting of a three-story Library Building and a three-story Math/Science Center. Performed geotechnical investigation, including report of design and construction recommendations. Also provided periodic field observation and consultation during construction. Structures were separated by about 600 feet, and had different foundation conditions. The Library Building consisted of a three-story building with basement below the water table in relatively soft clays. Temporary and permanent control of groundwater and settlement of the building on the compressible clays were of primary concern. The Math/Science Center was a three-story structure founded on rock where excavatability was of primary concern.
Cathedral School for Boys and Grace Cathedral Close Alterations Project, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a large addition to an existing architectural concrete cathedral. Additions consisted of a deep underground parking garage excavated 47 feet into highly weathered Franciscan Shale, and capped by a three-story steel-frame office building. Performed geotechnical investigation, design, contractor selection and site services during construction. Contractor selection included assisting the owner with interviewing and selecting the shoring and underpinning contractor. Services during construction included observation and/or testing of underpinning and excavation support, excavation and fill quantities, fill compaction, preparation of footing subgrades in rock, and geotechnical aspects of plumbing and drainage construction, as well as technical consultation on construction-related issues.
Reed School Additions, Tiburon Regional School District, Tiburon, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for major renovations and additions to the elementary school. Geotechnical engineering of additions included design and construction observation of drilled shaft foundations socketed into rock.
Hawaii Power Shopping Center, Oahu, Hawaii As a staff engineer, supervised large-scale geologic and geotechnical investigation, including rock coring, to evaluate foundation soils and rock for support of this large shopping mall.
CSO Abatement, Boston Harbor Cleanup Project, Boston Massachusetts Assisted in development and evaluation of design alternatives for combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement. Aided in the assessment of the feasibility of construction of a large-diameter deep underground storage tunnel to be excavated in rock.
SCHOOLS, ARENAS, LIBRARIES and CIVIC CENTERS
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Copley Station Renovations, Boston, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for ADA renovations and other upgrades to existing historic Subway Station. Projects construction costs estimated at $8M. Designed and supervised subsurface exploration program for four 40-foot-deep excavations. Responsible for preliminary design of excavation support and final design recommendations for foundation support and seismic interaction with ground and existing structures including the historic MBTA Station, Boston Public Library and Old South Church.
Permafrost Evaluation beneath Existing Ice Rink, Valley Sports, Inc., Concord, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Engineer and project manager for evaluation permafrost depth beneath the existing ice rink for use in repairs/renovations to the rink. Used interior subsurface explorations to drill beneath rink surface. Evaluated soil density, temperature, and moisture content, and depth of front penetration.
Watertown Arts Center, Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, MA Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for new state-or-the-art Art Center for the Town of Watertown, Massachusetts. Geotechnical evaluation included drilling in and evaluation of existing structure at Watertown Arsenal to be used for outer structure of proposed Art Center.
Dartmouth College Tennis Facility, Hanover, New Hampshire Principal-in-charge, as a subcontract to the design engineer, provided geotechnical engineering of embankment preload for mitigation of primary consolidation settlement for this settlement-sensitive structure. Reduced and evaluated embankment preload data to determine when preload embankment should be removed. Evaluated completion of primary consolidation settlement of the embankment, foundation fills and foundation native soils.
Public Library, Plaistow, New Hampshire Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering of this new public library consisting of a one-story structure, with a loft, on a footprint of about 14,000 sf.
Public Library, Merrimac, Massachusetts Principal Engineer and Project Manager for geotechnical engineering of this new public library consisting of a one-story slab-on-grade structure on a footprint of about 18,000 sf.
Michael C. Murr Racquet Facility, Harvard University, Soldiers Field, Boston, Massachusetts Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a state-of-the-art indoor racquet facility consisting of 6 tennis courts, 16 squash courts, associated amenities, and office space. Performed geotechnical investigation, and reported design recommendations and estimated settlement magnitudes for foundation loads and proposed fills. Foundation design consisted of spread footings placed on native sand and gravel, which overlies deep clays. Supervised field testing/observation and consultation services during construction, including environmental consultation on handling and disposing of potentially contaminated material discovered during construction.
Library Additions, Newbury College, Brookline, Massachusetts Served as Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a three-story above and one below grade addition to the existing Academic Center. Performed geotechnical investigation, including report of design and construction recommendations. Also provided field services during construction. The deep basement required underpinning of the existing structures.
New Library and Math/Science Buildings, Governor Dummer Academy, Byfield, Massachusetts Served as Project Engineer for two large buildings consisting of a three-story Library Building and a three-story Math/Science Center. Performed geotechnical investigation, including report of design and construction recommendations. Also provided periodic field observation and consultation during construction. Structures were separated by about 600 feet, and had different foundation conditions. The Library Building consisted of a three-story building with basement below the water table in relatively soft clays. Temporary and permanent control of groundwater and settlement of the building on the compressible clays were of primary concern. The Math/Science Center was a three-story structure founded on rock where excavatability was of primary concern.
Cathedral School for Boys and Grace Cathedral Close Alterations Project, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a large addition to an existing architectural concrete cathedral. Additions consisted of a deep underground parking garage excavated 47 feet into highly weathered Franciscan Shale, and capped by a three-story steel-frame office building. Performed geotechnical investigation, design, contractor selection and site services during construction. Contractor selection included assisting the owner with interviewing and selecting the shoring and underpinning contractor. Services during construction included observation and/or testing of underpinning and excavation support, excavation and fill quantities, fill compaction, preparation of footing subgrades in rock, and geotechnical aspects of plumbing and drainage construction, as well as technical consultation on construction-related issues.
California State University, Seismic Retrofit of Parking Structure, San Francisco, California Staff Engineer for the seismic upgrade of a four-story parking garage founded on loose sands. Performed foundation investigation, including soil borings and in situ testing by piezocone penetrometer. Assessed area geology for seismic hazard potential.
Reed School Additions, Tiburon Regional School District, Tiburon, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for major renovations and additions to the elementary school. Geotechnical engineering of additions included design and construction observation of drilled shaft foundations socketed into rock.
