Tempe, AZ State of the Art Foundation Design and Installation J anuary 15, 2013 Overhead Line Structural Materials Group Memphis, TN
Summary Standard Soils for Foundation Design Geotechnical Investigations for Transmission Lines Foundation Types Specialty Foundation Installation
Standard Soils for Foundation Design After years of research, the standard soil has been established S t a n d a r d
S o i l *
* Other continents may or may not exhibit standard soil properties The Standard Foundation This is Going to be Huge Long Linear Projects Challenging Logistics Discrete Structure Locations Sensitive Environments Geotechnical Investigations What Makes Transmission Lines Special
Geotechnical Investigations Components of an Effective Investigation Geotech Investigation Geologic Recon Past Investigations Structure Types/Locations Number/Location of Borings Design Criteria Additional Testing Soil Parameters Foundation Design Full Scale Testing Geotechnical Investigations for Transmission Lines Avoid the perils of standard soil design Data from a 300 mile transmission line (1994 $)
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 T o t a l
F o u n d a t i o n
C o s t
R e d u c t i o n
( $ M )
Engineering and Investigation ($M) Sup. Geotech Savings/Cost: 10.4 Full-Scale Testing Savings/Cost: 4.5 Initial Geotech Geotechnical Investigations Using Geology to Locate Borings Geologic variation geotech variation Investigation sites should be located according to important geologic regions Number of investigation sites influenced by Economics Schedule Access Project Scope
Foundation efficiency varies with structure type
Geotechnical Investigations Structures Transfer Load Differently Wind Ice & Dead Loads Uplift/Compression Shear/Moment Testing/Sampling methods vary with anticipated conditions and Structure Type
Geotechnical Investigations Sampling Techniques
Geotechnical Investigations Sampling Techniques SPT Sampling Samplers vary regionally Shelby Tube One use in Arizona Split Spoon Sampler Measures wave velocities to determine Rock depth, soil/rock strength Useful for sites with difficult access
Geotechnical Investigations Sampling Techniques Seismic Refraction Determines lateral modulus of soils Useful for laterally loaded foundations in softer deposits
Geotechnical Investigations Sampling Techniques Pressuremeter A probe is pushed into the ground measuring shear resistance and end bearing Continuous data with depth Suitable in softer soil conditions Fast & air conditioned comfort
Geotechnical Investigations Full Scale Foundation Testing Full Scale Foundation Testing: Optimization of foundation designs (reduced total installed cost) Verification of soil parameters Transmission Line Foundations (Photo courtesy of Hayward Baker) Very common due to versatility Suitable for lateral loading & uplift/compression Compatible with most soil conditions Commonly available equipment Easy Installation (Depending on Soil Conditions)
Transmission Line Foundations Drilled Piers Suitable for softer strata (Helical and Driven) Rapid installation Well suited for caving conditions Lateral loading may require multiple piles Requires construction of a pile cap or alternate connection to the structure
Transmission Line Foundations Pile Foundations (Photo courtesy of Hubbel Power Systems) Suitable for all structure types Primarily used in rock conditions Requires specialty equipment Can be installed via helicopter Requires either a specialty transfer plate or transfer pier
Transmission Line Foundations Micropiles (Photo courtesy of CRUX Subsurface) (Photo courtesy of Hayward Baker) Suitable for all structure types Utilizes drilled anchor rods to transfer load Can be installed in remote locations Large equipment is preferable Hand methods are possible
Transmission Line Foundations Anchored Rock Sockets Primarily used in uplift-compression Reinforced concrete or grillages Can be effective in soft conditions where settlement is a concern (Excavation?) Corrosion can be a concern (Grillages)
Transmission Line Foundations Shallow Foundations Specialty Foundation Construction
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Specialty Installations Gila River Crossing Polymer Slurry Stabilization
Specialty Installations Gila River Crossing Polymer Slurry Stabilization
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Specialty Installations 500kV Tower Modification Thank you for your kind attention