The State of Minnesota selected Braun Intertec to conduct environmental analysis, special inspection, and quality control testing services for three state building projects located in St. Paul, MN. These three projects were completed in the Fall of 2005.

Braun Intertec engineers and technicians began with site observations to evaluate the soils and bedrock as the MDHS site was excavated. Foundation construction activities had already begun for the MDA-MDH projects. We provided inspection and quality control testing and observation services during the placement of concrete, masonry and steel throughout the construction process.

The MDA-MDH buildings are on three different foundations systems. Geopiers, or compacted aggregate columns, were used to provide foundation support below the laboratory building and accommodate conventional spread footings.

This form of inplace ground improvement also limited the impact that known contaminants would have on construction activities and costs.

In areas of deeper bedrock depths, the building is supported on drilled shafts, but was switched to driven piles in places where the bedrock drops off steeply.

The General Contractor also faced challenges in coordinating foundation construction activities as both drilled shaft and drivenpile subcontractors were working simultaneously on the project. Removing the underlying limestone bedrock to attain foundation design elevation, minimizing disruption, identifying and abandoning old tunnels and staging the construction for the building and parking ramp required a coordinated effort from the construction team.

These projects highlight the diversity of our geotechnical/environmental consulting services as well as our materials testing capabilities. We are proud to be a part of these diverse, progressive developments because they represent the fabric of our community.

The architect/structural engineer for the $77-million Orville L. Freeman Office Building at Columbus and Robert Streets is HGA. The architect for the $110-million MDHS office building at 11th and Cedar Streets is BWBR Architects.