Project:
Aquarium of the Pacific and the Pike Development
Overview
The Aquarium of the Pacific is a public aquarium on a 5-acre site on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach, California. It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, and the Queen Mary Hotel and Attraction. The Pike at Rainbow Harbor is a 525,000-square-foot retail development and entertainment complex located in the area of the Tidelands and Queensway Bay Harbor backlands in the City of Long Beach.
Location:
Long Beach, California
Owner / Client:
Kajima (Aquarium of the Pacific)
DDR Oliver McMillan (The Pike)
Performance Period:
1996-2009
Services:
- Seismicity and Faulting Studies
- Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Characterization
Scope of Services Provided by AES
Early after AES was founded, it earned the recognition for being selected as Geotechnical Consultant of Record for this high-visibility oceanfront development that raised the image of the City of Long Beach to a world class tourist attraction and entertainment complex.
AES provided geotechnical investigation, design, construction quality assurance (CQA) and technical review services for the 150,000 square foot Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The work involved field investigations including onshore and offshore drilling, Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs), laboratory testing, seismic evaluations, liquefaction potential evaluations, seismic slope stability and deformation analyses, settlement evaluations and alternative foundation options evaluation. Recommended liquefaction mitigation measures included stone column ground improvement and mat foundations for structural support. AES also provided CQA and technical review services during the ground improvement program which included 100,000 linear feet of stone columns, and compaction grouting in selected localized areas.
AES’ services for the aquarium foundation design were acknowledged by the owners/tenants of the Pike Development and led to AES performing geotechnical services for the design and construction of The Pike retail development and entertainment complex. The development included multi-story entertainment and retail development structures, restaurants, a multi-level parking structure, including a subterranean level, a ferris wheel, and pedestrian bridge. The project area is underlain by hydraulic fills and soft seafloor deposits prone to liquefaction under seismic loading.
Geotechnical evaluations included liquefaction potential under operating and contingency level earthquakes, seismic stability, deformations and subsidence evaluations and design of foundations. Pile foundations, including 14-inch square and 24-inch octagonal prestressed concrete piles were designed for the anticipated effects of liquefaction, including strength loss, settlement and downdrag and lateral movements. Ground improvement by use of stone columns and pressure grouting was evaluated as an alternative to pile foundations in liquefaction-prone areas.
Accomplishments / Commendations
A risk-based approach using operating and contingency level earthquakes to estimate seismic deformations and evaluate potential damage to structures founded on hydraulic fills led to selection of stone columns for foundation support in lieu of deep pile foundations and saved millions of dollars in foundation support.