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INSTRUCTOR:  Naresh Samtani, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE

Purpose and Background

Drilled shaft foundations in soils are often a technically sound and cost-effective foundation choice where a deep foundation solution is appropriate based on-site conditions, applied loads and project schedule and performance requirements. To avoid adverse performance issues, design of drilled shafts must be performed based on consideration of site-specific geologic conditions and construction methods. To help comprehend these crucial considerations for successful implementation of drilled shafts in soils, the thrust of the discussions in this workshop is to establish a good understanding of the design procedures for drilled shafts and how construction procedures can affect the design of drilled shafts. Various design considerations and methods will be discussed. Different construction methods such as dry, cased, and wet will be discussed. The evaluation of structural integrity of constructed shafts using methods such as cross-hole sonic logging (CSL), gamma-gamma logging (GGL) and thermal integrity profiling (TIP) will also be presented. The presentation will be based on latest (2020) version of the Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) based on the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) platform of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials which is a key component of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines for drilled shafts. Information from AASHTO’s latest (2020) guide specification for Service life design will also be presented.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Benefits

• Gain knowledge on latest design procedures for drilled shafts in soils
• Understand the importance of constructability-based design of drilled shafts
• Understand and contrast various methods of construction of drilled shafts in soils
• Be able to identify potential problems and mitigation measures
• Gain knowledge on integrity testing of drilled shafts
• Examine the possibilities and benefits of improved communications between geotechnical and structural specialists for drilled shaft foundation design

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss issues in evaluating geotechnical resistance of drilled shaft foundations
• Explain strain compatibility aspects between side and tip resistance
• Explain resistance-mobilization models
• Choose and apply appropriate geotechnical axial resistance models
• Identify different methods of shaft construction
• Discuss basics of slurry construction
• Contrast mineral and polymer slurries
• Explain slurry management
• Discuss shaft bottom cleaning techniques
• Discuss reinforcement cage and its placement
• Explain concrete operations
• Discuss various integrity test methods

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed through, homework, class discuss,  a short post-test (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).

Who Should Attend?

• Geotechnical and structural specialists
• General civil engineering specialists
• Agencies/owners
• General Contractors

Outline

Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand: (a) the design and construction procedures for drilled shafts in soils, and (b) the importance of constructability considerations in design of drilled shafts. The workshop will help you assimilate these crucial considerations through active participation by frequent interactions throughout the workshop and real-time expert feedback. The interactions will facilitate a better understanding of the nuances of the various design and construction procedures which would help you avoid costly design and construction errors in real-world projects. In between the two live sessions, attendees will independently work on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.

DAY 1

• Introductions
• General terminology for drilled shafts
• Overview of construction of drilled shafts
• Failure modes and limit states
• Resistance and resistance factors
• Evaluation of geotechnical axial resistance using chart approach
• Concepts for evaluating lateral response
• Considerations for Extreme Events (Scour and Seismic)
• Typical structural details
• Introduction to drilled shaft construction processes in soils
• Review of Day 1
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Assignment of homework

DAY 2

• Roadmap for Day 2
• Review of homework assignments and recap of Day 1
• Dry shaft construction
• Cased shaft construction
• Wet shaft construction
• Mineral and polymer slurries
• Slurry management
• Shaft excavation and cleaning
• Reinforcing cage
• Concrete operations
• Tolerances and checklists
• Integrity testing
• Closure and references
• Review of Day 2 and full workshop
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion

This course is worth .4 CEUs/4 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 30 days of the course.