Tierra South Florida, Inc. (TSF)

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RFQ# 18-05-24 Architectural and Engineering Consulting Services: Construction Testing and Inspections RFQ# 20-70-01 Continuing Professional Consulting Services COST-EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TSF is committed to approaching each project from a cost savings perspective without sacrificing quality or sound design. Below please find a listing of projects where TSF has utilized innovative and cost saving approaches in the past: 3R Improvement Project for SR. A1A from North Sheridan Street to SR5/US1, Broward County, Florida: This project was for a length of two miles and located near the Intracoastal Waterway in the urban area. Due to the presence of organic soils to a depth of about twelve feet below grade, the existing pavement was severely stressed. Removal of the unsuitable organic soil and replacement with suitable fill material to improve the roadway would have involved construction of temporary sheetpile cofferdam, dewatering in excavation and disposal of temporary organic soils. TSF performed a geotechnical investigation and evaluation for the roadway construction. As an alternative, we proposed an innovative approach, instead of removal and replacement, stabilization of organic soil with geofabric was proposed. Estimated cost saving was about $4 million. The construction time was reduced by six months and noise/vibration issues associated with the sheetpile installation were also reduced. Port Everglades Shipping Crane, Broward County, Florida: TSF was requested to evaluate the possibility of shipping a large crane to the Bahamas. The problem was the existing gas line along the port to ship. It was costing the port $20,000 per day to delay shipment. We promptly evaluated the existing subsurface condition and provided recommendations for a portable structure to travel over the gas line without damage. The crane was shipped successfully without causing any delay and cost to the port. Cost savings of $20,000 per day. Florida International University Stadium Field House, Miami, Florida: FIU anticipated using a pile foundation system for the field house additions; however, TSF evaluated the use of a shallow foundation with a higher bearing capacity (6,000psf). We determined that a shallow foundation with 6,000psf could be achieved provided that the footing be founded in the natural limestone. TSF was able to provide both time and cost savings to the university with this approach. Palm Beach County Operations Center, West Palm Beach, Florida: Due to a loose soil condition, a pile foundation system was initially proposed by an engineering firm to support the new six-story Palm Beach County Operations Center. During the peer review performed by our professional staff, we proposed to support the building on shallow foundation with deep soil compaction using vibro-probes. This approach eliminated the need to install approximately 500 augercast piles, resulting in a savings of about $2 million and a signification reduction in construction time. It also abolished the need to import associated construction materials (steel and cement). SR-710 Big John Monahan Bridge Replacement, Martin County, Florida: This bridge replacement requires large 24-inch concrete driven pile footings in the St. Lucie Canal. Due to refusal pile driving conditions some of the piles were terminated slightly above the required minimum tip. Instrumented set-checks showed that these piles have sufficient axial capacity. TSF coordinated with the structural engineer to re-analyze the footings for as-built pile tip elevations. The results showed a negligible difference with respect to original design and foundation certifications were submitted. Some of the left bridge footings (Phase 2 construction) required one corner pile to be battered to install all piles in one phase before demolition of existing bridge. TSF coordinated with the structural engineer to re-analyze these footings with as-built batter piles. The results showed a negligible difference with respect to original design loads. Wave Equation analysis was performed to verify the required blow counts for battered condition. This expedited completion of the footings ahead of schedule. Additionally, TSF performs a site reconnaissance and reviews existing foundation/soils data at the beginning of each job to minimize unforeseen circumstances/issues which may impact the design and overall project budget. Below please find an example of one of these circumstances: 19