Preliminary Study of Sinking in Beverly Hills New Haven

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An EvAluAtionofthE

GEotEchnicAl EnGinEErinG

And limitEd EnvironmEntAl

AssEssmEntofthE

BEvErly hills dEvElopmEnt,

nEwhAvEn, connEcticut

A rEportBy

thE connEcticut AcAdEmy

of sciEncEAnd EnGinEErinG

OriginOf inquiry: COnneCtiCut general assembly

Date inquiry

establisheD: marCh 1, 2006

Date respOnse

releaseD: may 15, 2006

Copyright, 2006. Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Inc. All rights reserved


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COnneCtiCutaCaDemyOfsCienCeanDengineeringii

anevaluatiOnOfthegeOteChniCalengineeringanDlimiteDenvirOnmentalassessmentOfthebeverlyhillsDevelOpment, newhaven, COnneCtiCut

This limited-scope study was initiated at the request of the Connecticut General Assembly onMarch 1, 2006. The project was conducted by an Academy Study Committee with the supportof David Pines, PhD, Study Manager. The content of this report lies within the province of theAcademys Environment Technical Board. The report has been reviewed by Academy MemberGale F. Hoffnagle. Martha Sherman, the Academys Managing Editor, edited the report. Thereport is hereby released with the consent of the Study Committee.

Richard H. StraussExecutive Director


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MEMBERS OF THECONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

STUDY COMMITTEE ONAN EVALUATION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND

LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THEBEVERLY HILLS DEVELOPMENT, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

R. Laurence Davis, PhDProfessor, Earth and Environmental Sciences

University of New Haven

Kimberly ClarkeSenior Project Manager; and

Gail Batchelder, PhDTechnical Director, Hydrogeology

Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.

Kenneth R. Demars, PhDAssociate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut

David FreedAssociate, GNCB

Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz, PhDAssociate Professor of Civil Engineering

College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, University of Hartford

Ralph S. Lewis (Academy Member), ChairmanAssociate Professor in Residence of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut

State Geologist, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (ret.)

Richard P. Long, PhDEmeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut

Brian J. Skinner, PhD (Academy Member)Eugene Higgins Professor of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University

SUPPORT TEAM

Study Manager Academy Project Staff

David Pines, PhD Richard H. StraussAssociate Professor and Chair Executive DirectorDepartment of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering Connecticut Academy ofCollege of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture Science and EngineeringUniversity of Hartford


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1

II. FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY ...................... 3

APPENDIXES ....................................................................................................... 6

Appendix A: Figure 1: Subsurface Exploration Planand Organic Stratum Isopleths ................................................................ 6

Appendix B: House Survey ............................................................................ 8

Appendix C: Report of Foundation and Structural Assessment ................... 9


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intrODuCtiOn


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finDingsanDsuggestiOnsfOrfurtherstuDy


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finDingsanDsuggestiOnsfOrfurtherstuDyFrom the limited information provided, the study committee cannot determine any pattern thatcorrelates with the reported structural problems. This includes the initial hypothesis that thesettlement is related to the location of the former ice pond, because only about half of the homesreporting structural damage are located within the area where the ice pond was located.

Before the committee can make any geotechnical suggestions regarding proposed remedialmethods, such as helical pile underpinning methods as recommended by HTE, it is suggestedthat consideration be given to performing the following two steps so that the source and theextent of the reported structural problems in the Beverly Hills Development can be clearlyunderstood.

(1) Historical Data of the Site

Obtain and analyze topographic maps to determine the location of the ice pond,streams, ravines, swamp areas, and wooded areas prior and subsequent todevelopment of the site

Obtain and analyze aerial photographs of the site before, during, and afterconstruction of the development

Identify date and sequence of when homes were built

Identifyconstructionrm(s)/foundationcontractorswhobuiltthehouses

Obtain and analyze drilling logs from the Wilbur Cross Parkway and commercialbuildings that are in close proximity to the development

Obtain and analyze Connecticut groundwater monitoring data from theConnecticutDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionand/ortheUSGeologicalSurvey

Obtainandanalyzereportsand/ordatafromthestormwaterinvestigationproject performed by the City of New Haven

(2)StructuralandGeotechnicalAssessmentofHousesbyRegisteredStructuraland/orGeotechnical Engineering Professionals. The objective of these house inspections is todiscriminate damage caused by undue settling from that which would be expectedgiven the construction methods employed for each structure.

Examination of houses on 46, 52, and 60 Beverly Road. The city engineer hadhypothesized that the damage he observed was caused by settlement.

