Evaluation of Lateral Pile Resistance Near MSE Walls at a Dedicated Wall Site – Phase 2

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1458
Status: Cleared by FHWA
Date Posted: Oct 30, 2017
Last Updated: Dec 03, 2022
Solicitation Expires: Dec 31, 2019
Partners: CA, FL, KS, MN, NY, UT, WI
Lead Organization: Utah Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2018
Commitment End Year: 2020
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $150,000.00
Commitments Received: $240,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): David Stevens
davidstevens@utah.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Michael Adams
mike.adams@dot.gov
Phone: 202-493-3025
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
California Department of Transportation 2019 $10,000.00 Yue Wang Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2020 $10,000.00 Yue Wang Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Larry Jones Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Larry Jones Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Kansas Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Luke Metheny David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Luke Metheny David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Nick Haltvick Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Nick Haltvick Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Steve Conklin Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2019 $0.00 Steve Conklin Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
Utah Department of Transportation 2018 $60,000.00 Jon Bischoff David Stevens 801-589-8340 davidstevens@utah.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Jeff Horsfall Evelyn Bromberg 608-267-7360 evelyn.bromberg@dot.wi.gov

Background

Bridge abutment piles are frequently surrounded by mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls rather than a soil slope. Piles near MSE walls must be designed for lateral loads from earthquakes and thermal expansion/contraction. In the TPF-5(272) Phase 1 study involving several state DOTs, a series of 31 tests on free-head piles provided p-multipliers as a function of pile spacing which can be used to account for reduced lateral soil resistance due to the presence of an MSE wall. Equations were also developed to compute the induced force developed in the reinforcements by the lateral pile loading. However, a number of questions came up when the results of the Phase 1 study were presented to engineers and those responsible for code changes. These issues involve (a) the effect of cyclic loading when previous testing was monotonic, (b) the effect of pile head fixity because previous tests were on free-head piles while most abutment piles are “fixed-head”, (c) the effect of pile group loading when previous tests were for single piles, and (d) the effect of pile diameter on the p-multiplier and induced force equations because previous tests were all for piles about 12 inches in diameter.

Objectives

To provide closure relative to the outstanding issues described above, a series of additional tests will be conducted as a Phase 2 follow-up to the original test series.

Scope of Work

The Phase 1 study included construction of a dedicated MSE wall site in Utah with instrumented piles behind the 20-ft high wall. Prior to the Phase 2 testing, the top 6.5 ft of backfill behind the MSE wall will be excavated, new instrumented reinforcements will be placed, and the backfill will be re-compacted. Tasks for this Phase 2 study include: 1. Conduct cyclic lateral pile load testing. 2. Conduct fixed-head lateral pile load testing. 3. Conduct lateral pile load testing of larger-diameter piles (18- or 24-inch diameter), to be newly placed between cut-off existing piles. 4. Conduct lateral pile load testing of a pile group. 5. Analyze the Phase 2 lateral pile load testing results, compare these with the Phase 1 results, and update the design procedures and numerical model from Phase 1 as applicable. 6. Submit a final report that documents the Phase 2 research effort. 7. Make presentations at AASHTO bridge engineers’ committee meetings and TRB events to aid in national efforts to implement the study results.

Comments

The Principal Investigator for this study will be Dr. Kyle Rollins of Brigham Young University. Dr. Rollins has extensive experience with lateral load tests on piles. He is the Principal Investigator on the TPF-5(272) Phase 1 study. Conducting of the Phase 2 field tests at the dedicated wall site is planned for the summer of 2018. The minimum partner commitment expected for Phase 2 is $20,000. This could consist of $20,000 for FY2018 or FY2019, or the amount may be split between the two years. We will be requesting the 100% SP&R Approval from FHWA.

Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology Soils, Geology, and Foundations

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Match Waiver Request Match Waiver Request #1458.pdf Memorandum Public
Waiver Approval Memo #1458 SPR Waiver Approval Memo-Signed.pdf Memorandum Public

Evaluation of Lateral Pile Resistance Near MSE Walls at a Dedicated Wall Site – Phase 2

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1458
Status: Cleared by FHWA
Date Posted: Oct 30, 2017
Last Updated: Dec 03, 2022
Solicitation Expires: Dec 31, 2019
Partners: CA, FL, KS, MN, NY, UT, WI
Lead Organization: Utah Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2018
Commitment End Year: 2020
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Commitments Required: $150,000.00
Commitments Received: $240,000.00
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): David Stevens
davidstevens@utah.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Michael Adams
mike.adams@dot.gov
Phone: 202-493-3025
Commitments by Organizations
Agency Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
California Department of Transportation 2019 $10,000.00 Yue Wang Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2020 $10,000.00 Yue Wang Sang Le (916)701-3998 sang.le@dot.ca.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Larry Jones Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Larry Jones Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Kansas Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Luke Metheny David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Luke Metheny David Behzadpour 785-291-3847 David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Nick Haltvick Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2019 $20,000.00 Nick Haltvick Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Steve Conklin Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2019 $0.00 Steve Conklin Wes Yang 518-457-4660 wes.yang@dot.ny.gov
Utah Department of Transportation 2018 $60,000.00 Jon Bischoff David Stevens 801-589-8340 davidstevens@utah.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2018 $20,000.00 Jeff Horsfall Evelyn Bromberg 608-267-7360 evelyn.bromberg@dot.wi.gov

Background

Bridge abutment piles are frequently surrounded by mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls rather than a soil slope. Piles near MSE walls must be designed for lateral loads from earthquakes and thermal expansion/contraction. In the TPF-5(272) Phase 1 study involving several state DOTs, a series of 31 tests on free-head piles provided p-multipliers as a function of pile spacing which can be used to account for reduced lateral soil resistance due to the presence of an MSE wall. Equations were also developed to compute the induced force developed in the reinforcements by the lateral pile loading. However, a number of questions came up when the results of the Phase 1 study were presented to engineers and those responsible for code changes. These issues involve (a) the effect of cyclic loading when previous testing was monotonic, (b) the effect of pile head fixity because previous tests were on free-head piles while most abutment piles are “fixed-head”, (c) the effect of pile group loading when previous tests were for single piles, and (d) the effect of pile diameter on the p-multiplier and induced force equations because previous tests were all for piles about 12 inches in diameter.

Objectives

To provide closure relative to the outstanding issues described above, a series of additional tests will be conducted as a Phase 2 follow-up to the original test series.

Scope of Work

The Phase 1 study included construction of a dedicated MSE wall site in Utah with instrumented piles behind the 20-ft high wall. Prior to the Phase 2 testing, the top 6.5 ft of backfill behind the MSE wall will be excavated, new instrumented reinforcements will be placed, and the backfill will be re-compacted. Tasks for this Phase 2 study include: 1. Conduct cyclic lateral pile load testing. 2. Conduct fixed-head lateral pile load testing. 3. Conduct lateral pile load testing of larger-diameter piles (18- or 24-inch diameter), to be newly placed between cut-off existing piles. 4. Conduct lateral pile load testing of a pile group. 5. Analyze the Phase 2 lateral pile load testing results, compare these with the Phase 1 results, and update the design procedures and numerical model from Phase 1 as applicable. 6. Submit a final report that documents the Phase 2 research effort. 7. Make presentations at AASHTO bridge engineers’ committee meetings and TRB events to aid in national efforts to implement the study results.

Comments

The Principal Investigator for this study will be Dr. Kyle Rollins of Brigham Young University. Dr. Rollins has extensive experience with lateral load tests on piles. He is the Principal Investigator on the TPF-5(272) Phase 1 study. Conducting of the Phase 2 field tests at the dedicated wall site is planned for the summer of 2018. The minimum partner commitment expected for Phase 2 is $20,000. This could consist of $20,000 for FY2018 or FY2019, or the amount may be split between the two years. We will be requesting the 100% SP&R Approval from FHWA.

Subjects: Bridges, Other Structures, and Hydraulics and Hydrology Soils, Geology, and Foundations

Title Type Private
Waiver Approval Memo Memorandum N
Match Waiver Request Memorandum N

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