An Evaluation of the

Geotechnical Engineering
and Limited Environmental
Assessment of the
Beverly Hills Development,
New Haven, Connecticut

May, 2006

A Report By
The Connecticut
Academy of Science
and Engineering

For
The Connecticut General Assembly
 An Evaluation of the
Geotechnical Engineering
and Limited Environmental
Assessment of the
Beverly Hills Development,
New Haven, Connecticut

A Report by

The Connecticut Academy

of Science and Engineering

Origin of Inquiry: Connecticut General Assembly

Date Inquiry
Established: March 1, 2006

Date Response
Released: May 15, 2006

© Copyright, 2006. Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Inc. All rights reserved
an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut

This limited-scope study was initiated at the request of the Connecticut General Assembly on
March 1, 2006. The project was conducted by an Academy Study Committee with the support
of David Pines, PhD, Study Manager. The content of this report lies within the province of the
Academy’s Environment Technical Board. The report has been reviewed by Academy Member
Gale F. Hoffnagle. Martha Sherman, the Academy’s Managing Editor, edited the report. The
report is hereby released with the consent of the Study Committee.

Richard H. Strauss
Executive Director

ii connecticut academy of science and engineering

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut

MEMBERS OF THE
CONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
STUDY COMMITTEE ON
AN EVALUATION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND
LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE
BEVERLY HILLS DEVELOPMENT, NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
R. Laurence Davis, PhD
Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of New Haven

Kimberly Clarke
Senior Project Manager; and
Gail Batchelder, PhD
Technical Director, Hydrogeology
Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.

Kenneth R. Demars, PhD

Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut

David Freed
Associate, GNCB

Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz, PhD

Associate Professor of Civil Engineering
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture, University of Hartford

Ralph S. Lewis (Academy Member), Chairman

Associate Professor in Residence of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut
State Geologist, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (ret.)

Richard P. Long, PhD

Emeritus Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut

Brian J. Skinner, PhD (Academy Member)

Eugene Higgins Professor of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University

Support Team

Study Manager Academy Project Staff

David Pines, PhD Richard H. Strauss

Associate Professor and Chair Executive Director
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Biomedical Engineering Connecticut Academy of
College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture Science and Engineering
University of Hartford

connecticut academy of science and engineering iii

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut

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an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................. 1

II. FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY....................... 3

APPENDIXES ........................................................................................................ 6

Appendix A: Figure 1: Subsurface Exploration Plan

and Organic Stratum Isopleths................................................................. 6
Appendix B: House Survey............................................................................. 8
Appendix C: Report of Foundation and Structural Assessment.................... 9

connecticut academy of science and engineering 

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
introduction

vi connecticut academy of science and engineering

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Many homeowners in the Beverly Hills residential subdivision in the Westville section of New
Haven, Connecticut, have reported, through two neighborhood surveys, that their homes have
experienced settling that has resulted in damage to building foundations and structures. It
has been reported that the homes in this subdivision were constructed on the site where an ice
pond was filled in during the late 1930s. On behalf of the City of New Haven, HTE Northeast,
Inc., performed a “Geotechnical Engineering and Limited Environmental Assessment” (the
“HTE Report”), dated May 27, 2005, to determine the foundation-related and environmental
factors affecting these homes. As stated in the HTE Report, the objectives of this assessment
were to: “perform limited subsurface explorations within designated public roadways
throughout a portion of the residential subdivision in order to assess the probable cause(s) of
structure settlement and to develop conceptual geotechnical engineering recommendations
for underpinning of distresses to residential foundations, and to preliminarily assess the
environmental quality of in-place fill soils.” Additionally, it was noted that the scope of work
performed by HTE Northeast, Inc., did not include explorations of private residential properties
in the subject area, and it was suggested that site-specific investigations of these properties
should be undertaken prior to taking remedial actions to correct any identified structural issues.

The Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering was asked by the Connecticut General
Assembly to conduct an evaluation of the HTE Report to provide an independent assessment of
its accuracy and completeness and to verify its findings. This was accomplished by convening a
study committee that included both geology and geotechnical experts. The committee’s findings
are based on a review of the HTE Report, a discussion with New Haven’s city engineer, and
deliberations by the committee.

connecticut academy of science and engineering 

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
findings and suggestions for further study

 connecticut academy of science and engineering

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
findings and suggestions for further study

II. Findings and Suggestions for Further Study

The probable cause(s) of reported structural damage cannot be determined from the information
provided to the committee. The HTE Report is useful but not sufficiently conclusive to allow
the committee to determine the cause(s) of any suspected structural damage to homes. It is
suggested that additional investigations are needed to determine the accuracy, type, extent, and
location of properties where structural damage has occurred due to settlement.

A total of 115 lots, including 22 with reported structure settlement, and the approximate location
of the former ice pond are shown in Figure 1 (Appendix A). This figure, entitled “Subsurface
Exploration Location Plan and Organic Stratum Isopleths,” was originally presented in the HTE
Report. An explanation of the information included in this figure is provided in Appendix A.

Two surveys were conducted by neighborhood representatives to determine the extent of

damage, if any, that may be due to structure settlement to properties in this area. There was
a total of 49 responses with 7 properties responding to both surveys, resulting in a total of
42 properties that were identified in the two surveys. Of the properties identified in Figure
1 that responded, 21 were recorded as reporting structure settlement, and 21 were recorded
as not having reported structure settlement. An additional 73 properties are shown in Figure
1, including one property that, although not identified by either neighborhood survey, was
recorded as reporting structure settlement. These surveys were conducted from 2004 – 2005, as
follows:

• An initial survey was conducted in the fall of 2004 using flyers that were delivered to
homeowners in the area. Residents were asked to either email or phone the resident who
conducted the survey for the purpose of identifying property conditions that could be attributed to
settlement, as well as whether the basement was wet. A total of 22 responses from the subject area
were recorded.
• A follow-up survey was conducted in the spring of 2005 at the request of the New
Haven city engineer (see Appendix B for a copy of the survey). It was a door-to-door
survey undertaken by residents from the area. Responses from property residents were
recorded on the survey form by the person conducting the survey. A total of 27 surveys
were completed and submitted by the neighborhood representatives to the city engineer.

Only three of the approximately 22 homes that were reported to have structural problems
as shown in Figure 1 have been inspected by a professional engineer, the city engineer, who
hypothesizes that settlement is the cause of the damage he observed in the houses at 46, 52, and
60 Beverly Road. The owner of the property located at 60 Beverly Road reportedly also had an
independent evaluation conducted which included test boring(s).

connecticut academy of science and engineering 

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
findings and suggestions for further study

From the limited information provided, the study committee cannot determine any pattern that
correlates with the reported structural problems. This includes the initial hypothesis that the
settlement is related to the location of the former ice pond, because only about half of the homes
reporting structural damage are located within the area where the ice pond was located.

Before the committee can make any geotechnical suggestions regarding proposed remedial
methods, such as helical pile underpinning methods as recommended by HTE, it is suggested
that consideration be given to performing the following two steps so that the source and the
extent of the reported structural problems in the Beverly Hills Development can be clearly
understood.

(1) Historical Data of the Site

• Obtain and analyze topographic maps to determine the location of the ice pond,
streams, ravines, swamp areas, and wooded areas prior and subsequent to
development of the site
• Obtain and analyze aerial photographs of the site before, during, and after
construction of the development
• Identify date and sequence of when homes were built
• Identify construction firm(s)/foundation contractors who built the houses
• Obtain and analyze drilling logs from the Wilbur Cross Parkway and commercial
buildings that are in close proximity to the development
• Obtain and analyze Connecticut groundwater monitoring data from the
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and/or the US Geological
Survey
• Obtain and analyze reports and/or data from the stormwater investigation
project performed by the City of New Haven

(2) Structural and Geotechnical Assessment of Houses by Registered Structural and/or

