Southern Earth Sciences, Inc. served as the Geotechnical Engineer of Record for the Advanced Munitions Technology Complex (AMTC) at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL. This project required the construction of eight primary facilities, totaling over 83,300 sq. ft., for the development of nano energetic/explosive technologies and the development, integration, rapid prototyping, and fielding of advance munitions. Some of the facilities are expected to have explosives detonations within the structures.

The design incorporated explosives safety, anti-terrorism force protection (AT/FP) physical security, and life safety requirements, as well as acoustic and vibration mitigation techniques. Mitigation of explosive effects, including blast, thermal and fragment hazards, is provided with hardened reinforced concrete framing and steel fragment shields. Blast doors include single-swing to sliding doors, for intentional detonation or accidental detonation, to meet blast loading, response criteria, minimum fragment shield thickness, and seal requirements. The Complex also required new roadways and parking areas to be constructed throughout the facility along with three (3) storm water detention areas.

SES’s involvement included conducting twenty (20) Soil Borings and thirty-one (31) Cone Penetrometer Test (CPT) soundings across the project site. Soil borings with Standard Penetration Tests (SPTs) were advanced to depths ranging from approximately 10 to 65 feet using track-mounted drilling equipment. CPT soundings were performed using a track-mounted 20-ton Hogentogler Electronic CPT rig and advanced to depths ranging from approximately 30 to 100 feet below the existing ground. Four (4) SCPT soundings (CPTu sounding with Shear Wave Velocity measurements) were advanced to depths ranging from approximately 50 to 100 feet below existing grade using the same track-mounted 20-ton Hogentogler Electronic CPT rig used for the conventional soundings. In addition to the CPT soundings, Direct-Push sampling (macro core sampling) was performed at requested locations within the planned infiltration/detention areas using a Geoprobe hammer and the Geoprobe DT22 dual tube sampling system.

Direct push sampling was conducted to approximately 20-feet below the existing ground surface. Soil resistivity tests were conducted at three (3) locations across the project area. Field measurements were conducted utilizing an AEMC 6470 resistance meter and the Wenner 4-Pole Method. Laboratory testing included physical examination and general classification testing of samples obtained during the soil test boring operation. Testing included Moisture Content Determination (ASTM D 2216), No. 200 Sieve Washes (ASTM D 1140), California Bearing Ratio Tests (ASTM D4429), Modified Proctor Density Tests (ASTM D1557) and Constant Head Permeability (ASTM D5856).