Investigations of Pile Foundations in Brownfields
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 10
Abstract
“Brownfields” are real estate properties with subsurface or surface contamination. The redevelopment of Brownfields is required to clean, improve, and protect the environment. Pile foundations are often used in Brownfields and other contaminated site situations to support structures. Regulators are concerned about the environmental safety of pile foundations in Brownfields sites, since piling in Brownfields may lead to transport of contaminants from the contaminated region to underground aquifers. This investigation is an extension of previous research programs on pile foundations in Brownfields or contaminated sites conducted at the University of New Orleans. The purpose of the overall investigation is to evaluate the potential for contaminant transport due to pile foundations in Brownfields. The current paper summarizes the research carried out to ascertain the potential for contaminant transport from concrete piles of different shape, depth of penetration, and method of installation. The results of bench scale model tests and numerical studies are presented. Under full penetration conditions, the square shaped and circular cast-in-place piles were found to have a higher potential for contaminant transport than circular driven piles. There is a low potential for contaminant transport in the case of piles penetrating less than 95% of an aquitard. Selected results from a previous program on wooden and steel piles are summarized for comparison.
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Acknowledgments
The information presented in this paper was generated principally from research projects conducted at the University of New Orleans, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under Contracts Nos. UNSPECIFIEDR825427-01-0 and UNSPECIFIEDR827933-01-0. The model pile and FEM research was conducted at the Geotechnical Laboratory at the University of New Orleans under the direction of Mysore S. Nataraj and Kenneth L. McManis. The writers wish to express their gratitude to Byron C. Landry, Scientific Instrumentation Technician, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering for his assistance at all phases of the model tests. The writers also wish to thank Ardaman & Associates, Inc. for sponsoring Gordon P. Boutwell’s time on this project, and Hugh L. Till of the Tangipahoa Parish Regional Solid Waste Facility for supplying the clay used in the model test chambers. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The opinions provided herein are solely those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any of the sponsoring organizations or the granting agency.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 10 • October 2008
Pages: 1469 - 1475
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 20, 2007
Accepted: Feb 12, 2008
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
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