BRIDGE
ENGINEERING
Substructure Design
EDITED BY
Wai-Fah Chen
Lian Duan
CRC PR E S S
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
The material in this book was first published in The Bridge Engineering Handbook, CRC Press, 2000.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bridge engineering : substructure design / edited by Wai-Fah Chen and Lian Duan.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8493-1681-2 (alk. paper)
1. Bridges—Foundations and piers—Design and construction. I. Chen, Wai-Fah, 1936II. Duan, Lian.
TG320 .B73 2003
624'.284—dc21
2002041117
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Foreword
Among all engineering subjects, bridge engineering is probably the most difficult on which to compose
a handbook because it encompasses various fields of arts and sciences. It not only requires knowledge
and experience in bridge design and construction, but often involves social, economic, and political
activities. Hence, I wish to congratulate the editors and authors for having conceived this thick volume
and devoted the time and energy to complete it in such short order. Not only is it the first handbook of
bridge engineering as far as I know, but it contains a wealth of information not previously available to
bridge engineers. It embraces almost all facets of bridge engineering except the rudimentary analyses and
actual field construction of bridge structures, members, and foundations. Of course, bridge engineering
is such an immense subject that engineers will always have to go beyond a handbook for additional
information and guidance.
I may be somewhat biased in commenting on the background of the two editors, who both came from
China, a country rich in the pioneering and design of ancient bridges and just beginning to catch up
with the modern world in the science and technology of bridge engineering. It is particularly to the
editors’ credit to have convinced and gathered so many internationally recognized bridge engineers to
contribute chapters. At the same time, younger engineers have introduced new design and construction
techniques into the treatise.
This Handbook is divided into four volumes, namely:
Superstructure Design
Substructure Design
Seismic Design
Construction and Maintenance
There are 67 chapters, beginning with bridge concepts and aesthestics, two areas only recently emphasized
by bridge engineers. Some unusual features, such as rehabilitation, retrofit, and maintenance of bridges,
are presented in great detail. The section devoted to seismic design includes soil-foundation-structure
interaction. Another section describes and compares bridge engineering practices around the world. I am
sure that these special areas will be brought up to date as the future of bridge engineering develops.
May I advise each bridge engineer to have a desk copy of this volume with which to survey and examine
both the breadth and depth of bridge engineering.
T.Y. Lin
Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley
Chairman, Lin Tung-Yen China, Inc.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Preface
The Bridge Engineering Handbook is a unique, comprehensive, and the state-of-the-art reference work
and resource book covering the major areas of bridge engineering with the theme “bridge to the 21st
century.” It has been written with practicing bridge and structural engineers in mind. The ideal readers
will be M.S.-level structural and bridge engineers with a need for a single reference source to keep abreast
of new developments and the state-of-the-practice, as well as to review standard practices.
The areas of bridge engineering include planning, analysis and design, construction, maintenance, and
rehabilitation. To provide engineers a well-organized and user-friendly, easy to follow resource, the
Handbook is divided into four volumes: I, Superstructure Design II, Substructure Design III, Seismic
Design, and IV, Construction and Maintenance.
Volume II: Substructure Design addresses the various substructure components: bearings, piers and
columns, towers, abutments and retaining structures, geotechnical considerations, footing and foundations, vessel collisions, and bridge hydraulics.
The Handbook stresses professional applications and practical solutions. Emphasis has been placed
on ready-to-use materials. It contains many formulas and tables that give immediate answers to questions
arising from practical work. It describes the basic concepts and assumptions omitting the derivations of
formulas and theories. It covers traditional and new, innovative practices. An overview of the structure,
organization, and content of the book can be seen by examining the table of contents presented at the
beginning of the book while an in-depth view of a particular subject can be seen by examining the
individual table of contents preceding each chapter. References at the end of each chapter can be consulted
for more detailed studies.
The chapters have been written by many internationally known authors from different countries
covering bridge engineering practices and research and development in North America, Europe, and the
Pacific Rim. This Handbook may provide a glimpse of a rapid global economy trend in recent years
toward international outsourcing of practice and competition in all dimensions of engineering. In general,
the Handbook is aimed toward the needs of practicing engineers, but materials may be reorganized to
accommodate undergraduate and graduate level bridge courses. The book may also be used as a survey
of the practice of bridge engineering around the world.
The authors acknowledge with thanks the comments, suggestions, and recommendations during the
development of the Handbook, by Fritz Leonhardt, Professor Emeritus, Stuttgart University, Germany;
Shouji Toma, Professor, Horrai-Gakuen University, Japan; Gerard F. Fox, Consulting Engineer; Jackson
L. Kurkee, Consulting Engineer; Michael J. Abrahams, Senior Vice President; Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade
& Douglas, Inc.; Ben C. Gerwick Jr., Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley; Gregory F.
Fenves, Professor, University of California at Berkeley; John M. Kulicki, President and Chief Engineer,
Modjeski and Masters; James Chai, Supervising Transportation Engineer, California Department of
Transportation; Jinron Wang, Senior Bridge Engineer, California Department of Transportation; and
David W. Liu, Principal, Imbsen & Associates, Inc.
Wai-Fah Chen
Lian Duan
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Editors
Wai-Fah Chen is presently Dean of the College of Engineering at
the University of Hawaii. He was a George E. Goodwin Distinguished Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of the Department
of Structural Engineering at Purdue University from 1976 to 1999.
He received his B.S. in civil engineering from the National
Cheng-Kung University, Taiwan in 1959; M.S. in structural engineering from Lehigh University, Pennsylvania in 1963; and Ph.D.
in solid mechanics from Brown University, Rhode Island in 1966.
He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the National
Cheng-Kung University in 1988 and the Distinguished Engineering
Alumnus Medal from Brown University in 1999.
Dr. Chen’s research interests cover several areas, including constitutive modeling of engineering materials, soil and concrete plasticity, structural connections, and structural stability. He is the
recipient of several national engineering awards, including the Raymond Reese Research Prize and the Shortridge Hardesty Award, both from the American Society of Civil
Engineers, and the T. R. Higgins Lectureship Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.
In 1995, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering. In 1997, he was awarded Honorary
Membership by the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 1998, he was elected to the Academia Sinica
(National Academy of Science) in Taiwan.
A widely respected author, Dr. Chen authored and coauthored more than 20 engineering books and
500 technical papers. His books include several classical works such as Limit Analysis and Soil Plasticity
(Elsevier, 1975), the two-volume Theory of Beam-Columns (McGraw-Hill, 1976–77), Plasticity in Reinforced Concrete (McGraw-Hill, 1982), and the two-volume Constitutive Equations for Engineering Materials
(Elsevier, 1994). He currently serves on the editorial boards of more than 10 technical journals. He has
been listed in more than 20 Who’s Who publications.
Dr. Chen is the editor-in-chief for the popular 1995 Civil Engineering Handbook (CRC Press), the 1997
Handbook of Structural Engineering (CRC Press), and the 2000 Bridge Engineering Handbook (CRC Press).
