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Leighton and Associates is proud to play a key role in some of the most interesting projects in California. Today's Spotlight shines on
Ritz Cove
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Location:
Laguna Niguel, California
Client:
Stein-Brief Group
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Located on the
coastal bluffs above Salt Creek Beach in Laguna Niguel,
California, and adjacent to the magnificent Ritz-Carlton Hotel
and Resort, Ritz Cove is an exclusive residential development
consisting of 103 lots and a park site. With spectacular ocean
views, Ritz Cove offers residents scenic beauty combined with
a prestigious location for custom-built homes.
The 40-acre site is located on an ancient landslide complex.
During excavation, pine cones and fragments of wood trapped by
the original landslide were unearthed. Analysis of the pine
cones revealed that they were from a type of tree common to
Northern California, but extinct in Southern California for
approximately 30,000 years. Carbon dating of wood fragments
further confirmed the age of the ancient landslide to be
between 26,000 and 35,000 years.
The
landslide complex required extensive remedial grading,
including excavation of a large buttress to a depth of 40 feet
below sea level. A dewatering system of wells and pumps was
installed, and the first 20 feet of excavation was
accomplished using conventional equipment. However, the final
20 feet of excavation had to be done in 50-foot wide slots
using a large backhoe to avoid triggering a new landslide
which could have potentially caused failure all the way to the
ocean. A surveyor descended into the excavation in the backhoe
bucket to take depth measurements, and slope inclinometers
were used to monitor stability and protect improvements.
Leighton’s geotechnical services consisted of a preliminary
investigation, laboratory testing, extensive complex analysis
for the remediation design, and geotechnical supervision of
rough grading. An old rip-rap revetment was also rebuilt and
enhanced as part of this development project.
Want to know more about these and other geotechnical consulting services provided by Leighton and Associates? Click here.
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