The Pearl: Charlotte’s Innovation District
Developed in partnership between Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology, The Pearl will help reshape and diversify the economy of the Charlotte region, integrating research, clinical expertise, entrepreneurial activity, corporate engagement, and community inclusion. The Pearl will also feature retail, apartments, a hotel, and open community space in addition to the STEM education opportunities.
Phase I of The Pearl project consists of 11- and 16-story towers for medical research and education, and associated 3- and 7-story parking decks for Atrium Health and Wexford Science & Technology. S&ME’s geotechnical scope included field exploration with soil test borings, rock coring; laboratory testing; and geotechnical foundation design. We worked closely with the structural engineer to perform lateral analysis to help optimize the deep foundation type and quantities. The site was in use during part of our field exploration, which required coordination with the property managers to work around the existing building and active parking lots. We also worked with the project environmental engineer to containerize soils/fluids and followed appropriate environmental protocols. We also provided geotechnical/foundation specification review.
Our construction services and Special Inspection scope of services included: driven pile observations including Pile Driving Analysis; aggregate pier installation observations; fill placement observations and density testing; subgrade and foundation evaluation (DCP, probing, proofrolls); reinforcing steel pre-pour observations; fresh concrete sampling, testing, and placement observations; pre-pour observations and post-pour stressing observations of post-tensioning cables; structural steel bolting and welding observations (periodic and continuous) including ultrasonic testing (UT); fire stopping installation observations including post-installation destructive testing; spray applied fireproofing post installation thickness measurements and density testing; observations of repairs and remediation done to damaged or insufficient quality items; floor flatness measuring using an Allen Face meter; and pre-cast parking deck element connection observations (welded and concrete).