Geoengineer.org Website Link

We have added a link in our Links section to Geoengineer.org, a website resource for geotechnical engineers. Resources include an on-line technical library and an on-line photo gallery/library. They have several new information servces, including the Geoengineer.org Press Center that has the latest news of articles and press releases of interest to geotechnical engineers, and The International Journal of Geotechnical Case Histories– a new, free on-line journal. Check it out!

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Drilled Shaft and Pile Foundation Presentations Scheduled for 2006 Southeastern Transportation Geotechnical Engineering Conference

Dr. Dan Brown, P.E. and Mr. Robert Thompson, P.E. are scheduled on the program for the 2006 Southeastern Transportation Geotechnical Engineering Conference in Florence, Alabama October 30th – November 3rd, 2006. This is the 38th STGEC meeting and is being hosted this year by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Dan will make two presentations: “High Performance Concrete for Drilled Shaft Construction” and “Design of Tip-Grouted Drilled Shaft Foundations for the John James Audubon Bridge.” Robert will make a presentation titled “Test Pile Program for U.S. 90 Bridge Reconstruction over Biloxi Bay.”

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Pile Load Tests on US 90 Biloxi to Ocean Springs

The week of August 28th saw five load tests performed at the project site. A lateral Statnamic test and an axial Statnamic test were performed on both 24-inch and 30-inch piles. The tests were performed by AFT. A picture of one of the axial test setup is below. A static axial load tests was also performed on a 24-inch pile. Eustis Engineering, the project geotechnical engineering firm, supervised the static test. The results of the tests, along with the PDA data gathered by Eustis during driving of the indicator piles, will be used to set the pile tip elevations along the bridge alignment. Driving of production piles is set to begin the week of September 11th.

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Statnamic test setup on 24-inch pile.

Driving Indicator Piles in Biloxi Bay

I made a visit to the US 90 Biloxi to Ocean Springs bridge site on Thursday and was able to observe the driving of one of the indicator piles. This is a 30-inch precast prestressed concrete pile that will also be used for a Statnamic lateral load test. The axial and lateral load tests will begin later this month, with production piles planned to start in mid-September.

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The left photo shows the barge set up for driving. This pile was adjacent to the bascule span of the destroyed bridge. The middle and right photos are during pile driving. A air hammer is being used to drive the pile.

Audubon Bridge and US 90 Bridge Updates

DBA’s work on the John James Audubon Bridge in Louisiana continues to move forward.  We have submitted our reports for the main river piers that include the recommended designs for post-grouted drilled shafts.  Test shaft construction is scheduled for late August or early September for an Osterberg Cell (O-Cell) load test.

Driving of indicator piles has begun at the US 90 Bridge from Biloxi to Ocean Springs, Mississippi.  A program of 21 indicator piles and 6 load tests (4 axial and 2 lateral) will be used to develop pile capacities and driving criteria for the project.  Eustis Engineering, Inc. is monitoring all indicator and test piles using the Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA).  The load tests will be performed using the Statnamic device in late August.

DBA to work on US 90 Biloxi to Ocean Springs Bridge

DBA is working with the design-build team selected to re-construct the US 90 bridge between Biloxi and Ocean Springs, Mississippi. GC Constructors, AJV was awarded the project and is a joint venture of Massman Construction Company, Kiewit Southern, and Traylor Brothers, Inc. The geotechnical engineer for the project is Eustis Engineering of Metairie, LA. DBA will be consulting on pile foundation design and testing with Eustis and Parsons Transportation Group, the bridge designer.

Drilling on the Mississippi

Exploratory soil drilling has begun for the John James Audubon Bridge near St. Francisville, LA. PSI is performing the drilling while I observe. The crew completed the borings for the West Pier on May 23rd. They will move to the East Pier after Memorial Day. A picture of the crew is on the left below, one of the samples of clay brought up from about 270 feet below the river bottom is on the right.

near St. Francisville, LA. is performing the drilling while I observe. The crew completed the borings for the West Pier on May 23rd. They will move to the East Pier after Memorial Day. A picture of the crew is on the left below, one of the samples of clay brought up from about 270 feet below the river bottom is on the right.near St. Francisville, LA. is performing the drilling while I observe. The crew completed the borings for the West Pier on May 23rd. They will move to the East Pier after Memorial Day. A picture of the crew is on the left below, one of the samples of clay brought up from about 270 feet below the river bottom is on the right.

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