Get the New FHWA Drilled Shaft Manual
Get the NCHRP Synthesis 418 – Pile Criteria From Test Pile Data
Dan’s Speaking Schedule March 16, 2012 - "Advanced" Design and Construction Issues with Drilled Shaft Foundations; Case Histories - ADSC Equipment EXPO and Technical Conference - San Antonio, Texas
March 26-28, 2012 - State of the Art and Practice for Drilled Foundations - GeoCongress 2012 - ASCE/Geo-Institute - San Francisco, California
Other DBA Team Speaking Appearances
Tim Siegel (January 22, 2012): Innovative Techniques for Characterizing Karst Terrain, Workshop on Geo-innovation in Subsurface Exploration, TRB Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.
John Turner and Robert Thompson (February 21-23, 2012): NHI Drilled Shaft Course - Kansas DOT, Topeka, Kansas
Robert Thompson (February 24, 2012): Conservatism in Drilled Shaft Design When
Utilizing Rock Sockets, Alabama Transportation Conference, Montgomery, Alabama
Tim Siegel (March 15, 2012): Micropile Design Installation and Performance for the Foothills Parkway, ADSC Equipment EXPO and Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas
Robert Thompson (March 15, 2012): Full-Scale Load Tests on Drilled Shafts in Tennessee and Georgia, ADSC Equipment EXPO and Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas
Erik Loehr (March 15, 2012): Slope Stabilization Using Micropiles, ADSC Equipment EXPO and Technical Conference, San Antonio, Texas
John Turner (March 27, 2012): Foundations for the Bridge at Pitkins Curve - GeoCongress 2012 - ASCE/Geo-Institute - Oakland, California
TBA (April 10-12, 2012): NHI Drilled Shaft Course - South Carolina DOT, Columbia, South Carolina
John Turner (May 7-10, 2012): Highway Geology Symposium, Redding, CA
Conferences, Meetings, Seminars, Workshops
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By Robert Thompson, on November 3rd, 2009
I have added the paper that we wrote and Dan presented at the Deep Foundations Institute 34th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations that was held in Kansas City, MO late last month. The paper highlights how the design-build process was successful in the design and construction of the large diameter drilled shafts supporting the bridge. We discuss the installation methods used, the load test program, and how we evaluated the durability of the shale rock sockets under drilling fluid.
You can check out the progress of the bridge at the project website.
Axtell, P.J., Thompson, W.R., and Brown, D.A., 2009. “Drilled Shaft Foundations for the kcICON Missouri River Bridge”, Deep Foundations Institute 34th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations, Conference Proceedings 2009, October 21-23, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri, pp. 3-12.
By Robert Thompson, on October 30th, 2009
Two items of note here:
Aaron Hudson has joined DBA as a staff engineer. Aaron earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was Dan’s last graduate student at Auburn, or will be as soon as he gets his thesis finished! He will complete the M.S. degree from Auburn in 2010. Aaron has worked as a soil technician, lab technician, and occasional drill hand for his father’s firm The Summit Group of Louisiana in Sulpher, Louisiana. Immediately prior to joining DBA, he worked for almost a year as a staff engineer for TTL, Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Aaron will work as a staff engineer and will get to spend a good deal of time in the field. Welcome aboard, Aaron!
If you read the above, you may have noticed I wrote “last graduate student”. Yes, in case you had not heard, Dan “retired” from Auburn University. I used the quotes to indicate that Dan didn’t really retire, he really made a career change back into full time consulting, where he began after finishing his M.S. at Georgia Tech way back when. Actually, it was 1977, so it wasn’t really all that long ago, right?
For those that are familiar with the hectic travel schedule Dan kept while having two full time jobs as professor and consultant, it hasn’t changed a bit. As our business continues to grow, Dan seems to be always somewhere besides the office!
By Robert Thompson, on October 30th, 2009
Who says we only work on drilled shafts?? Robert had the opportunity to work for Kiewit Engineering Company providing geotechnical engineering support to Gulf Intracoastal Constructors (GIC), a joint venture of Kiewit and Traylor Brothers on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Project near Belle Chase, Louisiana. The project is part of the overall flood protection system improvements that are supposed to protect New Orleans from future hurricanes. The key components of this particular project are a massive gate and pump station across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Go For more information on the project, go here, here, and here (video from Corps of Engineers).
Robert spent a good part of the summer in New Orleans doing a variety of geotechnical engineering tasks to support the construction efforts of GIC. The main thing he worked on was the test pile program. The project included a massive test pile program with 24 test piles spread among 5 test sites with various combinations of dynamic, static axial, static tension, and static lateral tests. The piles were mostly open-ended steel pipe piles varying from 18” to 54” in diameter. A few 18” x 18” pre-stressed precast concrete piles were also thrown in for good measure. In addition to performing drivability studies and evaluating tests data, Robert got to spend some time in the wonderful June and July weather in southern Louisiana on the site observing pile installation and testing. And as always, he came back with a lot of pictures. Here are a few to enjoy.
