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Service Area: Geotechnical
Engineering Industry: Community / Cultural, Commercial / Industrial
Service: Geotechnical Investigation/Reporting, Construction Monitoring
Location: Kaikohe, Far North, Northland
Deliverables: Geotechnical Report, Addendum Geotech Report, and Geotechnical Producer Statement 4 (PS4)
The Bottom Line
VISION's comprehensive geotechnical engineering and construction monitoring services played a crucial role in providing the geotechnical basis for robust and secure foundations for the Kaikohe Sports Complex, eventually known as Papa Hawaiki. This project included navigating complex ground conditions, including a floodplain, to contribute to a safe and durable community asset.
Task
Vision Consulting Engineers provided critical geotechnical investigation and ongoing geotechnical construction monitoring for the Kaikohe Sports Complex, eventually known as Papa Hawaiki, aiming to support the structural integrity and long-term stability of the building's foundations.
Problem
The project site's location within a floodplain presented significant challenges, necessitating the building to be raised by one metre above the existing ground level.
The site also presented highly variable and challenging ground conditions, including very soft alluvial soils and basalt cobbles in an alluvial matrix overlying moderately to slightly weathered basalt, requiring detailed subsurface investigation.
Ensuring the bored concrete pile foundations achieved adequate embedment into competent rock, despite variable rock depths, was a critical construction challenge.
Verifying ground conditions during construction and providing official certification for pile excavations were essential for compliance with the design assumptions.
Solution
As part of the solution, VISION conducted additional geotechnical investigations, including machine boreholes, cone penetration tests (CPTs) & laboratory testing, to accurately characterise the site's complex geology & soil conditions, particularly to inform the requirements for raising the building. An addendum geotechnical report was prepared, outlining ground treatment options such as undercutting, preloading, and rigid inclusions.
It also included detailed geotechnical recommendations for the contractor’s selected tender design option: bored concrete pile foundations, with specific embedment depths into moderately to slightly weathered basalt to support the elevated structure. A tailored construction monitoring programme was implemented in collaboration with the contractor and piling subcontractor, with VISION engineering geologists on-site to inspect pile excavations, confirm rock levels, and ensure alignment with the design specifications, all while effectively managing the project timeline amidst regional lockdown challenges.
Upon completion, PS4 certification was issued for the ground conditions within the bored pile excavations, providing assurance for the foundation design & supporting the project's engineering decisions.
Benefits
VISION delivered a detailed understanding of the site’s ground conditions & geotechnical properties, which directly informed the safe and efficient foundation design for the raised structure. Construction monitoring was facilitated throughout to ensure the pile foundations met design requirements, including managing unexpected ground conditions in close collaboration with the structural designer.
By providing essential on-site expertise, VISION enabled immediate decision-making and real-time adjustments during the construction phase, proactively identifying potential issues early and supporting smoother delivery with potential time and cost efficiencies. These efforts contributed directly to the successful completion of a resilient and safe multisport complex — Papa Hawaiki — for the Kaikohe community.
Solid Foundations | Geotechnical Excellence for Kaikohe Sports Complex (Papa Hawaiki)
Canam Commercial Ltd. Testimonial
Stephen Jones - Director, Canam Commercial Ltd
Canam engaged Vision Consulting for the Geotechnical investigation and construction monitoring at our Kaikohe Sports Complex project. This project featured many challenges, including the site being on a floodplain resulting in the building having to be raised 1 metre above the existing ground level.
Vision’s geotechnical expertise was instrumental to the project's success - their team provided thorough site investigations, clear reporting, and practical advice that helped us make confident design and construction decisions. They were reliable, responsive, and proactive in identifying potential issues early, saving us both time and cost down the track. We highly recommend Vision to anyone looking for trusted geotechnical testing and consultancy services