Location:
Bend, Oregon
Client:
Bend LaPine Schools
Services Provided:
Geotechnical Engineering
Sitework Monitoring
Special Inspection
Construction Materials Testing
Project Overview:
Caldera High School is the largest project of a $268M construction bond approved by Bend voters in 2017. The project broke ground in mid-2019 and includes 268,000 square feet of education and support structures, parking lots, athletic fields, and on/off-site transportation and utility infrastructure. Caldera High opened to students in September 2021.
Scope of Work:
Wallace Group was commissioned by Bend LaPine School District to conduct preliminary and design-level geotechnical investigations for the 78-acre Caldera High School campus in southeast Bend. Wallace Group is the geotechnical engineer of record and is also providing comprehensive earthwork, off-site transportation and municipal infrastructure testing, materials testing and special inspection services during construction.
Challenges:
The site is underlain by basalt bedrock with some surface outcrops and other areas with over 20 feet of volcanic sand overlying basalt. The variable depth to bedrock and massive masonry block walls with heavy structural loads required complex foundation engineering, innovative structural design, and collaboration. Coordinating on- and off-site infrastructure improvements with the City of Bend was an important part of the project along with maintaining the schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite everything, Caldera High opened on time in September 2021.
“Over the past two years, the Wallace Group performed a wide variety of special inspections, including compaction tests, welding, concrete, firestopping and many more on the new Caldara High School Project. They were able to fit our project into their schedule even on short notice. All of their inspectors were knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. They even went above and beyond their obligated duties, making special trips as required for critical or time-sensitive inspections. The Wallace Group proved not only to be a great agency to work with, but a valued member of the construction team. I would recommend them for any project needing special inspection services."
E.J. Parker, Project Superintendent, Kirby Nagelhout Construction
