20100095 GeoEng Ltr 12182009
1101 South Fawcett Avenue. Suite 200
Tacoma, Washington 98402
253.383.4940
December 18, 2009
Puget Sound Energy
P.O. Box 90868, EST-04W
Bellevue, Washington 98009-0868
Attention: Will Blanchard
Subject: Report
Hydrogeologic Services
Permeability Testing
PSE Base Course Aggregate
File No. 0186-827-00
E~€TFTQ~~~TE€~
We are pleased to present this report presenting the results of our permeability testing of typical base course
materials that can be used on Puget Sound Energy (PSE) projects. Our services have been perfiormed in general
accordance with our proposal dated November 25, 2009. You authorized our services on November 30, 2009.
The purpose of our services was to obtain representative soil samples meeting the revised PSE Specification
1275.1310 for Base Course Aggregate and to perform laboratory testing. The scope of services completed for the
project is listed below.
1. Review the PSE specif ication for Base Course Aggregate.
2. Contact four gravel pit operations within the King-Pierce County areas and request that they provide a typical
sample of material that they consider meets the PSE specification. T~vo of the pits provided a sample, the other
two pits either did not respond to our inquiry or chose to not provide a sample.
3. Collect samples from Mlles Sand and Gravel, and CalPortland, and return them to our laboratory.
4. Complete grain-size distribution testing on a representative portion of each soil sample and compare the results
to the PSE specification for Base Course Aggregate.
5. Complete a Proctor test of each sample of Base Course Aggregate.
6. Calculate the void ratio of the compacted soils based on mathematical formulas associated with the Proctor
test.
Puget Scund Energy :December 18, 2009
Page 2
7. Complete permeability testing of each sample using test methods described in American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) D 5084.
~c€S~ i u[lCSE ~ggregaEe
The PSE specification for the Base Course Aggregate is contained in the following table.
T~t3EE 1.. PSE SASE Cf1URSE ~I~EC[FICAlT606V
PERCENT PtSSSiNG
$1_S. ST~NDAR®SfEI/E SIZE
{BY WEft'SE#T}
3 anchss ::100
3, 4 inch 70-90
3f8 ~ncn 60-80
1/4 nc!~ 50 70
~dc. 40 0-3fl
Na. 200 0-5
The results of grain-size distribution tests of the materials provided by Miles Sand and Gravel and CalPortland are
attached as Figure 1 to this letter. It appears. based on the testing results, that the samples are near or just below
the lower limit boundary for the PSE Base Course Aggregate specification between the 3/8 inch and #10 sieves.
~~ o~~or T~:s~E:~g
Three-point Proctor tests of each entire sample were completed. The results of the tests are as follows:
Miles Sand and Gravel, Maximum Dry Density (MDD) of 136.3 pounds per cubic foot at an optimum
moisture content of 7.3 percent.
CalPortland, MDD of 134.8 pounds per cubic foot at an optimum moisture content of 5.9 percent
Void ratios for each of the compacted samples were calculated using assumed soil specific gravities of 2.65 and unit
soil weights equal to 95 percent of the MDD of each soil sample. The calculated void ratios are as follows:
Miles Sand and Gravel Sample, 28 percent
CalPortland Sample, 29 percent
Per?nea~~s~~}~ Tes~~ng
Permeability tests of a compacted column of each soil sample were completed in general accordance with ASTM D
5084 methods. The results of the permeability tests are summarized below
Miles Sand and Gravel Sample; 20 inches per hour
CalPortland Sample, 15 inches per hour
~~~~
Puget 8ounct Energy Gr~cernber 1S, Zot39
Page 3
Et appeared that the permeable Stones, which are used in the test method above and below the samples were the
(irn~ting factor in calculating the perrneabi{ides.
