Vandenberg Air Force Base Multiple Projects

Ductile Iron Waterline Installation
The installation of a 12-inch ductile iron waterline with associated subsurface structures as planned at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The waterline is located from the south gate of the air force base to the SLC 3 launch site, along Arguello and Bear Creek Roads. The waterline is approximately 3 feet in depth and is installed within the Arguello and Bear Creek Roads right-of-ways. The subsurface structures are approximately 8 feet in depth. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soils engineering investigation,
  • geotechnical engineering report with recommendations for grading and backfill, retaining wall design, earth pressures on buried structure and seismic design, trench stability characteristics, shoring parameters, types and depths of shallow foundation systems, and maximum allowable bearing capacities.

 

Wind Turbine Installation Feasibility Study
Earth Systems provided geotechnical engineering services to guide in the selection of feasible sites for the construction of wind turbines. Fifteen potential sites were evaluated; two to four turbines are planned for each site. The turbines will be supported by monopoles approximately 200-feet tall. In addition to site selection recommendations, design parameters were developed for drilled cast-in-place concrete caissons and mat foundations to support the towers.

 

Western Range VUS Antenna Sites
Multiple VUS antennas have been and are currently being installed at Vandenberg Air Force Base. The antennas weigh approximately 200 kips each and are used to aid launch control. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soils engineering investigation,
  • geotechnical engineering report with geotechnical recommendations for site preparation and grading, drilled pier and mat foundations, utility trenches and drainage,
  • certification of grading operations,
  • foundation excavation observation,
  • and materials special inspection.

 

SLC 6 Payload Processing Facility
An 18-story structure is planned to aid in the processing of payloads from the SLC 6 launch facility. The structure will measure 150 feet in height and will be of steel-frame construction. A new support building is also planned. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soils engineering investigation,
  • geotechnical engineering report with geotechnical recommendations for augmenting the existing mat foundation at the site with drilled piers and grade beams to accommodate the new structure; geotechnical recommendations to guide in the construction of the support building.

 

SLC 3 Modification
The SLC 3 rocket launch facility was modified to accommodate a larger vehicle. The existing foundations were modified to carry the increased load during rocket transport. A new flame bucket, fire channel, spray ring, and water tank were necessary to control the increased thrust and combustion. Our professionals worked closely with the structural engineer to develop innovative methods for these improvements. We developed geotechnical recommendations for deep pier, drilled caisson foundations for the transport area, large mat foundations for the flame bucket area, and a conventional foundation with concrete slab-on-grade for the water tank. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soils engineering investigation,
  • geotechnical engineering report,
  • compaction testing,
  • foundation excavation observation,
  • special inspection of concrete,
  • special inspection welding,
  • special inspection anchor bolt installation.

 

Sanitary Landfill Planned Final Configuration
The Class III landfill at Vandenberg Air Force Base receives residential, commercial, and agricultural solid wastes. In anticipation of its final configuration and encapsulation, we were retained to perform a geotechnical engineering investigation and a slope stability analysis. Earth Systems professionals provided geotechnical analysis of proposed soils to be used for encapsulation, as well as analyzing the slope stability (static, seismic, and surficial), seismicity, and liquefaction potential of the encapsulation area. Preliminary geotechnical recommendations were developed for site preparation and grading, foundations, utility trenches, slabs-on-grade and exterior flatwork, retaining walls, temporary back cut and shoring parameters, and drainage around improvements. The use of recycled products such as concrete and other inert materials will be incorporated at the toe of the slope to increase slope stability. Earth Systems services provided:

  • geotechnical engineering investigation,
  • slope stability analysis.

IDT and IDO Facilities
The IDT and IDO facilities support launch operations. The IDT aids in the control of mobile launch sites, and the IDO support post-launch environmental and safety operations. The facilities are of reinforced concrete construction with conventional foundations and concrete slabs-on-grade. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soils engineering investigations,
  • geotechnical engineering report with preliminary geotechnical recommendations for site preparation and grading, foundations, ground vibrations, utility trenches and drainage.

Access Control Building
The Access Control Building is a masonry structure that houses control equipment for a high-security gate. Earth Systems performed a soil engineering investigation and developed preliminary geotechnical recommendations for site preparation and grading, conventional foundations, utility trenches and drainage around improvements. During construction, we performed testing and inspection services. Earth Systems services provided:

  • soil engineering investigation,
  • geotechnical engineering report,
  • certification of grading operations,
  • foundation excavation observations,
  • special inspection of concrete, masonry, and welding.