Report Information
Status: Completed
Uploaded: Jul 10, 2026 06:02
Uploaded by: Anonymous
PDF File
Summary
A geotechnical exploration was conducted for the Proposed Dollar General located at US Highway 75 and West Pleasant Avenue in Warren, Minnesota. The investigation involved the advancement of nine soil test borings to depths ranging from approximately 11 to 21 feet below existing site grades. The subsurface profile revealed the presence of uncontrolled fill and organic topsoil extending to depths of 1 to 3 feet, underlain by lean and fat clays, which exhibited varying consistencies from very soft to stiff. Groundwater was not observed during drilling, but it is estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet below the surface, with potential for seepage in open excavations. The fat clays encountered are prone to volumetric changes with moisture fluctuations, necessitating careful management during construction to avoid disturbance.
For the foundation design, shallow spread footings are recommended, with a net allowable bearing pressure of 1,500 psf for columns and 1,200 psf for walls, requiring a minimum embedment of 60 inches for frost protection. It is crucial to excavate and replace the existing fill and topsoil with controlled engineered fill to ensure adequate support. Construction considerations include maintaining moisture content in the subgrade, avoiding disturbance from construction traffic, and implementing proper drainage to prevent water accumulation. Overall, the site is deemed suitable for the proposed development, provided that the outlined recommendations are followed, and Terracon is retained for monitoring during construction activities.
Document Sections
| Section Type | Start Page | End Page | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Summary | 5 | 5 | Overview of geotechnical exploration and key findings. |
| Introduction | 6 | 6 | Purpose and scope of the geotechnical engineering services. |
| Project Information | 6 | 7 | Details about the project description and site location. |
| Subsurface Conditions | 7 | 8 | Description of subsurface soil profiles and groundwater conditions. |
| Recommendations for Design and Construction | 8 | 19 | Geotechnical recommendations for earthwork, foundations, floor slabs, and pavements. |
| General Comments | 19 | 20 | Final comments and recommendations for monitoring and safety. |
| Appendix A - Field Exploration | 20 | 24 | Details of field exploration methods and boring logs. |
| Appendix B - Supporting Information | 24 | 24 | Laboratory testing data and results. |
| Appendix C - Supporting Documents | 24 | 24 | General notes and soil classification system. |
Key Fields
Fill Depth Range Page 5
Range: 1.0 - 3.0 feet
Reference: Found in Executive Summary: existing uncontrolled fill and organic topsoil encountered to depths ranging from 1 to 3 feet.
Bearing Stratum Page 8
Description: Natural, undisturbed inorganic soils or engineered fill
Depth Range: 3.0 - 21.0 feet
Reference: Identified in Recommendations section: building can be supported on shallow spread foundations bearing on natural soils or engineered fill after removal of existing fill.
Groundwater Depth Page 5
Depth: 10.0 feet
Note: Estimated groundwater level based on sample moisture conditions.
Reference: Found in Executive Summary: groundwater level estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet below existing ground surface.
Recommended Bearing Capacity Page 12
Value: 1500 psf
Foundation Type: shallow
Reference: Stated in Foundation Recommendations: net allowable bearing pressure for columns is 1,500 psf.
Settlement Limits
Total Settlement: 1.0 inches
Reference: Total settlement for columns is estimated to be less than 1 inch.
Differential Settlement: 0.75 inches
Reference: Differential settlement for columns is estimated to be less than ¾ inch over 40 feet.
Pile Load Capacity
Compression Capacity: None kips
Reference: No deep foundations recommended in the report.
Tension Capacity: None kips
Reference: No deep foundations recommended in the report.
Foundations Information
Foundations Summary
The geotechnical report for the Proposed Dollar General in Warren, Minnesota, provides comprehensive recommendations for foundation design based on the subsurface conditions encountered during the exploration. The report indicates that the proposed building can be supported on shallow spread foundations, which should be placed on natural, undisturbed soils or engineered fill after the removal of unsuitable materials. The report emphasizes the importance of proper site preparation, including the excavation of uncontrolled fill and topsoil, and the use of controlled engineered fill to ensure adequate support for the structure. Additionally, the report outlines specific design parameters for the foundations, including allowable bearing pressures and settlement criteria.
General Foundation Recommendations (Shallow Foundations)
Foundation Type: Shallow Foundation
Allowable Bearing Capacity: 1.5 ksf
Reasoning: The net allowable bearing pressure for columns is 1,500 psf, which is the pressure in excess of the minimum surrounding overburden pressure at the footing base elevation.
Depth Requirement: 5.0 feet
Reasoning: Minimum embedment below finished grade for frost protection is 60 inches.
Settlement Criteria: Less than 1 inch total settlement and less than ¾ inch differential settlement over 40 feet.
Additional Recommendations
It is recommended that Terracon be retained to monitor the construction operations to ensure compliance with the geotechnical recommendations and to address any variations in soil conditions encountered during excavation.