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Home My WebLink AboutSubmittal-Alexander Tachnes-Kimley Horn Assessment and Documentation of Ficus TreesSubmitted into the public record for item(s) Pt on 10) 7,2 I I �. City Clerk Kimley>>>Horn October 21, 2015 Kathleen Maurer Shutts & Bowen LLP 1500 Miami Center, 201 South Biscayne Miami, Florida 33131 RE: Ficus Trees 13 & 14 at 3985 Loquat Ave., Miami, FL 33133 Ms. Maurer: Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. ("Kimley-Horn") is pleased to present this opinion letter in reference to the stability of Ficus trees 13 and 14 following root pruning at their base due to the installation of a septic sanitary sewer to a tank. The purpose of this report is to determine if the Ficus trees pose an imminent risk of failure. Site Assessment and Documentation On September 22, 2015 Arnoldo A. Artiles, P.E. with Kimley-Horn and Associates visited the property located at 3985 Loquat Ave, Miami, FL to observe the existing condition of the Ficus trees. Ficus trees 13 and 14 are on the east side of the property, close to the property tine. The Ficus trees are approximately 30 feet apart from each other. Ficus Tree 13 has an average canopy spread of 33 feet and an average canopy height of 30 feet. Ficus Tree 14 has an average canopy spread of 46 feet and an average canopy height of 35 feet. Three (3) helical piles were installed at the base of each tree strapping the body of the tree and another helical pile was installed approximately 15 feet away from the base of the tree anchoring the canopy with 3/8" steel cables. Per information provided by lan Wogan (Certified Arborist FL#6594A), the helical piles at the base of each tree are 7 feet deep and have two helices. The helical piles 15 feet away from the Ficus trees are 7 feet deep and have three helices. A geotechnical evaluation was conducted to determine the uplift capacity of the helical piles 15 feet away from the Ficus trees. The capacity listed by the geotechnical engineer is the capacity of the entire assembly as the soil would fail before the other components. Observations The observations are included in the attached photographs in Appendix A. kimtey-horn,com 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200, West Palm Beach, FL 33411 15-0b14+5h6 -1)17 061-Ali-00060(roc e -yin-1f o [ u rrrl6 G n 0 4- El C v S f( S 561 845 0665 y Hcrn . ss-ess niQ r4- a nci Kimley>»Horn Submitted into the public record for item(s) .. `R, on 16 1121 City Clerk Ficus Trees 13 and 14 Stability 3985 Loquat Ave, Miaani, FL 10/21 /2015 Page 2 of 6 Discussion and Conclusions of Existing Conditions Ficus trees 13 and 14 have recently had their roots pruned on the west side, and the stability of the tree was in question. The mitigation that was implemented at the base of the Ficus trees is only to help the tree be stable during non -hurricane winds, and the modifications depicted in Appendix A do not alleviate nor mitigate any damage, if any, on the root system on the neighbor's property from previous years. We do not have any information on the condition of the root system on the neighbor's property as access to such property was not provided. After reviewing the photographs, the geotechnicaf investigation and the placement of the anchors, it is my professional opinion that Ficus trees 13 and 14 do not pose an imminent risk of failure. kimley-horn.com 1920 Wekiva Way. Suite 200, West Palm Beach. FL 33411 561 845 0665 Kimley » Horn Closure Submitted into the public record or item(s) R - on ! City Clerk Ficus Trees 13 and 14 Stability 3985 Loquat Ave, Miami, FL 10121/2015 Page 3of6 The opinions and conclusions expressed in this report are based on a review of the noted material, as well as my education, training, and experience as a licensed, professional engineer. These opinions and conclusions are based on the information currently available to me and may be amended or supplemented should new information become available. This report has been prepared in accordance with the applicable professional standard of care. No other warranties or guarantees, express or implied, are made or intended. This report has been prepared solely for the Client for the purpose stated herein and should not be relied upon by any other party or for any other purpose. The conclusions in this report are based on the limited investigation described above. Should any additional information become available, Kimtey-Horn reserves the right to re-evaluate the opinions and recommendations in this report. Any reliance on this report by any party other than the Client shall be without liability to Kimsey -Horn or its employees. Please call us at (561) 845-0665 if you have any questions. Sincerely, KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. CA 00000696 0 O l i I II I l // ,,,, 4:\\v\�aOH A. ARa �r/ r No. 701345 V p STATE OF J Arnaldo A. Artiles, P.B. ��s�4%.