Get the New FHWA Drilled Shaft Manual

Dan’s Speaking Schedule

September 21-23, 2010 - NHI Drilled Shaft Course, Iowa

October 5-6, 2010 - 42nd STGEC, Charleston, West Virginia

October 14-15, 2010 - DFI 35th Conference on Deep Foundations, Hollywood, California

October 19-21, 2010 - - NHI Drilled Shaft Course, Iowa

November 10, 2010 - ADSC Drilled Shaft Seminar, New York, New York

December 1-2, 2010 - TRB 27th Bridge Conference, San Antonio, Texas

Other DBA Team Speaking Appearences

Tim Siegel (Sept 30-Oct 1, 2010): North Carolina ASCE Section Annual Meeting, Asheville, NC

Robert Thompson (October 5-6, 2010):42nd STGEC, Charleston, West Virginia

Tim Siegel (October 29, 2010): Deep Foundation Design - Axial Capacity, Settlement, and Lateral Resistance, Norfolk, Virginia

Tim Siegel (December 16, 2010): Shallow Foundation Design, Atlanta, Georgia

Steve Dapp (January 11, 2011): 2011 Louisiana Transportation Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Conferences, Meetings, Seminars, Workshops

ADSC to Distribute new FHWA Drilled Shaft Manual

 

As I posted on July 7th, the new FHWA Drilled Shafts: Construction Procedures and LRFD Design Methods has been released and is available for download (PDF) at the FHWA web site (link at previous post).  ADSC has just announced that the printed version is now available to both ADSC members and non-members:

By special arrangement with the FHWA, the ADSC’s Technical Library Service offers the manual to ADSC Members and to the design and construction community at large. ADSC Member Price is $105.00 USD, Non-Members, $140.00. A small shipping charge will be added depending on manner of delivery requested.

You can read more on obtaining the printed manual on the ADSC web site.

Bridge updates – kcICON, Audubon, Beck Street

As geotechnical/foundation engineers, we don’t usually get to see much of what happens on a project after the foundations are completed, especially a project like a large bridge that can take years to complete.  Technology such as the Internet, webcams, and digital photography have made it easy for us to see how things are progressing on projects, as well as maybe get images of the completed structure.  As I have noted before, some projects are using Twitter and Facebook to keep the public informed on closures, delays or overall project progress as part of good public relations.  Her are some updates on a few of our recent projects.

 

kcICON:

The main span is well underway, including the cables.  The kcICON Facebook page is here.

PASEOBSOimage10-05-17_16-20-11-00 PASEOBWEimage10-05-04_07-40-00-43

 

Audubon Bridge:

Check out the webcam.  You can download images if you like.  YOu can also do a time-lapse from Day 1 of construction.

image image

 

Beck Street Bridge:

Part of the I-15 Express Link project in Salt Lake City, UT.   The photos below I obtained from the photos page on the project web site.  We were involved in the design and construction of the foundations for the Beck Street Bridge only.

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New Links – The Academy of Geo-Professionals; Geoengineering Literature Finder

AGP_logo_4c

A link to the Academy of Geo-Professionals (AGP) has been added to our links in the sidebar.  The AGP is the organization that awards the Diplomate, Geotechnical Engineering (D.GE.) which our own Tim Siegel was recently awarded . From the AGP website:

 

The Academy of Geo-Professionals (AGP) was founded in October 2008 by practicing geo-professionals who were members of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Geo-Institute. The Academy was created primarily to offer a voluntary, post-license credential that provide professional engineers an opportunity to gain further recognition in the broad field of geotechnical engineering.

AGP’s goal is dedicated to improving the practice, elevating the standards, and advancing the profession of geo-professional engineering. The Academy has begun its challenge to try and meet these goals with the oversight of our voluntary, post-licensure, specialty certification program for geo-professional engineers.

geoengineer1height100

A new literature search tool is available from Geoengineer.org for geotechnical engineers – the Geoengineering Literature Finder, or GEOLIFI.  This fee-based service has been created to provide access to published works in conference proceedings, etc. through agreements with publishers, etc.  This service is meant to complement there free Online Geoengineering Library.

