soil properties in Phoenix area
soil properties in Phoenix area
(OP)
I am working on an estimate for a client who is looking to put a facility somewhere in the southwest. One site is within a 70 mile radius of Phoenix (don't know the exact location due to confidentiality agreement) They had contacted a geotech in the area and were told that in general the allowable bearing is 1500 psf @ -1.5'. There is a layer of sand/silt 10'-20' transitioning into a layer of sand/gravel/clay (S/G/C) with an allowable bearing capacity of 7-8 ksf. He said for heavy loads caissons are used. My questions are: For caisson design what values can be used to determine the skin friction in the (S/G/C) layer? Any other information would be helpful as I am from the northeast and not familar with the soil conditions in the southwest. Thanks





RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
How much load can I place on a steel I-beam?
10,000 pounds ?
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
Because of the confidentiality and preliminary nature of the project this is all the information I was given and all I will have for this stage of the project (estimate)
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
The 1500 psf number seems kind of low. I would expect 2000 psf near the surface increasing to 3000 psf a few feet down.
We do have some expansive clays in the valley. While they are not as bad as Texas expansive clays, they are a nuisance and can cause problems in residential construction. As the region expands, there is more and more construction on these expansive clays.
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
Thanks, I heard they were expansive but didn't require void spaces under like are required in Texas
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
For industrial and/or commercial we can usually just over excavate a little and replace with good dirt. When I mention void forms I get a lot of blank looks.
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
You mentioned that you design the drilled piers counting on end bearing only, do you have a typical bearing value and depth? Thanks
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area
RE: soil properties in Phoenix area