Garner Valley SFSI Field Site
Soil and Seismic Characteristics of Garner Valley
Map showing the location of Garner Valley Site (red triangle). Also shown are the recorded seismicity (circles), shaded relief, and faults (black lines). Click Here for Large View
The NEES field site in the Garner Valley is very well suited to the study of soil-foundation-structure interaction and liquefaction. The area is located near several active faults on low density alluvial soil with a near surface water table. The site has been thoroughly characterized recently through borehole geotechnical tests and in other studies over the last ten years.
Additionally, the valley bedrock is basin shaped and late arriving surface waves have been observed which are likely Love waves traveling from the edge of the basin. The torsions generated on foundations by Love waves are considered to be especially destructive. This field site represents the possibility of observing Love waves on a fully instrumented structure.
Geologic Conditions
The upper 18-25 meters consist of soil rich in organics and alluvium. Soil types present are silty sand, sand, clayey sand, and silty gravel. There is a gradual transition from alluvium to decomposed granite from 18 to 25 meters. Decomposed granite consisting of gravely sand exists between 25 and 88 meters. At 88 meters the contact with hard competent bedrock is reached. The bedrock is granodiorite of the Southern California Peninsular Ranges batholith. The water table fluctuates at the GVDSA site depending on the season and rainfall totals. In the wetter years the water table is at, or just below the surface in the winter and spring months. In the summer and fall months, or the entire dry years, the water table drops to 1 to 3 meters below the surface.
More Information...
SFSI Instrumented StructureConstruction Photographs
Data Channels
Facility and Equipment Technical Details
Interactive Map