New Library Addition, Keene State College, Keene, New Hampshire Project Manager for geotechnical engineering of an addition to the library. Library design included a 14 foot excavation for a basement. Made geotechnical recommendations for the foundation, drainage and excavation support system and permanent basement retaining walls.
SEISMIC DESIGN AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
Base Isolation Seismic Retrofit, Oakland City Hall, Oakland, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for geotechnical and environmental investigations and site services during the installation of a base isolation system. Performed geotechnical and environmental (underground storage tank) investigations and site services included observation of excavation and fill quantities, compaction, and prepared footing subgrades, as well as underground storage tank removal and closure for this historic structure and adjacent parking structure.
MASSPORT Logan Express Parking Garage, Framingham, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for this large parking garage for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Logan Express Site in Framingham, Massachusetts. The new structure will be 4-stories high and about 2-acres in footprint area, and capable of parking about 1200 cars. The construction will consist of precast concrete. Construction costs are estimated to be more than $15M. The site soils include un-engineered fills and loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, as well as buried wood and other organics. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical design including site specific seismic analysis and detail analysis of resistance of substructure to lateral loads. Because of the poor site soils and the heavy loads imposed by the precast concrete superstructure and cars, SA recommended pile foundations bearing in relatively shallow bedrock.
MASSPORT Airfield Lighting Vault, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Addition to the Airfield Lighting Vault at Logan International Airport. The new structure will be about 60 percent as large as the existing field lighting vault, and with electrical equipment will cost more than $15M to construct. The site soils include un-engineered hydraulically filled loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, organic silt and peat overlying glacial till. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical and structural design of foundations. Because of the poor site soils and the fact that the existing structure is pile supported, SA designed pile foundations.
New Medical Facility, US Coast Guard Air Station, Humbolt Bay, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this detailed study on this critical facility. Lead team of engineering geologists to evaluate seismic safety, geotechnical suitability, and hazardous materials in ground and in existing structures. Performed a deep exploratory trench to evaluate historic seismically generated ground displacements. Prepared detailed map of the trench. Performed exploratory borings and test pits to evaluate geotechnical and environmental issues. Prepared several detailed design reports on the results of our investigations.
Leo Palace Resort Complex, Manenggon Hills, Guam Staff Engineer/Geologist for the largest privately funded project ever undertaken by Dames & Moore. Seismic/typhoon resistant design/build of this 1,300-acre resort complex included 3,000 condominiums, large world class hotel with water park, and five 9-hole golf courses and a major public access road with bridges, sloped and/or retained cuts and embankments. Site conditions consisted of soft residual cohesive soils, sapprolites, and weathered volcanic and carbonate (coral reef) bedrock. Analyzed and designed slopes and embankments, for more than 80 cofferdams and major fill embankments, including several exceeding 100 feet in height. Analyzed or supervised analysis, for internal and external stability, of more than 100 major retaining walls, using hand calculation and computer analysis. Performed computer analysis for lateral loading of pile foundations for bridge piers, abutments and retaining walls. Supervised and performed large-scale geologic investigations along alignment of a 2-mile-long access road through the jungle, including mapping and evaluation of rock quality for slope cuts and for reuse of excavate. During construction, supervised and inspected construction of major fill embankments and slopes, including the use of crushed rock drainage layers, soil blending and layering, and geotextiles. Performed some analyses on site as required during construction to address issues as they became evident in the field.
Logan 2000 Terminal Area Roadways, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts - Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for major roadway renovations consisting of retained fill embankments, viaducts and at-grade roadways interfacing with the new Boston Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Analyzed and designed major retained-fill embankments for settlement using alternatives of ordinary fill, Lightweight Aggregate Fill, and Lightweight Foam Concrete Fill, as well as combinations of same. Analyzed/designed deep viaduct foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by computer methods (e.g., COM624, etc.). Assisted management of large scale field investigation consisting of 16 borings to depths of up to 200 feet through deep marine clays overlain by peat, organic silt, sand and urban fill. Evaluated subsurface information for geotechnical design using new and existing borings. Reduced/evaluated laboratory data of samples taken from new borings.
Old Berkshire Mill Dam Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 15 foot high, 80-foot long concrete gravity dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Byron-Weston Mill Dam No. 1 Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 30-foot high, 120-foot long rock masonry dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Goose Pond Dam Evaluation, Tyringham, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic stability evaluation of a 33-foot high, 285-foot long earth dam for existing and alternative configurations. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Hartford Reservoir No. 2 Dam Safety Evaluation, West Hartford, Connecticut Project Engineer for the evaluation of static and seismic stability of a 1,200-foot long, 42-foot high earth dam for existing and proposed reservoir levels and configurations based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers criteria.
Chemical Containment Pond Dike Studies, ChevChem Corporation, Richmond, California Staff Engineer for the proposed expansion of pond depth/area, provided analysis of seismic and static stability of chemical processing/evaporation pond containment dikes by numerical methods. Existing dikes were 15 to 20 feet high, several hundred feet long and were built on very soft clay foundations. Dikes were evaluated for minimum factors of safety of 1.5 and 1.2 for static and seismic stability, respectively.
River Levees Gas Transmission Pipeline Relocation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento River Delta, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for construction feasibility analysis for the relocation of gas transmission pipeline river crossings. Alternatives included cut-and-cover (dredging), pipe jacking and horizontal drilling installation methods through 25-foot high river levees and soft sediments. Evaluated protective measures for scour/hooking protection of pipeline.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Parallel Crossing, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Project Engineer that served as a consultant to the contractor during the pile driving hammer selection/test pile program using 54 and 48-inch precast prestressed concrete cylinder piles (hollow core). Assessed the potential for damage to adjacent two-story wood residential-type structures resulting from vibrations and associated settlement of granular soils induced by pile driving.
