Hillis-Carnes provided geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing and inspection services for the development of True North Compass Data Center on an approximately 100-acre site. The project included stormwater management, utility installation, site grading, asphalt paving, and construction of a planned campus totaling approximately 500,000 SF and 75 megawatts of critical IT capacity.

The firm conducted geotechnical exploration and delivered engineering recommendations for foundations, slab-on-grade construction, site grading, pavement design, slope stability, soil corrosion potential, resistivity (RHO) testing, seismic site classification, and preliminary stormwater management. Additional studies were performed for the future expansion of Buildings 8, 9, and 12, totaling approximately 299,624 SF, with finished floor slab elevations of EL 280 and EL 278 for Phase III. Services included subsurface exploration using borings and auger probes, laboratory testing, and review of geologic and project data. The analyses evaluated soil, rock, and groundwater conditions and provided guidance on structural fill, utility installation, compaction requirements, excavation and temporary earth retention, anticipated settlement, frost depth, and overall site suitability.

Hillis-Carnes also performed a Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) survey and a shear wave seismic refraction survey over approximately 690,000 SF in the northern portion of the site. Using a 24-channel seismograph with 10-Hz geophones and a hammer source, data were collected with a roll-along method to delineate the rock/soil interface, assess subsurface stiffness, and determine bedrock depth to approximately 50 ft with 10% accuracy.

In addition, construction materials testing and inspection services were provided across the campus, including observation and testing of mass grading and fill placement, utility installation, underground stormwater management systems, bioretention facility construction, shallow foundations (spread footings), cast-in-place concrete, reinforcing steel, precast concrete erection, and pavement construction.