Project:      UCSF Stem Cell Research Building
Location:   San Francisco
Client:        Rutherford & Chekene
Year:          2005 - 2009 (slope monitoring ongoing)

The University of California at San Francisco Parnassus Campus is situated on, and at the base of, the steep hillsides of Mt. Sutro. Beginning in 2005, the UC embarked on a series of studies to: 1) design and construct a new state-of-art building to serve as the Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, 2) evaluate geologic foundation conditions for the demolition of older structures and utilities, 3) evaluate slope instability in the vicinity of the new construction, and 4) evaluate the slope stability of the entire 61-acre campus for future environmental and engineering projects.

Geoinsite, Inc. provided engineering geologic support services for the geotechnical investigation design studies for the new IRM building, including geologic mapping and evaluation of landslides and rockfall hazards, logging and geologic analysis of rotary wash core borings to characterize the foundation geology. The IRM Building was completed in 2010.

Geoinsite also played a lead role in a slope stability evaluation of the entire campus, using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging Imaging) to image and characterize the detailed topographic and geologic conditions of the heavily tree-covered slopes. Probabilistic slope stability analyses were conducted using the processed LiDAR imagery, supported by geologic field mapping, to prepare Existing Conditions and Slope Stability Hazard Maps of the campus.

Project:      Outlet Tunnel, Warm Springs Dam
Location:   Sonoma County
Client:        USACE & Ben C. Gerwick/HNTB
Year:           2010

The current Emergency Water Supply Line (EWSL) from Lake Sonoma to the Don Clausen Fish Hatchery was determined to be insufficient to meet future water needs by the U.S. Army Corps of  Engineers (USACE). An intensive field investigation was required to evaluate alternative water supply options.

Geoinsite, Inc. provided engineering geologic support services for the geotechnical investigation of EWSL alternatives, including mined tunnel and pipeline options. Geoinsite was responsible for coordination and scheduling of the drilling subcontractor, staffing the field operation with qualified and State-licensed professional engineering geologists, providing Rock Quality Designation (RQD) and Rock Mass Rating (RMR) parameters, and assisting the geotechnical team in installing piezometers and selecting samples for laboratory testing.  The exploration field work was completed in the fall of 2010. Analysis and design are currently underway.

Project:     Briones Aqueduct
Location:  San Francisco Bay Area
Owner:      East Bay Municipal Utility District
Year:          2007

Geoinsite Inc. provided engineering geologic services to East Bay Municipal Utility District, to 1) evaluate the causes of slope movement impacting a buried aqueduct and chemical lines; 2) assess the level of hazard posed by slope instability on the buried lines; and 3) provide recommendations to mitigate the hazard. The 8-foot-diameter aqueduct and chemical lines are located in a bench graded into a steep hillside above San Pablo Creek.

Geoinsite’s work revealed a pattern of ground fissures, slope inclinometer displacements, and geologic conditions that were consistent with shallow slope instability, rather than deep instability. The primary cause of ground deformation was erosion along San Pablo Creek which undermined weak materials that fail progressively until the deformations reach the bench.

The chemical lines were determined to be at high risk to further movement, and were temporarily re-located farther away from the edge of slope. The aqueduct pipeline is buried much deeper than the chemical lines and is further from the edge of the slope; therefore, the risk of damage was determined to be low for the immediate future. Recommendations for alternative measures, including armoring of the free face, diverting creek flow away from the toe of slope, and/or a stitch pier wall, were identified as possible mitigation solutions are being currently under consideration by the District.

Project:     Pipeline (landslides, fault rupture)
Location:  Monterey and Fresno Counties
Client:       County of Monterey/Golder Associates
Year:          2006 - 2007

Geologic evaluation of Chevron's 60-mile-long heated oil pipeline in central California. Pipeline route crosses several major drainages, numerous landslides and steep slopes, liquefaction areas, and the creeping segment of the San Andreas fault zone.

Scope of work included aerial photographic and field mapping to identify geologic hazards, evaluating landslide and liquefaction mitigation strategies, geomorphic mapping of the San Andreas fault zone, and assessing mitigation measures for crossing the fault zone. Work was incorporated into Final EIR for the project.

Project:     Howard A. Hanson Dam Seepage Mitigation
Location:  King County, Washington
Owner:      USACE, Ben C. Gerwick/HNTB Joint Venture
Year:          2010 - 2014

Geoinsite’s Principal Geologist is a member of an Independent External Peer Review panel for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers that is responsible for peer review of drainage improvements at Howard A. Hanson Dam on the Green River in the state of Washington. The improvements are required to reduce excessive seepage through the earthfill dam, and dam safety modifications identified through the USACE’s Risk Reduction Program.

The scope of work includes technical review of design and supporting documentation and during-construction observations of mitigation implementation. Drainage measures include vertical and horizontal drains and remediation of an existing drainage tunnel. Dam safety improvements include spillway anchors, upstream embankment armoring, and anchorages for new debris booms, associated with impacts from PMF (Probable Maximum Flood).

Project:      Fault Rupture Evaluations
Location:   Santa Clara County, California
Client:        Cornerstone Earth Group, Inc.
Year:          2008 - 2010

Fault rupture hazard assessments for new residential developments located in County fault zone associated with Foothills Thrust Belt, Los Gatos, and San Jose, California.

Work scope involved identification and plotting of coseismic rupture locations from 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, planning and logging of borings and trenches aligned across hazard zones, and interpretation of geologic exposures. Recommendations supported new construction in designated areas defined by fault rupture assessments, which included estimated rupture and ground fissure displacements to be mitigated by foundation designs (approved by County and City Geologists).