MSU PESB Project Overview

Michigan State University’s new Plant and Environmental Science Building (PESB) is a state-of-the-art academic and research facility. The facility includes specialized laboratory spaces, research environments, classrooms, and collaborative areas that support the university’s mission of innovation, research, and education. SME partnered with Clark Construction to provide comprehensive Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Materials Services.

Geotechnical Engineering

During design and construction of MSU’s PESB, SME evaluated subsurface conditions beneath the building’s basement where a previous recommendation would have required undercutting the foundation subgrade up to seven feet below the design bottom of footing. Utilizing dynamic cone penetrometer testing and hand auger probes, SME performed a detailed assessment of the existing soils and determined that undercut depths could be significantly reduced while maintaining project requirements. The revised recommendations resulted in an estimated $400,000 in construction cost savings while helping keep the project on schedule.

Construction Materials Services

SME provided CMS throughout construction, helping verify that critical building components met project specifications and quality requirements. SME’s scope of services included proof roll observations; soil and aggregate base compaction testing; reinforcing steel reviews; cast-in-place concrete testing for foundations, foundation walls, slabs-on-grade, sidewalks, and elevated slabs; floor flatness and levelness testing; structural steel observations of field-bolted and welded connections; concrete batch plant observations; and laboratory testing of soils, aggregates, and concrete materials. SME also provided ongoing engineering review and quality assurance support, utilizing certified technicians, field engineers, and construction materials specialists to deliver timely reporting and practical recommendations throughout construction.

Drawing on decades of experience with MSU projects, SME worked closely with the team to help maintain schedule, reduce risks, and provide responsive field services.

“SME has always provided excellent service to our projects, and I would recommend them to anyone in the industry…We added services and [SME] had the appropriate people here immediately.” – Clark Construction Company (Client on MSU PESB)