Geotechnical Monitoring and Testing

Earthwork in general, is associated with special grading, excavation and filling. The purpose of earthwork observation and testing is to verify that the work is done in compliance with the approved plans and specifications, and, in particular, the recommendations of the project geotechnical report. Earthwork consists of two phases: Grading and Post grading: Converse possesses special expertise and equipment to provide earthwork recommendation based on the plans, specification and geotechnical reports. During the earthwork our scope of work may include:

• Review soil reports, project plans and specification.
• Review submitted on-site and imported materials to determine their suitability as fill material.
• Inspect bottom of excavation.
• Observation of caissons/piles.
• Pile vertical and lateral load testing.
• Perform in-place density tests according to agencies requirements, i.e., Caltrans, ASTM D 1556 (sand cone method). Soils density tests may also be performed by Nuclear method.
• Provide fill placement inspection and testing during construction, on an intermittent and continuous basis as required to establish proper execution and conformance with the specifications. This includes testing (e.g. field density tests) on-site soil for sub-grades to receive fill, fill placement on building pads, backfill placement in trenches, roadways, parking areas, walkways and subgrade.
• Provide observation and compaction testing for utility trenches.
• Provide observation and testing of roadways and parking areas grading and excavation.
• Provide observation and testing of retaining walls backfill.
• Review and provide laboratory testing on soil, backfill materials, aggregate base, under slab granular cushion, sand bedding, etc. Develop compaction curves for materials encountered.
• Monitor excavation and stockpiling of suitable fill material from mass excavation, existing aggregate base and the crushing of existing concrete for use as aggregate base.
• Review sub-grades for floor slabs or sidewalks.
• Provide observation, compaction testing for building pad preparation, construction and provide pad certification.
• Prepare reports summarizing all observations and test results.