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Project

The San Mateo County Office Building (COB3)

Public

County of San Mateo

Location

San Mateo, CA

Project Overview

The San Mateo County Office Building (COB3) project is a significant initiative aimed at constructing a new headquarters for San Mateo County. The project involves a 208,000 square foot, 5-story Cross-Laminated Timber building, designed to house 500 County employees and provide community space for the residents of San Mateo. The building is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, emphasizing sustainability and environmental responsibility. 

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Engeo's Role

ENGEO played a crucial role in the COB3 project by providing comprehensive geotechnical design and support throughout various phases of the project. ENGEO conducted a detailed foundation study and analyzed the load-deflection behavior of piles from pile load testing data. Utilizing 3-D numerical modeling, ENGEO enhanced the lateral capacity of the pile groups, optimizing them to support high seismic loads. During the initial project planning phase, ENGEO completed both Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments to ensure the site met all regulatory requirements. To support the construction phase, ENGEO prepared a comprehensive soil management plan and conducted a vapor intrusion study, working closely with the County’s Department of Environmental Health to secure the necessary approvals. ENGEO continuously supported the construction team by providing innovative engineering solutions and prompt responses to the accelerated schedule. The value-engineering evaluation allowed ENGEO to optimize the deep foundation system, leading to significant cost savings and a shortened construction schedule. 

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Challenges & Solutions

  • High Seismic Loads: The unique shape of the structure and the high seismic loads required a robust foundation system. ENGEO performed a soil-structure interaction analysis using 3-D finite element modeling to evaluate the impact of foundation settlement and optimize the pile design  
  • Environmental Compliance: Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations was critical. ENGEO’s thorough environmental site assessments and collaboration with regulatory agencies ensured all necessary approvals were obtained  
  • Cost and Schedule Management: Rising construction costs and an accelerated schedule posed significant challenges. ENGEO’s innovative engineering approach and value-engineering evaluation resulted in a reduction in the number and length of piles, leading to substantial cost savings and a shortened construction timeline  
  • Material Reuse: ENGEO supported the construction team in reusing excavated material onsite, minimizing the need for costly disposal of soil materials  

 

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