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PECO - MacDade Substation FEP Security

Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Project Overview

MFS Consulting Engineers & Surveyor, DPC (MFS) was contracted by POWER Inc. to provide professional geotechnical engineering services in support for the PECO Energy Company (PECO) MacDade Substation FEP Security project located at 410 West Knowles Avenue in Glenolden, Pennsylvania. A chain link fence surrounding the MacDade Substation along the Muckinipattis Creek was damaged due to a slope stability failure caused by a washout of the underlying soils. PECO wanted to replace the existing fence with a retaining wall system along the creek that will support a 7-foot-tall chain link fence. In addition, the existing concrete crib wall at the site had experienced significant erosion within the wall resulting in large voids and the buildup of soil at the face of the wall. A new retaining wall was proposed to be constructed behind the existing crib wall to remediate the issue.

Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Project Details

MFS coordinated with our in-house drilling agency (MFS Construction, LLC) to conduct a total of six (6) test borings at the project site in the vicinity of the proposed retaining walls. Each of the borings were conducted to approximate depths between 10 and 25 feet below existing grade and terminated at refusal. MFS obtained samples continuously in the uppermost 12 feet and at five-foot intervals thereafter during each of the borings conducted.

MFS provided on-site, full-time inspections during the subsurface field investigation consisting of six (6) test borings. MFS observed the subsurface conditions and generated test boring logs to include soil classifications in accordance with the Unified Soil Classification System, groundwater observations, action of equipment, and other noteworthy observations. The boring logs showed borehole and sample diameters and depths at which drilling, or sampling methods or equipment change. The logs showed total depth of penetration, blow counts, groundwater level, and types of sampling. The drilling equipment make and model, drilling method, date and time drilled, casing, any heaving conditions, loss of circulation, voids, or any other conditions observed during drilling were also noted on the logs.

Upon completion of the field subsurface investigation consisting of six (6) borings, MFS completed geotechnical laboratory testing and prepared a geotechnical engineering report. The geotechnical engineering report provided design and construction recommendations for the proposed retaining walls.

MFS provided design and construction documents for each of the proposed retaining walls. The MFS geotechnical engineering team assisted the MFS structural team in providing the design and construction documents. MFS derived an innovative solution given the site constraints which included an existing transmission tower foundation behind the wall, construction in a creek, and existing utilities along and through the wall. MFS designed the retaining wall along the creek as a hybrid soldier pile and lagging wall in conjunction with a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall which provided an economic solution and provided a new wall above the flood elevation at the project site. MFS designed the retaining wall behind the existing concrete crib wall as a solider pile and lagging wall which eliminated the need to shore the existing wall during construction.


Stats

  • Owner:
    PECO Energy Company

Services Provided

  • MFS provides professional geotechnical engineering services including geotechnical investigation and subsurface exploration, soil engineering services, and permeability testing.