~E}t~C~Cd~(3t~5
Based on our laboratory testing it appears that the samples of material provided by Mites Sand and Gravel and
CalPortiand are permeable, in the compacted condition, with respect to water flow. The measured permeabilities
derived from our laboratory testing ranged from 15 to 20 inches per hour, with void ratios ranging from 28 to
2~ percent.
tt is possible that materials containing a higher percentage of medium to coarse sand could be used as "base
.course" far PSE projects and still meet the specifieation. It is our opinion that. these materials would hays
permeabilities somewhat less than the materials tested as a part. of this study. Hovrever, they would be considered
perreable with respect to water flow, in our opinion, based on our experience and the results of the testing
performed for this study,
Lfl(T"~T~~3~
We have prepared this report for the use of Puget Sound Energy. This report may be provided to regulatory agencies
for reiriew. within the }imitatipns of scope, schedule and budget, our services. have been executed in accordance
with generally accepted practices in the field of geotechnical engineering in this area at the tir:~e this report was
prepared, Pdo urarranty or other conditions express or implied should be understood.
We trust this provides the inforrTFation you require at this time. ~tEe appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you
on this project. Please contact us should you have any questions concerning our findings or recommendations, er
should you require additional information.
Yours very truly,
GeoEngineers, inc.
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Stephen '. l~ielvey, LG, LEG, LHG
Senior Engineering Geologist
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Cor~yrightG 2(?t1.9 by GeoEngitteers, inc. Al! rights reserved,
t3isciai[ner: Any electronic form, tacsirrrile or hard ccrpp of the origina# document (email, text, table, and/crr figure}, if provided, and aug, attachments are only a
copy of the origira(docnmeni; The ori;iPFal documentis stored by GeoEnginaers, lnc-and Built serve as the afflclal dac:rment of record.
Attachment:
Figure 1. Sieve Analysis Results
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SEEVE ARi/~LYSiS RESEJLTS
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~cc~rl ~is~ur~bing r~c~ivit~s - .z7~- activit~~ that results in mop%ement of
earth; or a change in the existing soil cover (both ve~etad~-e and norz-
vegetative) and/or the existing soil topograph; . Land distTarbin~
acti~~ities include, but are not limited to clearing; grading.. f;.Iling. anal
exca~=anon. Corn action that is associated with stabilization of
structures anal road construction shat also be considered a land
disturbing activit~~. Vegetation maintenance practices are not
considered land-disturbing activit< .
?~1r~i~~tera.r~tze~ - 1?epair and maintenance includes activities co?~ducted
on currentl~~ ser~~iceable structures, facilities, and equip}nne?~t that
in~rol~c-es no expansion or use be~~ond ghat previouslpJ existing and
results ire no significant adverse h~,~drologic impact. It includes those
usaal activities tal~en to prevent a decline. lapse, or cessation in the use
of structures and. svstenas. Those usual activities mat- include and
replacement of d~'Sf(znetioriirtg facilities, ir~clading cases where
environmental permits rewire replacing an existing structure with a
different t~rpe structure; as long as the functioning characteristics of the
original structu_Ye are not eha~aged. due example is the replacement of
a collapsed, Isla blcsc~ingg round culvez~t ~Tith a new- bax culvert under
the same span. or ~vidtla, of roadway. For further details on the
'application of tyt~ys; man~.zal to ~>arious road management functions,
iJ!eas4 SVe S~v4t8ott ~.?.
1~«~u~i~re ~>e~ e~c~~i~ra - ~~ egetation comprised of plant species ofher Haan
noxious ~~Teeds, that are indigenous to f,~ae coasts' region of the l~acif c
?northwest and v,l-~~ch reasonablz- could ha~~e been expected to
naturali~r occur on the site. ~"xanaples i~~clude trees sack as t~ou~las
Fir_ ~~~ester, hen~oc~, western red cedar, alder, t~i~-leaf maple, and
vine maple. sha~ubs such as ~villo«-, elderberr~~; sa~onberrv. and salal,
ar~d herbaceous plants sash as s 1~-ord ems.; foam flower. grid f~re~veed.
?~~`e~~5 rle~elc~~~ner~t -Land disturbing activities including Class 1~~ -
~eneral forest practices that are co?~versions from t:~xnber land to other
uses; structural development.. including constction or installation cf a
building or other structure; creation of impervious 5~rfaees% and
subdivision. shori subdivision and binding site plants as def+,r;ed and
applied i_n Chapter ~~.1 1 RC~~'. 1~rojects meeting the definition of
redevelopment shall riot be considered new- development.
