Horseshoe Casino

About

GTA provided subsurface explorations and laboratory testing for the new two-story Casino with 122,000 SF of gaming space, 20,000 SF of food and beverage outlets, and associated seven-level, 3,500-car, above grade parking garage in Baltimore City. The subsurface profile included relatively deep layer of fills and soft clayey soils requiring use of deep foundations. Subsurface explorations were extended to depths in excess of 90 feet, where rock cores were obtained. GTA developed design and construction recommendations for supporting the structures on drilled piers (caissons) extending through the fill and soft soils. GTA performed geophysical testing to characterize shear wave profile at the site. This information allowed GTA to assign a more favorable seismic site class that resulted in reduced design seismic loads for the structures. GTA also provided several options to design and construct the ground level slab without using a framed slab-supported on deep foundations. Prior to start of foundation construction, the contractor proposed use of Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles which have not previously utilized in the Baltimore area. GTA assisted the owner with the review and setting performance and load testing requirements. GTA observed and evaluated several static and dynamic load tests on CFAs to develop installation criteria and allowable loads for CFAs of different sizes (diameters). GTA’s involvement resulted in significant cost-savings to the project through evaluation and implementation of various alternatives and by avoiding potential construction challenges.