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GMU RESEARCH STUDY
Use of Lime Stabilization in High Sulfate Soils

The use of lime and lime/fly ash for stabilization of clayey roadway subgrades has been controversial in soils with severe sulfate contents (i.e. > 0.2 ppm). Generally, the controversy surrounds the effect of the sulfates on the stability of the lime. Consequently, it is rarely considered in the design of pavement sections in areas where the insitu soils have severe levels of sulfate. Unfortunately most of the major grading projects in Orange County are underlain by severe levels of sulfate. This study is especially pertinent given the current shortage of aggregate materials and the high cost of full depth asphalt concrete.

In response to this problem, GMU, Inc. in collaboration with the Texas Transportation Insti-tute at Texas A&M University, Chemical Lime Company, the Construction Division Materials Laboratory for the County of Orange Public Facilities & Resources Department, LaBelle-Marvin Professional Pavement Engineering, and Pavement Recycling Systems, is participating in a study to evaluate the stability of lime treated soils possessing severe sulfate exposure levels. Test samples are being taken from Ladera Ranch and the Talega developments in South Orange County.

The hope is that with the results of this study, geotechnical and pavement engineers will have the option of utilizing lime or lime/fly ash stabilization to design more economical sections in severe sulfate soils. This in turn will save contractors and developers valuable time and money during the critical path of infrastructure construction. For more information on this study, feel free to call or e-mail Mr. David Atkinson from our office.

NEW GMU LABORATORY SERVICE

GMU is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Scott Hogue as Laboratory Manager. Scott comes to us with over 19 years of geotechnical laboratory experience including management of some of the largest geotechnical labs in Orange County. Under Scott’s direction, GMU will be expanding its testing services to include all types of geotechnical testing including triaxial testing of soil and rock samples, permeability testing, chemical testing and R-value determination. In addition, GMU will now be offering our laboratory services to outside clients. For any additional information regarding our laboratory services, please feel free to contact Scott at shogue@gmugeo-com or via telephone. Look for future updates and mailings in regards to our laboratory services.

NEW AWARDS
CGEA - Outstanding Project Award

GMU was awarded an Outstanding Project Award by the California Geotechnical Engineers Association for its work on the Hotel Del Coronado Seismic Retrofit Project. The project involved utilizing six different types of subsurface exploration techniques, development of design parameters for various retrofit foundation systems as well as developing ground improvement strategies for reducing the potential of liquefaction induced deformation.

ASCE Project of the Year Award

GMU was awarded a project of the year - Land Development 2000 award for its participation in the Newport Coast Project. GMU is proud to be a part of this award winning project.

LARGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

GMU has always been known for its expertise in large hillside development projects. Current-ly, we are working on three of the largest grading projects in Orange County including Ladera Ranch, Crystal Cove, and Talega. In addition, we are completing work at the 4000+ acre Santaluz Development in North San Diego County.

TECHNICIAN NEWS

GMU’s technician staff is one of the main reasons for our continued success. GMU employs approximately 20 geotechnical technicians with a combined experience of close to 200 years. Several of our technicians have over 30 years experience and have completed numerous specialty courses.

Joe Rogers who has over 31 years of experience (almost all of which has been with GMU) was recently assigned to head up our grading QA/QC program. GMU continually evaluates the construction services performed by our technicians. Joe’s experience and interpersonal skills make him an invaluable team member as well as an asset to our clients.

GMU INSTALLS IN-PLACE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR GRADING BENEATH SCE TRANSMISSION TOWERS

GMU was tasked with installing an early warning system for proposed grading beneath existing Southern California Edison (SCE) transmission towers within the Ladera Ranch development. Working with Applied Geomechanics of Santa Cruz, GMU selected an early warning system consisting of tiltmeters and in-place inclinometers linked together into a single monitoring system. Data from the tiltmeters and in-place inclinometers was recorded by a data logger which transmitted the monitoring data to a computer so that results could be viewed in real time both in the field and in the office. In addition, the data logger was also set up so that if movements exceeded a critical value, pre-designated pagers and cell phones were activated. The system proved highly effective in providing an additional level of assurance in regards to advanced warnings for potentially critical movements. For further information in regards to GMU’s instrumentation capabilities, please feel free to contact either Greg Silver or Rob Trazo.

GMU MUNICIPAL SERVICE NEWS
New Cities

In addition to serving in the capacity of City Geologist and Geotechnical Engineer to the City of Laguna Niguel, GMU is also providing geotechnical services to the Cities of Vista and Dana Point. Recent projects in the City of Vista include geotechnical input for EIR planning studies and special project review. Recent projects within the City of Dana Point include geotechnical construction services for roadway projects and other various public works projects.

Water Sampling

CDMG Hazard Maps

At the request of the City of Laguna Niguel, GMU performed an extensive review of the preliminary Seismic Hazard Map for the San Juan quadrangle. The review led to the discovery that there are significant problems with these maps, especially in graded, developed areas. GMU attended several meetings with the State Geologist and was successful in aiding the City of Laguna Niguel in getting the State to add clarifying language to the maps. For more information on this subject, please feel free to contact either Pat Jenks or Greg Silver.

RANCH PLAN

As recently publicized in the local newspapers, Rancho Mission Viejo is currently working on the planning for a large portion of their remaining land holdings (“The Ranch Plan”). The highly diverse plan includes a major regional park and a variety of residential communities separated by thousands of acres of open space. GMU is currently working on a variety of geotechnical investigations including construction materials evaluations, groundwater studies and fault investigations.

STORM WATER QUALITY MONITORING

This past year the State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards (SWQCB and RWQCB), in conjunction with the EPA, have stepped up enforcement of storm water runoff management on construction sites by 300%. Fines are imposed from $10,000 to over $1 million to violators depending on the severity. A developer or builder may incur costly fines which are imposed for noncompliance. GMU can help by offering proactive monitoring, interfacing with the RWQCB inspector, and working with the on-site contractor to install compliant procedures. These efforts can help reduce or eliminate the discharge of sediment and or non-visible constituents into off-site areas or storm drain systems.

GMU is currently providing storm water quality services to developers and builders in Orange County on both a required and voluntary basis. Water samples are collected during a storm event and analyzed for constituents designed to fit the needs of the construction project site.

Contact Dave Atkinson for any information regarding storm water runoff testing and compliance.

BLASTING AND VIBRATION PROJECTS

GMU performs blasting and vibration analyses consulting on projects throughout California. Over the past year we have performed blasting and vibration monitoring and analyses for projects from San Diego to Riverside, within the Los Angeles Basin and in the Placerville and Grass Valley areas of Northern California. Our services generally consist of pre- and post-blast property condition surveys, consultation in regards to blasting configurations, and vibration monitoring during blasting. Our services are headed up by Bob Mutchnick who has over 20 years experience in blasting and vibration analyses and is a recognized expert in the field. For more information, please feel free to contact Bob or go to our website at www.gmugeo.com/engineeringseismology.

NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

GMU is pleased to announce the addition of Cynthia Balo to our office administration staff. Cynthia comes to us with a wealth of experience in accounting and human resources and is already a great addition to the GMU family. So if you are greeted by a new voice on the phone, be sure to say hello.

Writing and Editing:
Gary Urban, Greg Silver, Jenni Neff, Pat Jenks, Dave Atkinson

Graphic Design:
Harvey Illustrations