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St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day
Educational Campus Improvement and Expansion (Multiple Projects)
Services: Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Materials Testing and Special Inspections
Completed: 2012 – 2024
Location: Palisades, NW Washington, DC
GFA: Not applicable
Project Overview
Since 2012, MTI Engineering and Testing has partnered with St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School on a series of campus improvement and expansion projects. These efforts have supported the school’s goal of enhancing critical infrastructure and increasing capacity while preserving the charm and functionality of its urban campus in Washington, DC. MTI’s services have included geotechnical investigations, construction materials testing, and special inspections across multiple projects—ranging from a parking garage addition to site upgrades involving sidewalks, pick-up/drop-off lanes, gymnasium stairs, retaining walls, and a pedestrian bridge.
Challenges
Through multiple campus improvement projects, some common challenges surfaced, including the following:
- Urban Site Constraints: All work was conducted on an active school campus in a dense neighborhood, requiring careful coordination with multiple stakeholder groups to avoid delays and minimize disruption to students and faculty.
- Varied Subsurface Conditions: Several projects presented subsurface problems requiring geotechnical attention, including soft soils, inadequate drainage, and limited access to testing areas, requiring site-specific geotechnical solutions.
- Diverse Construction Scope: Each enhancement project involved different materials and structures, requiring tailored testing and inspection strategies to meet specific design requirements.
MTI’s Approach
MTI addressed these challenges through:
- Campus-Sensitive Coordination: We worked closely with contractors, subcontractors, and school administrators to schedule and conduct inspections with minimal disruption to school operations.
- Geotechnical Adaptability: For each project, MTI performed targeted subsurface investigations and delivered cost-effective, technically sound geotechnical recommendations, all of which were successfully adopted by the client.
- Comprehensive Testing & Inspections: MTI provided testing and inspection services across a wide range of construction elements, including base course and asphalt compaction, soil bearing capacity, formwork and shoring, cast-in-place concrete lab testing, reinforcing steel, structural steel, and more.
Outcome
Through a multi-year partnership, MTI has supported St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in improving and expanding its facilities while maintaining quality testing and inspection standards. Our responsive service, technical expertise, and understanding of the client’s evolving needs have made MTI a trusted partner for continued growth on the St. Patrick’s campus.