Structural Acoustic Analysis of Piles

Print
General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(140)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 946
Partners: Port of Oakland, California, AK, CA, FHWA, VA, WA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Sep 15, 2014
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $205,000.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $205,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Cindy Callahan
cindy.callahan@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Mary Gray
Mary.Gray@fhwa.dot.gov
Phone: 360-753-9487
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 2006 $50,000.00 Ben White Clint Adler
California Department of Transportation 2005 $30,000.00 Deborah Mckee Osama Elhamshary
California Department of Transportation 2006 $20,000.00 Deborah Mckee Osama Elhamshary
Federal Highway Administration 2006 $25,000.00 Mary Gray Mary Gray
Port of Oakland, California 2006 $15,000.00 Gerald Serventi Gerald Serventi
Virginia Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2006 $15,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh
Washington State Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Tim Carlile

Study Description

Bridges, ferry terminals, and other structures constructed over water commonly have driven pile foundations. Driving piles in water may produce intense underwater sound that can negatively impact aquatic animals. State DOTs, harbor districts and others must be able to reasonably predict the acoustical properties of sound generated by a project to forecast and mitigate the possible impacts to aquatic animals. There is little scientific knowledge on noise characteristics produced in relation to variables in pile driving such as pile material, pile shape, hammer characteristics and so on. Understanding the acoustical properties of pile driving will help government and private entities select the proper materials and methods and noise reduction strategies for pile driving to economically ensure proper structural integrity while minimizing the adverse impacts of underwater noise.

Objectives

1. To investigate how modifications in pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics, the nature of the substratum into which the pile is driven, water depth, the depth to which the pile is driven into the substratum, the load-bearing objective of the pile and other variables influence the properties of noise generated during pile driving. 2. To develop and validate acoustical source models of pile driving based on pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics and other variables. 3. To develop and validate sound field models of the effects of sound attenuation systems on the sound field close to piles. This includes defining the limits of the near field for different physical conditions (that is, size and shape of pile, depth of water, wavelengths of interest). 4. Develop guidance for DOTs and other entities to select appropriate materials, methods and noise reduction strategies for pile driving projects. 5. To identify additional ranked research topics necessary to address regulatory or other concerns as necessary to adequately address practical application solutions.

Scope of Work

A technical committee of representatives from participating states will identify common research needs, select projects for funding and oversee implementation of results. Specific research activities addressed within the program will include, but not be limited to: · investigating how the characteristics of sound produced during pile-driving are influenced by modifications in pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics and other variables, · investigating means to effectively reduce underwater sounds close to the piles during pile driving with attenuation systems, · validating the predictive models during actual construction, · synthesizing information from this project with other efforts notably NCHRP Project 25-28 Predicting and Mitigating Hydroacoustic Impacts on Fish from Pile Installation and other pertinent research, and · developing a guidance document for practitioners.

Comments

Pooled fund participation is planned for a minimum of 10 States at initial commitment of $30,000 from each State. The additional $20,000 will be funded by each State at the beginning of the 2nd year of the project.

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

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Closeout Letter TPF-5(140) -- Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2014-09-16
Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(140) Expenditure Allocation with Trfs.pdf Other Other Public 2014-09-15
Waiver Memo SPR Waiver Memo.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2014-09-02
Final Report TPF-5(140) Final Report - TPF-5(140).pdf TPF Study Documentation Research Report Public 2014-08-13
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Structural Acoustic Analysis of Piles 946.pdf TPF Study Documentation Solicitation Public 2011-09-25

Structural Acoustic Analysis of Piles

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(140)
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 946
Partners: Port of Oakland, California, AK, CA, FHWA, VA, WA
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Sep 15, 2014
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $205,000.00
Total Commitments Received: $205,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Cindy Callahan
cindy.callahan@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Mary Gray
Mary.Gray@fhwa.dot.gov
Phone: 360-753-9487
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities 2006 $50,000.00 Ben White Clint Adler 907-451-5321 clint.adler@alaska.gov
California Department of Transportation 2005 $30,000.00 Deborah Mckee Osama Elhamshary Osama_Elhamshary@dot.ca.gov
California Department of Transportation 2006 $20,000.00 Deborah Mckee Osama Elhamshary Osama_Elhamshary@dot.ca.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2006 $25,000.00 Mary Gray Mary Gray 360-753-9487 Mary.Gray@fhwa.dot.gov
Port of Oakland, California 2006 $15,000.00 Gerald Serventi Gerald Serventi 510-627-1268 jservent@portoakland.com
Virginia Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2006 $15,000.00 Bridget Donaldson Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Washington State Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Tim Carlile 360-705-7975 carlilt@wsdot.wa.gov

Study Description

Study Description

Bridges, ferry terminals, and other structures constructed over water commonly have driven pile foundations. Driving piles in water may produce intense underwater sound that can negatively impact aquatic animals. State DOTs, harbor districts and others must be able to reasonably predict the acoustical properties of sound generated by a project to forecast and mitigate the possible impacts to aquatic animals. There is little scientific knowledge on noise characteristics produced in relation to variables in pile driving such as pile material, pile shape, hammer characteristics and so on. Understanding the acoustical properties of pile driving will help government and private entities select the proper materials and methods and noise reduction strategies for pile driving to economically ensure proper structural integrity while minimizing the adverse impacts of underwater noise.

Objectives

1. To investigate how modifications in pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics, the nature of the substratum into which the pile is driven, water depth, the depth to which the pile is driven into the substratum, the load-bearing objective of the pile and other variables influence the properties of noise generated during pile driving. 2. To develop and validate acoustical source models of pile driving based on pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics and other variables. 3. To develop and validate sound field models of the effects of sound attenuation systems on the sound field close to piles. This includes defining the limits of the near field for different physical conditions (that is, size and shape of pile, depth of water, wavelengths of interest). 4. Develop guidance for DOTs and other entities to select appropriate materials, methods and noise reduction strategies for pile driving projects. 5. To identify additional ranked research topics necessary to address regulatory or other concerns as necessary to adequately address practical application solutions.

Scope of Work

A technical committee of representatives from participating states will identify common research needs, select projects for funding and oversee implementation of results. Specific research activities addressed within the program will include, but not be limited to: · investigating how the characteristics of sound produced during pile-driving are influenced by modifications in pile materials, pile shape, hammer characteristics and other variables, · investigating means to effectively reduce underwater sounds close to the piles during pile driving with attenuation systems, · validating the predictive models during actual construction, · synthesizing information from this project with other efforts notably NCHRP Project 25-28 Predicting and Mitigating Hydroacoustic Impacts on Fish from Pile Installation and other pertinent research, and · developing a guidance document for practitioners.

Comments

Pooled fund participation is planned for a minimum of 10 States at initial commitment of $30,000 from each State. The additional $20,000 will be funded by each State at the beginning of the 2nd year of the project.

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

Title File/Link Type Private
Closeout Letter TPF-5(140) -- Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(140) Expenditure Allocation with Trfs.pdf Other Public
Waiver Memo SPR Waiver Memo.pdf Memorandum Public
Final Report TPF-5(140) Final Report - TPF-5(140).pdf TPF Study Documentation Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Structural Acoustic Analysis of Piles 946.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public

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