A total of approximately 20 houses will initially be inspected. This will includeabout ten houses that are within the ice pond area and another ten houses thatare outside of the approximate location of the ice pond. Within each of thesecategories (i.e., inside and outside of the pond area), about half will be housesthathavewereidentiedhashavingstructuraldamage.Thehousesineachof these categories will be selected randomly or by a method indicated by theevidence. If the owner does not give consent to an on-site inspection, thenanother house will be selected from that category.


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anevaluatiOnOfthegeOteChniCalengineeringanDlimiteDenvirOnmentalassessmentOfthebeverlyhillsDevelOpment, newhaven, COnneCtiCutfinDingsanDsuggestiOnsfOrfurtherstuDy

Foundation and structural assessment, including photographs, of the selectedhouses will be performed using the attached Report of Foundation andStructural Assessment form (see Appendix C). This will include the following:

- Description of structure and its structural components

- Identicationandevidenceofbuildingdistresssuchascracks,alignment,structural members, shrinkage, and differential settlement

- Evidence of previous repairs

- Settlement around property

After the historical data are compiled and the building assessments are complete, the committeewill reconvene to assess the new information. Possible outcomes include the following:

Assessmentofthenewdataprovidessufcientinformationontheprobablecause(s)ofstructural damage to enable the committee to make suggestions regarding the use of geotechnicalunderpinningmethods(ifnecessary),asidentiedintheHTEReport,orotherremedialmeasuresas may be appropriate.

Furtherdataarerequiredtoprove/disprovepossiblecause(s)forthestructuresettlement. The additional data may include (but are not limited to): more buildinginspections, test borings, and monitoring of groundwater elevations.


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appenDixes

APPENDIxA

Figure1:SubSurFaceexp

lorationplanandorgan

icStratum

iSoplethS

(Figure

courtesyofHTENortheast,Inc.)


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anevaluatiOnOfthegeOteChniCalengineeringanDlimiteDenvirOnmentalassessmentOfthebeverlyhillsDevelOpment, newhaven, COnneCtiCutappenDixes

deScript

ionandexplanationoFFi

gure1

Thisguredepictsth

eBeverlyHillsDevelopmentth

atislocatedintheWestvillesec

tionofNewHaven,Connecticu

t.The

followingprovidesanexplanationoftheinformationincludedinthisgure:

Overviewoftheareaofconcernincludingtheapp

roximatelimitsoftheformericepo

ndthatwaslledinduringthelat

e1930s.The

approximatelocationoftheformericepondwasdeterminedbytheofceoftheNewHavencityengineerusingCityofNewHaven

assessormapsfromtheearly1900s,priortoanyd

evelopmentinthearea.

Approximatelo

cationof9testborings.Theseboringsweremadeinpublicrights-of-waywithintheboundariesof

theformericep

ondforthepurposeofidentifyingthecharacteristicsoforganiclayers

ofmaterialinthisarea.They

aredepictedby

apartiallylledinredcircle,andareco-locatedwithyellow/orangen

umbersidentifyingboththe

topelevationan

dthethicknessoftheorganiclayerinfeetabovemeansealevel(MSL

)atthetestboringlocation.This

informationwa

sthenusedtoidentifylinesthatsh

owthecommontopelevationandcommonthicknessoftheorganic

layerofmateria

l,asdescribedbelow.

Ablackxwithanumbernexttoitidentiestheelevationofeachpointdepictedin

feetabovemeansealevel,witha

rangeof74.4ft.MSL85.1ft.MSL.

Theyellow/orangesolidlinesarecontoursthatrepresenttheequivalenttopelevation

oftheorganiclayerofmaterialin

feetabovemean

sealevel,witharangeoffrom71ft.MSL78ft.MSL.

Theyellow/orangedashedlinesarecontoursthatrepresenttheequivalentcommonthicknessoftheorganiclayerof

materialinfeet

abovemeansealevel,witharange

offrom2ft.6ft.

Thedimensionsandlotnumbers/addressesforeac

hofthepropertiesareshownonth

egure.

Thelotswithreported

structuresettlement,identiedfromthesurveysc

onductedbytheneighborhood,are

shownwithredhatchmarksacross

thelot(atotalof22ofthe115propertiesidentiedinthegure).Ofthe22propertie

sindicatingreportedstructure

settlement,approximately12arelocatedintheareaoftheformericepond,withtheremainderbeinglocatedoutsidethe

icepondboundaries.