Addition to Storage Facility, National Marine Fisheries Aquarium, Woods Hole, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for this 20-foot-high addition to an existing storage building. Building was constructed on sand placed as reclaimed land behind a tied-back bulkhead. Loose condition of the sand and presence of tie-backs affected options for foundation construction. Sands were prone to liquefaction based on their density and groundwater elevation. Recommended design alternatives included spread footings, rigid mat foundation or drilled minipiles.
Kansas Power and Light Dam Failure Investigation As a staff engineer for the forensic slope stability analyses of a 150-foot high clay-core earth dam, evaluated stability of staged construction and assessed seismic stability of dam repairs by numerical methods.
Seismic Safety Evaluation, Hidden Dam, California Staff Engineer, working in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), reconnoitered site and planned field investigation for the seismic safety evaluation of this 30-year old, 180-foot high and Ό mile long dam. Performed civil design of expedient access roads for subsurface and in-situ exploration equipment. Reviewed construction documents and met with engineer involved in dam construction to assess potential for liquefaction of foundation soils left in place.
Seismic Safety Evaluation, Success Dam, California Staff Engineer, working in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), reconnoitered site and planned for field investigation and planning for this 150-foot high, ½ mile long, rockfill dam. Assisted COE in planning the exploration program for assessment of seismic parameters for analysis.
EXISTING AND HISTORIC STRUCTURES
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Copley Station Renovations, Boston, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for ADA renovations and other upgrades to existing historic Subway Station. Projects construction costs estimated at $8M. Designed and supervised subsurface exploration program for four 40-foot-deep excavations. Responsible for preliminary design of excavation support and final design recommendations for foundation support and seismic interaction with ground and existing structures including the historic MBTA Station, Boston Public Library and Old South Church.
MBTA Bridge Evaluations, Newton, Massachusetts - Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer served as a consultant to project designer and provided geotechnical design and consultation. Evaluated foundation support for three Metropolitan District Commission (MBTA)-owned automobile bridges over the MBTA right-of-way. Using historical information and subsurface investigation, evaluated extent of existing foundations and quality of supporting soils. Evaluated existing abutments for earth and hydrostatic loading.
Watertown Arts Center, Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, MA Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for new state-or-the-art Art Center for the Town of Watertown, Massachusetts. Geotechnical evaluation included drilling in and evaluation of existing structure at Watertown Arsenal to be used for outer structure of proposed Art Center.
Base Isolation Seismic Retrofit, Oakland City Hall, Oakland, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for geotechnical and environmental investigations and site services during the installation of a base isolation system. Performed geotechnical and environmental (underground storage tank) investigations and site services included observation of excavation and fill quantities, compaction, and prepared footing subgrades, as well as underground storage tank removal and closure for this historic structure and adjacent parking structure.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Evaluated extent of scour protection/foundation support for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
Old Berkshire Mill Dam Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 15 foot high, 80-foot long concrete gravity dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Cathedral School for Boys and Grace Cathedral Close Alterations Project, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a large addition to an existing architectural concrete cathedral. Additions consisted of a deep underground parking garage excavated 47 feet into highly weathered Franciscan Shale, and capped by a three-story steel-frame office building. Performed geotechnical investigation, design, contractor selection and site services during construction. Contractor selection included assisting the owner with interviewing and selecting the shoring and underpinning contractor. Services during construction included observation and/or testing of underpinning and excavation support, excavation and fill quantities, fill compaction, preparation of footing subgrades in rock, and geotechnical aspects of plumbing and drainage construction, as well as technical consultation on construction-related issues.
Existing Pipeline evaluation, Belvedere Island, San Francisco Bay, California Project Manager for geotechnical evaluation of existing (failing) sewer line exposed at surface at low tide along shoreline of exclusive island community in San Francisco Bay.
WATERFRONT AND RELATED PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Forensic Evaluation, Failed Stone Revetment/Slope, Portsmouth, Rhode Island As Principal Investigator/Expert Witness, evaluated cause of failure of a stone revetment supported/protected slope on the Sakonnet River, Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Slope was about 40 feet high. River was in coastal zone and affected by tidal fluctuations.
Seawall Stability Evaluation, Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts As project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager, evaluated this seawall for stability considering impacts of Central Artery Tunnel construction/improvements using numerical analysis methods.
Old Berkshire Mill Dam Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 15 foot high, 80-foot long concrete gravity dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Designed and oversaw construction of rock bolting and shotcrete facing of bedrock abutment foundation supporting the Kents Island access road bridge over the MBTA right-of-way. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
Byron-Weston Mill Dam No. 1 Safety Evaluation, Crane & Company, Dalton, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic evaluation of an existing 30-foot high, 120-foot long rock masonry dam. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Goose Pond Dam Evaluation, Tyringham, Massachusetts As Project Engineer, performed static and seismic stability evaluation of a 33-foot high, 285-foot long earth dam for existing and alternative configurations. Performed analyses for dam performance under normal, flood and rapid drawdown pool conditions based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management dam safety regulations criteria.
Hartford Reservoir No. 2 Dam Safety Evaluation, West Hartford, Connecticut Project Engineer for the evaluation of static and seismic stability of a 1,200-foot long, 42-foot high earth dam for existing and proposed reservoir levels and configurations based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers criteria.
Existing Pipeline evaluation, Belvedere Island, San Francisco Bay, California Project Manager for geotechnical evaluation of existing (failing) sewer line exposed at surface at low tide along shoreline of exclusive island community in San Francisco Bay.
Chemical Containment Pond Dike Studies, ChevChem Corporation, Richmond, California Staff Engineer for the proposed expansion of pond depth/area, provided analysis of seismic and static stability of chemical processing/evaporation pond containment dikes by numerical methods. Existing dikes were 15 to 20 feet high, several hundred feet long and were built on very soft clay foundations. Dikes were evaluated for minimum factors of safety of 1.5 and 1.2 for static and seismic stability, respectively.
