Approximately 20 percent of all funds allotted to bridge construction by the FHWA and State and local transportation departments is spent on pile foundations. In the early 1980s, many pile design and construction monitoring practices resulted in unnecessarily conservative designs because they were based solely on experience and tradition with little theoretical background.

This project promotes application of modern technology to pile design and construction monitoring, thereby reducing foundation costs and/or increasing confidence in the foundation. To achieve this goal, the project was developed in different phases.

Phase I was a comprehensive classroom demonstration on the practical aspects and economic advantages of rational pile design and construction monitoring. Phase II field demonstrations of modern construction monitoring techniques included a wave equation computer program, the pile driving analyzer, rapid methods of static load testing, and the saximeter inspection assistance instrument.

Field demonstrations were often performed in conjunction with construction projects, providing a direct comparison with existing State procedures and opportunities for cost savings. The results of each field demonstration were documented in a report that provided specific recommendations for improvement in State practices.

Because of this project, States have achieved substantial cost savings on major bridge projects. For example, the State of Washington saved $5 million on an I-90 project in Seattle. Oregon saved $1.5 million on the Alsea Bay Bridge project. Based on a 1991 survey, six impressive changes occurred in State transportation agency piling practice during the life of this project:

1. The AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (1991 Interim) incorporates many of the procedures and recommendations from the demonstration manual.

2. AASHTO and the American Society for Testing and Materials have developed test standards for dynamic testing of driven piles.

3. Approximately 30 State agencies have implemented the wave equation computer program.

4. Approximately 41 State agencies have used the pile driving analyzer, many now use routinely.

5. Several agencies have implemented computerized design procedures and developed load test result databases.

6. Approximately 30 percent of agencies have made major revisions to their standard specifications for foundations.

A contract was awarded to Goble Rausche Likins and Associates Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, to update the FHWA DP-66 Manual entitled Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations and to conduct a series of 2- and 4-day workshops. The manual has been completed and published in two volumes. A CD-ROM containing the entire set of driven pile foundation material is being prepared.

Pilot workshop presentations were presented in Portland, Oregon in October 1995, and Tallahassee, Florida in November 1995. An NHI course has been developed from these workshops and is available.

Design and Construction of Driven Pile Foundations

Workshop Manual,Volume I , FHWA-HI-97-013
Workshop Manual,Volume II , FHWA-HI-97-014

NHI Course # 13221, Driven Pile Foundations - Design & Construction
NHI Course # 13222, Driven Pile Foundations - Construction Monitoring

---

HIGHWAYTECHNET   VIRTUAL EXPO   STRUCTURES INDEX

---

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration

HIGHWAYTECHNET   VIRTUAL EXPO   STRUCTURES INDEX