Since 2016, the undergraduate and MBA programs at UNC Pembroke have grown from 800 to 1,400 students. The need for a modern facility to accommodate this growth is paramount. F&R performed a subsurface investigation and geotechnical engineering evaluation in support of the $36 million, new School of Business. The new, modern, educational business facility will include a career center, auditorium, video conference room, computer lab, trading room, multi-media resource room, and collaborative lounges and study spaces. The modern facility will be a two-story steel framed building with a plan dimension of approximately 150 feet by 300 feet, and will be situated between and just east of the Sampson Academic and Dial Humanities Buildings on campus.  The area of development covers most an entire block and currently consists of both paved and unpaved parking lots for students and staff.

Based upon F&R’s findings, geotechnical engineers recommended consideration of two options for foundations which included under-cutting and excavation of existing soft soils and replacing with washed stone, and/or installing an aggregate pier system. Pavement design recommendations were also made which included a combination of flexible asphalt and rigid concrete pavements which were determined to be best suited for the soils that were found in certain locations of the property.