Why Martin Chose Quality Testing and Engineering, Inc.

Mike Widman (3rd from left). Quality Testing and Engineering, Inc. (QTE) has an extremely knowledgeable, as well as a very skilled, and responsive staff who will bring over 100 years of combined experience to this project. QTE has been selected to perform the preliminary geotechnical exploration for Martin Aviation Group. The preliminary geotechnical exploration will help to determine the soil and water table conditions prior to a formal full-blown geotechnical report which will aid in the design of all structures at the "Golden Mile." Once construction commences, QTE hopes to be performing the monitoring and inspection of all construction materials to ensure project plans and specifications are met or exceeded.

Quality Testing and Engineering, Inc.

Quality Testing and Engineer, Inc. was founded by Michael A. Widman in April of 2000 to provide a wide variety of construction material testing, geotechnical engineering, and other development services. The company soon gained a reputation for providing quality, timely service. Within two years of operation, QTE experienced substantial growth. This warranted additional professional staff. To better address the growing needs of their clients, QTE expanded services to include environmental, archaeological, and wetland consulting. A dedicated professional staff and state-of-the-art technology assure QTE’s ability to continue its tradition of premium service to their clients. QTE's excellent reputation began to earn substantial recognition in Missouri resulting in the opening of QTE's regional office in Wentzville on March 1, 2006.

QTE has completed over 8 million square feet of geotechnical exploration just at the Gateway Commerce Center alone in Madison County, Illinois. Various projects that QTE provided professional services to include: individual home owners and up to large power plants and refineries such as the ConocoPhillips Refinery in Wood River, Illinois.

GEOTECHNICAL SCOPE

The proposed project site is located on the southeast side of the existing runway and taxiway. The overall project will feature the construction of a complex one-mile in length consisting of multi-story office condominiums, related support buildings, pavement, taxiway and structures.

Field Exploration

We propose to explore the subsurface conditions for the proposed project by drilling ten (10) test borings at selected locations. Site access will need to be coordinated and obtained prior to moving in with a drill-rig. We will contact J.U.L.I.E. for public utility clearance prior to drilling. Please be aware that private utilities or utilities that are unmarked or not located properly cannot be accounted for. Ideally, a project civil engineer/surveyor would stake the boring locations in the field prior to drilling as well as provide surface elevations at the boring locations.

 We propose to advance three of the borings to a depth of 100 feet each, unless auger refusal terminates drilling at a shallower depth. Seven borings would be advanced to a depth of 30 feet. Standard penetration tests (SPTs) will be performed at 2 foot intervals to a depth of 10 feet, and at 5-foot intervals thereafter. Representative samples of the materials encountered will be retained in glass jars for identification and laboratory testing. Thin walled sampler tubes (Shelby Tubes) will be pushed at selected locations in lieu of the SPT. The tubes will provide relatively undisturbed samples for laboratory testing. Two (2) PVC piezometers will be installed to a depth of 20 feet in boring locations to provide long-term groundwater monitoring points.

Laboratory Testing

Upon Completion of the field exploration program, all samples will be transported to our laboratory for inspection and testing. We will determine the moisture content of each cohesive sample. The unconfined compressive strength of intact cohesive samples will be approximated with a hand penetrometer. Atterberg limits tests may be performed on selected samples to assess the volume of change characteristics of the subgrade soils. Natural density tests will be performed on selected relatively undisturbed samples. We anticipate a consolidation test will be conducted on one of the Shelby tube samples.

Analysis and Report

The results of our field exploration and laboratory testing will be analyzed by our engineering staff. Our findings and recommendations, along with supporting data, will be presented in a preliminary form report. Specific items to be addressed in this report will include the following:

• The feasibility of using shallow foundations, with recommended bearing pressures and foundations depths. If necessary, recommendations for alternate foundation systems will be provided.
  
  

• Anticipated settlement based on assumed design loads, general soil characteristics and consolidation results.
  
  

• Seismic design considerations according to the 2006 IBC.
  
  

• Location and general description of natural soils and existing fill materials, if encountered.
  
  

• Evaluation of shrink/swell potential of subgrade soils, and recommendations for mitigation of high plasticity soils, if necessary.
  
  

• Groundwater levels observed in the borings at the time of drilling, and the potential influence of groundwater on the design and construction of the project.
  
  

• Site development recommendations.
  
  

• Construction considerations.
  
  

• Suitability of on-site soils for use as structural fill.
  
  

• Engineering criteria for placement of structural fill.