Geotechnical Study, Dynamic Characterization, and Seismic Hazard Analysis
Energy project for the construction of the González Ortega Combined Cycle Power Plant in the Mexicali Valley. The plant includes infrastructure for electricity generation, such as major structures and equipment, foundations for industrial facilities, auxiliary buildings, roads, trackbeds, underground utility networks, and ancillary works.
The site is located within an active tectonic basin, composed of very thick alluvial and deltaic deposits, and is close to major structures of the San Andreas–Gulf of California fault system. These conditions made it necessary to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the subsurface to identify geological and geotechnical risks, characterize the local seismic response, and define solutions for foundations, ground improvement, and site preparation for the area surrounding the plant.
Services:
- Geological, geotechnical, and geophysical investigation of the site to determine subsurface conditions and establish design criteria for the power plant.
- Mechanical boreholes, trial pits, plate load and CBR tests, Lefranc tests, piezometers, laboratory analyses, electrical resistivity tomography, electrical and thermal resistivity measurements, four down-hole tests, and four environmental vibration records.
- Geotechnical modeling of the site, characterization of alluvial deposits, and evaluation of strength, deformability, permeability, expansivity, collapsibility, and chemical aggressiveness toward concrete and steel. In addition, risks associated with high regional seismicity, expansive soils, differential settlement, and cyclic softening of fine-grained materials were identified.
- Analysis of bearing capacity, settlements, and reaction moduli for footings, slabs, and piles; lateral response of deep foundations; stability of cuts and embankments; earth pressures; earthworks; design of rigid and flexible pavements; and evaluation of ground improvement alternatives.
- Dynamic characterization using shear wave velocity profiles, determination of the fundamental period, and probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard analysis, generating site-specific design spectra.
- Recommendations for foundations, embankments, roadways, underground utilities, corrosion protection, and geotechnical monitoring during construction.
