Performance of Micropiles Used to Underpin Highway Bridges
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 28, Issue 3
Abstract
Micropiles, which are small-diameter, drilled piles, are being used more frequently to support structures where it is not feasible to use driven piles or larger-diameter, drilled shafts because of conditions such as limited overhead or restraints on vibrations. The construction procedures used for micropiles typically include the performance of verification load tests (i.e., compression load tests to 2.5 times the design capacity on test piles) and the performance of proof tests (i.e., load tests on a limited number of production piles, typically about 5%, to 1.67 times the design capacity). Because of concerns over postconstruction settlement and the difficulty of proof loading individual production piles to 1.67 times the design capacity, all production micropiles used to underpin four bridges were preloaded, and the deflection of each pile was measured to verify acceptable postconstruction performance. The collection of deflection data for such a large number of production micropiles is unusual and serves as a valuable case study showing the successful performance of drilled micropiles.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the following who contributed to the success of the project: New Jersey Turnpike Authority—Owner; Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, LLC—Design Engineer; Matrix New World Engineering, Inc.—Geotechnical Subconsultant; Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.—Resident Engineer; Oweis Engineering, Inc.—Resident Engineer’s Geotechnical Consultant; PKF Mark III—Contractor; and Schnabel Engineering North LLC—Contractor’s Geotechnical Consultant.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 28 • Issue 3 • June 2014
Pages: 592 - 607
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 18, 2012
Accepted: Dec 10, 2012
Published online: Dec 12, 2012
Published in print: Jun 1, 2014
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