 

The Online Geoengineering Library is a popular tool within Geoengineer.org and intends to provide access to publications available online at no cost. However such a database, will always be incomplete, because many publications are not (and will not be) available online.

Thus, Geoengineer.org undertook a 2-year development project to establish GEOLIFI. GEOLIFI intends to become the most comprehensive, searchable online database of geoengineering papers published worldwide not only in journals, but also in conferences, symposia, workshops, and even magazines and reports. GEOLIFI is established in cooperation with publishers, conference organizers as well as professional geoengineering organizations….

 
…..The ultimate goal is to collect and disseminate unprecedented numbers of papers in a effective manner. The database as of today includes over 2,000 papers, most of them not otherwise available online, and will continue to expand on a daily basis. … Many of these publications would not be otherwise available, except by subscribing to a journal or purchasing the proceedings.

 

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While I am discussing search links, don’t forget Geosearch.com developed by GeoPrac.net.  A link to Geosearch.com is in our side bar.

Papers Added from Tim Siegel

I have added most of Tim’s published technical papers to our on line library.  Most of Tim’s published works cover topics such as karst terrain, ground improvement, and augered cast-in-place piles.  Links to each paper are below and on the Publications page.

 

Siegel, T.C. and McGillivary, A. (2009). “Interpreted Residual Load in an Augered Cast-in-Place Pile”, Proceedings, Annual DFI Conference, Kansas City, MO.

 

Siegel, T.C. and NeSmith, W.M. (2009). “Shortcomings of the Davisson Offset Limit Applied to Axial Compressive Load Tests on Cast-in-Place Piles”, 2009 International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo, Contemporary Topics in Deep Foundations, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 185, ASCE, pp. 568-574.

 

Fellenius, B. H. and Siegel, T.C. (2008). “Pile Drag Load and Downdrag in a Liquefaction Event”, Journal of Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol 134, No. 9.

 

Siegel, T.C., NeSmith, W.M., and NeSmith, W.M. (2008). “Increase in Cyclic Liquefaction Resistance of Sandy Soil Due to Drilled Displacement Piles”, Proceedings, Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics IV Conference, Sacramento, CA.

 

Bivens, M.J. and Siegel, T.C. (2006). “Case Histories of Micropiles in Karst: The Influence of Installation on Design and Performance”, Contemporary Issues in Deep Foundations, GeoDenver Conference, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 158, ASCE.

 

Siegel, T.C., Cargill, P.E., and NeSmith, W.N. (2007). “CPT Measurements Near Drilled Displacement Piles”, Proceedings, FMGM, Boston, MA.

 

Siegel, T.C., NeSmith, W.M., NeSmith, W.M., and Cargill, P.E. (2007), “Ground Improvement Resulting From Installation of Drilled Displacement Piles”, 32nd DFI Annual Conference, Colorado Springs, CO.

 

Camp, W.M. and Siegel, T.C. (2006). “Failure of a Column-Supported Embankment Over Soft Ground”, Proceedings, Fourth International Conference on Soft Soils, Vancouver, B.C.

 

Siegel, T.C. and Cargill, P.E. (2005). “Use of the Cone Penetration Test for Geotechnical Site Characterization in Clay-Mantled Karst”, Proceedings, 10th Multi-Disciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, San Antonio, TX.

 

Siegel, T.C., Caskey, J.M., and Huckaba, D.A. (2005). “Combination of Ground Improvement Techniques for Support of Shallow Foundation in Karst”, Innovations in Grouting and Soil Improvement, GeoFrontiers Conference, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 136, ASCE.

 

Siegel, T.C., Chnag, C.C., and Loizias, L. (2003). “Seismic Stability of Rock Islands for Bridge Protection in Coastal South Carolina”, Proceedings, European Conference of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Prague, Czech Republic.