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APPENDIx B: HOUSE SURVEY

Beverly Hills House Settling Survey June 2005(Note: This is a copy of the survey form that was used to collect information about properties located inthe Beverly Hills development of the Westville Section of New Haven)

Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________ Phone#: ________________

The city engineer is looking for information concerning your house. Your response will help usbetter understand what is happening in the neighborhood. Thank you for your prompt response.

1. Type of cellar wall construction: A) concrete B) cinder block C) brick D) stone

2. Does water enter basement? Circle all that apply:A. through wall cracks during rainfallB. throughoorduringrainfallC. through wall cracks at any timeD. throughooratanytimeE. fountain during rain

3. Hasrstoorsettled? A) front B) back C) left side D) right sidedescribe _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Has your yard settled? A) front yard B) back yard C) not really

5. Other concerns? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Return by June 27 to: (Note actual survey form provided name and address ofneighborhood representative to return survey to)

If you have any questions, call (Note actual survey form provided name andtelephone number of the neighborhood representative to call for questions)


appenDixes


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APPENDIx C:

REPORT OF FOUNDATION AND STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT

anevaluatiOnOfthegeOteChniCalengineeringanDlimiteDenvirOnmentalassessmentOfthebeverlyhillsDevelOpment, newhaven, COnneCtiCutappenDixes


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APPENDIx C (CONTINUED)


appenDixes


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InformationTechnologySystemsforUseinIncidentManagementandWorkZones

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AssessmentofaConnecticutTechnologySeedCapitalFund/Program

DemonstrationandEvaluationofHybrid

Diesel-ElectricTransitBuses

AnEvaluationofAsbestosExposuresinOccupiedSpaces

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LongIslandSoundSymposium:AStudyofBenthicHabitats

AStudyofRailcarLavatoriesandWasteManagementSystems

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AnAnalysisofEnergyAvailablefromAgriculturalByproducts,PhaseII:

AssessingtheEnergyProduction

Processes

StudyUpdate:BusPropulsionTechnologiesAvailableinConnecticut

2002

AStudyofFuelCellSystems

TransportationInvestmentEvaluationMethodsandTools

AnAnalysisofEnergyAvailablefromAgricultural Byproducts, Phase 1: Dening

theLatentEnergyAvailable

2001

AStudyofBusPropulsionTechnologiesinConnecticut

2000

Efcacy of the Connecticut Motor VehicleEmissionsTestingProgram

IndoorAirQualityinConnecticutSchools

StudyofRadiationExposurefromthe

ConnecticutYankeeNuclearPowerPlant

1999

EvaluationofMTBEasaGasolineAdditive

StrategicPlanforCASE

1998

RadoninDrinkingWater

1997

AgriculturalBiotechnology

ConnecticutCriticalTechnologies

1996

EvaluationofCriticalTechnologyCenters

AdvancedTechnologyCenterEvaluation

BiotechnologyinConnecticut

1994

ScienceandTechnologyPolicy:LessonsfromSixAmer.States

1992

AStateScienceandTechnologyPolicy

ElectromagneticFieldHealthEffects

1990

Biotechnology(ResearchinConnecticut)

EconomicImpactofAIDSHealthCarein

Connecticut

1989

ScienceandEngineeringDoctoral

EducationinConnecticut

MAJOR STUDIES OF THE ACADEMY

ConneCtiCut ACAdemyof SCienCeAnd engineering

179 Allyn Street, Suite 512, Hartford, CT 06103Phone or Fax: 860-527-2161

email: [email protected]: www.ctcase.org


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The Connecticut Academy is a non-proft institution patterned aterthe National Academy o Sciences to identiy and study issues and

technological advancements that are or should be o concern to thestate o Connecticut. It was ounded in 1976 by Special Act o theConnecticut General Assembly.

ViSion

The Connecticut Academy will oster an environment in Connecticutwhere scientifc and technological creativity can thrive and contributeto Connecticut becoming a leading place in the country to live, workand produce or all its citizens, who will continue to enjoy economicwell- being and a high quality o lie.

miSSion StAtement

The Connecticut Academy will provide expert guidance on scienceand technology to the people and to the State o Connecticut, andpromote its application to human welare and economic well being.

goAlS

Provide inormation and advice on science and technology tothe government, industry and people o Connecticut.

Initiate activities that oster science and engineering educationo the highest quality, and promote interest in science andengineering on the part o the public, especially young people.

Provide opportunities or both specialized and interdisciplinarydiscourse among its own members, members o the broadertechnical community, and the community at large.


179 Allyn Street, Suite 512, Hartford, CT 06103Phone or Fax: 860-527-2161

e-mail: [email protected]: www.ctcase.org

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Preliminary Study of Sinking in Beverly Hills New Haven

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