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"This model specification includes sample text shown in normal font with commentary in italics. The commentary is intended to highlight project-specific items the specification writer should consider during development of the specification. In some sections, typical values are presented to indicate common practice, and these values may be changed to reflect projectspecific requirements. The commentary should be removed before using the specification for a project.1. SCOPEThe work consists of designing, furnishing, installing, post-tensioning and testing helical anchors used to support tension loads, and any ancillary materials (e.g., load transfer devices, etc.) according to the project plans provided and these specifications. Unless otherwise noted, the installing contractor shall provide all labor, tools, equipment, and materials necessary to accomplish the work. The parties referred to in this specification are as follows:• The Owner is the property owner.• The Owner’s representative is the individual or firm hired by the Owner to execute project tasks required for the successful design and construction of the overall project. Tasks could include construction management, design, oversight, etc.• The anchor designer is the individual or firm generally hired by the installing contractor to design the helical anchors.• Installing contractor installs and tests (if necessary) the helical anchors, and possibly other tasks associated with the project.It is important to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of every party on each project to promote good communication and reduce potential for contractual misunderstandings. Different types of contractual vehicles (design-build, value engineering, etc.) require different roles and responsibilities for the various parties, which should be considered in specification development.The Owner will provide suitable access to the construction site for the installing contractor’s personnel and equipment. Unless specifically noted otherwise in the contract documents, the Owner will remove and replace any structures, utilities, pavements, landscaping or other surficial improvements in the work area as necessary to facilitate the work. The Owner will be responsible for overall construction oversight to minimize potential for developing unsafe conditions. The work may include post-construction monitoring of anchor performance if required by the Owner or the anchor designer to confirm performance of the anchors subsequent to their installation. The work may also include installation of additional anchors if the initial installation does not meet specified capacity or performance requirements. Responsibility for providing subsurface investigation shall be addressed in the bid documents. The Owner is responsible for providing to the installing contractor all available subsurface soils, rock and groundwater information and geotechnical testing data."

Jan 1, 2016

By Rangaswamy. K, Naga Sivaji

A stone column is one of the most commonly employed methods of ground improvement techniques. This method used to increase the strength, decrease the compressibility of loose granular and finegrained soils. Also, it accelerates the consolidation in clays and reduces the liquefaction potential of sands and silt soils. In general, the stone column contains 15 to 75mm stone aggregates. In reality, it is not easy to avail the natural stone aggregates due to unavailability in locally nearby places. Present work aims to replace the stones partially or entirely by scrap tyre chips as an alternative material. The utilisation of recycled tyre chips in ground improvement is an environmentally friendly solution and avoid the disposal of tyre chip waste in large pits. Model tests conducted on marine clay with encased end bearing stone columns (ESC) constructed with a mixture of stone aggregate and tyre chips with sizes 4.75 to 10mm. The column diameter is 75 mm, L/d ratio maintained to 5.3. Non-woven geotextile wrapped encased stone column has introduced in the soft marine clay model. Encasement prevents the lateral squeezing of aggregates into the surrounding clay and protects the drainage function of the stone column. A set of load-settlement tests were conducted on both the clay model and clay model treated with the stones-tyre chips column. The model was loaded by the tri-axial loading frame. Shear strength parameters of stones and tyre chips were determined by large size direct shear tests. Model test results are concluding that the load-carrying capacity of the clay is improved significantly after installing the stone column in it. The encasement increases the load-carrying capacity and stiffness of the ordinary stone column. It is also proved that the stone aggregate could be replaced partially by tyre chips up to 60% without a significant reduction in its performance.

Nov 1, 2022

By Christophe H. Locussol

D.C. United, the professional soccer team located in Washington, D.C., completed a 20,000 seat capacity stadium in July 2018 named Audi Field. The project initially considered a foundation system consisting of roughly 800 prestressed concrete driven piles configured in groups with pile caps. A value engineering alternative proposed in a design-build manner ultimately resulted in the use of 300 single element Auger Cast Piles (ACPs) for the foundation system. The ACPs ranged between 1.5 ft and 4 ft in diameter, were up to 85 ft in length, and were connected through a system of grade beams to accommodate large lateral induced loads. Limitations in conventional analytical methods were encountered during the structural design of the piles due to the complexity of the lateral loading and pile fixity conditions. An innovative approach using advanced finite element modeling that incorporated the framing effects of the grade beams was required to meet the strict movement criteria despite large lateral loads.

