Pre-construction

Preliminary pile sizing

Our pile size analysis reviews multiple tracking systems, coating systems, or different soil strength zones for a granular look at the foundation materials and costs for projects.

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Pile size analyses include:

• A review of the existing geotechnical report by others 

• Pile load testing reports by others

• Site grading plans

• Corrosion potential

• Design wind speed

• Tracker loading documents by others

• Differences in pile sizes based on multiple module row types

• Requested maximum pile reveal plus six-inch increments of reveal to explore where pile sizes changes occur at lower pile reveal heights

 

We provide pile sizes for common tracking manufacturer types, including NexTracker, Array Technologies, FTC, and GameChange tracker systems. Alternate tracking systems and fixed-tilt systems can also be reviewed on a non-standard basis.

 

Geotechnical hazard identification

Reviewing the key items that impact construction costs and operational efficiency, we allow you to identify, schedule, and staff potential hazards in the field.

 

Our engineers use a detailed checklist to review your specific hazard potential:

• Reviewing existing work and proposed supplements: Identifying the number of borings, test pits, pile load tests, and laboratory testing completed to date, then providing recommended scopes to achieve a “design-level” exploration.
   

• Project internal roads: Evaluating compacted subgrade, aggregate surfaced, or cement stabilized roadway sections based on the existing soils and anticipated project weather conditions.
   

• Shallow groundwater: Identifying areas of shallow groundwater where fill placement, trenching, and pile skin friction may be impacted, and reviewing the impact on potential construction efficiency based on findings.
   

• Buried obstructions: Identifying areas of shallow bedrock, very dense soils, cemented soils, boulder/cobble areas, and other below-grade obstructions that may impact pile drivability, excavation/trenching methods, need for material replacement, predrilling, and likelihood of refusal.
   

• Gravel separators: Identifying the need for aggregate separating equipment (“padders”) to remove gravel-sized particles and larger from excavated soils in electrical trenches to comply with National Electric Code requirements, or the identifying the need for imported soil fill in these areas.
   

• Tracked equipment: Evaluating the upper soil subgrade (and potential areas of engineered fill) for the suitability of wheeled versus tracked equipment with the anticipated project weather conditions.
   

• Wetlands: Identifying probable wetland areas based on project aerials and government sources when wetland delineations have not been completed for projects.
   

• Subsidence and Karst Geology: Identifying areas of possible previous karst activity, including the number, frequency, and depth of existing depressions from previous sinkholes and the risk for future sinkholes. This includes evaluation of the existing soil, rock, and groundwater conditions.
   

• Permeability: Identifying the existing infiltration capacity of the soils, and the associated construction impact of surficial ponding in work zones after precipitation events with estimated drying times without adequate field drainage installation.
   

• Corrosion potential: Evaluating corrosion risk factors including soil types and chemical properties on site for the design of below-grade metallic materials and recommended supplemental testing methods.
   

• Thermal resistivity: Evaluating thermal resistivity testing results by others for the potential impact on wire sizing of below-grade electrical elements.
   

• Site grading: Identifying areas with slopes above 3% that may impact tracking system installation and grading, with the associated impact on site erosion and sediment controls (ESC), including identifying areas of existing erosion in rills, gullies, washouts, and the presence of nearby water bodies requiring protection.
   

• Soil-induced pressures: Identifying soils and climatic conditions that may generate soil pressures on foundations, including high-plasticity swelling clays, frost-susceptible soils, and estimates of the active zone in which these pressures may occur.
   

• Seismic loading: Reviewing seismic parameters for the site, including the probable ground acceleration values, site attenuation factors, and the associated impact on foundation elements.

 

Our team will also review the consistency of reports, identifying information that may be contradictory within a single project or between documents, so that you have a clear path forward in pre-construction. 

 

We may also compare site conditions to your database of projects, if applicable. 

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