Full-scale Field Tests to Evaluate Installation Effects on Axial Load-Displacement Responses of Drilled Displacement Rigid Inclusions

Print
General Information
Solicitation Number: 1516
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Jan 23, 2020
Last Updated: Jul 06, 2020
Solicitation Expires:
Lead Organization: Kansas Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2020
Commitment End Year: 2023
100% SP&R Approval: Not Requested
Commitments Required: $490,000.00
Commitments Received:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): David Behzadpour
David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Study Champion(s): Luke Metheny
Luke.Metheny@ks.gov
Phone: 785-291-3857
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address

Background

Rigid inclusions are grouted or cemented columns used to improve loose or soft soils. They have been increasingly used in practice in the United States, mostly for embankment support in transportation applications. There are several types of equipment and methods available in the market to install rigid inclusions with different trade names (e.g., controlled modulus columns, grouted impact piers, cast-in-place ground improvement elements, and augered pressure grout columns). Installation of rigid inclusions may cause full or partial displacement of their surrounding soils depending on the type of equipment and method used, installation procedure, and type of soil. The drilled displacement method is one of the commonly-used techniques to install rigid inclusions in the field in the United States. Rigid inclusions are often installed under a load transfer platform to support embankment loads. Ground subsidence and/or heave, as well as lateral displacement, changes to the properties of the surrounding soils at different distances and depths, and variations in load transfer from rigid inclusions to the surrounding soils may occur due to differences in soil type and density, different equipment, various methods, and installation procedures. However, the installation effects caused by different types of equipment and methods are not well understood. Therefore, full-scale field tests are needed to quantify installation effects for these different variables and develop design methods considering their effects in load transfer analysis, axial load capacity, and displacement calculations for rigid inclusions in soils.

Objectives

The main objective of the proposed research is to quantify installation effects for two different methods on different soil types (low to high plasticity soils). This will include the development of a design method considering their effects on load transfer, axial load capacity, and displacements of rigid inclusions in soils subjected to axial loads. The design method will take into consideration ground movement during installation, changed properties of the surrounding soils after installation, and load distribution with depth for rigid inclusions, including toe and side resistance of rigid inclusions.

Scope of Work

The proposed research consists of the following tasks: Task 1: Review Literature and Assess Current Practices This task includes a comprehensive review of national and international practices for use of rigid inclusions in building applications and transportation earthworks, categorizes different installation equipment and methods, and identifies gaps in the understanding of installation effects and load transfer and design of rigid inclusions for embankment support. Task 2: Field Testing to Evaluate Installation Effects on Surrounding Soils Conduct field tests to evaluate the installation effects of rigid inclusions by different equipment and installation methods on different soils (low to high plasticity soils) on at least two locations. Two different types of equipment and methods should be adopted. It is anticipated one of the methods and equipment will be drilled displacement piles. The evaluation should include, but is not limited to, ground movements and excess pore water pressures at different distances and depths, and changes in soil properties (e.g., density, strength, and modulus) with distance from the inclusions. Task 3: Load Testing to Evaluate Load Transfer of Rigid Inclusions under Axial Loads Conduct full-scale load tests to evaluate load distributions along rigid inclusions in soils subjected to axial loads. The studies should evaluate toe resistance, side friction, axial capacity, and load-displacement responses of rigid inclusions, and the effects of load transfer platforms on load transfer. Task 4: Develop a design method for rigid inclusions Develop a comprehensive design method for the use of rigid inclusions in low to high plasticity soils for embankment support. The design method should consider ground movement during installation, changed properties of surrounding soils after installation, layout and length of rigid inclusions, load distribution, axial capacity, and load-displacement responses of rigid inclusions. Task 5: Develop a specification for implementing rigid inclusions Develop a specification for implementing rigid inclusions in DOT projects, especially for embankment support in transportation applications.

Comments

The funding level requested per state is $25,000 per year for three years. Contractors may provide in-kind contributions to install rigid inclusions in the field.

Subjects: Soils, Geology, and Foundations

No document attached.