P!~Ztuticrn-Qeneratit~g itrtpen~iocts surface (P'~IS~ -Those irape~=ious
surfaces considered tc= be a si~nifcant source of pollutants ul
storrnwater runoff: Such surfaces include those ~-rich are subject to:
~rehicular °asee industrial activities (as further defined in the glossar~~);
or storage of erodible or leachable r~ateriais ~~-sates, or chemicals. and
~~~hich receive direct rainfall or the rcu~-on or blo~~--in of rain X11.
Erodible or leaelaable materials. w=astes, or ch:r~aicals are those
e~rEla~r 2%?~~ ~`olume ; - lt~lnir~:.~rn '~~chr~i~al !~~~uirpme,-~ts 2~5
substances ~~rhich, when exposed to rainfall, ~eas7~rab1~- alter the
phyrsical or chemical characteristics of the rainfall runoff. E~;arnples
include erodible soils that are stockpiled, uncovered pracess wastes,
manure; fertilizers, oily substances. ashes, kin dust; and garbage
du-npster leakage. fetal roofs are also considered to be PGIS unless
they- are coated ~~ith an inerv, no€?-leachable material. (e.g., baked_on
enarr~el coating?.
~ s~.rface, u-Nether pa~~ed or note sha11 'be considered subject to
~'ehiGUlar Lise ~~ Ii 1~ reffalartE 1Se~ b~ iia~>TOr ~'GhIGieS. ~tle follQ~T~'In~
are considered regularl~~-used surfaces: roads, ;znvegetated read v
shoulcz°rs; bike lanes v,~it~in the traveled lane of a road«7a~~. drive~-~~~~~s,
parking lots, unfenced fi€-e lanes, ~Jel~iGUlar equipment storage ~~ards,
anu aL~3ort rur`v~'a~'S.
The follo~~inQ are not considered regularl; -used surfaces: paved
biG~%cle path~~a~~s separated from and not s~~~+ect to drai;~age ~-orr~
roads for motor vehicles, fenced fn-e lanes. and irLfrequentl~- used
maintenance access rt~ads.
~~ZI~€ta~n ~ e~. er~~ta~xg ~~r•~-anus s~r~~ac~s {~~~.~} - ~~- nQn-
nnper~~?ous su-iace su~~eGt to use of pesticiaes and fe~rt~ers ar loss c~~
sail. T-~pical PCT~c include ia~~ns. landscaped areas, golf courses.
parl.s. Gelneteries. and sports i€elds.
~Y~-£gC'd'~~Ct~7~C~ c=CtF~t~:ataC~e~1 - Tile naive vegetation aF~d soda that e`ilSted
at a site prior to tine ir~~uence of Euro-<~merican settlement. The pre-
develope~ Gonc€it~on shah €~e assr n,ea to be a ioresteo lane cover
unless reasonable, historic information is provided teat indicates. the
site ~~Tas prairie prior to settlez~e€~t.
~r~c~ject sate -That portion of a property-. properties, or right of ~~av
subject to land disturbing actijTides, rle~,~ impervious surfacese or
replacec'i i_n~pen,ious surfaces.
l~ece~n~ ~~~aters - $odies of eater or surface c~~ater s~~sterr~s to ~~t-hiGh
surface runoG is discharged via a point source of storn?~x~ater or via
sheet Tio~~.
e~ea~e~~~~~~~~zt - C)n a site that is alread~~ substaiitiall~~ de ~ el o~ed (i. e.,
has ~ ~ % or sore of e~istiz°~Q in~perG-ious surface Gogieragv f, the
creation or addition of in~pe~~ious surfaces: the expansion of a
building footprint or addition ar replaGer.~ent of a s~~-uGt~ure; struG~ural
deveo-~?~ent includinff construction..mstallation or e~ Mansion of a
building or other structiu-e;; replacement ofper`>'~ous S:z~'faGe ~~~at €S
not part of a roe€t;ne maintenance actin=ice ;and lane dish.€rbina
aGti ~-ities.
2-~ Valume 1- l~arrarrru,°rr Tect€nica/ R?c~uirernents r=et~rua~ 2CJC1
~as~ Cc~~rse ~ggrega~e ~
scope
This standard covers the quality and size of aggregate to be used as a base course for substation and driveway
construction.