River Levees Gas Transmission Pipeline Relocation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento River Delta, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for construction feasibility analysis for the relocation of gas transmission pipeline river crossings. Alternatives included cut-and-cover (dredging), pipe jacking and horizontal drilling installation methods through 25-foot high river levees and soft sediments. Evaluated protective measures for scour/hooking protection of pipeline.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Parallel Crossing, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Project Engineer that served as a consultant to the contractor during the pile driving hammer selection/test pile program using 54 and 48-inch precast prestressed concrete cylinder piles (hollow core). Assessed the potential for damage to adjacent two-story wood residential-type structures resulting from vibrations and associated settlement of granular soils induced by pile driving.
Addition to Storage Facility, National Marine Fisheries Aquarium, Woods Hole, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for this 20-foot-high addition to an existing storage building. Building was constructed on sand placed as reclaimed land behind a tied-back bulkhead. Loose condition of the sand and presence of tie-backs affected options for foundation construction. Sands were prone to liquefaction based on their density and groundwater elevation. Recommended design alternatives included spread footings, rigid mat foundation or drilled minipiles.
BUILDINGS, PARKING STRUCTURES, DEVELOPMENTS, ETC.
Brockton Area Transportation Authority (BAT) Multimodal Centre Parking Garage, Brockton, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Designer and Project Manager for this new 1-acre, 2-story parking structure designed for future expansion to 3 stories.
Economic Geology of Private Property, Westford, Massachusetts Principal Geologist/Project Manager for evaluation of economic geology of 115-acre parcel in Westford Massachusetts. Planned, engaged contractor and oversaw exploratory borings and test pits for evaluation of development of property for mineral aggregate borrow. Evaluated site minerals based on exploration and laboratory results.
Engineering Geology of Private Property, Salem, Massachusetts Principal Engineering Geologist/Project Manager for evaluation failing of rock slope at residential property. Evaluated initial design and construction. Recommended remedial action alternatives. Designer of interim and final remedial measures for rock slope repairs to reduce risk of failure/rock fall.
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Copley Station Renovations, Boston, Massachusetts Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for ADA renovations and other upgrades to existing historic Subway Station. Projects construction costs estimated at $8M. Designed and supervised subsurface exploration program for four 40-foot-deep excavations. Responsible for preliminary design of excavation support and final design recommendations for foundation support and seismic interaction with ground and existing structures including the historic MBTA Station, Boston Public Library and Old South Church.
MASSPORT Logan Express Parking Garage, Framingham, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for this large parking garage for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Logan Express Site in Framingham, Massachusetts. The new structure will be 4-stories high and about 2-acres in footprint area, and capable of parking about 1200 cars. The construction will consist of precast concrete. Construction costs are estimated to be more than $15M. The site soils include un-engineered fills and loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, as well as buried wood and other organics. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical design including site specific seismic analysis and detail analysis of resistance of substructure to lateral loads. Because of the poor site soils and the heavy loads imposed by the precast concrete superstructure and cars, SA recommended pile foundations.
MASSPORT Airfield Lighting Vault, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Addition to the Airfield Lighting Vault at Logan International Airport. The new structure will be about 60 percent as large as the existing field lighting vault, and with electrical equipment will cost more than $15M to construct. The site soils include un-engineered hydraulically filled loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, organic silt and peat overlying glacial till. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical and structural design of foundations. Because of the poor site soils and the fact that the existing structure is pile supported, SA designed pile foundations.
New Clubhouse and Golf Cart Storage Buildings, Brookmeadow Country Club, Canton, Massachusetts Principal In charge for geotechnical, and hydrogeological services for the new, two-story Clubhouse and Golf Cart Storage Building. Construction costs are estimated to be about $3M. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained by the Architect to provide geotechnical design for the new facilities as well as install groundwater monitoring wells, perform permeability testing and estimate groundwater mounding beneath the proposed soil absorption system (leach field) by hydrogeological methods.
Watertown Arts Center, Watertown Arsenal, Watertown, MA Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Project Manager for new state-or-the-art Art Center for the Town of Watertown, Massachusetts. Geotechnical evaluation included drilling in and evaluation of existing structure at Watertown Arsenal to be used for outer structure of proposed Art Center.
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, Somerville, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for a geological, geotechnical and environmental services for this eight-acre maintenance facility for MBTA and AMTRAK trains. The new facility replaced the old Boston Engine Terminal and was founded on more than 3,000 piles bearing in glacial deposits or rock. Provided owner representation during static and dynamic load testing, and periodic observation of production pile driving and soil contaminant characterization during sampling, excavation and disposal. Reviewed and advised owner regarding contractor submittals for static and dynamic pile load testing, excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, dewatering of contaminated groundwater, and related matters. Provided consultation on contaminated material management issues related to the disposal of more than 200,000 cubic yards of soil.
MBTA Commuter Rail Extension/Restoration, Ipswich to Newburyport, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager working as consultant to project designer, provided geotechnical design and consultation for about 10 miles of railroad restoration/extension. Planned and coordinated exploration program to assess foundation support for two existing bridges carrying Route 1A over the railroad right-of-way in Rowley. Evaluated extent of scour protection for MBTA Railroad Bridge over the Parker River in Newbury. Evaluated bedrock elevations in proposed station parking area. Assisted in evaluation of existing runoff drainage system for impacts of new construction in Ipswich, Rowley, and Newburyport. Performed geotechnical engineering analyses to estimate settlement at proposed layover facility. Performed geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing and reported results and recommendations for proposed Newburyport Station, including design of compensated (load-balanced) foundation on lightweight foam concrete fill (LFCF) to reduce settlement.
Value Engineering, Logan 2000 West Parking Garage, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager served as consultant to the contractor. Provided evaluation and negotiation of changes to the foundation design. Performed value-engineered redesign of deep foundations based on evaluation of axial and lateral load capacity of alternate foundation system. Assessed the potential for damage to adjacent concrete parking structure from vibrations and associated settlement induced by pile driving. As contractors representative, solicited MASSPORT (owner) to use value-engineered approach, which resulted in savings of about $500,000 to MASSPORT. The contractor realized similar financial benefits.