By James P. Hambleton, Anastasia Nally

This work focuses on the numerical simulation of multi-plate anchor systems (e.g., helical anchors) in sand subjected to vertical loading. In assessing the stiffness and capacity of these multi-plate anchor systems, full awareness of the abilities and limitations of the various analysis methods must be understood. This work first summarizes studies completed by others and then goes on to assess the failure mechanisms of multi-plate anchors in sand and the influence of (1) plate width-to-depth ratio, (2) number of plates, and (3) relative positioning of plates. The analysis makes use of (1) conventional limit analysis, (2) so-called modified limit analysis that employs reduced strength parameters to account for the influence of soil dilatancy, and (3) the displacement-based finite element method, which considers elastic as well as plastic deformation leading to failure. The work critically reflects on limitations in the current analysis methods for helical ground anchors. INTRODUCTION Helical anchors are a relatively low cost foundation type, typically consisting of a steel rod and single or multiple plate attachments. In recent decades, they have seen rapid growth, and as outlined by Merifield and Sloan (2006) and Hambleton et al. (2014). Design techniques for helical anchors have previously been predominately empirical, as much of the past research in this field is experimentally based. It is common practice for helical anchors to be modeled as horizontally oriented plate anchors in both numerical and experimental analysis. This work focuses on analysis based on the finite element method, including so-called finite element limit analysis and the conventional displacement-based finite element method, with some comparisons made to experimental studies. Numerical simulation of anchor pull-out capacity in cohesionless soils is stunted by the many difficulties faced when using numerical analysis with cohesionless soils. Additional variations can be seen when comparing the serviceability based load capacities to the ultimate load. In this work, both the force-displacement response (stiffness) and the ultimate anchor capacity are assessed, with more focus on the latter. This work focuses only on analysis techniques for multi-plate anchors with vertical loading in cohesionless soils. Many studies have been completed in this area, some of which assume a rectangular plate in a plain strain model (Rowe & Davis, 1982; Merifield & Sloan, 2006; Cerfontaine et al., 2019). Whereas others use axisymmetric conditions (Baker and Kondner, 1966; Saeedy, 1987; Murray & Geddes, 1987; Ghaly & Hanna, 1994; Sakai & Tanaka, 1998; Merifield et al., 2006;) and minimal studies considered both axisymmetric and plane strain in the one study (Vesic, 1971; Tagaya et al., 1988; Murray & Geddes, 1987; Sarac, 1989).

Jan 1, 2019

By Chengcan Wang, Jin-Tae Han, Young-Eun Jang

"The waveform micropile is a newly developed foundation type for increasing the bearing capacity with the created shear keys on the pile’s shaft. Analyzing the increment of resistance at the shear key zone is a crucial factor in the design of the waveform micropile. Hence, centrifuge tests were carried out employing six different models, including a waveform micropile in the axial loading condition. The analysis results of the load-settlement curves showed that the waveform micropile achieved a higher bearing capacity compared to the micropile without shear keys. In addition, the test results revealed that the load-settlement relationship was affected not only by the pile shape but also by the locations of the shear keysINTRODUCTIONA micropile is a small-diameter pile, typically constructed with a less than 300 mm diameter. Generally, the micropile’s construction involves drilling, grouting, and insertion of a reinforcement material, such as a thread bar. The micopile can be utilized in a variety of fields for reinforcing the foundations of existing structures. It also has advantages for accessing challenging areas like limited-access construction sites, including those with a low headroom space and adjacent structures, due to the small size of the construction equipment. Thus, since it was introduced in 1950 in Italy, the micropile has become one of the preferred solutions when other deep-foundation methods are not applicable to the site.Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) gives the micropile design implementation guideline of neglecting the end bearing due to its small diameter but considering the frictional resistance if the bond zone of the pile is in the soil or on a weak rock. The bearing capacity is considered primarily only if the micropile is founded on a high-quality sound rock (FHWA, 2005). Micropile design in South Korea is currently being performed based on the FHWA manual and taking into consideration the frictional resistance for the design as the pile generally sockets into a weak rock or soft rock. Moreover, the frictional resistance within the soil layer has usually been ignored, considering only the shaft resistance of the rocksocketed length in the conservative design. The design concept excluding the frictional resistance in the soil layer, however, may lead to an extension of the pile socket length, which will increase the construction cost. Hence, many researches have attempted to provide better design and construction methods to increase the bearing capacity in a cost-effective way (Juran et al. 2001; Sadek and Isam 2004; Tsukada et al. 2006; Finno 2002; Gomez et al. 2003; Seo et al. 2013)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Hitendrabhai S. Dewangan, Dr. Aashish A. Mehta

