September saw the Chapter back at Cattlemens in Livermore. We did a great job of filling up the room, enjoying the food, networking with industry professionals, and learning about AGI's approach to diffcult soils. Below is a summary of presentation.
Guest Speaker:
Riaz Jawani, PE
Project Manager/Business Development Lead
Advanced Geosolutions, Inc.
Summary of AGI Presentation: Building the Foundations Beneath Success
Innovative Geotechnical Solutions and Project Highlights
Overview
The presentation delves into the cutting-edge practices and technologies employed by AGI, a premier design-build geotechnical contractor, to address complex ground conditions and foundational challenges in large-scale construction projects. AGI’s work spans diverse sites, from libraries and warehouses to high-rise developments, focusing on deep soil mixing, displacement grounded columns, load transfer platforms, stone columns, and wick drains to mitigate risks like liquefaction, settlement, and lateral spreading.
Key Projects and Techniques
- Library Project in Marin: AGI resolved significant lateral spreading issues near a channel by interconnecting deep soil mixing (DSM) columns, enabling safe construction of a new library.
- PDX Airport Project: Over 2,200 DSM columns were installed at depths up to 75 feet, supporting heavily loaded footings and slabs, with an additional 2,700 DGCs for slab support. Lightweight cellular concrete (LCC) was back-batched and placed to address unexpected soil loads from design changes, improving efficiency and safety.
- Amazon Distribution Center (Salinas, CA): AGI supported the construction of a five-story, 3 million square foot warehouse by stabilizing challenging soils through DSM and DGCs. They met an aggressive schedule, installing 1,900 DSM columns, 4,700 DGCs, and over 114,000 cubic yards of grouted product in just three months using seven drill rigs and round-the-clock shifts.
- Mission Rock Development (San Francisco): AGI’s ground improvements enabled a reduction in steel size for deep foundations, saving $2–3 million in steel costs. Wick drains and stone columns were installed to densify soils and enhance load capacity, verified by advanced data acquisition and post-improvement CPTs.
- Trencher Soil Mixing: AGI introduced trencher soil mixing, a chainsaw-like technology for efficiently blending soil and grout to create homogeneous, strong ground across large sites. This has enabled rapid installation of retaining walls and perimeter protections for major facilities.
- Ball Corporation Manufacturing Facility (Oregon): AGI collaborated with owners and contractors to optimize heavy equipment foundations, demonstrating strong teamwork and streamlined operations.
Sustainability and Innovation
The presentation emphasizes AGI’s commitment to sustainability by reducing truck traffic and reusing soil spoils as engineered fill, which lowers carbon emissions and project costs. AGI’s innovative approaches allow for efficient scheduling, minimize waste, and contribute positively to the construction industry’s environmental impact.
Conclusion
AGI’s expertise in advanced ground improvement technologies and project management enables successful delivery of complex projects on schedule and budget, with enhanced safety and performance. Their collaborative spirit, technical innovation, and focus on sustainability set a benchmark for geotechnical contracting. The presentation concludes with an invitation for questions and further collaboration, reflecting AGI’s openness and dedication to client needs.