Bass Pro Shops

Leeds , Alabama

Status: Completed 2007

GMC provided geotechnical and construction materials testing (CMT) during the design and construction of the Bass Pro Shops in Leeds, Alabama, as well as for the proposed multi-story hotel and out parcels to be developed for commercial structures on the property. The building was approximately 180,000 square feet and had fills of about 25 feet and cuts of about 37 feet in the building area. Construction consisted of tilt-up panel walls around the perimeter and steel columns on the interior. There were many geotechnical challenges: the geology of the site is complex as it includes a major thrust fault that extends northeast-southwest across the central portion of the site and other minor faults in other orientations; bedrock that dips steeply at approximately 30 to 35 degrees to the southeast; and different geologic formations near the surface on either side of the fault. In addition, a large portion of the site is underlain by abandoned coal mines. Services during construction consisted of observing, monitoring and testing the following: Foundations (shallow, slab on grade, and drilled piers), mass grading (settlement plates and pre-loading, cut/fill slopes, deep soil fill greater than 25’ in height, rock fill placement, and MSE walls). Construction testing consisted of: laboratory testing and evaluation of fill soil; pre-loading evaluation; soil density testing; observation of rock fill placement; backfill/grid observations of MSE wall; tilt-up panel wall construction; concrete sampling and testing; structural steel observations; pavement subgrade and base testing; earth dam construction observation and testing; and bridge foundations.

Scope of Services
Geotechnical