Current ICT Project
Investigators:
  James H. Long (Primary)
Project Title:
  Improved Design for Driven Piles Based on a Pile Load Test Program in Illinois
Start Date: 1/1/2009
End Date: 12/31/2010
Summary of Project:
  The IDOT Bridge Manual pile design procedures were conservatively developed to provide a safe and simple methodology that designers could understand and implement as our state transitioned from ASD to LRFD. This project is an ongoing program of pile testing using the Pile Driving Analyzer, CAPWAP, and static load testing to increase the maximum nominal required bearing designers can use, to decrease the difference between estimated and driven pile lengths, to better include the effects of pile setup, to reduce the risk of pile damage during driving, and to increase the resistance factor. This research will generate data to allow these improvements to produce more efficient, cost effective pile foundation design.
Objective of Project:
  The main objectives for this program is to collect information from a program of pile testing using the Pile Driving Analyzer, CAPWAP, and Static Load testing to improve pile bearing capacity, decrease the difference between estimated and driven pile lengths, increase reliance on pile setup, reduce risk of pile driving damage, and increase resistance factor.
Expected Outcome:
  It is estimated that IDOT can increase the maximum nominal required bearing design stress from 9.6ksi to between 12 and 18ksi which would translate into $2.5 to $6 million in annual savings. Additional savings will result from using better design procedure to account for site conditions in a more specific manner. The final report will discuss more economical recommendations for limiting stresses on piling, better prediction methods for stresses during driving and for pile capacities, resistance factors for driven piling based on local calibrations that consider effects of pile setup, collections of static and dynamic load test data focused on Illinois soils and geology, and training on the use of PDA and CAPWAP.
Click here to check the status of this project.
Last Updated: 10/23/2009