Pile foundation is widely used in construction of marine structures. In offshore & marine piling work, drilling/boring supporting fluid is used to stabilize the borehole (excavation) prior to tremie concrete. The poly-fluid is a synthetic drilling granular polymer characterized by high molecular weight.it is mainly used for the preparation of stabilizing and lubrication mud in drilling of deep foundations. Disposal of polymers after using it into the sea, pollutant the sea environment, which may be harmful for living organisms inside sea. To reduce the pollution in offshore/Onshore, it is essential to take the precautions during flushing operation with proper recycled, reused & it’s Disposal. To provide economic and environmental solutions, used slurry was treated with addition dose of fresh material/polymers. The amount of fresh materials/ Polymer to be added can be decided based on (viscosity, density and pH value) test results. Finally, initiate water flow and air agitation as required. Run the tests on the re generated slurry before transferring to storage tank. Also, after storage, polymers will be reused for next operation. Moreover, mud wastage coming from borehole will also be disposed at suitable dumping places.

Sep 1, 2022

By Abdulazeez Rotimi, Barry Sheppard, Abid Adekunte

Good engineering practice is a function of sound theoretical knowledge, first-hand experience on previous projects of similar scope and scale, good acquaintance with case histories of similar projects completed by others in similar environmental conditions, as well as satisfactory degree of exposure to state-of-the-art methodologies. The four factors itemised above are typically interdependent. They amalgamatively influence the judgement of the Engineer and they ultimately result in the delivery of safe and cost-effective solutions by Professional Engineers. This technical paper presents detailed information on the ground engineering aspects of a large-scale housing development project located on a sloping site that had been presumed to be unstable in West Sussex, England. The ground engineering design package for the scheme comprised of temporary working platform designs & stability assessment for piling rigs and other construction machinery, geostructural designs for approximately 1km total run of permanent bored pile retaining walls to support the split-level construction on the sloping site and geostructural designs for the permanent foundation piles to support the housing units. The paper details how the four factors outlined above were amalgamated by the project’s foundation specialist consultants & piling contractors to deliver safe and practical solutions for the development, with significant savings in materials, cost and project completion time.

Sep 8, 2021

By Carl-Oscar Nilsson, Åke B. Nilsson

"The embankment dam at Storfinnforsen is 23 m high and was completed in 1954. The dam has an impervious zone with timber sheet piles and a support fill of glacial till. The pore water pressure in the downstream shoulder has during recent years increased due to deterioration in the sealing function of the timber sheet piling. There is a concern that the high pore water pressure in the glacial till will cause internal erosion initiating at a thin coarse transition layer between the glacial till and the rock fill along the downstream toe. As a remedial action in order to improvement of the leakage resistance a supporting berm of coarse rockfill against the downstream slope of the dam was constructed in year 2013. In addition a new impervious seal in the centre of the dam e.g. a diaphragm wall was considered. However, after further studies and a trial stretch of 40 drains each 20 m long and diameter 0.3 m an alternative with vertical drilled drains in the downstream support was selected. A contract has now started up to drill in a similar way to treat the full length of the dam with drains. The work is in the planning to be completed in 2016.Dam ConstructionStorfinnforsen Embankment Dam was put into operation in 1954. The dam is 330 m long and maximum height is approximately 23 m. The dam is constructed with a central core zone and supporting zones of earth and rockfill on the upstream and downstream sides giving an almost symmetrical cross-section about the dam axis, see Fig. 1. The upstream slope is 2H:1V down to el. 270 and 2.5H:1V below. On the downstream side the slope is 1.75H:1V down to +269 and 2H:1V below. The core zone consists of a timber sheet pile wall with a Zone 5 of glacial till, approximately 2 m wide, adjacent to the wall on the upstream side."

Jan 1, 2016

By Joseph A. Sopko

The first documented procedures for designing frozen earth structures are over 50 years old, implemented long before the introduction of the Finite Element Method (FEM). Since that time, the development of three-dimensional models has made the traditional and often over-conservative methods relatively obsolete. This paper discusses a new approach that is largely dependent on the analysis of internal stresses with the frozen structure and comparison to frozen soil laboratory tests. A specific design process is discussed related to initial field investigation, laboratory testing, structural and thermal analysis, and performance monitoring. The design results are compared to case histories in the field that verify the procedure. BACKGROUND One of the first documented methods to designing frozen earth retaining structures was by Sangar (1968). Methodical refinements were published by (Harris 1995) and published by the International Symposium on Ground Freezing in 2002 (Andersland et al. 1991). The structural design or thickness of the frozen mass was based on the unconfined compressive strength of the frozen soils. Two simple equations for determining the thickness of a frozen shaft are shown in Fig. 1 and the first two equations below.