He currently serves as the consulting editor for McGraw-Hill’s Encyclopedia of Science and Technology.
He has been a longtime member of the Executive Committee of the Structural Stability Research
Council and the Specification Committee of the American Institute of Steel Construction. He has been
a consultant for Exxon Production Research on offshore structures; for Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in
Chicago on tall steel buildings; and for the World Bank on the Chinese University Development Projects,
among many others.
Dr. Chen has taught at Lehigh University, Purdue University, and the University of Hawaii.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Lian Duan is a Senior Bridge Engineer with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Professor of Structural
Engineering at Taiyuan University of Technology, China.
He received his B.S. in civil engineering in 1975 and his M.S. in
structural engineering in 1981 from Taiyuan University of Technology. He received his Ph.D. in structural engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana in 1990. Dr. Duan worked
at the Northeastern China Power Design Institute from 1975 to
1978.
His research interests include inelastic behavior of reinforced
concrete and steel structures, structural stability, and seismic bridge
analysis and design. Dr. Duan has authored or coauthored more
than 60 papers, chapters, ad reports; his research focuses on the
development of unified interaction equations for steel beam columns, flexural stiffness of reinforced
concrete members, effective length factors of compression members, and design of bridge structures.
Dr. Duan is an esteemed practicing engineer and is registered as a P.E. in California. He has designed
numerous building and bridge structures. He was lead engineer for the development of the seismic retrofit
design criteria for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge west spans and made significant contributions
to this project. He is coeditor of the Structural Engineering Handbook CRCnetBase 2000 (CRC Press,
2000) and The Bridge Engineering Handbook (CRC Press, 2000), winner of Choice magazine’s Outstanding
Academic Title Award for 2000. Dr. Duan received the ASCE 2001 Arthur M. Wellington Prize for his
paper “Section Properties for Latticed Members of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.” He currently
serves as Caltrans Structural Steel Committee Chairman and is a member of the Transportation Research
Board A2CO2 Steel Bridge Committee.
x
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Contributors
James Chai
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Hong Chen
J. Muller International, Inc.
San Diego, California
Wai-Fah Chen
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii
Nan Deng
Bechtel Corporation
San Francisco, California
Lian Duan
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Johnny Feng
Charles Seim
Chao Gong
Jim Springer
J. Muller International, Inc.
Sacramento, California
ICF Kaiser Engineers
Oakland, California
Michael Knott
Moffatt & Nichol Engineers
Richmond, Virginia
Youzhi Ma
Geomatrix Consultants, Inc.
Oakland, California
Thomas W. McNeilan
Fugro West, Inc.
Ventura, California
Zolan Prucz
Modjeski and Masters, Inc.
New Orleans, Louisiana
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
T. Y. Lin International
San Francisco, California
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Jinrong Wang
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Linan Wang
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Ke Zhou
California Department of
Transportation
Sacramento, California
Contents
1
Bearings
2
Piers and Columns
3
Towers
4
5
6
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
Johnny Feng and Hong Chen
Introduction .............................................................................................................................1-1
Types of Bearings .....................................................................................................................1-1
Selection of Bearings ................................................................................................................1-5
Design of Elastomeric Bearings...............................................................................................1-7
Jinrong Wang
Introduction .............................................................................................................................2-1
Structural Types .......................................................................................................................2-1
Design Loads ............................................................................................................................2-4
Design Criteria .........................................................................................................................2-7
Charles Seim
Introduction .............................................................................................................................3-1
Functions ..................................................................................................................................3-2
Aesthetics ..................................................................................................................................3-2
Conceptual Design ...................................................................................................................3-4
Final Design............................................................................................................................3-11
Construction ..........................................................................................................................3-14
Summary ................................................................................................................................3-15
Abutments and Retaining Structures
4.1
4.2
4.3
Geotechnical Considerations
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Thomas W. McNeilan and James Chai
Introduction .............................................................................................................................5-1
Field Exploration Techniques .................................................................................................5-2
Defining Site Investigation Requirements............................................................................5-15
Development of Laboratory Testing Program .....................................................................5-17
Data Presentation and Site Characterization........................................................................5-19
Shallow Foundations
6.1
6.2
Linan Wang and Chao Gong
Introduction .............................................................................................................................4-1
Abutments ................................................................................................................................4-1
Retaining Structures...............................................................................................................4-22
James Chai
Introduction .............................................................................................................................6-1
Design Requirements...............................................................................................................6-2
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
7
8
9
10
Failure Modes of Shallow Foundations ..................................................................................6-3
Bearing Capacity for Shallow Foundations ............................................................................6-3
Stress Distribution Due to Footing Pressures.......................................................................6-14
Settlement of Shallow Foundations ......................................................................................6-17
Shallow Foundations on Rock...............................................................................................6-28
Structural Design of Spread Footings ...................................................................................6-30
Deep Foundations
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
Youzhi Ma and Nan Deng
Introduction .............................................................................................................................7-1
Classification and Selection .....................................................................................................7-2
Design Considerations...........................................................................................................7-10
Axial Capacity and Settlement — Individual Foundation..................................................7-14
Lateral Capacity and Deflection — Individual Foundation ................................................7-25
Grouped Foundations............................................................................................................7-34
Seismic Design........................................................................................................................7-38
Effective Length of Compression Members
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
Lian Duan and Wai-Fah Chen
Introduction .............................................................................................................................8-1
Isolated Columns .....................................................................................................................8-2
Framed Columns — Alignment Chart Method.....................................................................8-3
Modifications to Alignment Charts ........................................................................................8-8
Framed Columns — Alternative Methods ...........................................................................8-13
Crossing Bracing Systems ......................................................................................................8-16
Latticed and Built-Up Members ...........................................................................................8-17
Tapered Columns...................................................................................................................8-20
Summary ................................................................................................................................8-20
Michael Knott and Zolan Prucz
Introduction .............................................................................................................................9-2
Initial Planning.........................................................................................................................9-4
Waterway Characteristics ........................................................................................................9-6
Vessel Traffic Characteristics...................................................................................................9-6
Collision Risk Analysis.............................................................................................................9-8
Vessel Impact Loads...............................................................................................................9-10
Bridge Analysis and Design ...................................................................................................9-14
Bridge Protection Measures...................................................................................................9-15
Conclusions ............................................................................................................................9-16
Bridge Hydraulics Jim Springer and Ke Zhou
10.1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................10-1
10.2 Bridge Hydrology and Hydraulics.........................................................................................10-1
10.3 Bridge Scour .........................................................................................................................10-11
xiv
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1
Bearings
1.1
1.2
Introduction .................................................................1-1
Types of Bearings .........................................................1-1
Sliding Bearings • Rocker and Pin Bearings • Roller
Bearings • Elastomeric Bearings • Curved
Bearings • Pot Bearings • Disk Bearings
Johnny Feng
1.3
J. Muller International, Inc.
Hong Chen
1.4
J. Muller International, Inc.
1.1
Selection of Bearings....................................................1-5
Determination of Functional Requirements •
Evaluation of Bearings • Preliminary Bearing Design
Design of Elastomeric Bearings ..................................1-7
Design Procedure • Design Example
Introduction
Bearings are structural devices positioned between the bridge superstructure and the substructure.
