Chu Hall - UC Berkeley
Key Features
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40,000 gross square foot building housing research laboratories and offices devoted to nanoscale photovoltaic and electro-chemical solar energy systems
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LEED Gold rating
Geotechnical Challenges
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Complex geologic setting with highly-variable volcanic and sedimentary rocks and adjacent steeply-sloping ground
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Geologic stability of volcanic rock mass that directly underlies site needed to be confirmed
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Excavation cuts on two sides of sloping site required shoring
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Complex and variable groundwater regime documented in long-term monitoring of environmental wells
Innovative Solutions
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Coordinated a detailed engineering geologic study that included deep borings and exploratory trenches to confirm geologic stability
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Developed recommendations for cost-effective spread footing foundations embedded in variable volcanic rock
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Developed recommendations for wall backdrainage and slab underdrainage to mitigate the potential for groundwater rise and high groundwater flows to impact below-grade construction
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Conducted detailed onsite observations of rock exposed in site excavations to verify stability and adequate bearing
