LDK Polysilicon Plant,
Xinyu City, China

LDK Solar Co. Ltd, a manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, held a big celebration in early September to recognize the completion of the world's largest polysilicon production plant in Xinyu City, People’s Republic of China. The 700m x 700m plant was built on once hilly terrain where the hills were 18 m high and the canyons were 15m deep. Nick Sarno, Executive Vice President, LDK stated in his address, "... we literally moved mountains so that we could build this amazing polysilicon plant which is the largest PS project in the world and a true technological achievement."

Based on a preliminary geotechnical investigation which indicated variable subsurface conditions consisting of shallow bedrock, stiff residual soils and deep canyon fills at the site, local Geotechnical Engineers recommended pile foundations for the support of for all heavy, important, and settlement sensitive structures.   The owner had proposed a very aggressive construction schedule. Time required for the construction of large number of piles made it very difficult to meet the schedule if deep foundations were selected for the support of the plant structures. 

Settlements of native soils and bedrock were measured during site grading when up to 15 m of fill was placed to achieve the finished site grade.  These measurements provided an accurate assessment of compressibility of the native soils and fills.  Full-scale test fills measuring 20 by 20 m (top dimensions) by 6 m high were placed at the finished grade to measure compressibility of both native soils and fill.  Where settlements were unacceptable such as areas with deep fills or soft soils, surcharge of up to 10 m was placed to reduce post-construction settlements.   Measurements of settlement were made during construction of major structures and tanks and actual settlements compared favorably with predicted settlements. 

  • GDC provided geotechnical recommendations for the entire 1.6 billion dollar plant.

  • Detailed geotechnical investigation included drilling 285 borings and performing 616 Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs)

  • By eliminating pile foundations, GDC recommendations resulted in savings of over 50 million dollars in foundation costs and interest on investment due to reduction in construction time by 3 to 6 months.

  • All work was performed to the latest international and Chinese GB Code standards.

  • With GDC’s shallow foundation design, the design-build contractor was able to complete this phase of the project and deliver the product in just 20 months - an achievement which most industry insiders said was impossible.

Company News - New Office in Ontario

Group Delta is pleased to announce the opening of our newest location in Ontario, California. 

As part of our expansion into the Inland Empire, we have acquired AMEC’s Ontario operation. This acquisition strengthens Group Delta’s asphalt testing services and provides us with a local presence in the Riverside/San Bernardino area.

Our office in Ontario has 15 employees specializing in materials testing and inspection services. The laboratory is certified by AASHTO, DSA, Caltrans, ASTM, CCRL and others. In addition, we now provide a full range of geotechnical investigation and design services.

In Depth ..we literally moved mountains..

World's Largest Polysilicon Production Plant Completed!

LDK Solar Co. Ltd, a manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers, held a big celebration in early September to recognize the completion of the world's largest polysilicon production plant in Xinyu City, China. More

Company News - Habitat for Humanity opens in SJC

Habitat for Humanity's first four homes dedicated in San Juan Capistrano!

Two years ago, Habitat for Humanity partnered with the city of San Juan Capistrano to build 27 houses to ease the city's affordable-housing shortage. Fourteen of the 27 homes in the Habitat for Heroes and Foundations for Families™ development are being marketed to combat disabled veterans.

Amid smiles, cheers and tears, four families recently attained their dream of home ownership when they were handed the keys to their new brand homes.

Group Delta is proud to have been part of this effort to make their dreams a reality by volunteering our geotechnical design services for this worthy project.

Featured Project - Santa Anita Cyn Rd

Santa Anita Canyon Rd Slope Repair

Group Delta provided geotechnical recommendations for the repair of storm damage to the supporting ground below roadway of Santa Anita Canyon Road, Arcadia California. The storm damage was caused by heavy rainfall and resulted in the long-term closure of the roadway. The roadway is a two-lane asphalt paved winding mountain road ascending from the valley floor to the Santa Anita Dam & Reservoir.

Project Slideshow

  • 01
    Heavy rains caused damage to the ground supporting a portion of Santa Anita Canyon Road in Arcadia
  • 02
    Portions of the ground supporting the roadway and guard rail were completely washed out
  • 03
    Group Delta recommended the repair of integral ground under the roadway be constructed as a Reinforced Soil Slope (RSS). Excavation of the failed slope in progress as part of repair.
  • 04
    Excavation of the failed slope in progress
  • 05
    Backfill being placed over geosynthetic reinforcement
  • 06
    Construction of Reinforced Soil Slope in Progress
  • 07
    Construction of Reinforced Soil Slope in Progress
  • 08
    View of Repaired Slope
  • 09
    View of Reinforced Soil Slope from bottom of Canyon
  • 10
    View of Repaired Slope
  • 11
    View of Repaired Slope
 

Recently Awarded Projects

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) selected Group Delta Consultants to provide geotechnical and geologic consulting services to the Facilities Services Division of LAUSD. Since 2000, Group Delta has provided our support services on nearly 100 Task Orders for the district.

Traylor Frontier-Kemper JV selected Group Delta Consultants to provide geotechnical instrumentation for the Sound Transit University Link Light Rail TBM tunnel in Seattle (Contract U-220). For this project Group Delta will be installing and monitoring measuring instruments, and data acquisition for the 2 mile segment from University of Washington station to Capitol Hill station. Construction work is scheduled to begin January 2010.

The Parsons Team which included Group Delta Consultants for geotechnical engineering and materials testing was recently awarded the contract for Project and Construction Management (PCM) for the SR-91 Corridor Improvement Project by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). The project which spans roughly 11 miles is expected to include 16 new/replacement bridges, 21 widenings, and associated new tie-back walls, retaining walls, soundwalls, and roadways.

The City of Glendale recently awarded a contract to Group Delta Consultants to provide geotechnical/soils engineering, materials testing and report review for upcoming projects throughout the city.

The City of Garden Grove announced the selection of Group Delta Consultants to provide geotechnical consulting services to the City on an on-call basis for 2009-2011. Anticipated work includes sewer lines and street widenings within the City’s right-of-way.

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