Logan 2000 Terminal E - International Gateway, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer for the major renovations and expansions of terminal areas and upgrades to facilities including satellite plane docking facilities. Analyzed/designed several deep foundation alternatives, for both axial and lateral loading, by numerical methods (e.g., COM624 computer software).
Base Isolation Seismic Retrofit, Oakland City Hall, Oakland, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for geotechnical and environmental investigations and site services during the installation of a base isolation system. Performed geotechnical and environmental (underground storage tank) investigations and site services included observation of excavation and fill quantities, compaction, and prepared footing subgrades, as well as underground storage tank removal and closure for this historic structure and adjacent parking structure.
Northeast Refrigerated Distributing, Tewksbury, Massachusetts - Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for a new, $3.6M, 35,000 sf, 40-foot-high refrigerated warehouse for storage of frozen foods. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) provided geotechnical design and consultation for this large specialty structure being constructed under a Design-Build Contract. The evaluation was concerned with native and reused (fill) subgrade soils beneath the structure, including buried organics, and the loading dock subject to traffic loads from large trucks. SA designed foundations and made construction recommendations for site, including design of deep soil cuts.
New Medical Facility, US Coast Guard Air Station, Humbolt Bay, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this detailed study on this critical facility. Lead team of engineering geologists to evaluate seismic safety, geotechnical suitability, and hazardous materials in ground and in existing structures. Performed a deep exploratory trench to evaluate historic seismically generated ground displacements. Prepared detailed map of the trench. Performed exploratory borings and test pits to evaluate geotechnical and environmental issues. Prepared several detailed design reports on the results of our investigations.
Cathedral School for Boys and Grace Cathedral Close Alterations Project, Nob Hill, San Francisco, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a large addition to an existing architectural concrete cathedral. Additions consisted of a deep underground parking garage excavated 47 feet into highly weathered Franciscan Shale, and capped by a three-story steel-frame office building. Performed geotechnical investigation, design, contractor selection and site services during construction. Contractor selection included assisting the owner with interviewing and selecting the shoring and underpinning contractor. Services during construction included observation and/or testing of underpinning and excavation support, excavation and fill quantities, fill compaction, preparation of footing subgrades in rock, and geotechnical aspects of plumbing and drainage construction, as well as technical consultation on construction-related issues.
5th & Mission Streets Parking Garage, San Francisco, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for the foundation improvements to a five-story parking structure. Provided geotechnical services during construction, including observation of excavation, observation and testing of prepared footing upgrades, and observation and technical consultation on jet grouting and other construction-related issues.
California State University, Seismic Retrofit of Parking Structure, San Francisco, California Staff Engineer for the seismic upgrade of a four-story parking garage founded on loose sands. Performed foundation investigation, including soil borings and in situ testing by piezocone penetrometer. Assessed area geology for seismic hazard potential.
Target Store Settlement Studies, Novato, California Project Engineer for this forensic engineering study for a major national department store, constructed on deep deposits of soft marine clays. Structure was experiencing significant settlement during and after construction, resulting in more than two inches of differential settlement in 12 months. Performed field supervision of subsurface explorations and installation of geotechnical instrumentation including pneumatic piezometers and observation wells. Performed regular, periodic field data collection of instrumentation readings including piezometers, and two and three dimensional crack meters. Performed computer data management, reduction and interpretation of instrumentation data, and survey data (collected by others). Prepared 9 major factual reports of findings.
Leo Palace Resort Complex, Manenggon Hills, Guam Staff Engineer/Geologist for the largest privately funded project ever undertaken by Dames & Moore. Seismic/typhoon resistant design/build of this 1,300-acre resort complex included 3,000 condominiums, large world class hotel with water park, and five 9-hole golf courses and a major public access road with bridges, sloped and/or retained cuts and embankments. Site conditions consisted of soft residual cohesive soils, sapprolites, and weathered volcanic and carbonate (coral reef) bedrock. Analyzed and designed slopes and embankments, for more than 80 cofferdams and major fill embankments, including several exceeding 100 feet in height. Analyzed or supervised analysis, for internal and external stability, of more than 100 major retaining walls, using hand calculation and computer analysis. Performed computer analysis for lateral loading of pile foundations for bridge piers, abutments and retaining walls. Supervised and performed large-scale geologic investigations along alignment of a 2-mile-long access road through the jungle, including mapping and evaluation of rock quality for slope cuts and for reuse of excavate. During construction, supervised and inspected construction of major fill embankments and slopes, including the use of crushed rock drainage layers, soil blending and layering, and geotextiles. Performed some analyses on site as required during construction to address issues as they became evident in the field.
Office Depot Store Additions, Hackensack, New Jersey Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering. Project consisted of geotechnical design of this 20,000 sf, two-story, steel-framed, masonry block addition to an existing retail outlet. Geotechnical engineering included site reconnaissance, subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design for footings, slabs-on grade, and retaining walls for a below-grade loading dock.
Nextel Communication Tower, Hanover, Massachusetts - Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering. Project consisted of geotechnical design for a 180-foot monopole communication tower, including subsurface exploration, resistivity testing, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design.
Self-Storage Facility, Wareham, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering. Project consisted of geotechnical design of a 50,000 sf, one-story steel self-storage rental facility on post-tensioned concrete slab-on-grade floors. Geotechnical engineering included subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design.
Storage Facility, Weymouth, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering. Project consisted of a 15,570 sf, one-story steel storage facility with a basement. Geotechnical engineering included subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design for foundations and basement walls.
Storage Facility Conversion, Weymouth, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering. Project consisted of converting of a 30,000 sf, one-story retail facility to a three-story storage facility Geotechnical engineering included subsurface exploration, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design.
The New Meadows at Dover, Dover New Hampshire Senior Technical Reviewer for geotechnical engineering of these 13 three-story, wood frame apartment buildings and associated parking lots. Geotechnical services included 12 exploratory borings, laboratory testing, and geotechnical analysis and design. Site conditions included the presence of soft, compressible clays and liquefaction-prone sands. Recommended design alternatives included spread footings, rigid, structural mat foundations, and timber piles.