Jan 1, 2019

By Rouzbeh Afsharhasani, Moses Karakouzian, Brandon Kluzniak

"The Vegas High Roller is the centerpiece of a new development parcel adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip. At a height of 550 feet, the High Roller is currently the tallest observation wheel in the world. The design team conducted a geotechnical site investigation to characterize the alluvial soils and cemented layers encountered and to provide foundation design recommendations for the observation wheel, boarding platform, and temporary structures needed to erect the wheel structure. This paper presents a case history of the geotechnical design process, including development of a ground model and design parameters, high-strain dynamic axial load tests, and settlement monitoring during construction. Results indicated that design parameters were conservatively assumed and that the majority of the axial load was transferred to a near surface caliche layer, thereby resulting in insignificant settlement of the foundation system.IntroductionThe engineering of the Vegas High Roller is similar in concept to that of the London Eye and the Singapore Flyer. The wheel has 28 cabins, each with a capacity of 40 persons. The top point of the structure is 550 ft above ground level at the site.A geotechnical site investigation program was undertaken and subsequent analyses were performed to provide foundation recommendations for the observation wheel legs, boarding platform columns, and temporary structures directly associated with construction of the observation wheel."

Jan 1, 2017

By Douglas R. Hardin, Stanley L. Worst, Joanna Mason

A challenging earth retention project presented itself in Washington, DC in the backyard of the historic House of the Temple (The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Supreme Council 33°). Located at 15th St NW and S St NW, a forty-foot-deep underground basement was to be installed adjacent to the existing Temple, a historic Carriage House structure dating back to the 1800’s and across a narrow alley from a four-story brick apartment building. The unique geology of the site included typical urban fill overlying a mixture of loose alluvial soils underlaid by dense marine deposits of the Potomac Formation. The clay, sand and gravel of the Potomac included nested boulders up to three feet in diameter. Design of the earth retention system accounted for ground conditions, installation methods and estimated movement of the system and adjacent structures. Anticipated ground water and unanticipated water from leaky sewers also proved obstacles to overcome during construction. Soldier beams were installed using a variable momentvibratory hammer to minimize disturbance to the historic and sensitive structures. Monitoring of the existing structures included both seismograph and optical targets during installation of soldier beams and as the excavation progressed. Micropiles drilled into the Potomac Formation were a part of the permanent foundation for the new structure. This local case history will delve into the details of the successful design, installation, and performance of an earth retention system and micropiles in a historic and highly congested urban environment.

Oct 1, 2022

By Prasanta Paul, Aminul Islam

"Nhava Sheva (India) Gateway Terminal Private Limited proposed to construct a container terminal yard, comprising a back-up area at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT), Uran, Maharashtra. The proposed container terminal yard is located on a recent reclamation on the Thane Creek, which was developed by land-based reclamation method. The underneath soft marine clay was treated, using vertical band drains and placement of surcharge upon.Settlement of the reclamation during its construction was monitored using settlement plate installed at +4.8m CD elevation which was above the highest high water level.This paper examines the settlement behaviour of the reclamation during the ground improvement works. The geotechnical parameters are back-analyzed by the authors from the field settlement results and the concerned preloading details. The back analyzed coefficients of consolidation due to horizontal flow (Ch) are compared with laboratory determined parameters and the estimated value, using Asaoka Method (1978). The authors also studied field compression ratio [CR= Cc/(1+e0)] vs. the compression ratio determined by laboratory test using back-analysis method.1. INTRODUCTIONNhava Sheva (India) Gateway Terminal Private Limited proposed to construct a container terminal yard, comprising a back-up area of approximately 27 hectares, complete with associated buildings and services on a part brownfield/ greenfield site. The back-up area shall include a heavy duty block paved pavement with band beams for electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane (eRTGC) alongwith surface water drainage system and other services including area lighting, provision of fire-fighting facilities , sources for potable water and power.Based on the Employer’s Requirement and the available geotechnical investigation report, ground improvement scheme is designed by the construction contractor. Ground improvement works included the installation of prefabricated vertical drains and subsequent placement of surcharge for accelerating the consolidation of the underlying soft marine clay."

