DENVER, CO  Olsson's new Colorado-based Field Services Practice Group office in Denver, Colorado, is playing a significant role as Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) builds an Aerospace Engineering Sciences Building on its downtown Denver campus. Olsson is providing geotechnical, construction inspection, and testing services along with environmental services on the project. The project faces multiple construction challenges on a land-locked, student-filled campus in an area with a relatively high water level and where remnants of old historical industrial facilities, row houses, and other significant subsurface rubble are present.

Olsson's new geotechnical office and materials testing laboratory, which opened in Denver in March 2015, provided an overall site investigation including recommendations for earthwork and soil improvements, foundation design, retained and buried structures assessment, and surface water and groundwater studies.

Specifically, Olsson's services on the project included:

Conducting an environmental subsurface investigation, which included test pits and soil borings to assess potential environmental impact to the soils and groundwater.
Analyzing the groundwater for volatile organic compounds and the soil for asbestos.
Conducting a geotechnical subsurface investigation including soil test borings to report on the soil or rock formations encountered, existing groundwater conditions, and anticipated obstructions.
Providing recommendations on managing potential groundwater impact during and after construction and the suitability of reusing excavated soils.
Making recommendations for multiple foundation system approaches for the new building; floor slab subgrade preparation; design criteria for temporary excavation support; and earthwork and soil modification required for the site.

Olsson's Field Services Practice Group will provide construction observation for soil, concrete, steel, and other structural components as needed. Olsson is also providing environmental oversight and monitoring during the excavation of the underground segments of the construction. Building completion is expected in April 2017.