The keyword you are searching for will likely be found within web page text or photo captions, but it will not be highlighted as is common in pdf or web browser applications. If you cannot find what you are searching for, please contact us at info@shn-engr.com or use our individual contacts found in the Principals and Key Staff or the Locations and Contacts pages.
SHN’s materials testing and special inspections projects are rarely dramatic, and we like it that way. We perform important yet routine testing and inspections on reinforced concrete, engineered fill, structural masonry, structural bolting and welding, and structural steel, for the express purpose of avoiding structural failure. Our technicians test concrete and soils in the lab, and perform compaction testing in the field. Each technician and inspector holds multiple certifications that validate their expertise and experience.
Although the purpose of our testing is to validate a contractor’s work, our relationships with contractors are rarely confrontational. If results indicate that a material is outside standard parameters, SHN will work with the contrac-tor to solve the issue. Feedback from contractors indicates they appreciate the team effort in getting a project constructed.
The Wharf 2 property development located in North Bend includes a wood pellet storage warehouse. The Oregon Pellet Mill (OPM) warehouse building was designed by others in 2023, with building access ramps potentially within the 100-year floodplain. SHN was contracted to prepare a floodplain review and indicate whether the ramp construction would be in the floodplain. This work included providing a conceptual sketch plan, a supplemental survey, and a finalized site plan to support the floodplain analysis. Based on this work SHN was able to certify that the building access ramps were outside of the 100-year floodplain boundary.
The client then asked us to complete the civil design, which included utilities (fire supply, sewer, storm, domestic water), the circulation plan, a parking layout, and ADA compliance. SHN also provided construction administration and coordination through construction.
Contractors Godfrey & Yeager Excavating contracted SHN to perform compaction testing, concrete sampling and testing, and rebar inspections during construction of the OPM buildings. SHN materials testing staff were on-call, often coming to the site in early morning hours (3 am) because this was the least windy part of the day, when they collected concrete samples and performed inspections.
The Southport Lumber Company runs the development that includes a sawmill, a planar mill, dry kilns, multiple support buildings, and the pellet mill, providing employment and sustainable use of timber resources.
SHN’s California materials laboratories are accredited by the Division of the State Architect (DSA), which means our labs meet stringent criteria and undergo regular evaluations by the DSA. Accreditation allows SHN to provide materials testing and special inspections (MTSI) on state-owned projects such as schools (kindergarten through college) and state-owned or leased essential services buildings (for example, hospitals). SHN’s first materials testing project on the College of the Redwoods (CR) Eureka campus was in 1998 and we have steadily provided engineering, geosciences, planning, surveying, environmental, and MTISI services since then.
Since 2019, SHN has provided MTSI services on five major projects on the Eureka campus:
Work scopes varied by project, but in general, SHN provided:
Testing and inspection information is provided to the architect, engineer, geotechnical engineer, and the Division of the State Architect for analysis and verification of compliance. SHN is proud to be a part of the system of stringent safety standards for public buildings that include our schools and other essential services.
Location: Thompkins Hill Road, Eureka campus
Owner/Client: College of the Redwoods
Partners: Numerous general contractors and subcontractors
Project Timeline: 2019 to present
SHN’s materials testing technicians and special inspectors have assisted operations and construction at Humboldt State University, now Cal Poly Humboldt, since 1998. During that time, we have performed our full suite of testing and inspection methods, under conditions that vary from emergency responses to multi-year design-build delivery. Our larger MTSI efforts with HSU/Cal Poly Humboldt include:
We often provide MTSI services in conjunction with our engineers, engineering geologists, surveyors, and environmental scientists, who also performed work for Cal Poly Humboldt. By offering numerous services, SHN is a one-stop-shop for development and construction at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Location: Cal Poly Humboldt campus, Arcata, CA
Owner/Client: Cal Poly Humboldt
Partners: Numerous general contractors
Project Timeline: 1998 to present