Carnegie Mellon University Scaife Hall

This project involved demolition of the existing Scaife Hall (built in 1962) and construction of a new LEED Gold certified structure, which is approximately twice the size of the previous building. The new Scaife Hall is an 85,000-sf building, with 4-stories located above ground and two stories located below ground. The building includes research laboratories, faculty offices, classrooms, areas for individual and collaborative student projects, space for simulation and training, conference rooms, and outdoor plaza for students. As a subconsultant to architectural firm Kieran Timberlake, LLC, Sci-Tek provided the following services:

SURVEYING

• • Performed a topographic survey of existing site conditions, including details on existing improvements, such as buildings, curbs, shoulders, ramps, sidewalks, islands, pavement, curb inlets, signs, traffic signals, manholes, storm drain inlets, hydrants, valves, vaults, poles and other visible above ground utility appurtenances.
  • Coordinated with an underground utility locating services consultant to provide private utility locating services using geophysical methods including Electromagnetic scanning and Ground Penetrating Radar.
  • Staked the geotechnical test boring locations.
  • Prepared a topographic survey drawing to show the details of the features surveyed.

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

• • Drilled twenty-seven standard test borings and provided full-time project representatives to observe drilling.
  • Performed geotechnical analyses based on the reviewed and collected data obtained including estimating soil and rock properties, slope stability, feasibility of foundation alternatives, and allowable geotechnical capacities of the subsurface soil and rock encountered.
  • Prepared a preliminary and final subsurface exploration report containing conclusions and recommendations for use in foundation, retaining wall, and grading design.
  • Prepared a final Slope Stability Analysis Report with conclusions and recommendations.
  • Observed the installation of caissons for conformance with the recommendations provided in the Subsurface Exploration Report.