Montana State University Biochemistry Building

DOWL provided geotechnical engineering, site civil engineering, construction materials testing, and special inspections for the design and construction of a four-story, 65,000-square-foot chemistry research building on the Montana State University campus. The construction cost was approximately $20 million. The building consists of a concrete column moment frame structure with masonry veneer and dead and live column loads range from 600 to 800 kips. Low strength near surface foundation soils required evaluation of deep foundation alternatives. Over excavation and driven piling, as well as drilled pier options, were evaluated and presented for cost evaluations. Allowable bearing pressures recommended for the over excavation option were 4,000-pounds-per-square-foot (psf) for structural fill and 12,000-psf for native gravel. The final selected foundation consisted of 15- to 26-foot deep and three- to seven-foot diameter drilled piers bearing on underlying cemented gravel deposits. Options for placement of 15-foot fill on one side of the building were also presented. Options evaluated consisted of preloading with overburden soils or use of lightweight expanded polystyrene blocks for fill.