In late 2011, S.W.COLE was retained to provide exploration and geotechnical engineering services for the $20M Central Heating Plant Upgrade at the state Capitol complex in Montpelier, Vermont. The plant upgrade included conversion of the existing facility into a biomass facility. A large addition to the existing building houses biomass boilers and auxiliary boiler equipment. A smaller addition facilitates self-unloading truck docks and a chip receiving facility. The project also included the installation of mechanical equipment, piping and numerous small appurtenant features.

Vermont State Capitol Building
S.W.COLE’s geotechnical investigation found the proposed building addition areas to be underlain by uncontrolled fill, requiring over-excavation and replacement with structural fill for support of the building.
In 2013, S.W.COLE was retained again to perform construction materials testing services on the project, including observation of over-excavation of unsuitable soils, field and laboratory testing of soil and concrete, inspection of structural steel by our in-house American Welding Society (AWS) certified welding inspector following the Statement of Special Inspections for the project.