Their principal functions are as follows:
1. To transmit loads from the superstructure to the substructure, and
2. To accommodate relative movements between the superstructure and the substructure.
The forces applied to a bridge bearing mainly include superstructure self-weight, traffic loads, wind
loads, and earthquake loads.
Movements in bearings include translations and rotations. Creep, shrinkage, and temperature
effects are the most common causes of the translational movements, which can occur in both
transverse and longitudinal directions. Traffic loading, construction tolerances, and uneven settlement of the foundation are the common causes of the rotations.
Usually a bearing is connected to the superstructure through the use of a steel sole plate and rests
on the substructure through a steel masonry plate. The sole plate distributes the concentrated
bearing reactions to the superstructure. The masonry plate distributes the reactions to the substructure. The connections between the sole plate and the superstructure, for steel girders, are by bolting
or welding. For concrete girders, the sole plate is embedded into the concrete with anchor studs.
The masonry plate is typically connected to the substructure with anchor bolts.
1.2
Types of Bearings
Bearings may be classified as fixed bearings and expansion bearings. Fixed bearings allow rotations
but restrict translational movements. Expansion bearings allow both rotational and translational
movements. There are numerous types of bearings available. The following are the principal types
of bearings currently in use.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-1
1-2
1.2.1
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Sliding Bearings
A sliding bearing utilizes one plane metal plate sliding against another to accommodate translations.
The sliding bearing surface produces a frictional force that is applied to the superstructure, the
substructure, and the bearing itself. To reduce this friction force, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is
often used as a sliding lubricating material. PTFE is sometimes referred to as Teflon, named after
a widely used brand of PTFE, or TFE as appeared in AASHTO [1] and other design standards. In
its common application, one steel plate coated with PTFE slides against another plate, which is
usually of stainless steel.
Sliding bearings can be used alone or more often used as a component in other types of bearings.
Pure sliding bearings can only be used when the rotations caused by the deflection at the supports
are negligible. They are therefore limited to a span length of 15 m or less by ASHTTO [1].
A guiding system may be added to a sliding bearing to control the direction of the movement.
It may also be fixed by passing anchor bolts through the plates.
1.2.2
Rocker and Pin Bearings
A rocker bearing is a type of expansion bearing that comes in a great variety. It typically consists
of a pin at the top that facilitates rotations, and a curved surface at the bottom that accommodates
the translational movements (Figure 1.1a). The pin at the top is composed of upper and lower
semicircularly recessed surfaces with a solid circular pin placed between. Usually, there are caps at
both ends of the pin to keep the pin from sliding off the seats and to resist uplift loads if required.
The upper plate is connected to the sole plate by either bolting or welding. The lower curved plate
sits on the masonry plate. To prevent the rocker from walking, keys are used to keep the rocker in
place. A key can be a pintal which is a small trapezoidal steel bar tightly fitted into the masonry
plate on one end and loosely inserted into the recessed rocker bottom plate on the other end. Or
it can be an anchor bolt passing through a slotted hole in the bottom rocker plate.
A pin bearing is a type of fixed bearings that accommodates rotations through the use of a steel
pin. The typical configuration of the bearing is virtually the same as the rocker described above
except that the bottom curved rocker plate is now flat and directly anchored to the concrete pier
(Figure 1.1b).
Rocker and pin bearings are primarily used in steel bridges. They are only suitable for the
applications where the direction of the displacement is well defined since they can only accommodate translations and/or rotations in one direction. They can be designed to support relatively large
loads but a high vertical clearance is usually required when the load or displacement is large. The
practical limits of the load and displacement are about 1800 kN and ±100 mm, respectively, and
rotations of several degrees are achievable [3].
Normally, the moment and lateral forces induced from the movement of these bearings are very
small and negligible. However, metal bearings are susceptible to corrosion and deterioration. A
corroded joint may induce much larger forces. Regular inspection and maintenance are, therefore,
required.
1.2.3
Roller Bearings
Roller bearings are composed of one or more rollers between two parallel steel plates. Single roller
bearings can facilitate both rotations and translations in the longitudinal direction, while a group
of rollers would only accommodate longitudinal translations. In the latter case, the rotations are
provided by combining rollers with a pin bearing (Figure 1.1c).
Roller bearings have been used in both steel and concrete bridges. Single roller bearings are
relatively cheap to manufacture, but they only have a very limited vertical load capacity. Multiple
roller bearings, on the other hand, may be able to support very large loads, but they are much more
expensive.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-3
Bearings
FIGURE 1.1
FIGURE 1.2
Typical rocker (a), pin (b), and roller bearings (c).
Elastomeric bearings. (a) Steel-reinforced elastomeric pad; (b) elastomeric pad with PTFE slider.
Like rocker and pin bearings, roller bearings are also susceptible to corrosion and deterioration.
Regular inspection and maintenance are essential.
1.2.4
Elastomeric Bearings
An elastomeric bearing is made of elastomer (either natural or synthetic rubber). It accommodates
both translational and rotational movements through the deformation of the elastomer.
Elastomer is flexible in shear but very stiff against volumetric change. Under compressive load,
the elastomer expands laterally. To sustain large load without excessive deflection, reinforcement is
used to restrain lateral bulging of the elastomer. This leads to the development of several types of
elastomeric bearing pads — plain, fiberglass-reinforced, cotton duck-reinforced, and steel-reinforced elastomeric pads. Figure 1.2a shows a steel-reinforced elastomeric pad.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Plain elastomeric pads are the weakest and most flexible because they are only restrained from
bulging by friction forces alone. They are typically used in short- to medium-span bridges, where
bearing stress is low. Fiberglass-reinforced elastomeric pads consist of alternate layers of elastomer
and fiberglass reinforcement. Fiberglass inhibits the lateral deformation of the pads under compressive loads so that larger load capacity can be achieved. Cotton-reinforced pads are elastomeric pads
reinforced with closely spaced layers of cotton duck. They display high compressive stiffness and
strength but have very limited rotational capacities. The thin layers also lead to high shear stiffness,
which results in large forces in the bridge. So sometimes they are combined with a PTFE slider on
top of the pad to accommodate translations (Figure 1.2b). Steel-reinforced elastomeric pads are
constructed by vulcanizing elastomer to thin steel plates. They have the highest load capacity among
the different types of elastomeric pads, which is only limited by the manufacturer’s ability to
vulcanize a large volume of elastomer uniformly.
All above-mentioned pads except steel-reinforced pads can be produced in a large sheet and cut
to size for any particular application. Steel-reinforced pads, however, have to be custom-made for
each application due to the edge cover requirement for the protection of the steel from corrosion.
