341, Construct a 787 sq. ft. guest , Studies & ReportsLockwood -Singh & Associates
. A COflrORA rioN
Consulting Foundation Engineers and Geologists
1944 Cotner Avenue: • Ins Angeles. California 90025
Telephone. (213)870-7335: (213)477-8208
,•u,e , , , w:a•. . ..
Project Ref. 3215-53
March 22, 1935
Mr. Allen Steele,
Jergins Trust Building, Suite 910
120 E. Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach-, California 90802
SUBJECT: REPORT OF PROFESSIONAL GEOLOGIC OPINION
RESIDENCE PROPERTY
NO. 7 CREST ROAD EAST
ROLLING HILLS, CALIFORNIA
Dear Mr. Steele:
In accordance with your instructions the undersigned has
examined the above referenced property to assess the
general geologic characteristics. Eight test pits were
excavated with a track mounted backhoe in the area to the
southwest of the existing residence for the purpose of
exposing bedrock strata beneath the soil profile since
the only other exposures of bedrock on the property are
in the low cut slope adjacent to Crest Road. A geologic
sketch map is included herewith, Plate A, to delineate
the location of the pits, attitude of bedrock strata, and
the 'thickness of the soil cover.
Pcf . 3-15-'53 March ZZ, 1985
1OC i T• I ON AND TOPOGRAPHY
'ihe subject property occupies a location near the crest
of the central portion of the Palos Verdes peninsula.
The existing residonce is located on a near level pad
area that was created by grading off the top of a low
rids: : e ,c a,s southwast from Crest Road. The
place as a fringe fill around the
perimeter of. tLe building pad. To the southwest the
property descends about 90 feet to the adjacent
ownership. A steep walled southwest trending drainage
course is located b::''sveen the subject property and the
adjacent property tc,: the southeast.
Drainag.
by sheet flow runoff down the
westerly slope with a portion directed to the drainage
course on the southeast. No conditions of adverse
erosion due to runoff was noted at the time of the
examination. Any future remodeling or reconstruction on
t h r,
;itc pr>> dr• adequate facilities to control
17 , ,, , to minimize the likelihood of
Project Ref. 3215-53 March 22, 1985
GEOLOGIC CONDITIONS
Fill
The fill encountered at the base of the fringe fill
comprises a mixture of soil and bedrock fragments.'
AIthough reasonable firm in character, it was probably
not placed under an engineers control and thus lacks
adequate compaction to meet current Code standards.
Cement walkways located in the fill exhibit evidence of
fill settlement and creep toward the fill slope.
Similarly the top of slope at the rear of the house
appears to have settled to a degree that the yard
drainage is toward the slope. Any future grading or
landscaping should correct this condition and control the
drainage to prevent runoff over the slopes.
Soil
Soils overlying the bedrock strata range in thickness
from a 1 foot near the pad area to a maximum of about 11
feet on the lower slope (refer to Plate A). The clayey
character of the brown soil reflects the high content of
bentonitic clays that prevail in the underlying bedrocks
from which the soil developed.
Project Ref. 3215-53 March 22, 1985
Bedrocks
Bedrocks underlying the site comprise of siliceous and
bentonitic siltstone and shale strata of the Altatnira
member of the Monterey Formation of Miocene geologic age.
At the locations exposed in the test pits these strata
were noted to range from buff to orange buff in color and
to exhibit well-defined bedding plane structures. The
i firmer beds part readily along bedding planes. Fractures
are universally present near surface that create small
sub -angular shards that are characteristically found in
the overlying soils and fill materials.
Project Ref. 3215-53 March 22, 1985
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURE
The formation of the Palos Verdes'Iiills resulted, in
part, from the upward arching of the once horizontal
sequence
Altamira strata. The anticlinal structure
thus formed has its axis approximately coincident with
the topographic crest of the hills. In general, the beds
to the south of the crest dip southerly, and the beds
north of the crest dip to the north. Superimposed on
these general regional trends are numerous minor
flexures.
Since the subject property is situated close to the crest
of the hills, the anticipated attitude of the underlying
strata is one of low dips. This condition was confirmed
by the observations in the test pits. Dip angles ranged
from horizontal near the lower property boundary to a
maximum of 14° adjacent to the house.
The directions of observed dips were predominantly to the
south or slightly west of south with a dip of 4° to the
northwest (Test pit 8). Dip attitudes are neutral from
the standpoint of gross geologic stability of the west
facing descending slope.
Project Ref. 3215-53 March 22, 1985
LANDSLIDES
The subject site is located north of the Flying Triangle
landslide area. This ancient Landslide has be(!n r. (:i•rit ly
reactivated and caused damage to several structures
within the active area. Recent movements have occurred
in two separate areas, one to the southwest of the
subject property and the other almost due south.
The southwesterly line of the subject site is an
estimated 800-1000 feet northerly of the closest slide
affected area on the southwest and 600-700 feet from the
movement area to the south. The area of slide movements
on the south is separated from the subject property by
the previously mentioned drainage in the proximity to the
southeasterly property line and an intervening ridge
swath el" the drainage.
Project Ref. 3215-53 March 22, 1985
CONCLUSIONS
Geologic conditions observed at the site appear favorable
for continued site stability. The property was not
involved in the movements of the ancient Flying Triangle
landslide nor in the recent ones. The low dip
orientations observed would indicate that the likelihood
of future involvement in any Flying Triangle slide
movement or instability is remote.
Future site development in the vicinity of the present
constructions appears feasible from a geologic
standpoint, subject of course to all the normal
requirements required by applicable codesand good
engineering practice. A detailed geotechnical report
discussing a specific plan of development will
undoubtedly be required by the controlling agencies prior
to issuance of permits for construction.
Thank you for this opportunity to be of professional
service. If you should have any questions concerning
this report, please contact the undersigned.
Respectfully submitted,
LOCKWOOD-SINGH $=,ASSOCIATES
Bruce Lockwood
CEG 204
7
,3
TP1
0
LEGEND
• Strike & Dip of Bedding
Approx. Location of
• Exploratory Test Pits
ED Horizontal Bedding
n
Soil Thickness (in feet)
1
TEST PIT LOCATION MAP
Proj.
No.
Date.
STEELE-4.7 Crest
• 3215-53
March, 1985
PLATE A
1 /'1 r•V1Ar rI fl rl_ c'rs onri 0 A r. r'r 1't It T r r'