PILE FOUNDATION ENGINEERING FOR BRIDGES (ENCE 374)

1 Introduction (6 hours)

1.1 Classification and components of bridges

1.2 Types of bridge foundation

1.3 Topographic and river characteristics

1.4 Selection of pile foundation for bridges

1.5 Load analysis (Dead load, live load, earth pressure, impact load, seismic load, wind load and other loads)

1.6 Foundation design philosophy

2 Engineering Investigations and Study (6 hours)

2.1 Investigations and data collection at different stages of a bridge project

2.2 Geological and geophysical investigations

2.2.1 Regional and local geology, geological structures and significance

2.2.2 Geophysical investigations and types; Advantages and applications

2.3 Geotechnical investigation

2.3.1 Field investigations (Boring, sampling, in-situ tests, ground water observation)

2.3.2 Laboratory tests and data interpretation specific to pile foundation

2.4 Hydrological and hydraulic study for bridges

2.4.1 Hydrological and hydraulic parameters for bridge design

2.4.2 Estimation of design flood by suitable methods; Choice of method

2.4.3 Bridge design discharge and foundation design discharge

2.4.4 Linear waterway and effective linear waterway; Bridge length

2.4.5 Afflux, high flood level and rating curve; Water surface profile

2.4.6 Scour depth calculation by suitable methods; Depth of foundation

3 Geotechnical Design of Piles for Bridges (8 hours)

3.1 Types of pile: Driven and bored piles, driven concrete piles, their advantages and disadvantages; Factors affecting the selection of pile type; Soil properties relevant to pile design

3.2 Selection of pile materials and sizes based on load and soil conditions

3.3 Load transfer mechanism: End bearing and skin friction

3.4 Ultimate axial load capacity

3.4.1 Single vertical pile by static method

3.4.2 Single vertical pile by in-situ tests

3.4.3 Pile in cohesive, cohesion less and stratified c-Ø soil, intermediate geo-material and rock by IS and IRC code of practice

3.4.4 Pile capacity by field tests

3.5 Ultimate axial load capacity of under-reamed pile

3.6 Group efficiency and pile group capacity

3.7 Settlement of single and group piles (Consolidation, elastic and approximate methods)

3.8 Analysis of laterally loaded piles: Elastic methods (Wrinkler’s, p-y curve and modulus of subgrade reaction methods); Empirical and semi-empirical methods; Codal provisions

3.9 Uplift capacity

3.10 Negative skin friction

3.11 Liquefaction and evaluation of liquefaction potential

3.12 Geotechnical design considerations, design steps and requirements

4 Structural Design of Piles for Bridges (8 hours)

4.1 Structural behavior of pile: Axial, bending and lateral resistance

4.2 Design of piles for axial compression, bending and shear

4.3 Spacing and arrangements for pile groups, considering interaction effects

4.4 Design of pile cap ensuring adequate reinforcement and shear capacity

4.5 Design of piles to resist lateral loads (Hydrodynamic, wind and seismic loads considering soil liquefaction and ground shaking)

4.6 Design with down drag loads from consolidating soil layers

4.7 Relevant codes and standards for pile design

4.8 Structural design of pile and pile cap by limit state method

5 Tests on Pile (4 hours)

5.1 Pile load tests and its significance

5.2 Static load test (IS:2911)

5.2.1 Objectives of load test, types of test

5.2.2 Vertical, lateral and pull-out test, safe load, bi-directional load test

5.3 Dynamic load test

5.3.1 High strain dynamic test (PDA Test)); Pile integrity test

5.3.2 Ultimate load from load-settlement curve by different methods

6 Construction of Piles and Pile Cap (6 hours)

6.1 Preconstruction planning based on filed and laboratory investigations

6.2 Project scheduling and monitoring tools and techniques

6.3 Fixing of bridge alignment and piles

6.4 Pile installation procedure and piling methods

6.4.1 Driven pile: Driving, quality control and monitoring; Construction safety and environmental protection

6.4.2 Bored pile: Boring, concreting, quality control and monitoring; Construction safety and environmental protection

6.5 Pile construction problems and remedial measures

6.6 Construction of pile cap

6.7 Causes of pile failure

6.8 Pile protection from corrosion particularly in aggressive soil environments

6.9 Bridge construction contract model practiced in Nepal

7 Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Bridges (7 hours)

7.1 Bridge maintenance

7.1.1 Purpose of maintenance, cycle of maintenance

7.1.2 Bridge maintenance management system, bridge components for maintenance

7.1.3 Objectives, types, and time and frequency of inspection

7.1.4 Prioritization of maintenance, maintenance operations

7.1.5 Maintenance organization of bridge building agency in Nepal

7.2 Bridge rehabilitation

7.2.1 Rehabilitation plan, testing methods for assessment of existing bridge

7.2.2 Commonly occurred distress of foundation; Remedial measures of pile foundation; Repair and rehabilitation of damaged piles

7.2.3 Methods of increasing lateral resistance and capacity of existing pile

7.2.4 Bridge failure reasons and monitoring

1. Estimation of design flood discharge at bridge site by different methods

2. Estimation of waterway, high flood level, afflux and free board

3. Calculation of scouring discharge and depth by different methods; depth of foundation

4. Selection of pile materials and sizes based on load requirements and soil conditions

5. Determination of pile load capacity

6. Determination of ultimate axial load capacity of single vertical pile by static method

7. Determination of pile group capacity

8. Evaluation of liquefaction potential of soil

9. Bridge load analysis including dead load, live load and seismic loads

10. Design of piles for axial compression, bending and shear

11. Design of pile caps to distribute loads from the bridge structure to the piles

12. Design of piles to resist lateral loads

13. Structural design of pile and pile cap by Limit State Method

1. Visual presentation/demonstration/ observation of bridge components, soil exploration, investigations for bridge and construction of piles and pile caps

2. Individual assignment with report submission on design of pile foundation for a bridge crossing in a selected river based on hydrological and geotechnical investigations and analysis

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4. Guo, W.D. (2024). Advanced design of pile foundations under lateral loading. CRC Press.

5. Mittal, S. (2023). Pile foundation design and construction (3rd ed.). CBS Publishers & Distributors.

6. Transportation Research Board. (2011). Design guidelines for increasing the lateral resistance of highway-bridge pile foundations by improving weak soils (NCHRP Report 697). National Academies Press.

7. Federal Highway Administration. (2005). Design and construction of driven pile foundations (FHWA-NHI-05-042, Volume I). U.S. Department of Transportation.

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