World Record O-Cell Load Test in St. Louis, MO!

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DBA was part of foundation engineering and construction history while participating in a drilled shaft load test for the New I-70 Mississippi River Bridge in St. Louis, Missouri.  A new O-cell world record of 36,000 tons (bi-directional) was achieved on the test, besting the former record of just under 32,000 tons set in 2005 in Korea (see here).

The test shaft was built by MTA (a joint venture of Massman/Traylor Brothers/Alberici Constructors) as part of an Alternative Technical Concept (ATC) that MTA submitted in their winning bid.   During the bid phase, the owner allowed ATC’s to be submitted by pre-qualified teams.  These ATC’s were unique to the team that submitted them (e.g., each team was allowed to submit their own ATC’s if they desired, but the ATC’s were not shared amongst all the teams).  DBA worked with MTA to develop an ATC that optimized the drilled shaft foundations shown in the “baseline” drawings provided by the owner.  That ATC provided a more economical foundation solution that was accepted, bid, and awarded (note MTA also had the option of bidding the “baseline” drawings as-is).  A full-scale load test on a dedicated test shaft using the Osterberg Cell (O-cell) test method was included in the ATC to: 1) prove the design values used for the resistance in the rock socket; and (2) take advantage of higher resistance factors for using a load tests as opposed to only calculations.  The baseline drawings did not include a load test.

Loadtest, Inc. performed the load test.  The bottom-up static load test applied slightly greater than 36,000 tons (bi-directional) to the shaft resulting in about 1/8in of upward movement of the shaft and about the same magnitude of downward displacement at the base.  The rock socket was about 23ft deep and 11ft in diameter in very hard limestone.  Four 34in O-cells placed at the base of the shaft were loaded to 150% of their rated capacity to achieve the record load.

UPDATE (8/4/10): The bridge was featured in the July 2010 issue of Civil Engineering magazine from ASCE in the “News” section.  Follow the link below and then go to Page 30.

Civil Engineering July 2010

UPDATE (8/17/10): Press Release from MTA (contractor joint venture).

UPDATE (8/18/10): ENR.com Article

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New Project Summaries Added

I have added some new project summaries to our Consulting Projects list.  I have also revised/updated the individual project pages we have, plus the Consulting Projects and Research Projects pages.

The projects I have added are:

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Beck Street Bridge over I-15, Salt Lake City, Utah

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Hurricane Protection Projects, New Orleans, Louisiana

I-70 Mississippi River Bridge Test Shaft, St. Louis, Missouri

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Mullica River Bridge Test Shaft, Port Republic, New Jersey

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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. (2007). “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.

 

 

 

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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.

 

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

 

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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.

 

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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

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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.

Geo-Florida 2010 Papers posted

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Papers by Dan, Steve, and Tim that were included in the GeoFlorida 2010 conference have been uploaded to our Publications page.  Dan and Steve co-authored a paper on the test program of the base grouted drilled shafts for the Audubon Bridge.  Tim co-authored a paper with Willie NeSmith of Berkel and Company Contractors, Inc. on plate load testing of displacement grout columns.  Dan was also a co-author with several others on a paper on jet grouting for improved pile lateral capacity.

 

Dapp, S.D. and Brown, D.A. (2010). “Evaluation of Base Grouted Drilled Shafts at the Audubon Bridge”, GeoFlorida 2010, Advances in Analysis, Modeling and Design, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 199, ASCE, pp1553-1562.

Rollins, K.M., Herbst, M., Adsero, M. and Brown, D.A. (2010) “Jet Grouting and Soil Mixing for Increased Lateral Pile Group Resistance”, GeoFlorida 2010, Advances in Analysis, Modeling and Design, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 199, ASCE, pp1563-1572.

Siegel, T.C. and NeSmith, W.M. (2010). “Large-Scale Plate Load Testing of Ground Improvement Using Displacement Grout Columns”, GeoFlorida 2010, Advances in Analysis, Modeling and Design, Geotechnical Special Publication No. 199, ASCE, pp2398-2405.

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!

Driven Piles for New Orleans Levee Projects – Wrap Up

Our support of Kiewit Engineering and two Kiewit joint ventures working on the flood control projects around New Orleans has completed.  As part of our comprehensive hydration solution, we also want you to read the reviews to our water cooler machines. I posted on the support work we provided for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway – West Closure Project here.  The JV for that project is Gulf Intracoastal Constructors (GIC), a joint venture of Kiewit and Traylor Brothers.

Another project we worked on is the Chalmette Levee Loop Improvements LPV-145 project.  The joint venture for this project is Chalmette Levee Constructors (CLC), a joint venture of Kiewit, Massman, and Traylor Brothers.  Some information about the project can be found at Traylor Brothers website here.  This project consists of building over 5 miles of T-wall on the levee.  A test pile program with piles at 4 tests sites was completed, including static and dynamic tests on H-piles and open-ended pipe piles.  Dynamic, static compression, and static tension tests were performed at 3 of the 4 sites.  One site had only dynamic tests during driving.  Our newest staff engineer, Aaron Hudson begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, started his tenure at DBA by heading to New Orleans to help me with our work on this project.

During the test pile program, the project location was accessible only by boat.  A temporary bridge has been constructed over Bayou Bienvenue to provide better access.  The bridge is a pre-engineered bridge kit similar to the Bailey Bridge sets used by the U.S. Army starting in WWII, and still in use today by the Army and the private sector all over the world.  I had some experience as an Army Engineer officer planning and executing the assembly and launch of Bailey Bridges.  In the Army labor is plentiful, so there are not near as many cranes and other equipment available when assembling a bridge kit as there are on a modern construction site.  Compare this photo from a training exercise near Fort Polk, Louisiana in 1989 (from my Army days) with one in our show below and at the website of the current Bailey Bridge manufacturer.

 

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I have posted some photos from our visits there to our Picassa Albums (linked below).  There are pictures of the test piles and the temporary bridge.  Also included are some photos I took of the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Barrier project.  This project is amazing with 66-inch diameter cylinder piles and 18” pre-stressed concrete piles making up the bulk of the structure. Project photos at the Corps of Engineers site are here.

 

Update 7/25/10: Webcams of the West Closure Project are here.  The Corps’ Team New Orleans has a Flickr page here with lots of great photos.

 

 

Specialists in Deep Foundation Design, Construction, and Testing and Slope Stability Problems