Addition to Storage Facility, National Marine Fisheries Aquarium, Woods Hole, Massachusetts Senior Technical Reviewer for this 20-foot-high addition to an existing storage building. Building was constructed on sand placed as reclaimed land behind a tied-back bulkhead. Loose condition of the sand and presence of tie-backs affected options for foundation construction. Sands were prone to liquefaction based on their density and groundwater elevation. Recommended design alternatives included spread footings, rigid or drilled minipiles.
Additions to Lord & Taylor Retail Store, May Company Stores, Eastchester, New York Senior Technical Reviewer for these additions to an existing Retail Store. Geotechnical engineering included performance exploratory borings, including rock coring, as well as foundation analysis and design.
New Office/Administrative Building, Southern New England Regional Medical Center, Nashua, New Hampshire - Project Manager for geotechnical engineering of this three-story office building. Foundation conditions consisted of medium dense to dense alluvial sands. Investigation included gathering of existing data, geotechnical analysis and design.
Freudenberg-NOK Factory, Northfield, New Hampshire Project Manager for geotechnical design of this factory built partially on an abandoned municipal landfill. Foundations and slopes were of major concern for stability under building loads, and for landfill gas migration to the new structure.
Glass Recycling Facility, Golden State Glass Recycling, Sunol, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer the geotechnical design of foundations for a glass recycling center, including building and machinery foundations (e.g., steel hoppers, glass crushers, conveyors, etc.,) and pavements. Foundation design included recommendations for temporary excavations, slopes and embankments, lateral and vertical resistance of spread footings, and pavements and floor slabs.
New Biomedical Research Facility, Eisai Merrimack Valley Laboratories, Andover, Massachusetts Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this detailed geotechnical study of this formerly cleared and grubbed site used as a staging area for import and export of fills and organic (deleterious waste) used at a nearby site. Study included excavation of more than 30 test pits to evaluate previous fill history (i.e., map wasted tree and stump spoils, former soil fill staging area, etc.), as well as geotechnical design of this three-story settlement-sensitive structure.
Manoa Hillside Residential Development, Oahu, Hawaii As a staff engineer, surveyed geology for suitability of rock for surface water cutoff (diversion) trench to mitigate slope failures (mudslides). Evaluated trench for locations requiring application of shotcrete as trench liner.
Hawaii Power Shopping Center, Oahu, Hawaii As a staff engineer, supervised large-scale geologic and geotechnical investigation, including rock coring, to evaluate foundation soils and rock for support of this large shopping mall.
Sam. O. Hirota, Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, Oahu, Hawaii As an Engineering Technician, performed civil design, drafting and surveying on a variety of federal, state, local, and private civil engineering projects.
INDUSTRIAL, ENERGY, PETROCHEMICAL PLANTS and REFINERIES
MASSPORT Airfield Lighting Vault, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for the Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) Addition to the Airfield Lighting Vault at Logan International Airport. The new structure will be about 60 percent as large as the existing field lighting vault, and with electrical equipment will cost more than $15M to construct. The site soils include un-engineered hydraulically filled loose, liquefaction-susceptible natural sands, organic silt and peat overlying glacial till. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained to provide geotechnical and structural design of foundations. Because of the poor site soils and the fact that the existing structure is pile supported, SA designed pile foundations.
Northeast Refrigerated Distributing, Tewksbury, Massachusetts - Principal-in-Charge and Geotechnical Project Manager/Designer for a new, $3.6M, 35,000 sf, 40-foot-high refrigerated warehouse for storage of frozen foods. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) provided geotechnical design and consultation for this large specialty structure being constructed under a Design-Build Contract. The evaluation was concerned with native and reused (fill) subgrade soils beneath the structure, including buried organics, and the loading dock subject to traffic loads from large trucks. SA designed foundations and made construction recommendations for site, including design of deep soil cuts.
New Water Pumping and Treatment Facility, Connecticut Water Company, Enfield Connecticut Principal Geotechnical Engineer and project manager for Connecticut Water Companys proposed water supply groundwater pumping and treatment facility. The new facility will include a two-story pumping and treatment building and two 84-foot-diameter, 500,000 gallon storage tanks (Clearwells). Construction costs are estimated to be about $1M. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained by the prime engineering consultant to provide geotechnical design for the new facilities. SAs investigation revealed the presence of soft clays beneath the Clearwells, and designed a load-compensated (floated) foundation system to reduce differential settlement while saving substantial construction costs over a deep foundation alternative.
Logan 2000 Fuel Farm, Logan International Airport, East Boston, Massachusetts Project Engineer of four, 80-foot diameter storage tanks providing analysis of the ring wall foundation system for lateral loading and prepared construction specifications for pipe-pile installation.
Large Chemical Storage Tanks, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco, California Staff Engineer providing analysis and design of pile foundations for axial and lateral loading using numerical modeling with LPILE software.
New Biomedical Research Facility, Eisai Merrimack Valley Laboratories, Andover, Massachusetts Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for detailed geotechnical study of a site formerly used as a staging area for import and export of fills and organics (deleterious waste) during construction at a nearby site. Study included excavation of more than 30 test pits to evaluate previous fill history (i.e., map wasted tree and stump spoils, former soil fill staging area, etc.), as well as geotechnical design of this three-story settlement-sensitive structure.
Glass Recycling Facility, Golden State Glass Recycling, Sunol, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer the geotechnical design of foundations for a glass recycling center, including building and machinery foundations (e.g., steel hoppers, glass crushers, conveyors, etc.,) and pavements. Foundation design included recommendations for temporary excavations, slopes and embankments, lateral and vertical resistance of spread footings, and pavements and floor slabs.
Chemical Containment Pond Dike Studies, ChevChem Corporation, Richmond, California Staff Engineer for the proposed expansion of pond depth/area, provided analysis of seismic and static stability of chemical processing/evaporation pond containment dikes by numerical methods. Existing dikes were 15 to 20 feet high, several hundred feet long and were built on very soft clay foundations. Dikes were evaluated for minimum factors of safety of 1.5 and 1.2 for static and seismic stability, respectively.