 

Siegel, T.C. and Mackiewicz, S.M. (2003). “Failure of Axially Loaded Augered Cast-in-Place Piles in Coastal South Carolina”, Proceedings, Soil and Rock America: 12th Panamerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Boston, MA.

 

Siegel, T.C., Camp, W.M., Chnag, C.C., and Loizias, L. (2002). “Site Response of Improved ground in the Coastal Eastern United States”, Proceedings, 4th International Conference on Ground Improvement Techniques, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

 

Siegel, T.C. and McCrackin, D.W. (2001). “Geotechnical Characterization and Modeling of a Shallow Karst Bedrock Site. Proceedings, 8th Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, Louisville KY.

 

Siegel, T.C., Cargill, P.E., and McCrackin, M.W. (2001). “Geosynthetic Reinforcement Above Sinkholes to Protect Landfill Liners”, Proceedings, 8th Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, Louisville KY.

 

Siegel, T.C., Belgeri, J.J., and McCrackin, M.W. (2001). “Case History of East Tennessee Karst: Static Stability of Some Shallow Caves”, Proceedings, 2001: A Geo-Odyssey – Foundations and Ground Improvement, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 113, Blacksburg, VA.

Presentations Posted – GeoFlorida and More!

Tim Siegel’s presentation on plate load testing of grout columns from GeoFlorida 2010 in February has been added to our Presentations Page.  I have also added some older presentations from IFCEE09, the 41st STGEC,  and other conferences.

 

 

 

 Axtell - Construction Considerations

Construction Considerations in the Selection and Design of Drilled Shaft Foundations for Bridges – Paul Axtell, P.E. – 11th University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Structural Engineering Conference, April 8, 2010.

 

IFCEE09 Drilled Shafts-Calcareous_Thompson_Brown 

Drilled Shaft Performance in Cemented Calcareous Formations in the Southeast US – W. Robert Thompson, III, P.E. – IFCEE09, Orlando, Florida – March 18, 2009.

 

IFCEE09 Slope Stabilization with H-piles_Thompson

Case History: Value Engineering of Driven H-Piles for Slope Stability on the Missouri River – W. Robert Thompson, III, P.E. – IFCEE09, Orlando, Florida – March 16, 2009.

 

STGEC 41 - LRFD Case History - Thompson

LRFD in Practice – A Case Study for Foundation Designers – W. Robert Thompson, III, P.E. and Liz Smith, P.E. (Terracon, Inc.). – 41st STGEC Conference, Wilmington, North Carolina – November 4, 2009.

Professor Ralph Peck Legacy Website Launched

ralphpeck

The Professor Ralph Peck Legacy Website has been launched by Geoengineer.org:

Geoengineer.org is pleased to announce the launch of "Professor Ralph Peck’s Legacy Website". The Website has been developed to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the Heroes of the geotechnical engineering field and honor a distinguished geotechnical engineer for his dedication and contributions to the society as a teacher, author, and engineer. The Website includes a lot of resources such as biographical data, quotes, photos, powerpoints, and even videos of lectures by Professor Peck.  The Shamsher Prakash Foundation has generously sponsored this activity. The website has been developed in collaboration with Mrs. Nancy Peck-Young, Prof. Peck’s daughter and was supervised by an international Advisory Committee of distinguished members of our community that had the luxury of knowing Prof. Peck and consists of Prof. Dobry, Prof. Cording, Prof. Prakash and Dr. Lacasse. The content of the website is divided in three parts: "About his life", "Publications" and "Resources".  We hope that this resource will be a source of inspiration for the future generations of geotechnical engineers. We also encourage you to provide us with any additional resources/content and we will be glad to include it in the website’s content.

Such a website is a fitting tribute to such an icon in the geotechnical engineering and construction industry.  Make sure and check it out.  I have added a link on our sidebar in the Geotechnical Resources section.