Full-scale Field Tests to Evaluate Installation Effects on Axial Load-Displacement Responses of Drilled Displacement Rigid Inclusions

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1516
Status: Solicitation withdrawn
Date Posted: Jan 23, 2020
Last Updated: Jul 06, 2020
Solicitation Expires:
Lead Organization: Kansas Department of Transportation
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2020
Commitment End Year: 2023
100% SP&R Approval: Not Requested
Commitments Required: $490,000.00
Commitments Received:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): David Behzadpour
David.Behzadpour@ks.gov
Commitments by Organizations
No data available.

Background

Rigid inclusions are grouted or cemented columns used to improve loose or soft soils. They have been increasingly used in practice in the United States, mostly for embankment support in transportation applications. There are several types of equipment and methods available in the market to install rigid inclusions with different trade names (e.g., controlled modulus columns, grouted impact piers, cast-in-place ground improvement elements, and augered pressure grout columns). Installation of rigid inclusions may cause full or partial displacement of their surrounding soils depending on the type of equipment and method used, installation procedure, and type of soil. The drilled displacement method is one of the commonly-used techniques to install rigid inclusions in the field in the United States. Rigid inclusions are often installed under a load transfer platform to support embankment loads. Ground subsidence and/or heave, as well as lateral displacement, changes to the properties of the surrounding soils at different distances and depths, and variations in load transfer from rigid inclusions to the surrounding soils may occur due to differences in soil type and density, different equipment, various methods, and installation procedures. However, the installation effects caused by different types of equipment and methods are not well understood. Therefore, full-scale field tests are needed to quantify installation effects for these different variables and develop design methods considering their effects in load transfer analysis, axial load capacity, and displacement calculations for rigid inclusions in soils.

Objectives

The main objective of the proposed research is to quantify installation effects for two different methods on different soil types (low to high plasticity soils). This will include the development of a design method considering their effects on load transfer, axial load capacity, and displacements of rigid inclusions in soils subjected to axial loads. The design method will take into consideration ground movement during installation, changed properties of the surrounding soils after installation, and load distribution with depth for rigid inclusions, including toe and side resistance of rigid inclusions.

Scope of Work

The proposed research consists of the following tasks: Task 1: Review Literature and Assess Current Practices This task includes a comprehensive review of national and international practices for use of rigid inclusions in building applications and transportation earthworks, categorizes different installation equipment and methods, and identifies gaps in the understanding of installation effects and load transfer and design of rigid inclusions for embankment support. Task 2: Field Testing to Evaluate Installation Effects on Surrounding Soils Conduct field tests to evaluate the installation effects of rigid inclusions by different equipment and installation methods on different soils (low to high plasticity soils) on at least two locations. Two different types of equipment and methods should be adopted. It is anticipated one of the methods and equipment will be drilled displacement piles. The evaluation should include, but is not limited to, ground movements and excess pore water pressures at different distances and depths, and changes in soil properties (e.g., density, strength, and modulus) with distance from the inclusions. Task 3: Load Testing to Evaluate Load Transfer of Rigid Inclusions under Axial Loads Conduct full-scale load tests to evaluate load distributions along rigid inclusions in soils subjected to axial loads. The studies should evaluate toe resistance, side friction, axial capacity, and load-displacement responses of rigid inclusions, and the effects of load transfer platforms on load transfer. Task 4: Develop a design method for rigid inclusions Develop a comprehensive design method for the use of rigid inclusions in low to high plasticity soils for embankment support. The design method should consider ground movement during installation, changed properties of surrounding soils after installation, layout and length of rigid inclusions, load distribution, axial capacity, and load-displacement responses of rigid inclusions. Task 5: Develop a specification for implementing rigid inclusions Develop a specification for implementing rigid inclusions in DOT projects, especially for embankment support in transportation applications.

Comments

The funding level requested per state is $25,000 per year for three years. Contractors may provide in-kind contributions to install rigid inclusions in the field.

Subjects: Soils, Geology, and Foundations

No document attached.

Currently, Transportation Pooled Fund is not supported on mobile devices, please access this Web portal using a desktop or laptop computer.