% �C„�3R1'?,� eit wZ Attachments ,f/,,S1ONAi- ' \\' Appendix A — Photographs Appendix B — Geotechnical Report kimley-horn.com 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200. West Palm Beach, FL 33411 561 845 0665 Submitted into the public record for items) g on ! Z 7 K City Clerk Kimley >>] Horn 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 Site Inspection Photo. ra ' h Sheet Location: North end of property looking south KHA Job No.: 140197000.2 KHA Rep.: Arnoldo Artiles, P.E. Date: October 1, 2015 Page: 1 of 5 Remarks: Ficus Trees Location: South end of property looking north Kimley>>>Horn 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 Site Inspection Photograph Sheet Submitted into the public record for item(s) P on 1L11L i City Clerk KHA Job No.: 1401970002 KHA Rep.: Arnoldo Artiles, P.E. Date: October 1, 2015 Page: 2 Of 5 Kimley }>> Horn 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200 West Palrra Beach, Florida 33411 Site Inspection Photograph Sheet Submitted into the public record for item(s) P7.7 on l 7,21 1 city Clerk KHA Job No.: 140197000.2 KHA Rep.: Arnoldo Artiles, P.E, Date: October 1, 2015 Page: 3 of 5 Submitted into the public record for i em(s) On I } • City Clerk Kimley >» Horn 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite MD West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 Site Inspection Photograph Sheet KHA lob No.: 140197000.2 KHA Rep.: Arnoldo Artiles. P.E. Date: October 1, 2015 Page: 4 of 5 Submitted into the public record or item(s) , • 21 on b I? �_ City Clerk Kimley>>) Horn 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 KHA Job No.: 140197000.2 Site Inspection KHA Rep.: Arnaldo Artiles, P.E. Date: October 1, 2015 Photograph Sheet Page: 5 of 5 Photo No. 7 Remarks: Ficus Tree 13 ECS FLORIDA, LLC Submitted into the public record for item(s) on j (', 2 ) c City Clerk ".Setting the Standard for Service" �• Gectechnical • Construction Materials • Environmental • Facilities Mr. Arnoldo A. Artiles, P.E. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. 1920 Wekiva Way, Suite 200 West Palm Beach, Florida 33411 Reference; Dear Mr. Artiles: Helical Pile Uplift Capacity Letter 3985 Loquat Avenue Miami, Florida September 29, 2015 ECS Job No. 25:2738 As requested, ECS Florida, LLC is pleased to submit this Helical Pile Uplift Capacity Letter for the existing helical piles installed within the backyard of the property located at 3985 Loquat Avenue in Miami, FL. ECS performed two (2) soil test borings using tripod equipment: one in the vicinity of the helical pile placed near the south Cypress tree, and the other one near the helical pile anchor which is holding the cables attached to the south Cypress tree, as per your recommendations and also to avoid existing septic tank and pipe interferences. Refusal was encountered at nine inches below the ground surface due to the presence of weathered limestone. Oolitic Limestone corresponding to the Miami Geologic Formation is common to find within the proposed project area. This material was confirmed during the installation of the helical piles (yellowish material coming from the helixes). Based on the information and helical anchor installation photos that you have provided, we understand that the 3-inch round -shaft helical piles° length was terminated at approximately 7 feet below the existing ground surface, and are comprised of three bearing plates with diameters ranging from 8 inches (top) to 6 inches (bottom). The first helix -bearing plate was located approximately at a depth of 3 feet below the existing ground surface. Considering the result of our field exploration, our experience with similar projects, the location and diameter of the helixes, and knowledge of the general geology of this area, it is our judgment that the allowable uplift capacity of the installed helical piles is 6.25 kips. The conclusions and recommendations presented within this letter report are based upon a reasonable level of exploration within normal bounds and standards of professional practice for a site in this particular geographic and geologic setting. Should project conditions and/or assumed helical anchor characteristics differ from our assumptions, we need to be notified to proceed to make any adjustments. Should you have any questions with respect to the information contained in this letter, or with any of the work we have completed to date, please do not hesitate to contact us at (561) 840- 3667. 2000 Avenue P., Suite 3. West Palm Beach. Florida 33404 • T. 561-840-3667 • 'F• 561-840.3668 • wwhv ecslimited,com ECS Carolinas, LLP • ECS Florida, LLC • ECS Midwest. LLC • ECS Mid -Atlantic, LLC • ECS Southeast. LLC • ECS Texas, LLP Helical Pile Uplift Capacity ECS Job No. 2738 September 29, 2015 Page 2 Respectfully, ECS FLORIDA, LLC Florida Certificate of Authorization No. 26152 Lucrece Regisme Geotechnical Staff Project Manager JNG/LRfir Submitted into the public record f r it m(s) on I Z City Clerk Jose N. Gomez, P.E., D.GE VP/Senior Principal Geotechnical Engineer P.E. 78289 ,‘►�y1111111111�i� � r r / No. 78289 4; --1=1:: : 1 * 1 OF la `:z l�j�`r;Qf_AI. s�G ��,