~e~f~retlC~S
Aggregate shall meet the requirements of the latest revision of the following applicable national standards:
AASHTO T176 - Standard Method of Test for Plastic Fines in Graded Aggregates and Soils by Use of the
Sand Equivalent Test
Req~ireme~~s
i . General
L1 Base course shall consist of naturally occurring or screened gravel. It shall be substantially free
from various types of wood and organic waste, and other extraneous or objectionable material It
shall have such characterist7cs of size and shape that it is readily compactible.
2. Gradation
2.1 When tested by means of laboratory sieves, grain size distribution shall conform to the
requirements in Table 1.
Table 1: Grain size distribution requirements
l!S Stanbarci
Sieve Percent Passing
fb~ v~eight)
3" ~ i 00
3/4" j 70 to 90
3/8" 60 to 80
1 /4" ' S0 to 70
No. 40 ~ < 30
No. 200 j 5 maximum
2.2 Sand equivalent as determined by AASHTO T176 shall be greater than 45.
3. ~ateriai Approval
31 Sources of base course shall be inspected and approved by Puget Sound Energy prior to delivery
of material.
3.? Acceptance of material at the supplier's plant will not constitute final acceptance. Any material
delivered to the job site or designated stock piles not meeting the specification requirements shall
be rejected.
c~isso Puget Sound Energy January 12, 20 i 0
F3evision 2
Page 1 of 1
Yard Course gushed Aggregate ~
Scope
This standard covers the quality and size of crushed rock to be used as a surfacing material for substation yards or
similar area.
References
Aggregate shall meet the requirements of the latest revision of the following applicable national standards:
AASHTO T96 - Standard Method of Test for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate
by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
AASHTO T104 - Standard Method of Test for Soundness of Aggregate b_y Use of Sodium Sulfate or
Magnesium Sulfate
ASTM C131 - Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by
Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine
ASTM C136 - Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis of Fine and Coarse Aggregates
ASTM D75/D75M - Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates
Additional test requirements are identified by the following procedure:
BPA ELMM-004 - Rock Resistivity Test Procedure
Requirements
1. General
1.1 Yard course shall consist of clean, tough, durable fragments of crushed aggregate from quarry
rock; free- from an excess of flat, elongated, soft, or disintegrated pieces. It shall be of uniform
quality and free from rock coated with dirt or other objectionable matter.
2. Physical Properties
2.1 Wear shall not exceed 30%- in accordance with AASHTO T96 and ASTM C1 ~1.
2.2 When the crushed rock is subjected to 5 alternations of the sodium sulfate soundness test in
accordance with AASHTO T104, the weighted loss shall not exceed 12% by weight.
3. Gradation
3.1 Sample aggregate shall be in accordance with ASTM D75/D75M.
32 When tested by means of laboratory sieves according to ASTM C136, grain size distribution
shall conform to the requirements in Table 1.
Table 1: Grain size distribution requirements
US Stardard
Sieve Size Percent Passing
(by weight}
1-1/2" ~ 100
1 " ~ 60 to 100
3/4" or 5/8" 0 to 35
3/8" 0 to 5
1990 Puget Sound Energy January 12, 2010
Revision 3
Page 1 of 2
Yard ~ourae ~r~s~ed ~~c~regata ~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
4. Fractures! Faces
4.1 Only fractured quarry rock shall be used.
5. Resistivity
5.1 The minimum electrical resistivity shall be 3000 ohm meters when tested in accordance with the
Bonneville Power Administration's ELMM-004, "Rock Resistivity Test Procedure," dated
.lanuarv L 1993.
6. Material Apprsavaf
6.1 Sources of crushed rock surfacing for use as yard course shall be inspected and approved by
Puget Sound Energ}% prior to delivery of material.
6.2 Acceptance of material at the supplier's plant will not constitute final acceptance. Any material
delivered to the job site or designated stock piles not meeting the specification requirements shall
be rejected.
A. Taking material from the bottom of the supplier's stockpile shall be avoided to prevent an
e~;cess of small particles in the yard course.
January 12, 2010 C 1890 Puget Sound Energy
Revision 3
Page 2 of 2