The steel-reinforced pads are the most expensive while the cost of the plain elastomeric pads is the
lowest.
Elastomeric bearings are generally considered the preferred type of bearings because they are low
cost and almost maintenance free. In addition, elastomeric bearings are extremely forgiving of loads
and movements exceeding the design values.
1.2.4
Curved Bearings
A curved bearing consists of two matching curved plates with one sliding against the other to
accommodate rotations. The curved surface can be either cylindrical which allows the rotation
about only one axis or spherical which allows the bearing to rotate about any axis.
Lateral movements are restrained in a pure curved bearing and a limited lateral resistance may
be developed through a combination of the curved geometry and the gravity loads. To accommodate
lateral movements, a PTFE slider must be attached to the bearings. Keeper plates are often used to
keep the superstructure moving in one direction. Large load and rotational capacities can be
designed for curved bearings. The vertical capacity is only limited by its size, which depends largely
on machining capabilities. Similarly, rotational capacities are only limited by the clearances between
the components.
Figure 1.3a shows a typical expansion curved bearing. The lower convex steel plate that has a
stainless steel mating surface is recessed in the masonry plate. The upper concave plate with a
matching PTFE sliding surface sits on top of the lower convex plate for rotations. Between the sole
plate and the upper concave plate there is a flat PTFE sliding surface that will accommodate lateral
movements.
1.2.5
Pot Bearings
A pot bearing comprises a plain elastomeric disk that is confined in a shallow steel ring, or pot
(Figure 1.3b). Vertical loads are transmitted through a steel piston that fits closely to the steel ring
(pot wall). Flat sealing rings are used to contain the elastomer inside the pot. The elastomer behaves
like a viscous fluid within the pot as the bearing rotates. Because the elastomeric pad is confined,
much larger load can be carried this way than through conventional elastomeric pads.
Translational movements are restrained in a pure pot bearing, and the lateral loads are transmitted
through the steel piston moving against the pot wall. To accommodate translational movement, a
PTFE sliding surface must be used. Keeper plates are often used to keep the superstructure moving
in one direction.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-5
Bearings
FIGURE 1.3
1.2.6
Typical spherical (a), pot (b), and disk (c) bearings
Disk Bearings
A disk bearing, as illustrated in Figure 1.3c, utilizes a hard elastomeric (polyether urethane) disk to
support the vertical loads and a metal key in the center of the bearing to resist horizontal loads.
The rotational movements are accommodated through the deformation of the elastomer. To accommodate translational movements, however, a PTFE slider is required. In this kind of bearings, the
polyether urethane disk must be hard enough to resist large vertical load without excessive deformation and yet flexible enough to accommodate rotations easily.
1.3
Selection of Bearings
Generally the objective of bearing selection is to choose a bearing system that suits the needs with
a minimum overall cost. The following procedures may be used for the selection of the bearings.
1.3.1
Determination of Functional Requirements
First, the vertical and horizontal loads, the rotational and translational movements from all sources
including dead and live loads, wind loads, earthquake loads, creep and shrinkage, prestress, thermal
and construction tolerances need to be calculated. Table 1.1 may be used to tabulate these requirements.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-6
TABLE 1.1
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Typical Bridge Bearing Schedule
Bridge Name of Reference
Bearing Identification mark
Number of bearings required
Seating Material
Upper Surface
Lower Surface
Allowable average
contact pressure
(PSI)
Upper Surface
Serviceability
Lower Surface
Serviceability
Strength
Strength
Design Load
effects (KIP)
Service limit state
Vertical
max.
perm
min.
Transverse
Longitudinal
Strength
limit state
Vertical
Transverse
Longitudinal
Translation
Service
limit state
Irreversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Reversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Strength
limit state
Irreversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Reversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Rotation (RAD)
Service
limit state
Irreversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Reversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Strength
limit state
Irreversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Reversible
Transverse
Longitudinal
Maximum
bearing
dimensions (IN)
Upper surface
Transverse
Lower surface
Transverse
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Overall height
Tolerable movement of bearing
under transient loads (IN)
Vertical
Transverse
Longitudinal
Allowable resistance to translation
under service limit state (KIP)
Transverse
Allowable resistance to rotation
under service limit state (K/FT)
Transverse
Type of attachment to structure and substructure
Transverse
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Longitudinal
Source: AASHTO, LRFD Bridge Design Scecifications, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials,
Washington, D.C.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-7
Bearings
Summary of Bearing Capacities [3,5]
TABLE 1.2
Load
Translation
Min.
(KN)
Max.
(KN)
Min.
(mm)
Max.
(mm)
0
0
0
225
0
450
1,400
600
3,500
>10,000
0
0
0
0
25
Disk bearing
Pot bearing
Pin bearing
Rocker bearing
Single roller
1,200
1,200
1,200
0
0
10,000
10,000
4,500
1,800
450
0
0
0
0
25
Curved PTFE bearing
Multiple rollers
1,200
500
7,000
10,000
0
100
15
5
25
100
>10
0
0
0
0
100
>10
0
0
>10
0
Bearing Type
Elastomeric pads
Plain
Cotton duck reinforced
Fiberglass reinforced
Steel reinforced
Flat PTFE slider
1.3.2
Rotation
Max.
(rad)
0.01
0.003
0.015
0.04
0
Costs
Initial
Maintenance
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Low
Moderate
0.02
0.02
>0.04
>0.04
>0.04
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
High
High
High
High
>0.04
>0.04
High
High
Moderate
High
Evaluation of Bearings
The second step is to determine the suitable bearing types based on the above bridge functional
requirements, and other factors including available clearance, environment, maintenance, cost,
availability, and client’s preferences. Table 1.2 summarizes the load, movement capacities, and relative costs for each bearing type and may be used for the selection of the bearings.
It should be noted that the capacity values in Table 1.2 are approximate. They are the practical
limits of the most economical application for each bearing type. The costs are also relative, since
the true price can only be determined by the market. At the end of this step, several qualified bearing
systems with close cost ratings may be selected [5].
1.3
Preliminary Bearing Design
For the various qualified bearing alternatives, preliminary designs are performed to determine the
approximate geometry and material properties in accordance with design specifications. It is likely
that one or more of the previously acceptable alternatives will be eliminated in this step because of
an undesirable attribute such as excessive height, oversize footprint, resistance at low temperature,
sensitivity to installation tolerances, etc. [3].
At the end of this step, one or more bearing types may still be feasible and they will be included
in the bid package as the final choices of the bearing types.
