Temporary retained heights
The excavation had to reach the new foundation levels while the hillside remained supported. The wall design accounted for those temporary retained heights as well as the permanent condition beside the science building.
The new science building at Glendale Community College required excavation for foundations on a terraced hillside. Cefali & Associates designed a permanent shoring wall whose temporary retained heights allowed that excavation, including work for the building's drilled-pile foundations.
The support needed while foundations are being built can differ from the finished wall condition. At the college, construction-stage earth support was part of a wall that also had a permanent role relieving earth pressure from the building.
Site conditions
Shoring for the stages before the building is complete
Foundation and wall geometry
Working for HMC, Cefali coordinated its wall design with building structural engineer Saiful Bouquet. The shoring supported foundation excavation; its layout had to fit the foundations and retaining geometry being developed by the design team.
Corners in a terraced excavation
The hillside terraces created non-typical corner conditions. Those changes in direction affected the support geometry around the building. Shoring Engineers installed the shoring for the project, which was managed by Gafcon and reviewed and approved by DSA.
Published project work
Glendale projects behind this service
1500 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale, CA 91208
Glendale Community College
A permanent shoring wall provided temporary retained heights for foundation excavation on a terraced hillside.
Engineering scope
From local project to your site
These projects show how excavation depth, neighboring structures, access, and the permanent work can change the support design. Your site needs its own geotechnical criteria and structural design. The contractor determines installation and construction means and methods.
Read more about temporary shoring design or explore other published work in Glendale.