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Minnetonka Custom Homes <br /> STS Project 99189 <br /> June 24, 2003 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Laboratory Testing Procedures <br /> The penetration test split-spoon samples were visually examined by a geotechnical engineer to estimate <br /> the distribution of grain sizes, plasticity, consistency, moisture condition, color, presence of lenses and <br /> seams, and apparent geologic origin. The engineer classified the soils according to type using the STS <br /> Classification System, which is closely based on the Unified Soil Classification System. A chart describing <br /> the STS Classification System is included in the Appendix. An explanation of typical laboratory <br /> procedures is presented in the Appendix. <br /> We also determined the natural moisture content, density and unconfined compressive strength of <br /> selected soil samples. Some of these data are shown on the boring logs, and some of the data are <br /> appended at the rear of this report. <br /> Exploration Results <br /> This property is on the north shore of Jennings Bay within the West Arm of Lake Minnetonka. The height <br /> of the slope surrounding the lake at this point is about 60 feet, from pavement level of County Road 19 to <br /> average water level in Lake Minnetonka. The major naturally occurring soil type is low plasticity clayey <br /> glacial till deposited by the Des Moines ice lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation. After this soil was formed, it <br /> became desiccated, and is now over-consolidated (that is, it has been subject to stresses in the past <br /> which are greater than the present overburden pressure). We found only minor amounts of surficial soils <br /> including fill and topsoil. The major soil type to a depth of at least 50 feet is sandy clay with traces of <br /> gravel and random thin sand lenses, some of which are water-bearing. Natural moisture contents of the <br /> sandy clay vary from about 32% to 14%, and tend to decrease with increasing depth. Standard <br /> penetration N-values are in the range of 16 to 41 blows per foot, representative of a stiff to hard <br /> consistency. Unconfined compressive strengths were found to be 3400 to 5600 pounds per square foot. <br /> Groundwater Conditions <br /> Boring 1 extended to a tip elevation of about 960.7 feet at 30 foot depth, and was dry. In boring 2, we <br /> observed groundwater at 25.6 foot depth while drilling corresponding to elevation 952.5 feet. We believe <br /> that the groundwater in boring 2 emanated from a sand seam within the clay till profile. <br /> The average long-term water elevation in Lake Minnetonka is 930 feet. The Lake Minnetonka water level <br /> is controlled within a relatively small range of fluctuation by the Grays Bay dam. <br /> Analysis and Recommendations <br /> The clay soil at this site is competent. The house can be supported on conventional footings bearing <br /> directly on the native sandy clay, or on compacted sandy clay fill. A conventional footing design may be <br /> used. We recommend that the footing stresses on the clay subsoil should not exceed 2,000 pounds per <br /> square foot. Continuous footings under bearing walls should be at least 22 inches wide for practical <br /> reasons, regardless of the theoretical bearing pressure on the subsoil. Footings in unheated areas such <br /> as under an entry canopy of under the overhead garage door should be based at least 5 feet below <br /> outside finished grade for frost protection. Similarly, footings supporting an attached, elevated deck <br /> should be based at least 5 feet below grade. <br /> We recommend that a perimeter drain system be installed around the outside of the house, in accordance <br /> with FHA Special Bulletin 87-1. The backfill around and over the drain pipe should be a free-draining <br /> granular material such as pea gravel or 1-1/2 inch crushed rock. We strongly recommend that the on-site <br /> clay soils not be used as wall backfill, except for the uppermost 12 to 18 inches. Clayey backfill against <br />