Jan 1, 2015

By D. A. Ponniah

The installation of a pile is considered analogous to the expansion of a cylindrical cavity of a diameter equal to that of the pile. Using Vesic's theory of the expansion of cavities the effect of soil properties on pile installation loads, radial pore and total pressures are evaluated. The theoretical results are compared with load and pressure measurements made in field trials in a stiff clayey glacial till in the U.K.

Jan 1, 1987

By Yan Lap J. Kan

"A waterfront stabilization system consisting of Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) columns, vinyl sheet pile fascia, and concrete flood walls supported on shallow footings was designed and constructed for a high-density waterfront development in Northern California. The project site is underlain by soft, compressible organic soil locally known as Bay Mud that has been capped with loose sand and imported fill. The waterfront stabilization system constructed at the site mitigates liquefaction, consolidation settlement and seismic potential slope deformation along the waterfront; the system was designed to reduce lateral displacements to tolerable amounts for the proposed structures. This paper presents the general design methodologies, construction challenges and quality control of this waterfront stabilization system.INTRODUCTIONUrban development in Northern California is fueling innovations in geotechnical engineering as more complex sites are developed. ENGEO Incorporated introduced a deep soil mixing technology from Japan to the US and designed a waterfront stabilization system for a high density waterfront development project in Redwood City, California. The approximately 12½-acre project site, as shown on Fig. 1, is surrounded by water on three sides, with an inner marina at the center of the site.The project site is located in the seismically active San Francisco Bay Area in California. The San Andreas Fault, the Monte Vista-Shannon Fault, the Hayward Fault and the San Gregorio Fault are major active faults located within 25 miles of the site. Once a former marshland with a major slough until the late 1950s, the site was reclaimed by placing imported fill over the native compressible clay deposits, locally known as Bay Mud."

Jan 1, 2016

By William B. Conway

This paper will describe the large caisson pier foundations for four of the bridges crossing the Mississippi River in the New Orleans area; and will discuss some of the unusual problems encountered during their sinking. Certain settlement phenomena experienced during their service life will also be related: The four bridges in order of their construction: The Huey P. Long Bridge, River Mile 106.1, completed in 1935 The Greater New Orleans Bridge No.1, River Mile 96.0, completed in 1958 The Hale Boggs Bridge, River Mile 121.6, completed in 1983 The Greater New Orleans Bridge No.2, River Mile 96.1, completed in 1988 Each of these bridges employed large open-dredged concrete caissons as foundations for one or more of the river piers, with the smallest being the 65ft by 102ft caissons for Piers I and II of the Huey P. Long Bridge and the largest being the 99ft by 214ft caisson for Pier II of the Greater New Orleans Bridge No.2. The Huey P. Long caissons are founded in a dense fine sand at -170 while all of the other bridge caissons are founded in hard preconsolidated clay at elevations varying from -150 to -185. The Huey P. Long Bridge is currently being widened without increasing the caisson foundations under any of the river piers; and the design reasoning that led to this decision is presented.

May 11, 2007

By Aly Mohammad, Dongyi Yue

"The design of rock sockets for drilled shafts and piles proves to be a challenge for the Design Engineer. The magnitude of loads on the shaft and the behavior of the rock are critical in determining the required socket length. Several acceptable methods are available in the literature to analyze a rock socket under a combination of axial loads, lateral loads and moments. This paper will present a state-of-the-art methodology to analyze rock sockets utilizing deformation characteristics of the rock. This design methodology was implemented in the design of a major project in New York City.The project discussed herein is a marine transfer station planned for construction at East 91st Street along the East River in Manhattan. In order to support the piers and platform structures at a site with relatively shallow depth of the bedrock, rock sockets were required for the drilled shaft foundations. Rock sockets were utilized to provide the required fixity to the foundations and the structures. Acting at the top of the rock sockets are large shear forces and moments created by the lateral loads transferred from the structure.Upon review of the available techniques, a simplified method was proposed and used to analyze the rock sockets with a significant magnitude of lateral loading. The method recognizes two mechanisms through which the lateral shear and moment are transferred to the rock; a) load transfer through horizontal resistance of rock and b) the vertical shear resistance of the bond between socket and rock.The first load transfer mechanism was analyzed using the p-y curve method based on a rock model developed by Reese. The second was analyzed using a bond stiffness derived from the formula and curves utilized in the AASHTO Specifications for calculation of rock socket displacement. By comparing the two mechanisms, the main contribution to the large horizontal shear force that developed in the rock socket is identified.The paper will present a summary of the design methodology utilized in determining the length of the rock socket. It is believed that the presented method will provide substantial cost saving in selecting the most economical and efficient design length."