1.4
Design of Elastomeric Bearings
1.4.1
Design Procedure
The design procedure is according to AASHTO-LRFD [1] and is as follows:
1. Determine girder temperature movement (Art. 5.4.2.2).
2. Determine girder shortenings due to post-tensioning, concrete shrinkage, etc.
3. Select a bearing thickness based on the bearing total movement requirements (Art. 14.7.5.3.4).
4. Compute the bearing size based on bearing compressive stress (Art. 14.7.5.3.2).
5. Compute instantaneous compressive deflection (Art. 14.7.5.3.3).
6. Combine bearing maximum rotation.
7. Check bearing compression and rotation (Art. 14.7.5.3.5).
8. Check bearing stability (Art. 14.7.5.3.6).
9. Check bearing steel reinforcement (Art. 14.7.5.3.7).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 1.4
1.4.2
Bridge layout
Design Example (Figure 1.4)
Given
L
RDL
RLL
qs
DT
DPT
DSH
G
g
DFTH
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
expandable span length
=
DL reaction/girder
=
LL reaction (without impact)/girder
=
bearing design rotation at service limit state
=
maximum temperature change
=
girder shortening due to post tensioning
=
girder shortening due to concrete shrinkage
=
shear modulus of elastomer
=
load factor for uniform temperature, etc.
=
constant amplitude fatigue threshold for Category A =
40 m
690 kN
220 kN
0.025 rad
21°C
21 mm
2 mm
0.9 ~ 1.38 MPa
1.2
165 MPa
Using 60 durometer reinforced bearing:
Fy
= yield strength of steel reinforcement
= 350 MPa
Sliding bearing used:
1. Temperature Movement
From Art. 5.4.2.2, for normal density concrete, the thermal coefficient a is
a = 10.8 ¥ 10 –6/˚C
D TEMP = (a)(DT)(L) = (10.8 ¥ 10 –6/˚C)(21°C)(40,000 mm) = 9 mm
2. Girder Shortenings
D PT = 21 mm and D SH = 2 mm
3. Bearing Thickness
h rt = total elastomer thickness
h ri = thickness of ith elastomeric layer
n = number of interior layers of elastomeric layer
D S = bearing maximum longitudinal movement = g · (D TEMP + D PT + D SH)
D S = 1.2 ¥ (9 mm + 21 mm + 2 mm) = 38.4 mm
h rt = bearing thickness ≥ 2D S
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.4-1)
h rt = 2 ¥ (38.4 mm) = 76.8
Try hrt = 120 mm, hri = 20 mm and n = 5
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-9
Bearings
FIGURE 1.5
Stress–strain curves. (From AASHTO, Figure C14.7.5.3.3.1.)
4. Bearing Size
L = length of bearing
W = width of bearing
S i = shape factor of thickness layer of the bearing =
LW
2hri ( L + W )
For a bearing subject to shear deformation, the compressive stresses should satisfy:
sS = average compressive stress due to the total load £ 1.66GS £ 11
sL = average compressive stress due to the live load £ 0.66 GS
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.2-1)
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.2-1)
R
1.66GLW
s s = --------- = ----------------------------LW
2h ri ( L + W )
Assuming sS is critical, solve for L and W by error and trial.
L = 300 mm and W = 460 mm
S=
(300 mm) (460 mm)
LW
=
= 4.54
2hri ( L + W ) 2(20 mm) (300 mm + 460 mm)
RL
( 200,000 N ) - = 1.6 MPa
- = ------------------------------------------------s L = -------LW
( 300 mm ) ( 460 mm )
£ 0.66 GS = 0.66 ( 1.0 MPa ) ( 4.54 ) = 3.0 MPa
OK
5. Instantaneous Compressive Deflection
For sS = 6.59 MPa and S = 4.54, one can determine the value of ei from Figure 1.5:
e i = 0.062
d =
Âe h
i ri
= 6 ( 0.062 ) ( 20 mm ) = 7.44 mm
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.3-1)
1-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
6. Bearing Maximum Rotation
The bearing rotational capacity can be calculated as
2d2 ( 7.44 mm )
q capacity = ----= ----------------------------- = 0.05 rad < q design = 0.025 rad
L
300 mm
OK
7. Combined Bearing Compression and Rotation
a. Uplift requirement (AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.5-1):
s s,uplift
Ê q designˆ Ê L ˆ
-˜ Á -----˜
= 1.0GS Á -----------Ë n ¯ Ë h ri¯
2
OK
0.025 300 2
= 1.0 ( 1.2 ) ( 4.54 ) Ê -------------ˆ Ê ---------ˆ = 6.13 MPa < s s = 6.59 MPa
Ë 5 ¯ Ë 20 ¯
b. Shear deformation requirement (AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.5-2):
s s,shear
2
Ê
Ê q designˆ Ê L ˆ ˆ˜
Á
= 1.875GS 1 – 0.20 Á -------------˜ Á -----˜
Á
Ë n ¯ Ë h ri¯ ˜¯
Ë
OK
Ê
Ê 0.025ˆ Ê 300ˆ
= 1.875 ( 1.0 ) ( 4.54 ) Á 1 – 0.20 Á -------------˜ Á ---------˜
Á
Ë 5 ¯ Ë 20 ¯
Ë
2
ˆ
˜ = 6.60 MPa > s = 6.59 MPa
s
˜
¯
8. Bearing Stability
Bearings shall be designed to prevent instability at the service limit state load combinations.
The average compressive stress on the bearing is limited to half the predicted buckling stress.
For this example, the bridge deck, if free to translate horizontally, the average compressive
stress due to dead and live load, ss, must satisfy:
ss £
G
2 A- B
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.6-1)
where
h
1.92 -----rtL
A = -----------------------------2.0
L
S 1 + -----------W
( 120 mm )
1.92 ------------------------( 300 mm )
= -------------------------------------------------------------- = 0.11
2.0 ( 300 mm )
( 4.54 ) 1 + -------------------------------( 460 mm )
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.6-3)
1-11
Bearings
B=
2.67
L
4.0W
S( S + 2.0) 1 +
=
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.6-4)
2.67
(300 mm)
(4.54) (4.54 + 2.0) 1 +
= 0.08
4.0 ( 460 mm)
G
( 1.0 MPa )
----------------- = --------------------------------------- = 6.87 > s s
2A – B
2 ( 0.11 ) – ( 0.08 )
OK
9. Bearing Steel Reinforcement
The bearing steel reinforcement must be designed to sustain the tensile stresses induced by
compression of the bearing. The thickness of steel reinforcement, hs, should satisfy:
a. At the service limit state:
3h max s s
h s ≥ ----------------Fy
=
3 (20 mm) (6.59 MPa )
= 1.13 mm
(350 MPa)
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.7-1)
(governs)
b. At the fatigue limit state:
2h max s L
h s ≥ -----------------ÄF y
=
(AASHTO Eq. 14.7.5.3.7-2)
2 (20 mm)(1.6 MPa )
= 0.39 mm
(165MPa)
where hmax = thickness of thickest elastomeric layer in elastomeric bearing = hri.