Geotechnical Engineering Professionals. The objective of these house inspections is to
discriminate damage caused by undue settling from that which would be expected
given the construction methods employed for each structure.
• Examination of houses on 46, 52, and 60 Beverly Road. The city engineer had
hypothesized that the damage he observed was caused by settlement.
• A total of approximately 20 houses will initially be inspected. This will include
about ten houses that are within the ice pond area and another ten houses that
are outside of the approximate location of the ice pond. Within each of these
categories (i.e., inside and outside of the pond area), about half will be houses
that have were identified has having structural damage. The houses in each
of these categories will be selected randomly or by a method indicated by the
evidence. If the owner does not give consent to an on-site inspection, then
another house will be selected from that category.

 connecticut academy of science and engineering

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
findings and suggestions for further study

• Foundation and structural assessment, including photographs, of the selected

houses will be performed using the attached “Report of Foundation and
Structural Assessment” form (see Appendix C). This will include the following:

- Description of structure and its structural components

- Identification and evidence of building distress such as cracks, alignment,
structural members, shrinkage, and differential settlement
- Evidence of previous repairs
- Settlement around property

After the historical data are compiled and the building assessments are complete, the committee
will reconvene to assess the new information. Possible outcomes include the following:

• Assessment of the new data provides sufficient information on the probable cause(s) of
structural damage to enable the committee to make suggestions regarding the use of geotechnical
underpinning methods (if necessary), as identified in the HTE Report, or other remedial measures
as may be appropriate.
• Further data are required to prove/disprove possible cause(s) for the structure
settlement. The additional data may include (but are not limited to): more building
inspections, test borings, and monitoring of groundwater elevations.

connecticut academy of science and engineering 

 an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
appendixes

Figure 1: Subsurface Exploration Plan and Organic Stratum Isopleths

(Figure courtesy of HTE Northeast, Inc.)
Appendix A

 connecticut academy of science and engineering

 Description and Explanation of Figure 1

This figure depicts the Beverly Hills Development that is located in the Westville section of New Haven, Connecticut. The
appendixes

following provides an explanation of the information included in this figure:

• Overview of the area of concern including the approximate limits of the former ice pond that was filled in during the late 1930s. The
approximate location of the former ice pond was determined by the office of the New Haven city engineer using City of New Haven
assessor maps from the early 1900s, prior to any development in the area.
• Approximate location of 9 test borings. These borings were made in public rights-of-way within the boundaries of
the former ice pond for the purpose of identifying the characteristics of organic layers of material in this area. They
are depicted by a partially filled in red circle, and are co-located with yellow/orange numbers identifying both the
top elevation and the thickness of the organic layer in feet above mean sea level (MSL) at the test boring location. This
information was then used to identify lines that show the common top elevation and common thickness of the organic
layer of material, as described below.
• A black “x” with a number next to it identifies the elevation of each point depicted in feet above mean sea level, with a
range of 74.4 ft. MSL – 85.1 ft. MSL.
• The yellow/orange solid lines are contours that represent the equivalent top elevation of the organic layer of material in
feet above mean sea level, with a range of from 71 ft. MSL – 78 ft. MSL.

connecticut academy of science and engineering

• The yellow/orange dashed lines are contours that represent the equivalent common thickness of the organic layer of
material in feet above mean sea level, with a range of from 2 ft. – 6 ft.
• The dimensions and lot numbers/addresses for each of the properties are shown on the figure. The lots with reported
structure settlement, identified from the surveys conducted by the neighborhood, are shown with red hatch marks across
the lot (a total of 22 of the 115 properties identified in the figure). Of the 22 properties indicating reported structure
settlement, approximately 12 are located in the area of the former ice pond, with the remainder being located outside the
ice pond boundaries.
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut


an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
appendixes

Appendix B: House Survey

Beverly Hills House Settling Survey June 2005

(Note: This is a copy of the survey form that was used to collect information about properties located in
the Beverly Hills development of the Westville Section of New Haven)

Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________ Phone#: ________________

The city engineer is looking for information concerning your house. Your response will help us
better understand what is happening in the neighborhood. Thank you for your prompt response.

