Glendale, California

Retaining and excavation work in Glendale

At Glendale Community College, the new science building occupies a terraced hillside, where the retaining geometry had to follow the architectural plan and the foundation excavation.

Cefali designed a permanent shoring wall to relieve earth pressure from the building. Temporary retained heights also allowed excavation for drilled-pile foundations. The design was coordinated with architect HMC and building structural engineer Saiful Bouquet.

Local conditions

A hillside wall serving two construction conditions

The wall had to support temporary excavation and the permanent hillside condition. Terraced corners made the layout less typical than a straight retaining wall, and the work was reviewed by DSA.

Engineering services

Services for Glendale sites

Explore the services used on documented local projects and the broader engineering work available for other site conditions.

Local project experienceEarth Retention Engineering in GlendaleEarth retention at Glendale Community College, where permanent shoring followed a terraced hillside and supported the science building's foundation excavation.Local project experienceTemporary Shoring Design in GlendaleConstruction-stage shoring at Glendale Community College, with temporary retained heights for foundation excavation beside a terraced hillside science building.Service overviewSoldier Pile ShoringSoldier piles, lagging, and bracing designed together for excavations with changing depths, tight boundaries, and limited working room.Service overviewTieback ShoringAnchored shoring that leaves working space inside an excavation, with layouts that account for property rights, utilities, and nearby foundations.Service overviewSoil Nail WallsSoil nail walls for staged excavation and retaining work, with nail layouts and facing designed for the ground conditions and available space.Service overviewMicropilesMicropile foundations for sites where access, existing construction, or structural loads limit other foundation options.Service overviewUnderpinningEngineered support for existing foundations affected by nearby excavation, foundation upgrades, or changes in how building loads are carried.Service overviewSlope StabilizationStructural support for hillside sites, based on the slope geometry, geotechnical findings, property boundaries, and room for construction.Local project experienceRetaining Wall Engineering in GlendaleGlendale retaining wall engineering experience at Glendale Community College, including a permanent shoring wall and temporary excavation support on a terraced hillside.Service overviewStructural Peer ReviewA focused review of structural designs, calculations, details, or proposed changes, with the questions and extent of review agreed at the start.

Published work

Projects in Glendale

Glendale Community College image 1

1500 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA 91208

Glendale Community College

North Verdugo Road: permanent shoring and temporary foundation-excavation support for a hillside science building.

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