Jan 1, 2005

By Negin Khalili-Motlagh-Kasmaei, Paul O'Leary, Christopher J. Rothsiedl, Dimitar Ninesvski, Alexander Zöhrer, Vincent Winter

This paper presents the implementation of a digital twin for the vibro-replacement ground improvement process, as part of a digital construction site. The goal is to implement an evidence-based quality assurance for each produced element (column or point). The system uses a combination of planning data and real-time machine data collected automatically from construction equipment. In addition to the quality assurance, feedback is provided in a number of areas, e.g., condition monitoring of the equipment. The digital twin builds upon the real-time sensor and machine data, fused with metadata, to implement a digital model for the process. A hierarchical data evaluation, using rule-based Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), permits viewing of the spatial variation of data over the construction site. This permits the modelling of systematic variations in subsurface properties across the site, enabling the detection of anomalous individual elements, the diagnosis of their cause and the prediction of properties as construction proceeds over the site. All time-series data and KPIs are represented by standard classes of objects, leading to a generic coding of the data analysis; this minimizes the effort required to add additional sites and/or new KPIs. Examples are presented for a number of sites, where the system was used to identify anomalous columns.

May 1, 2022

By Richard Berry

The spacing of grout injections is typically about 2 to 2 V½ meters if the purpose of the grouting is densification of the in-situ soils. Hole spacing will vary with the in-situ soil properties and the grout injection rate; faster rates requiring closer hole spacing.

Feb 10, 2003

By Terence P. Holman

Micropiles are employed to retrofit existing foundations, including underpinning prior to future construction operations and resupport of existing structures that have experienced distortion and settlement. This paper presents analyses of the two case histories requiring the use of micropiles in these applications. The first case history involves micropiles used to resupport a settled pump station next to an excavation which had suffered basal failure and ground loss. A compression load test pile experienced plunging failure which, after analysis of the strain-gauge data acquired during the test, was attributable to a greater degree of disturbance to the subsoils beneath the site than anticipated. After construction of the micropiles around the pump chamber a synchronized jacking system was used to lift and right the 320 kip chamber structure, followed by resupporting it on the newly constructed piles. The second case history entails the use of micropiles for direct underpinning support of existing columns prior to a utility tunnel installation within an existing high-bay warehouse structure. The design constraint that most significantly affected the successful completion of this project was the desire to bond the new piles into the existing reinforced concrete foundations. As a result of the coring method through the footing, the ultimate bond stress measured during a pullout test was more than twice that assumed in the design. Monitoring of the underpinned columns during trench excavation indicated that the system performance was acceptable. These case histories reinforce the concept that lower capacity micropiles can provide a rapid means to underpin and retrofit existing structures.

Jan 1, 2007

By John G. DiGenova

The Allwell Center Ice Arena at Plymouth State University, Plymouth, New Hampshire is located in the flood plain of the Pemigewasset River. To maintain the arena near the level of the surrounding area, foundation design required use of uplift elements to resist hydrostatic loads caused by frequent flood conditions. Soils beneath the arena consisted of very loose to medium dense alluvial deposits overlying thick glaciolacustrine deposits. Bedrock was encountered at depths of 115 feet (35 m) or more. A mat foundation with a sealed building system was developed for the arena to guard against flood events. Several alternatives were investigated to provide uplift capacity for the mat foundation, including the Rammed Aggregate Pier® (RAP) system, driven precast-prestressed concrete piles, driven H-piles, and deep drilled soil/rock anchors. Evaluations indicated that the most cost effective uplift solution was a tension RAP system that developed uplift resistance in the shallow alluvial deposits. A total of 344 55-kip (245-kN) capacity RAP elements were required for the project. The RAPs were designed to resist tensile loads using threaded steel bars. Dual corrosion resistance was provided to the uplift elements by including sacrificial steel and galvanizing the oversized bars and connection plates. A pre-construction test program was conducted on RAP elements drilled to a depth of approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) and installed using various shaft construction procedures and materials. Ten test piers were constructed and six were tested to verify that the piers could resist 200 percent of the design load with measured deflections of less than 1 inch (25 mm). The RAP system also provided improved bearing conditions for the perimeter wall and mat foundations by densifying and stiffening the upper alluvial soils.

Jan 1, 2011