Elastomeric Bearings Details
Five interior lays with 20 mm thickness each layer
Two exterior lays with 10 mm thickness each layer
Six steel reinforcements with 1.2 mm each
Total thickness of bearing is 127.2 mm
Bearing size: 300 mm (longitudinal) ¥ 460 mm (transverse)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
1-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
References
1. AASHTO, LRFD Br idge Design Specifications, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
2. AASHTO, Standar d Specifications for the Design of Highway Bridges, 16th ed. American Association
of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1996.
3. Stanton, J. F., Roeder, C. W., and Campbell, T. I., High Load Multi-Rotational Bridge Bearings,
NCHRP Report 10-20A, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington,
D.C., 1993.
4. Caltrans, Memo to Designers, California Department of Transportation, Sacramento, 1994.
5. AISI, Steel bridge bearing selection and design guide, Highway Structures Design Handbook, Vol.
II, American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C., 1996, chap. 4.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2
Piers and Columns
2.1
2.2
Introduction .................................................................2-1
Structural Types ...........................................................2-1
General • Selection Criteria
2.3
Design Loads ................................................................2-4
2.4
Design Criteria .............................................................2-7
Live Loads • Thermal Forces
Jinrong Wang
California Department of
Transportation
2.1
Overview • Slenderness and Second-Order Effect •
Concrete Piers and Columns • Steel and Composite
Columns
Introduction
Piers provide vertical supports for spans at intermediate points and perform two main functions:
transferring superstructure vertical loads to the foundations and resisting horizontal forces acting
on the bridge. Although piers are traditionally designed to resist vertical loads, it is becoming more
and more common to design piers to resist high lateral loads caused by seismic events. Even in
some low seismic areas, designers are paying more attention to the ductility aspect of the design.
Piers are predominantly constructed using reinforced concrete. Steel, to a lesser degree, is also used
for piers. Steel tubes filled with concrete (composite) columns have gained more attention recently.
This chapter deals only with piers or columns for conventional bridges, such as grade separations,
overcrossings, overheads, underpasses, and simple river crossings. Reinforced concrete columns will
be discussed in detail while steel and composite columns will be briefly discussed. Substructures
for arch, suspension, segmental, cable-stayed, and movable bridges are excluded from this chapter.
Chapter 3 discusses the substructures for some of these special types of bridges.
2.2
Structural Types
2.2.1
General
Pier is usually used as a general term for any type of substructure located between horizontal spans and
foundations. However, from time to time, it is also used particularly for a solid wall in order to
distinguish it from columns or bents. From a structural point of view, a column is a member that resists
the lateral force mainly by flexure action whereas a pier is a member that resists the lateral force mainly
by a shear mechanism. A pier that consists of multiple columns is often called a bent.
There are several ways of defining pier types. One is by its structural connectivity to the superstructure: monolithic or cantilevered. Another is by its sectional shape: solid or hollow; round,
octagonal, hexagonal, or rectangular. It can also be distinguished by its framing configuration: single
or multiple column bent; hammerhead or pier wall.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-1
2-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.1
FIGURE 2.2
2.2.2
Typical cross-section shapes of piers for overcrossings or viaducts on land.
Typical cross-section shapes of piers for river and waterway crossings.
Selection Criteria
Selection of the type of piers for a bridge should be based on functional, structural, and geometric
requirements. Aesthetics is also a very important factor of selection since modern highway bridges
are part of a city’s landscape. Figure 2.1 shows a collection of typical cross section shapes for
overcrossings and viaducts on land and Figure 2.2 shows some typical cross section shapes for piers
of river and waterway crossings. Often, pier types are mandated by government agencies or owners.
Many state departments of transportation in the United States have their own standard column
shapes.
Solid wall piers, as shown in Figures 2.3a and 2.4, are often used at water crossings since they
can be constructed to proportions that are both slender and streamlined. These features lend
themselves well for providing minimal resistance to flood flows.
FIGURE 2.3
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Typical pier types for steel bridges.
2-3
Piers and Columns
FIGURE 2.4
Typical pier types and configurations for river and waterway crossings.
Hammerhead piers, as shown in Figure 2.3b, are often found in urban areas where space limitation
is a concern. They are used to support steel girder or precast prestressed concrete superstructures.
They are aesthetically appealing. They generally occupy less space, thereby providing more room
for the traffic underneath. Standards for the use of hammerhead piers are often maintained by
individual transportation departments.
A column bent pier consists of a cap beam and supporting columns forming a frame. Column
bent piers, as shown in Figure 2.3c and Figure 2.5, can either be used to support a steel girder
superstructure or be used as an integral pier where the cast-in-place construction technique is used.
The columns can be either circular or rectangular in cross section. They are by far the most popular
forms of piers in the modern highway system.
A pile extension pier consists of a drilled shaft as the foundation and the circular column extended
from the shaft to form the substructure. An obvious advantage of this type of pier is that it occupies
a minimal amount of space. Widening an existing bridge in some instances may require pile
extensions because limited space precludes the use of other types of foundations.
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2-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.5
Typical pier types for concrete bridges.
Selections of proper pier type depend upon many factors. First of all, it depends upon the type
of superstructure. For example, steel girder superstructures are normally supported by cantilevered
piers, whereas the cast-in-place concrete superstructures are normally supported by monolithic
bents. Second, it depends upon whether the bridges are over a waterway or not. Pier walls are
preferred on river crossings, where debris is a concern and hydraulics dictates it. Multiple pile
extension bents are commonly used on slab bridges. Last, the height of piers also dictates the type
selection of piers. The taller piers often require hollow cross sections in order to reduce the weight
of the substructure. This then reduces the load demands on the costly foundations. Table 2.1
summarizes the general type selection guidelines for different types of bridges.
2.3
Design Loads
Piers are commonly subjected to forces and loads transmitted from the superstructure, and forces
acting directly on the substructure. Some of the loads and forces to be resisted by the substructure
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dead loads
Live loads and impact from the superstructure
Wind loads on the structure and the live loads
Centrifugal force from the superstructure
Longitudinal force from live loads
Drag forces due to the friction at bearings
Earth pressure
Stream flow pressure
Ice pressure
Earthquake forces
Thermal and shrinkage forces
Ship impact forces
Force due to prestressing of the superstructure
Forces due to settlement of foundations
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-5
Piers and Columns
TABLE 2.1
General Guidelines for Selecting Pier Types
Applicable Pier Types
Steel Superstructure
Over water
Tall piers
On land
Short piers
Tall piers
Short piers
Pier walls or hammerheads (T-piers) (Figures 2.3a and b); hollow cross sections for most cases;
cantilevered; could use combined hammerheads with pier wall base and step tapered shaft
Pier walls or hammerheads (T-piers) (Figures 2.3a and b); solid cross sections; cantilevered
Hammerheads (T-piers) and possibly rigid frames (multiple column bents)(Figures 2.3b and c);
hollow cross sections for single shaft and solid cross sections for rigid frames; cantilevered
Hammerheads and rigid frames (Figures 2.3b and c); solid cross sections; cantilevered
Precast Prestressed Concrete Superstructure
Over water
Tall piers
On land
Short piers
Tall piers
Short piers
Pier walls or hammerheads (Figure 2.4); hollow cross sections for most cases; cantilevered;
could use combined hammerheads with pier wall base and step-tapered shaft
Pier walls or hammerheads; solid cross sections; cantilevered
Hammerheads and possibly rigid frames (multiple column bents); hollow cross sections for
single shafts and solid cross sections for rigid frames; cantilevered
Hammerheads and rigid frames (multiple column bents) (Figure 2.5a); solid cross sections;
cantilevered
Cast-in-Place Concrete Superstructure
Over water
Tall piers
On land
Short piers
Tall piers
Short piers
Single shaft pier (Figure 2.4); superstructure will likely cast by traveled forms with balanced
cantilevered construction method; hollow cross sections; monolithic; fixed at bottom
Pier walls (Figure 2.4); solid cross sections; monolithic; fixed at bottom
Single or multiple column bents; solid cross sections for most cases, monolithic; fixed at bottom
Single or multiple column bents (Figure 2.5b); solid cross sections; monolithic; pinned at
bottom
The effect of temperature changes and shrinkage of the superstructure needs to be considered
when the superstructure is rigidly connected with the supports. Where expansion bearings are used,
forces caused by temperature changes are limited to the frictional resistance of bearings.
