Geotechnical Investigations

Minimum Investigations Report Standards

The most appropriate scope of geotechnical investigation will vary from site to site. The
Geotechnical Consultant shall develop a scope of investigation that adequately addresses
pertinent geotechnical concerns. However, in general, geotechnical investigations shall include
test borings or test pits, where bedrock exists at shallow depths. Test borings shall be drilled with
equipment suitable for the subsurface conditions. Test borings shall be deep enough to extend
below the depth of influence for foundations. For hillside developments, the borings should
extend into bedrock or residual soils. Deeper borings may be necessary where fills or landslide
deposits are present. Soil sampling should be performed with equipment capable of retrieving
undisturbed samples of the materials encountered. The number of test borings or test pits shall
be sufficient to adequately characterize subsurface conditions in the area of proposed
development. Fault location studies may be appropriate where the site is located within an
Alquist/Priolo (A/P) Special Study Zone (located in the eastern city limits of Livermore). In areas
acknowledged to be underlain by or near regional landslides the Geotechnical Consultant shall
provide information regarding the extend of the landslide, history of reported damage caused by
the landslide, and any available information regarding the current activity of the slide.

Laboratory tests shall be performed on representative samples of subsurface materials. The

tests shall be performed in accordance with applicable ASTM standard methods or with accepted
geotechnical engineering laboratory practices, where ASTM standard methods do not exist. The
testing program shall be sufficiently complete to characterize the shear strength, compressibility,
soil expansion potential and moisture/dry density of subsurface materials, as appropriate.
Additional laboratory tests may be appropriate, depending upon the scope of the project.

A report shall be prepared recording the results of the geotechnical investigation and clearly
stating Consultants conclusions/recommendations regarding the following, as appropriate:

Information Bulletin IB-45 (Updated 1/19/06)

City Hall Community Development Department phone: (925) 960-4410 www.ci.livermore.ca.us

Permit Center 1052 South Livermore Avenue fax: (925) 960-4419
Livermore, CA 94550 TDD: (925) 960-4104
Project Background

Project Description: building details, anticipated foundation loads, proposed grading,

anticipated wall heights, etc.
Site Description: topographic details, slope inclinations, surface vegetation, anomalous
topographic features, etc.
Scope and Purpose of investigation

Geologic Setting

Description of geologic conditions

Local and regional land sliding in the area, landslide location and activity
Seismicity
Fault Locations
Location of nearest AP zone

Field & Laboratory Investigation

Description of subsurface conditions

Soils shall be classified in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification system
A description of rock quality, including degree of weathering, strength, fracturing, etc.
Description of rock classification criteria
Static groundwater levels
Zones of observed seepage

Conclusions

Landslide risks, slope stability

Anticipated foundation settlement
Soil creep
Expansive soils
Lateral loads on foundations/walls due to soil creep
Groundwater concerns
Earthquake induced land movements
Earthquake ground shaking
Liquefaction
The need for shoring to support temporary cut slopes
Anticipated foundation construction concerns, e.g., pier hole stability and de-watering
Recommendations

Site Grading

Fill placement and compaction criteria

Minimum fill quality requirements
Keying and benching of fills placed on slopes
Maximum allowable cut and fill slope inclinations
 Fill embankment sub drainage
Sub drain details
Surface water runoff control

Foundations

Footings:
Specify suitable bearing materials
Maximum allowable bearing pressures
Allowable passive pressures
Sliding friction coefficient
Minimum footing embedment depths and widths
Estimates of foundation embedment depths to encounter suitable bearing
materials

Drilled, cast-in-place piers:

Specify materials to be penetrated
Maximum allowable pier adhesion values or pier capacities
Minimum pier lengths and diameters
Anticipated pier lengths
Minimum reinforcing requirements
Lateral loads on piers and grade beams due to creep
Maximum allowable lateral soil bearing pressures
Depth to which lateral loads are to be applied
Depth to which lateral soil resistance will be developed
Pier cleanout and dewatering criteria
Expansive soil uplift pressures on grade beams and piers

Retaining Walls

Foundation design criteria

Lateral earth pressures for wall design
Maximum allowable passive pressures
Sliding friction coefficient
Wall back drainage criteria
Wall moisture-proofing
Backfill compaction criteria
Surcharge pressures on retaining walls due to vehicles adjacent footings, etc.

Slabs-on-Grade
Methods to minimize impacts due to expansive soils
Sub grade preparation
Methods to control the migration of moisture through slabs
Services During Construction

The report shall contain a clear description of the inspection services to be provided by the
Geotechnical Consultant during construction.

Graphics

The report shall contain a Site Plan, which is drawn to scale, and accurately shows test
boring/test pit locations and other pertinent data, such as proposed building locations. The report
shall also contain detailed logs of test borings and/or test pits.