By Robert Thompson, on October 30th, 2009
If you frequent this blog, you have noticed that posts have been rare the last few months. That is mostly to my being in the field a lot this summer and very busy on lost of projects. While that is good, it meant I did not have time for updates. Below are some slide shows from a few drilled shaft projects we worked on this summer.
Garden State Parkway Mullica River Bridge, New Jersey – Test Shaft Installation
Paul took a trip to lovely New Jersey to observe a large diameter test shaft on the Mullica River Bridge. DBA worked as a consultant for Parsons Brinckerhoff on an 8-foot diameter, 220-foot deep test shaft. CASE was the drilled shaft contractor and Agate was the general contractor. DBA consulted on the design of the test shaft program, as well as the use of Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC).
Drilled Shaft Lateral Load Test Research with the University of Kansas
Paul took a ride out west to Kansas City, Kansas (close to home!) to observe a drilled shaft lateral load test in Wyandotte County, near the Cabela’s store on I-435. The test is part of ongoing research by the University of Kansas for the Kansas DOT. DBA was involved in previous research concerning laterally loaded shafts behind MSE walls (see previous post, click here for more information on the project). This research continues on the same theme of investigating the behavior of laterally loaded shafts socketed into the sedimentary rocks in eastern Kansas. DBA does not have an active role in this project, just an academic interest.
Huey P. Long Bridge Improvements, New Orleans, Louisiana – Test Shaft Installation
The Huey P. Long Bridge in New Orleans (built in the 1930s) is undergoing a major rehab and expansion. The vehicle traffic will increase from 2 9-foot lanes in each direction to 3 11-foot lanes in each direction. This is a very interesting combined highway and railroad bridge with a fascinating history. The bridge is actually a private bridge owned by the New Orleans Public Belt Railway (click the link to see some cool photos from the construction of the bridge in the 1930s). The project website is here.
DBA was consulting with the joint venture building the bridge for the base-grouted drilled shafts under one new pier. A test-shaft was built and tested with O-cells. Robert was on site while they excavated the test shaft. Steve was on site during grouting.
By Robert Thompson, on October 2nd, 2009
Karl von Terzaghi (October 2, 1883 – October 25, 1963)
Photograph From the World Wide Web of Geotechnical Engineering Hall of Fame (http://www.ejge.com/People/Terzaghi/Terzaghi.htm)
Yes, my geotechnical friends, another year has passed and it is again that special date in geotechnical engineering history: Karl Terzaghi’s Birthday!
Each year we pause to recognize the birth of the Father of Modern Soil Mechanics. For those of you that this is the first year you have received this message, let me welcome you to my annual tribute to Professor Terzaghi and the geotechnical engineering profession. (If you do not want this annual greeting, please let me know and I will drop you from my list!).
For this year’s reflection, I thought I would share a story from Professor Terzaghi’s biography: “Karl Terzaghi – The Engineer as Artist” by Richard E. Goodman (quotes in italics). Terzaghi was in the U.S. in the fall of 1938 working on securing an appointment at Harvard. He received a lot of invitations to speak once word spread he was in the U.S. He organized them into something like a tour. “But he did not defer the invitation from Dean Grinter, of the Armour Institute of Technology in Chicago, because Karl knew that construction of new subway tunnels through soft clay was about to start under the heart of Chicago. At Armour Institute, he wisely chose to speak about the dangers of tunneling in soft clay beneath cities.” The lecture was on December 1, 1938. Representatives of the property owners along the subway right-of-way as well as the chief engineer of the subway department were in attendance. Both parties sought out Terzaghi as consultant and made offers. He eventually chose the offer to work for the city after requiring several conditions that including hiring Professor Ralph Peck, “beginning a job that propelled the young field of soils engineering.” The rest, as they say, is history. This story illustrates how the right words (a lecture, a presentation, etc.) at the right time in front of the right audience can pay huge dividends, both professionally and financially.
Remember that every day is a great day to be in the field of geotechnical engineering and construction! Have a great Karl Terzaghi’s Birthday!
By Robert Thompson, on September 16th, 2009
I wanted to make a quick post on the passing of Dr. Lymon Reese – Dan’s mentor, Ph.D. advisor, and a great engineer. I’ll post more later as it becomes available. (and catch up posts on our normal activities that I am way behind on). Below is from an e-mail sent by the ADSC.