Artistic Construction Photo Contest – Volume 1

Old School (HPL) - R. Thompson

With all of us visiting construction projects across the country, occasionally we take a photo that appears to be somewhat “artistic” – maybe the lighting (or lack of), or the aspect.  I have assembled a few such photos submitted by DBA engineers in the first installment of the DBA Artistic Construction Photo Contest. Included in this installment are such items as: “Daybreak on Night Shift at JJA” and “Fountain” by S. Dapp, the series “Evolution” by P. Axtell, “GI Rig at Sunset” by T. Siegel, and “Piles in the Mist” by R. Thompson.  This first volume has more photos of mine than others, but we’ll work on better balance in future volumes.

Feel free to “vote” for your favorite in the comments.  I’ll try to update periodically as we have more “worthy” photos!

Daredevil Engineer

Those of you that know Dan know that he is into motorcycles, especially trials riding.  Some of you may thing that the headline means this post is about one of his latest riding exploits.  Surprisingly, it is not.

Recently, I (Robert) and my family went to a World of Wheels car show in Birmingham, Alabama.  This is not our normal family activity, but we went to watch Alex Bedly, an instructor at the Trials Training Center, perform as part of the On The Edge bike stunt team.  Alex is an instructor at the TTC and is the son of Catherine Bedley, our administrative assistant.  My family and I had a great time.  I was even part of the show, unknown to me until the show had started and I was called out to “volunteer”.  Check out the 35-second video below.  No engineers were harmed in the making of this clip.

Cross posted at the Trials Training Center blog.

Characterization of Loess for Deep Foundations

loess map

 

I have added a recent paper that Dan and Steve contributed to concerning loess that is in the November, 2009 issue of the DFI Journal.  The paper describes the results of site investigation and laboratory tests at a site in Kansas with loess deposits.  The effectiveness of various correlations between field and laboratory tests and design properties are evaluated.  Steve is currently working on the follow-up paper that evaluates lateral load tests of drilled shafts at the site.

Parson, R.L., Johnson, R.M., Brown, D.A., Dapp, S.D., and Brennan, J.J., 2009. “Characterization of Loess for Deep Foundations”, DFI Journal Volume 3, No. 2, November 2009, Deep Foundations Institute, pp14-24.

kcICON project moving along – see it on Facebook and YouTube

The kcICON project in Kansas City, Missouri is using Facebook and YouTube as a public relations tool.  They have recently posted new videos and pictures.  The latest video is of demolition of one of the existing approach structures.   It is all done for public relations, so the photos and videos are oriented for the general public, showing how the project is moving along, how their tax dollars are being spent, and providing information on lane closures, etc.

The kcICON Facebook page is here.  The project website with more photos and a web cam is here.  You can also follow the project on Twitter here.

I expect we’ll see more use of Facebook, Twitter, etc. on projects in the future.  It appears to be effective, at least for the techno-savy crowd!

Archives

GeotechSearch.com

DBA Photo Albums

Artistic Construction - Vol 1JJA Construction 2010
LPV-145 Test Piles 2009-2010DFI 2009
JJA Construction - Shaft 3W South Load Test - October 2009Huey P. Long Bridge Drilled Shafts - October 2009
JJA Construction - Pier 2W - September 2009 PhotosUniv Kansas Research - Lateral Load Test on Drilled Shafts
Huey P. Long Bridge, New Orleans - Test Shaft Construction - July 16-19, 2009GIWW West Closure Complex Test Piles June and July 2009
Garden State Parkway Mullica River Bridge - Test Shaft Construction - June 2009JJA Construction - Base Grouting and Other Construction - June 2009
JJA Construction - Shaft Excavation, PIle Driving, and Cofferdams - May 2009JJA Construction - East Pier and East High Approach - April 2009
KcICON River Bridge - Bent 1, Bent 5, and Pylon - March 2009JJA Construction - West Pier and West High Approach Shafts - April 2009