1. Type of cellar wall construction:

A) concrete B) cinder block C) brick D) stone

2. Does water enter basement? Circle all that apply:

A. through wall cracks during rainfall
B. through floor during rainfall
C. through wall cracks at any time
D. through floor at any time
E. fountain during rain

3. Has first floor settled?

A) front B) back C) left side D) right side
describe _________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

4. Has your yard settled?

A) front yard B) back yard C) not really

5. Other concerns? _____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Return by June 27 to: (Note – actual survey form provided name and address of
neighborhood representative to return survey to)

If you have any questions, call (Note – actual survey form provided name and
telephone number of the neighborhood representative to call for questions)

 connecticut academy of science and engineering

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
appendixes

Appendix C:
Report of Foundation and Structural Assessment

connecticut academy of science and engineering 

an evaluation of the geotechnical engineering and limited environmental
assessment of the beverly hills development, new haven, connecticut
appendixes

Appendix C (continued)

10 connecticut academy of science and engineering

 MAJOR STUDIES OF THE ACADEMY

2006
• Improving Winter Highway Maintenance:
Case Studies for Connecticut’s
Consideration
• Information Technology Systems for Use in
Incident Management and Work Zones
2005
• Assessment of a Connecticut Technology
Seed Capital Fund/Program
• Demonstration and Evaluation of Hybrid
Diesel-Electric Transit Buses
• An Evaluation of Asbestos Exposures in
Occupied Spaces
2004
• Long Island Sound Symposium: A Study of
Benthic Habitats
• A Study of Railcar Lavatories and Waste
Management Systems
2003
• An Analysis of Energy Available from
Agricultural Byproducts, Phase II:
Assessing the Energy Production
Processes
• Study Update: Bus Propulsion
Technologies Available in Connecticut
2002
• A Study of Fuel Cell Systems
• Transportation Investment Evaluation
Methods and Tools
• An Analysis of Energy Available from
Agricultural Byproducts, Phase 1: Defining
the Latent Energy Available
2001
• A Study of Bus Propulsion Technologies in
Connecticut
2000
• Efficacy of the Connecticut Motor Vehicle
Emissions Testing Program
• Indoor Air Quality in Connecticut Schools
• Study of Radiation Exposure from the
Connecticut Yankee Nuclear Power Plant
1999
• Evaluation of MTBE as a Gasoline Additive
• Strategic Plan for CASE
1998
• Radon in Drinking Water
1997
• Agricultural Biotechnology
• Connecticut Critical Technologies
1996
• Evaluation of Critical Technology Centers
• Advanced Technology Center Evaluation
• Biotechnology in Connecticut
1994
• Science and Technology Policy: Lessons
from Six Amer. States
1992
• A State Science and Technology Policy
• Electromagnetic Field Health Effects
1990
• Biotechnology (Research in Connecticut)
• Economic Impact of AIDS Health Care in
Connecticut
1989
• Science and Engineering Doctoral
Education in Connecticut

Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

179 Allyn Street, Suite 512, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone or Fax: 860-527-2161
email: acad@ctcase.org
web: www.ctcase.org
 Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering
The Connecticut Academy is a non-profit institution patterned after
the National Academy of Sciences to identify and study issues and
technological advancements that are or should be of concern to the
state of Connecticut. It was founded in 1976 by Special Act of the
Connecticut General Assembly.

Vision
The Connecticut Academy will foster an environment in Connecticut
where scientific and technological creativity can thrive and contribute
to Connecticut becoming a leading place in the country to live, work
and produce for all its citizens, who will continue to enjoy economic
well- being and a high quality of life.

Mission Statement
The Connecticut Academy will provide expert guidance on science
and technology to the people and to the State of Connecticut, and
promote its application to human welfare and economic well being.

Goals
• Provide information and advice on science and technology to
the government, industry and people of Connecticut.

• Initiate activities that foster science and engineering education

of the highest quality, and promote interest in science and
engineering on the part of the public, especially young people.

• Provide opportunities for both specialized and interdisciplinary

discourse among its own members, members of the broader
technical community, and the community at large.

Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering

179 Allyn Street, Suite 512, Hartford, CT 06103
Phone or Fax: 860-527-2161
e-mail: acad@ctcase.org
web: www.ctcase.org