Drilled Shaft Foundation Industry Giant
Dr. Lymon C. Reese Passes
Drilled Shaft Foundation Industry Giant Dr. Lymon C. Reese Passes
We are sad to report that Dr. Lymon C. Reese, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas, Austin, and one of the world’s leading drilled foundation experts, passed away on Monday, September 13, 2009. Dr. Reese was an ADSC Honorary Technical Affiliate Member and a great friend to the ADSC and to the drilled foundation industry. His seminal drilled shaft foundation research conducted for the Texas Department of Transportation and his subsequent writings are among the most important work ever conducted in the field. His graduate students have achieved international acclaim in their own right, and include: Dr. Michael W. O’Neill (deceased), Dr. Dan A. Brown, Larry Olson, Dr. Magued Iskander, Dr. James Long, and many others, all of whom have had a major impact on the advancement of the drilled shaft foundation industry. Dr. Reese was one of the last surviving early “giants” of our industry. At age 92, he remained a vibrant contributor to the profession. To say he will be sorely missed is an understatement. We have lost a most beloved friend.
Further details regarding a Memorial Service will be posted on the ADSC website as they become available.
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By Robert Thompson, on August 17th, 2009
Robert’s paper with Lloyd Held (retired from Eustis Engineering) and Steve Saye of Kiewit Engineering Company on the Biloxi Bay Bridge test pile program has been published in the latest issue of the DFI Journal, published by the Deep Foundations Institute. A total of 22 indicator piles were installed on the project using the pile driving analyzer to monitor the pile behavior. Five load tests were performed: two axial Statnamic, two lateral Statnamic, and one static axial. The results of the test pile program established driving criteria for production piles that included end of drive blow counts and pile tip elevations with an appropriate allowance for setup.
Click on the image below or go to our Publications page.
The bridge was recently featured on the cover of Civil Engineering Magazine along with a feature article by Pat Cassity, P.E., S.E. of Parsons Transportation Group. Source: ASCE
By Robert Thompson, on August 17th, 2009
Paul was a co-author of another paper on jet grout columns based on a project at Tuttle Creek Dam near Manhattan, Kansas. This was a project Paul worked on when he was with the Corp of Engineers (Kansas City District). The extensive work performed at the site is yielding a lot of valuable information for the geo-engineering and geo-construction professions.
The paper is in the latest issue of the DFI Journal, published by the Deep Foundations Institute. Click on the image below or go to our Publications page.
By Robert Thompson, on August 10th, 2009
The May 2009 issue of Foundation Drilling had an article by Dan and Robert summarizing the recent research on drilled shafts socketed into rock for the Southeast Chapter of ADSC .
The article has been posted to our Publications Page. The full report is located here, for those looking for a little light reading.
A test site has been selected for Atlanta in the Piedmont formation. Check back here or at the project page for updates as things move forward.
By Robert Thompson, on August 10th, 2009
As some readers of this blog know, the ADSC is having a leadership transition as Scot Litke retires. Everyone will miss Scot and his outstanding wit, but Michael Moore is stepping in as a very capable leader for the organization. A press release from ADSC is below.
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2009
Michael D. Moore Moves into CEO Role at ADSC
ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling reports that Michael Moore has been appointed to the position of CEO as long time ADSC Executive Director S. Scot Litke moves on to other things. Moore joined the ADSC in 2005 initially serving as the association’s Education and Membership Administrator. He was promoted to the position of Assistant Executive Director in 2006.
Litke had informed the ADSC Board that he planned to leave his post as ADSC Executive Director at the end of 2009 and recommended that Moore be appointed to take on the staff leadership role. A formal transition plan was put into effect at the beginning of 2008 with the expectation that Litke would stay on through the year working closely with Moore as he assumed tasks related to his new role. Litke will stay on as the Editor of the association’s award winning publication, Foundation Drilling magazine and will assist Moore as needed in the role of Senior Advisor.
Moore is excited about taking on the responsibilities associated with being the CEO and has been mapping out his vision of how the ADSC staff can support the wide range of activities that have been the organization’s hallmark. These include providing assistance to the association’s eight regional chapters, working with its 20 technical and operations committees, coordinating the workings of the ADSC board of directors, and continuing to enhance the ADSC’s successful education and unique training programs. Moore feels it is of utmost importance to maintain and extend the association’s long standing industry liaison activities such as those with federal and state agencies as well as other sister organizations in the geo-industry.
The ADSC is pleased to have Mike Moore on board to help lead the association into a very bright future.
Moore can be reached at: mmoore@adsc-iafd.com.
ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling is a not-for-profit international trade association headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The ADSC establishes standards and specifications; conducts Drilled Shaft Foundation, Anchored Earth Retention, and Micropile Design and Construction Seminars; offers field, supervisory, and management training programs for its members; develops and promotes safety materials, safety training programs, including OSHA certification training; interfaces with government agencies at the national, regional and local levels; funds scholarships and research; publishes a monthly magazine; and maintains a technical library. The association is represented at the regional level by Chapters which address issues of local importance. Through these activities, the ADSC seeks to advance the state-of-the-art in the foundation drilling and anchored earth retention industries. The ADSC represents drilled shaft, anchored earth retention, and micropile contractors, civil engineers, and foundation drilling, anchored earth retention, and micropile equipment manufacturing firms worldwide.
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