Projects

MFS Engineers & Surveyors provided comprehensive geotechnical and structural engineering services for the Forge Springs 230-13kV Substation project for Philadelphia Electric Company in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Services were performed in support of POWER Engineers for the development of a new electrical substation including high-voltage line terminals, circuit breakers, distribution transformers, capacitor banks, control enclosures, dead-end structures, bus supports, and associated electrical infrastructure.

MFS completed a subsurface investigation consisting of ten geotechnical borings advanced to depths of approximately 50 feet below existing grade within the proposed substation footprint using hollow stem auger and mud rotary drilling techniques with Standard Penetration Testing, Shelby tube sampling in cohesive soils, and rock coring where bedrock was encountered. Field operations included groundwater observations, GPS survey of boring locations, Pennsylvania One-Call coordination, private utility markout using ground penetrating radar, and full-time geotechnical oversight with preparation of detailed boring and rock core logs documenting soil classifications, drilling methods, blow counts, and observed subsurface conditions. Laboratory testing was performed to classify materials and evaluate engineering properties including gradation, index properties, strength, consolidation, swell, and corrosivity characteristics. MFS then prepared a geotechnical engineering report with subsurface profiles and recommendations for foundation design parameters, bearing capacities, seismic site classification, liquefaction potential, groundwater considerations, and construction guidance.

Building upon the geotechnical recommendations, MFS performed structural and foundation engineering for the substation facilities including analysis and design of shallow and deep foundation systems, equipment support pedestals, drilled pier and spread footing solutions, anchor bolt and baseplate systems, and structural steel support frames for 230kV line terminals, circuit breakers, transformers, capacitor banks, bus structures, and control enclosures, along with reinforced concrete oil containment structures for select transformers. Design efforts incorporated evaluation of static and dynamic equipment loads, wind and seismic demands, equipment operating forces, and constructability considerations, with preparation of detailed calculation packages and construction drawings for each element. MFS progressed the work through 60%, 90%, and Final design submissions supporting Issued For Construction documentation while participating in recurring coordination meetings and Owner reviews to integrate civil, electrical, and structural design requirements and deliver a coordinated foundation and structural system for successful substation implementation.