In the following, two load cases, live loads and thermal forces, will be discussed in detail because
they are two of the most common loads on the piers, but are often applied incorrectly.
2.3.1
Live Loads
Bridge live loads are the loads specified or approved by the contracting agencies and owners. They
are usually specified in the design codes such as AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications [1].
There are other special loading conditions peculiar to the type or location of the bridge structure
which should be specified in the contracting documents.
Live-load reactions obtained from the design of individual members of the superstructure should
not be used directly for substructure design. These reactions are based upon maximum conditions
for one beam and make no allowance for distribution of live loads across the roadway. Use of these
maximum loadings would result in a pier design with an unrealistically severe loading condition
and uneconomical sections.
For substructure design, a maximum design traffic lane reaction using either the standard truck
load or standard lane load should be used. Design traffic lanes are determined according to AASHTO
LRFD [1] Section 3.6. For the calculation of the actual beam reactions on the piers, the maximum
lane reaction can be applied within the design traffic lanes as wheel loads, and then distributed to
the beams assuming the slab between beams to be simply supported (Figure 2.6). Wheel loads can
be positioned anywhere within the design traffic lane with a minimum distance between lane
boundary and wheel load of 0.61 m (2 ft).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.6
Wheel load arrangement to produce maximum positive moment.
The design traffic lanes and the live load within the lanes should be arranged to produce beam
reactions that result in maximum loads on the piers. AASHTO LRFD Section 3.6.1.1.2 provides
load reduction factors due to multiple loaded lanes.
Live-load reactions will be increased due to impact effect. AASHTO LRFD [1] refers to this as
the dynamic load allowance, IM. and is listed here as in Table 2.2.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-7
Piers and Columns
2.3.2
TABLE 2.2
Dynamic Load Allowance, IM
Component
IM
Deck joints — all limit states
All other components
• Fatigue and fracture limit state
• All other limit states
75%
15%
33%
Thermal Forces
Forces on piers due to thermal movements, shrinkage, and prestressing can become large on short,
stiff bents of prestressed concrete bridges with integral bents. Piers should be checked against these
forces. Design codes or specifications normally specify the design temperature range. Some codes
even specify temperature distribution along the depth of the superstructure member.
The first step in determining the thermal forces on the substructures for a bridge with integral
bents is to determine the point of no movement. After this point is determined, the relative
displacement of any point along the superstructure to this point is simply equal to the distance to
this point times the temperature range and times the coefficient of expansion. With known displacement at the top and known boundary conditions at the top and bottom, the forces on the pier
due to the temperature change can be calculated by using the displacement times the stiffness of
the pier.
The determination of the point of no movement is best demonstrated by the following example,
which is adopted from Memo to Designers issued by California Department of Transportation [2]:
Example 2.1
A 225.55-m (740-foot)-long and 23.77-m (78-foot) wide concrete box-girder superstructure is
supported by five two-column bents. The size of the column is 1.52 m (5 ft) in diameter and the
heights vary between 10.67 m (35 ft) and 12.80 m (42 ft). Other assumptions are listed in the
calculations. The calculation is done through a table. Please refer Figure 2.7 for the calculation for
determining the point of no movement.
2.4
Design Criteria
2.4.1
Overview
Like the design of any structural component, the design of a pier or column is performed to fulfill
strength and serviceability requirements. A pier should be designed to withstand the overturning,
sliding forces applied from superstructure as well as the forces applied to substructures. It also needs
to be designed so that during an extreme event it will prevent the collapse of the structure but may
sustain some damage.
A pier as a structure component is subjected to combined forces of axial, bending, and shear.
For a pier, the bending strength is dependent upon the axial force. In the plastic hinge zone of a
pier, the shear strength is also influenced by bending. To complicate the behavior even more, the
bending moment will be magnified by the axial force due to the P-Δ effect.
In current design practice, the bridge designers are becoming increasingly aware of the adverse
effects of earthquake. Therefore, ductility consideration has become a very important factor for
bridge design. Failure due to scouring is also a common cause of failure of bridges. In order to
prevent this type of failure, the bridge designers need to work closely with the hydraulic engineers
to determine adequate depths for the piers and provide proper protection measures.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 2.7
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Calculation of points of no movement.
2-9
Piers and Columns
2.4.2
Slenderness and Second-Order Effect
The design of compression members must be based on forces and moments determined from an
analysis of the structure. Small deflection theory is usually adequate for the analysis of beam-type
members. For compression members, however, the second-order effect must be considered. According to AASHTO LRFD [1], the second-order effect is defined as follows:
The presence of compressive axial forces amplify both out-of-straightness of a component and
the deformation due to non-tangential loads acting thereon, therefore increasing the eccentricity
of the axial force with respect to the centerline of the component. The synergistic effect of this
interaction is the apparent softening of the component, i.e., a loss of stiffness.
To assess this effect accurately, a properly formulated large deflection nonlinear analysis can be
performed. Discussions on this subject can be found in References [3,4]. However, it is impractical
to expect practicing engineers to perform this type of sophisticated analysis on a regular basis. The
moment magnification procedure given in AASHTO LRFD [1] is an approximate process which
was selected as a compromise between accuracy and ease of use. Therefore, the AASHTO LRFD
moment magnification procedure is outlined in the following.
When the cross section dimensions of a compression member are small in comparison to its
length, the member is said to be slender. Whether or not a member can be considered slender is
dependent on the magnitude of the slenderness ratio of the member. The slenderness ratio of a
compression member is defined as, KLu/r, where K is the effective length factor for compression
members; Lu is the unsupported length of compression member; r is the radius of gyration = I A ;
I is the moment of inertia; and A is the cross-sectional area.