Metals Removal Plant, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Staff Engineer for the geotechnical and environmental (soil and groundwater) study for new metals removal plant, which removes heavy metals from industrial solvents used in airline industry. Geotechnical engineering included computer analysis and design of axially and laterally loaded piles.
River Levees Gas Transmission Pipeline Relocation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento River Delta, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for construction feasibility analysis for the relocation of gas transmission pipeline river crossings. Alternatives including considerations of cut-and-cover (dredging), pipe jacking and horizontal drilling installation methods through 25-foot high river levees and soft sediments. Evaluated protective measures for scour/hooking protection of pipeline.
Foundation Investigations for Ammonia Storage Tanks, Chevron Oil Company, Richmond, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for the geotechnical engineering of these 80-foot-long bullet type tanks. Performed borings, laboratory testing, data interpretation, axial and lateral analysis of pile foundation alternatives by numerical methods. Reported findings and recommendations.
Jet Fuel Pipe Trestle, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this pipe trestle, including computer analysis and design of axially loaded piles.
PIPELINES
MWRA Wastewater Main Pipeline, Lynn, Massachusetts Project Engineer for geotechnical design and environmental assessment. Designed ductile iron pipe for maintenance of structural integrity under heavy truck loading. Assessed alternatives for groundwater flow barriers to facilitate construction in city streets subject to contamination from adjacent industrial properties.
MBTA Groundwater Treatment System, Somerville, Massachusetts - As Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager, provided environmental design and consultation during construction of a groundwater treatment system for MBTAs rail yard at the old Boston Engine Terminal. Treatment system consisted of 11 wells and oil/water separators with dissolved air floatation system and carbon filter capable of sustaining flows of 200 gpm. Provided owner representation during well design and installation/construction and periodic observation during treatment system construction. Reviewed and advised owner regarding contractor design modification (shop drawings) submittals for requests for information and health and safety, testing, excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, dewatering of contaminated groundwater and related matters.
Water Distribution Pipeline for Seawater Intrusion Mitigation, Monterey County, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a 46-mile, up to 54-inch diameter water irrigation pipeline for mitigation of seawater intrusion. Extensive use of wells for agricultural irrigation had caused salt seawater to infiltrate the aquifer. The pipeline was designed and constructed to distribute water from a nearby wastewater treatment plant to be use for irrigation in lieu of well water, thus recharging the aquifer with fresh water. Geotechnical engineering included design of trench width and backfill requirements, pipe jacking, pipeline and backfill design, and seismic evaluation of unsuitable soils. The investigation included 55 borings, 148 cone penetration tests (CPT), 10 field vane tests, laboratory testing, and development of geotechnical and seismic engineering recommendations for pipeline design.
River Levees Gas Transmission Pipeline Relocation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Sacramento River Delta, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for construction feasibility analysis for the relocation of gas transmission pipeline river crossings. Alternatives including considerations of cut-and-cover (dredging), pipe jacking and horizontal drilling installation methods through 25-foot high river levees and soft sediments. Evaluated protective measures for scour/hooking protection of pipeline.
Existing Pipeline evaluation, Belvedere Island, San Francisco Bay, California Project Manager for geotechnical evaluation of existing (failing) sewer line exposed at surface at low tide along shoreline of exclusive island community in San Francisco Bay.
Jet Fuel Pipe Trestle, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this pipe trestle, including computer analysis and design of axially loaded piles.
CSO Abatement, Boston Harbor Cleanup Project, Boston Massachusetts Assisted in development and evaluation of design alternatives for combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement. Aided in the assessment of the feasibility of construction of a large-diameter deep underground storage tunnel to be excavated in rock.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts Principal-in-charge for first ever design and study of reconstruction of a roadway using tire shreds as lightweight and structural fill in Massachusetts. Stephens Associates Consulting Engineers (SA) was retained by the civil engineer, at the request of the Town of Tewksbury, to provide a value-engineered redesign of the first-ever use of tire shreds as lightweight fill in a roadway embankment in Massachusetts. The Town has experienced problems with Livingston Street for more than 40 years. The roadway traverses a wetland underlain by organic silt and peat. It was reconstructed in the late 1970s, but the Town has applied 7 to 8 overlays to various portions of this section since then. Significant portions of the existing roadway embankment are petroleum-contaminated. SA recommended the use of tire shreds as lightweight roadway embankment fill and provided environmental guidance in addressing the petroleum contamination. SA designed the tire-shred-fill embankment. The Roadway reconstruction is funded under MassHighway Chapter 90. The Town received approval from MassHighway to use those funds with this unique solution. The Contractors bid for the total reconstruction was about $500,000. The savings to the Town by using the tire shreds as lightweight fill are estimated to be more than $150,000. The construction will provide for the beneficial use of about 250,000 scrap tires.
FHWA/MHD Funded Research on Roadway Embankment Reconstruction using Shredded Tires, Massachusetts - At the request of MassHighway, SA submitted a proposal for research funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the study of pre- and post-construction performance of the reconstructed roadway embankment. The research budget is more than $120,000. SA received the funding from MassHighway and FHWA to perform the research. Research objectives include predicting and measuring pre- and post-construction behavior of organic foundation soils, embankment materials and pavement. The project includes an exhaustive literature search, extensive exploration, laboratory testing and geotechnical instrumentation plans, geotechnical instrument installation (e.g. vibrating wire piezometers, multiple (4) position) Borros Point extensometers, inclinometers, etc.), detailed finite element modeling using PLAXIS Finite Element Code for Soil and Rock Analysis, and roadway performance monitoring over 2 years. Deliverables include a final report summarizing research results and providing Standard Design Details and Construction Specifications for future use of tire shreds as lightweight fill.
Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, Somerville, Massachusetts Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager for a geological, geotechnical and environmental services for this eight-acre maintenance facility for MBTA and AMTRAK trains. The new facility replaced the old Boston Engine Terminal and was founded on more than 3,000 piles bearing in glacial deposits or rock. Provided owner representation during static and dynamic load testing, and periodic observation of production pile driving and soil contaminant characterization during sampling, excavation and disposal. Reviewed and advised owner regarding contractor submittals for static and dynamic pile load testing, excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, dewatering of contaminated groundwater, and related matters. Provided consultation on contaminated material management issues related to the disposal of more than 200,000 cubic yards of soil.
MBTA Groundwater Treatment System, Somerville, Massachusetts - As Project Engineer/Assistant Project Manager, provided environmental design and consultation during construction of a groundwater treatment system for MBTAs rail yard at the old Boston Engine Terminal. Treatment system consisted of 11 wells and oil/water separators with dissolved air floatation system and carbon filter capable of sustaining flows of 200 gpm. Provided owner representation during well design and installation/construction and periodic observation during treatment system construction. Reviewed and advised owner regarding contractor design modification (shop drawings) submittals for requests for information and health and safety, testing, excavation and disposal of contaminated soils, dewatering of contaminated groundwater and related matters.
MWRA Wastewater Main Pipeline, Lynn, Massachusetts Project Engineer for geotechnical design and environmental assessment. Designed ductile iron pipe for maintenance of structural integrity under heavy truck loading. Assessed alternatives for groundwater flow barriers to facilitate construction in city streets subject to contamination from adjacent industrial properties.
Water Distribution Pipeline for Seawater Intrusion Mitigation, Monterey County, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a 46-mile, up to 54-inch diameter water irrigation pipeline for mitigation of seawater intrusion. Extensive use of wells for agricultural irrigation had caused salt seawater to infiltrate the aquifer. The pipeline was designed and constructed to distribute water from a nearby wastewater treatment plant to be use for irrigation in lieu of well water, thus recharging the aquifer with fresh water. Geotechnical engineering included design of trench width and backfill requirements, pipe jacking, pipeline and backfill design, and seismic evaluation of unsuitable soils. The investigation included 55 borings, 148 cone penetration tests (CPT), 10 field vane tests, laboratory testing, and development of geotechnical and seismic engineering recommendations for pipeline design.
Michael C. Murr Racquet Facility, Harvard University, Soldiers Field, Boston, Massachusetts Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for a state-of-the-art indoor racquet facility consisting of 6 tennis courts, 16 squash courts, associated amenities, and office space. Performed geotechnical investigation, and reported design recommendations and estimated settlement magnitudes for foundation loads and proposed fills. Foundation design consisted of spread footings placed on native sand and gravel, which overlies deep clays. Supervised field testing/observation and consultation services during construction, including environmental consultation on handling and disposing of potentially contaminated material discovered during construction.
Freudenberg-NOK Product Facility and Office Space, Northfield, New Hampshire Project Manager for geotechnical design of this factory built partially on an abandoned municipal landfill. Foundations and slopes were of major concern for stability under building loads, and for landfill gas migration to the new structure.
Immediate Response Action (IRA), 20,000-Gallon Underground Storage Tank, Norwood, Massachusetts Project Engineer for this phased environmental investigation. Led field investigation and IRA writing for this leaking UST and nearby greywater catch basin. Field investigation included mobile environmental laboratory (MEL) analyses to assess petroleum contamination levels in soil excavated during UST removal. Directed soil excavation/stockpiling, and water pumping to a fractionation tank in field based on MEL results. On behalf of the owner, issued report describing the basis for closure of site.
New Medical Facility, US Coast Guard Air Station, Humbolt Bay, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for this detailed study on this critical facility. Lead team of engineering geologists to evaluate seismic safety, geotechnical suitability, and hazardous materials in ground and in existing structures. Performed a deep exploratory trench to evaluate historic seismically generated ground displacements. Prepared detailed map of the trench. Performed exploratory borings and test pits to evaluate geotechnical and environmental issues. Prepared several detailed design reports on the results of our investigations.
Glass Recycling Facility, Golden State Glass Recycling, Sunol, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer the geotechnical design of foundations for a glass recycling center, including building and machinery foundations (e.g., steel hoppers, glass crushers, conveyors, etc.,) and pavements. Foundation design included recommendations for temporary excavations, slopes and embankments, lateral and vertical resistance of spread footings, and pavements and floor slabs.
Base Isolation Seismic Retrofit, Oakland City Hall, Oakland, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for geotechnical and environmental investigations and site services during the installation of a base isolation system. Performed geotechnical and environmental (underground storage tank) investigations and site services including observation of excavation and fill quantities, compaction, and prepared footing subgrades, as well as underground storage tank removal and closure.
Landfill Slope Stability Monitoring, Sunnyvale, California Project Manager and primary geotechnical designer for the slope movement monitoring by Sinco slope inclinometer of two landfills exceeding 100 feet in height. Monitoring included data collection, reduction, interpretation and report of findings.
Existing Pipeline evaluation, Belvedere Island, San Francisco Bay, California Project Manager for geotechnical evaluation of existing (failing) sewer line exposed at surface at low tide along shoreline of exclusive island community in San Francisco Bay.
Chemical Containment Pond Dike Studies, ChevChem Corporation, Richmond, California Staff Engineer for the proposed expansion of pond depth/area, provided analysis of seismic and static stability of chemical processing/evaporation pond containment dikes by numerical methods. Existing dikes were 15 to 20 feet high, several hundred feet long and were built on very soft clay foundations. Dikes were evaluated for minimum factors of safety of 1.5 and 1.2 for static and seismic stability, respectively.
Metals Removal Plant, United Airlines, San Francisco International Airport, California Staff Engineer for the geotechnical and environmental (soil and groundwater) study for new metals removal plant, which removes heavy metals from industrial solvents used in airline industry. Geotechnical engineering included computer analysis and design of axially and laterally loaded piles.
PUBLICATIONS
Bryan, Wilfred B. and Stephens, Robert S., Coastal Bench Formation at Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 105, March 1993, pp. 377-386.