Dean Ryan is responsible for multi-phase Construction and Geological Management and Geotechnical Sampling and Laboratory services for the U.S. Army Corps of EngineerĂs Seven Oaks Dam project since 1994. Seven Oaks Dam is an earth and rockfill embankment dam presently under construction in San Bernardino County, California, which will feed the Santa Ana River Mainstream System. Services have required special expertise in mechanical, electrical, and civil/structural engineering (dam and tunnel); surveying work; soil and concrete testing; and geological, geotechnical, and environmental hazardous or toxic waste evaluations. Additionally, we are periodically required to prepare for scheduled reviews as well as prepare evaluations for construction claim/impact. This work typically includes: constructability, bidability, operability, maintainability reviews prior to contract advertisement; preparation of Quality Assurance Plans by providing input to the resident engineer on required staffing and types of testing to be performed; review of shop drawings and other documents, and submittal of comments to the resident engineer.
Participation in the projectĂs three-phased inspection program requires attending preparatory meetings and performing initial and follow-up inspections. All three phases require proper documentation, the performance of Quality Assurance testing in accordance with the Quality Assurance Plan, and continual inspection of the construction activity for compliance with safety requirements.
Specific Phase I-A Construction Geological services include, development of geological, embankment materials and topographic drawings, to be utilized in the dam foundation report. These Microstation compatible surface and subsurface maps, drawings, and cross-sections of the geology and embankment materials are provided for the Seven Oaks Dam Resident Engineers Office and made available to the Construction Contractor.
Phase I-B Laboratory services for the Seven Oaks Dam project include geotechnical sample gathering and laboratory quality assurance testing. Performed under the direction of the Los Angeles District Corps of Engineers, Seven Oaks Dam Resident Office Laboratory Chief, all testing is done in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Manual 1110-2-1906, as well as the applicable ASTM test method. Over 30 specified field and laboratory test methods have been required, including sieve analyses of fine and coarse aggregate, compressive strength tests, cone field density and moisture density tests, large- and small-scale specific gravity and moisture content laboratory tests, and Atterberg limits.
Presently, Phase II Construction Management services are being provided for the testing, performance, evaluations, and acceptance of the construction project in accordance with the Phase I-A Construction Geological services and Phase I-B Laboratory services described above.
This project consists of three separate phases. Of these phases, Phase II is currently being implemented. Dean Ryan has participated in Phase IA, Construction Geology, Phase 1B, Laboratory Services and Phase II, Construction Management.