Geotechnical Engineering

North Florida International School

Professional Engineering Services

North Florida International School – Tennis Forever (Tennis Complex), Lake City, FL
  • Location 2000–2400 SW Bascom Norris Dr., Lake City, FL
  • Owner North Florida International School, LLC
  • Markets Institutional, Geotechnical Engineering, Athletics Facilities
  • Services Geotechnical Exploration, Subsurface Investigation, Laboratory Testing, Foundation Recommendations

Project Description

NicNevol Engineering Services conducted a geotechnical exploration and evaluation for the proposed Tennis Forever Complex at the North Florida International School campus in Lake City, FL.

The project includes new tennis courts, support buildings, and parking areas. Field exploration comprised three (3) Standard Penetration Test (SPT) borings advanced to 25 ft depth using a CME-55 drill rig; groundwater was encountered at approximately 1.5–2.0 ft below grade. Subsurface conditions showed fine sands in the upper ~4 ft, clay soils down to ~12 ft, another sand layer between ~12–17 ft, and deeper clays to boring termination. Laboratory testing addressed particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, and organics content.

Recommendations included undercutting clay soils and replacing with compacted structural fill; considering deep foundations (cast-in-place piles) where long-term performance warrants; and site preparation with compaction to 95% Modified Proctor.

NicNevol Responsibilities

  • Performing SPT borings and logging subsurface conditions.
  • Conducting laboratory testing for soil classification and properties.
  • Evaluating shrink–swell potential of clays and foundation risks.
  • Providing recommendations for site preparation, fill placement, and compaction.
  • Advising on shallow vs. deep foundation alternatives.
  • Delivering the final geotechnical report with design parameters.

Project Highlights

  • Client: North Florida International School, LLC.
  • New tennis complex: courts, buildings, and parking.
  • Field program: 3 SPT borings to 25 ft depth.
  • Subsurface profile: sands (0–4 ft), clays (4–12 ft), sand (12–17 ft), clays (17–25 ft).
  • Groundwater: ~1.5–2.0 ft below surface.
  • Recommendations: undercut clays, compact structural fill; consider cast-in-place piles; compaction to 95% Modified Proctor.