Many Glacier Lodge, Glacier National Park, MT

National Park Service and DHM Design Corporation

Yeh and Associates provided geotechnical engineering services for the rehabilitation of the historic Many Glacier Lodge in Glacier National Park. The purpose of our investigation was to evaluate the general geotechnical characteristics of the subsurface conditions and to provide geotechnical recommendations and parameters for shallow and deep foundations, estimated bedrock depths, seismic susceptibility and pavements. Our recommendations will be considered in design of structural upgrades for seismic stability of the lodge.

The Many Glacier Lodge was constructed in 1915 and serves as a popular National Historic Landmark. The hotel is currently undergoing multiple upgrades to preserve the integrity and improve the safety of the structure. Included in the proposed upgrades is structural reinforcement and increased foundation stability in the event of a seismic event.

Yeh and Associates provided Allowable Stress Design and Load Resistance Factor Design recommendations for a variety of potential foundation systems, including, spread footings, driven piles, drilled piers and micropiles. Alternate foundation systems were provided to address the varying foundation needs for lodge rehabilitation and the deep potential frost heave due to the presence of fine-grained sands and silts, especially since the Many Glacier Lodge is not heated in the winter.

FEMA 356 (Federal Emergency Management Agency) the Seismic Rehabilitation Prestandard was developed to provide provisions for the rehabilitation of buildings to improve seismic performance. Based on our review of the Prestandard, we addressed the general guidelines as they pertain to geotechnical investigations for seismic rehabilitation of the building that included: site classes, zones of seismicity, fault rupture, liquefaction, effects related to liquefaction, and global stability. Our evaluation indicated the site was not susceptible to liquefaction and that the global stability of the structure was acceptable. Additional seismic design parameters were provided for the structural rehabilitation.

Yeh’s key personnel who worked on the project included Shan-Tai Yeh who was the QA/QC reviewer, Rick Andrew was the project manager and Ben Arndt was the project engineer for the investigation.