Zen and the Art of Drilled Shaft Construction: The Pursuit of Quality

With apologies to author Robert Pirsig (Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, 1974), this paper pursues the concept of quality with respect to construction of drilled shaft foundations. With the evolution of more sophisticated techniques for integrity testing and load testing, it is possible now to better observe the end result of our construction activities and make judgments about the effectiveness of techniques and materials at achieving quality. This paper describes some aspects of construction techniques and materials that can lead to defects or less than optimal performance for drilled shaft foundations. Examples are cited of some of the more common problems encountered in drilled shaft construction in order that lessons can be learned from these problems. The case is made for designers and contractors to emphasize constructability in designs, workability in construction materials, and individual responsibility toward quality on the jobsite.