Materials Testing and Special Inspections

Engineers specify materials assuming that the materials will meet certain mechanical properties, such as strength, hardness, weight, and elasticity.  If the materials fail to meet specifications, the risk of a fast structural failure can increase dramatically. 

SHN’s materials testing and special inspections projects are rarely dramatic, and we like it that way.  We perform important yet routine testing and inspections on reinforced concrete, structural masonry, and structural bolting and welding, for the express purpose of avoiding structural failure.  Our technicians test concrete and soils in the lab, and perform compaction testing in the field.  Each technician and inspector holds multiple certifications that validate their expertise and experience.

Special mix concrete testing and geotechnical design for highway bridges

Project Details

Location:  Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client:  Caltrans

Partners:  Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline:  2006 to 2008

Project Details

Location:  Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client:  Caltrans

Partners:  Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline:  2006 to 2008

Project Details

Location:  Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client:  Caltrans

Partners:  Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline:  2006 to 2008

Project Details

Location: Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client: Caltrans

Partners: Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline: 2006 to 2008

Project Details

Location: Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client: Caltrans

Partners: Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline: 2006 to 2008

Project Details

Location: Confusion Hill, Highway 101 near Piercy, CA

Owner/Client: Caltrans

Partners: Mercer Fraser Company (prime earthwork contractor)

Project Timeline: 2006 to 2008

Frequent and large rock slides on the South Fork Eel River required construction of the Confusion Hill bypass on Highway 101.  Working as a subcontractor to the Mercer Fraser Company, SHN provided materials testing and geotechnical services for construction of two new bridges across the steep-sided canyon.  The two bridges were built from cast-in-place segments that extended from supporting columns until they met in the middle.  A special high-tech concrete was required to meet Caltrans’ specifications.   SHN tested each concrete load before it left the plant; once it arrived at the bridge construction site, it was pumped to the top of the bridge towers.  The special concrete had to be “thin” enough to pump, but also had to harden quickly.  SHN provided the contractor quality control for this critical part of the bridges construction.

A landslide developed near one bridge abutment almost immediately after construction began.  SHN geologists analyzed existing Caltrans borehole data and completed geologic bedrock mapping to characterize the type and extent of failure.  We designed an innovative tie-back retaining wall system using surplus on-site materials to stabilize the falling rock face.

State-certified construction inspection and testing for a new hospital

Project Details

Location:  Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, Willits, California

Owner/Client:  Howard Foundation

Partners:  California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)

Project Timeline:  2010 to 2015

Project Details

Location:  Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, Willits, California

Owner/Client:  Howard Foundation

Partners:  California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)

Project Timeline:  2010 to 2015

Project Details

Location:  Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital, Willits, California

Owner/Client:  Howard Foundation

Partners:  California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD)

Project Timeline:  2010 to 2015

SHN geologists precisely located and dated the Maacama fault, and conducted additional subsurface testing to develop three alternatives for the hospital foundation.   The most economical alternative was to sub-excavate soils beneath the hospital site and re-compact them to a depth of over 25 feet. 

SHN laboratory and soils technicians monitored the excavation to ensure that minimum compaction requirements were achieved.  The field and laboratory efforts were observed and approved by inspectors from the OSHPD.  In addition to the re-compaction of the area under the new hospital, the project architect required grouted soil anchors to be incorporated into the foundation structure.  To assist the project architect, SHN engineers and field and laboratory technicians observed and monitored the placement of test anchors under the review and approval of the OSHPD inspectors.  During construction, SHN provided surveying for the hospital and ancillary structures, and geotechnical engineering to verify compliance with OSHPD requirements.

 

 

Certifications and Associations

Contact

Corporate Office:

812 W. Wabash Ave.
Eureka, CA 95501-2138
Tel: 707-441-8855
Fax: 707-441-8877
info@shn-engr.com

Office Locations:

  • Arcata, CA
  • Eureka, CA
  • Fort Bragg, CA
  • Redding, CA
  • Willits, CA
  • Coos Bay, OR
  • Klamath Falls, OR
 
 
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