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Construction Engineering and Management -Civil Engineering - CAD Drafting and Modeling
Grunt Engineering, PLLC
Civil & Environmental Engineering | Construction Management
Single-Family Infill Project - Lago Vista, TX
Grunt Engineering prepared civil engineering plans for a new single-family residence on a steeply sloping, approximately 0.22-acre lot in Lago Vista, Texas. The design coordinated building elevations, driveway access, and stormwater drainage within the property’s limited footprint. Particular attention was given to managing hillside runoff and stabilizing disturbed slopes during and after construction.
The civil design established proposed grading around the residence, transitioning the building pad into the surrounding terrain through coordinated cut and fill slopes. Building setbacks and existing topography guided the grading limits, while the plans identified an existing oak tree for preservation and protection during construction.
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Drainage improvements included a rock-lined swale along the uphill side of the residence to intercept and convey runoff toward the street. River rock provided erosion protection within the swale and adjacent cut slope. An 18-inch driveway culvert maintained drainage beneath the proposed concrete driveway, connecting residential access with the roadside drainage path.
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The construction documents included erosion and sediment control plans for initial, intermediate, and final construction phases. Measures included perimeter silt fencing, a stabilized construction entrance, concrete washout containment, and designated material storage. Permanent stabilization combined sod, vegetation, and erosion control blankets to protect exposed soils as construction progressed.
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The project illustrates the importance of coordinated grading and drainage on a constrained hillside lot, where building placement, driveway elevations, and runoff conveyance must work together.
Single-Family Infill Project - Morrison, CO
Grunt Engineering prepared grading, drainage, and erosion control plans for a custom residence on a steep, 12.61-acre property near Morrison, Colorado. A central design priority was keeping land disturbance below 0.5 acre to shorten municipal review time and allow site work to proceed before the winter construction shutdown. The design limited disturbance to approximately 0.49 acre while accommodating the residence, driveway improvements, and hillside drainage.
The grading and drainage design was shaped by both the mountain terrain and the project’s seasonal construction deadline. Excavation limits, fill slopes, driveway connections, and drainage features were coordinated within a compact work area to remain below the 0.5-acre disturbance threshold. This approach supported a shorter municipal review process and an opportunity to complete site work before winter conditions closed the construction window.
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Site grading integrated the residence into the hillside through coordinated cut and fill operations and transitions to existing ground. Site sections illustrated the relationship between the building, finished grades, and surrounding slopes, helping define the earthwork within the limited disturbance area. Driveway grades accommodated elevation changes between Broken Bow Ranch Road and the residence while accounting for setbacks, utility easements, and the designated no-build area.
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Drainage improvements included an uphill diversion ditch, catch basins, and a subsurface drain discharging to daylight. These features intercepted and conveyed water around the proposed improvements while keeping drainage construction within the constrained site footprint.
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The erosion and sediment control plans established construction access, stabilized staging and material storage areas, concrete washout containment, perimeter silt fencing, and a sediment trap. Native seeding, mulch, and erosion control blankets provided permanent stabilization of disturbed slopes. Coordinating these measures with the grading plan helped address erosion risks and the practical demands of preparing a mountain construction site for winter.
Residential Deck Replacement - Littleton, CO
Grunt Engineering prepared structural engineering plans for a residential deck replacement in Littleton, Colorado. The project involved replacing the existing deck and support columns while retaining the roof above. The design coordinated new foundations, wood framing, and connections with the existing home, with particular attention to maintaining roof support during demolition and reconstruction.
The structural design incorporated new deck joists, engineered wood beams, support posts, composite decking, stairs, and guardrails. Framing and connection details addressed attachment to the residence and the integration of full-height columns supporting both the deck and existing roof.
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Foundation plans combined reinforced concrete piers with helical pier-supported concrete caps at designated locations. The helical foundation details included a void beneath the caps to reduce the transfer of expansive soil movement to the structure. The plans also specified installation verification and documentation requirements for the helical piers.
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A key project challenge was replacing columns that supported the existing roof. Demolition notes and a suggested construction sequence identified temporary bracing and shoring needs before removal of the existing framing and columns. The sequence maintained roof support while allowing installation of the replacement foundations and deck structure.
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The permit drawing package included existing conditions and demolition plans, foundation and framing layouts, elevations, and construction details for connections, stairs, and guardrails.
Residential Driveway Expansion - Winnetka, IL
Grunt Engineering prepared site improvement plans for a residential property in Winnetka, Illinois, using low-impact design strategies to accommodate expanded driveway access within site coverage limits. The approach combined porous gravel surfacing with selective removal of existing hardscape and restoration of lawn and garden areas. These improvements balanced the owner’s access needs with the property’s limited remaining development capacity.
The design coordinated driveway modifications, pedestrian connections, and entrance improvements with the existing residence and property boundaries. Porous surfacing incorporated a gravel section over nonwoven geotextile, providing an alternative to conventional asphalt or concrete.
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Selective removal was equally important to the coverage strategy. Portions of the existing driveway and sidewalk were designated for conversion to lawn or garden, allowing expanded access in priority areas while restoring permeable landscape elsewhere.
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Existing and proposed coverage calculations tracked the combined effect of these changes against the 50% maximum identified in the plans. The proposed layout reached that limit, making careful allocation of driveway, walkway, and landscaped areas central to the design.
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The project demonstrates how porous materials and targeted landscape restoration can work together to accommodate residential site improvements on a property constrained by coverage requirements.