Engineering Projects

Richmond International Airport, VA

F&R has performed construction materials testing services for the Capital Expansion Program at Richmond International Airport.  Our services have consisted of testing and inspection for soils, concrete, masonry, and structural steel, as well as monitoring installation of caissons and pre-cast concrete piles.  F&R has been involved with this phase of the capital expansion program for years.  Some of the noteworthy projects at the airport have included the recently completed multi-level parking garage, the rental car garage, the new air traffic control tower, Concourse “C” expansion, and various taxiway, roadway and parking lot expansions.  Of particular note is the multi-level parking garage, which is a cast-in-place concrete structure with post-tensioned slabs bearing on pre-cast concrete piles.  F&R’s services were provided for the duration of the 18 month project, and included concrete testing, post-tension monitoring, and welding inspection of the pre-cast panel connections and pile driving analysis of the pre-cast concrete piles.  

 

Jerry Falwell, Jr. Dam; Bedford County, VA

F&R provided visual assessment of the initial condition of the dam, comments regarding those aspects of the dam that may require remedial, and assistance in renewing the application status for the Class III earthen dam.  Based upon findings and analyses, F&R provided a series of specific recommendations, including installation of French drain within the toe of the dam in order to intercept water that is creating an unstable seepage face; construction of a stabilizing surface of zoned crushed stone and rip-rap to provide additional resistance to potential movement of the dam due to water pressures; installation of systems to drain water from behind the dam for the purpose of maintenance and responses to emergency conditions; repair to erosional damage in the emergency spillway on the downstream face; confirmation that the spillway and high level overflow pipe designs are adequately sized to convey overflow from a 100-year recurrence storm; and recommendation that a one-year operation and maintenance certification be obtained.

 

Greenville-Spartanburg Airport, SC

F&R performed a geotechnical investigation of an area proposed for a new five-level parking deck to match the existing parking structure at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport.  F&R’s subsurface exploration consisted of over 10 borings ranging in depth from 25 to 105 feet below the ground surface.  The depths of the borings were selected to provide adequate information for design of both shallow and deep foundations systems.  Prior to construction, F&R also performed an asbestos and lead-based paint survey of the existing office/toll booth that was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the new parking deck.. .

 

Children’s Learning Center; Charlotte, NC

F&R performed a geotechnical exploration, as well as a Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessment, for the proposed Children’s Learning Center project.  The project involved mapping highly variable rock and soil conditions, and providing deep foundation recommendations for the proposed structure.  In addition, an asbestos survey was performed on an existing building located at the site prior to demolition. F&R’s chemical laboratory performed various analyses on water and soil samples.  F&R’s environmental staff collected and ensured proper transportation of theses samples to the laboratory.  EPA sampling guidelines were strictly adhered to and proper health and safety measures were followed. F&R also provided geotechnical and environmental consulting services.

 

Asheville Christian Academy; Asheville, NC

Located on former farmland, the Asheville Christian Academy is a preschool through grade 12 facility.  The new campus consists of three distinct but integrated structures and athletic fields.  F&R performed observations and dynamic cone penetrometer testing during construction of the building foundations.  We also provided engineering recommendations for remediation of limited soft soil conditions encountered in the auditorium.  Testing of concrete including slump, air content, temperature and compressive strength testing was also performed.

 

The Marriott Hotel, Baltimore, MD

F&R provided a subsurface exploration, geotechnical analysis, and construction materials testing for the foundation system of the hotel and adjoining parking garage.  The foundation system consisted of auger cast in-place piles for which F&R provided comprehensive site inspection and materials testing during installation.  Additionally, F&R engineers, metals/NDT inspectors, and engineering technicians performed the testing/inspection procedures on deep confined-space caissons, earthwork, asphalt, concrete, masonry, structural steel, and fire resistive materials to monitor compliance with contract documents and building codes.  F&R engineers also supervised the installation of 153 deep cast piles in a complex, fast paced environment.

 

Department of Mental Health; Statewide, VA

For over 30 years, F&R has provided professional consulting, testing, and geotechnical and construction materials testing for a variety of projects at Department of Mental Health facilities located throughout Virginia. With respect to environmental services, F&R has conducted lead-based paint and asbestos sampling on over 20 buildings statewide.  F&R has also prepared asbestos abatement drawings for these buildings using our in-house drafting capabilities (on AutoCAD), abatement specification design notes, and abatement cost estimates. During asbestos removal, F&R monitored the contractor performance in executing the work, addressing change orders, and issuing final inspection/clearance documentation upon final completion of work.

 

I-77 Design/Build Project; Charlotte, NC

F&R’s Charlotte and Raleigh offices were a part of a design-build team on the first design-build project awarded by NCDOT. The project involved widening I-77 in Charlotte from the I-85 interchange northward to the Charlotte Outer Loop, a distance of approximately 8 miles. F&R provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services during the design and construction phases of the project. Foundation designs were required at five bridge sites originally, with two additional bridges for a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane later added by NCDOT. Additional borings were required at two of the bridge sites and at the new bridge locations along the HOV lane.  Furthermore, F&R provided foundation designs and soil borings for noise walls proposed along the route. Temporary pavement designs were performed to carry traffic during the various construction phases. Subgrades were also analyzed and tested with either lime or cement to determine the appropriate mix design to stabilize the subgrades to conform to NCDOT requirements. After mixing in the field, the subgrade was again sampled and testing was performed by F&R to confirm that the required strength had been achieved.

 

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