When a compression member is braced against side sway, the effective length factor, K = 1.0 can
be used. However, a lower value of K can be used if further analysis demonstrates that a lower value
is applicable. Lu is defined as the clear distance between slabs, girders, or other members which is
capable of providing lateral support for the compression member. If haunches are present, then,
the unsupported length is taken from the lower extremity of the haunch in the plane considered
(AASHTO LRFD 5.7.4.3). For a detailed discussion of the K-factor, please refer to Chapter 8.
For a compression member braced against side sway, the effects of slenderness can be ignored as
long as the following condition is met (AASHTO LRFD 5.7.4.3):
⎛ 12 M1b ⎞
KLu
< 34 − ⎜
⎟
r
⎝ M2 b ⎠
(2.1)
where
M1b = smaller end moment on compression member — positive if member is bent in single curvature, negative if member is bent in double curvature
M2b = larger end moment on compression member — always positive
For an unbraced compression member, the effects of slenderness can be ignored as long as the
following condition is met (AASHTO LRFD 5.7.4.3):
KLu
< 22
r
(2.2)
If the slenderness ratio exceeds the above-specified limits, the effects can be approximated through
the use of the moment magnification method. If the slenderness ratio KLu/r exceeds 100, however,
a more-detailed second-order nonlinear analysis will be required. Any detailed analysis should
consider the influence of axial loads and variable moment of inertia on member stiffness and forces,
and the effects of the duration of the loads.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
The factored moments may be increased to reflect effects of deformations as follows:
Mc = δ b M2 b + δ s M 2 s
(2.3)
where
M2b = moment on compression member due to factored gravity loads that result in no appreciable
side sway calculated by conventional first-order elastic frame analysis, always positive
M2s = moment on compression member due to lateral or gravity loads that result in side sway, Δ,
greater than Lu/1500, calculated by conventional first-order elastic frame analysis, always
positive
The moment magnification factors are defined as follows:
δb =
δs =
Cm
≥ 1.0
P
1− u
φPc
1
≥ 1.0
∑ Pu
1−
φ ∑ Pc
(2.4)
(2.5)
where
Pu = factored axial load
Pc = Euler buckling load, which is determined as follows:
Pc =
π 2 EI
( KLu )
2
(2.6)
Cm, a factor which relates the actual moment diagram to an equivalent uniform moment diagram,
is typically taken as 1.0. However, in the case where the member is braced against side sway and
without transverse loads between supports, it may be taken by the following expression:
⎛M ⎞
Cm = 0.60 + 0.40 ⎜ 1b ⎟
⎝ M2 b ⎠
(2.7)
The value resulting from Eq. (2.7), however, is not to be less than 0.40.
To compute the flexural rigidity EI for concrete columns, AASHTO offers two possible solutions,
with the first being:
Ec Ig
EI =
+ Es Is
5
1 + βd
(2.8)
and the second, more-conservative solution being:
Ec Ig
EI = 2.5
1 + βd
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(2.9)
2-11
Piers and Columns
where Ec is the elastic modulus of concrete, Ig is the gross moment inertia, Es is the elastic modules
of reinforcement, Is is the moment inertia of reinforcement about centroidal axis, and β is the
ratio of maximum dead-load moment to maximum total-load moment and is always positive. It
is an approximation of the effects of creep, so that when larger moments are induced by loads
sustained over a long period of time, the creep deformation and associated curvature will also
be increased.
2.4.3
2.4.3.1
Concrete Piers and Columns
Combined Axial and Flexural Strength
A critical aspect of the design of bridge piers is the design of compression members. We will use
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications [1] as the reference source. The following discussion
provides an overview of some of the major criteria governing the design of compression members.
Under the Strength Limit State Design, the factored resistance is determined with the product of
nominal resistance, Pn, and the resistance factor, φ. Two different values of φ are used for the nominal
resistance Pn. Thus, the factored axial load resistance φPn is obtained using φ = 0.75 for columns
with spiral and tie confinement reinforcement. The specifications also allows for the value φ to be
linearly increased from the value stipulated for compression members to the value specified for
flexure which is equal to 0.9 as the design axial load φPn decreases from 0.10 fc′Ag to zero.
Interaction Diagrams
Flexural resistance of a concrete member is dependent upon the axial force acting on the member.
Interaction diagrams are usually used as aids for the design of the compression members. Interaction
diagrams for columns are usually created assuming a series of strain distributions, and computing
the corresponding values of P and M. Once enough points have been computed, the results are
plotted to produce an interaction diagram.
Figure 2.8 shows a series of strain distributions and the resulting points on the interaction
diagram. In an actual design, however, a few points on the diagrams can be easily obtained and can
define the diagram rather closely.
• Pure Compression:
The factored axial resistance for pure compression, φPn, may be computed by:
For members with spiral reinforcement:
[
(
)
]
(2.10)
[
(
)
]
(2.11)
Pr = φPn = φ0.85Po = φ0.85 0.85 fc′ Ag − Ast + Ast fy
For members with tie reinforcement:
Pr = φPn = φ0.80 Po = φ0.80 0.85 fc′ Ag − Ast + Ast fy
For design, pure compression strength is a hypothetical condition since almost always there will be
moments present due to various reasons. For this reason, AASHTO LRFD 5.7.4.4 limits the nominal
axial load resistance of compression members to 85 and 80% of the axial resistance at zero eccentricity, Po, for spiral and tied columns, respectively.
• Pure Flexure:
The section in this case is only subjected to bending moment and without any axial force. The
factored flexural resistance, Mr, may be computed by
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.8
Strain distributions corresponding to points on interaction diagram.
⎡
f ⎞⎤
⎛
Mr = φMn = φ ⎢ As fy d ⎜1 − 0.6ρ y ⎟ ⎥
fc′⎠ ⎥⎦
⎝
⎢⎣
(2.12)
a ⎤
⎡
= φ ⎢ As fy ⎛ d − ⎞ ⎥
⎝
2⎠⎦
⎣
where
a=
As fy
0.85 fc′b
• Balanced Strain Conditions:
Balanced strain conditions correspond to the strain distribution where the extreme concrete strain
reaches 0.003 and the strain in reinforcement reaches yield at the same time. At this condition, the
section has the highest moment capacity. For a rectangular section with reinforcement in one face,
or located in two faces at approximately the same distance from the axis of bending, the balanced
factored axial resistance, Pr, and balanced factored flexural resistance, Mr, may be computed by
[
Pr = φPb = φ 0.85 fc′bab + As′ fs′− As fy
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
]
(2.13)
2-13
Piers and Columns
and
[
Mr = φMb = φ 0.85 fc′bab (d − d ′′ − ab 2) + As′ fs′ ( d − d ′ − d ′′) + As fy d ′′
]
(2.14)
where
⎛ 600 ⎞
ab = ⎜
⎟ β1d
⎝ 600 + fy ⎠
and
⎡ ⎛ d′ ⎞
fs′ = 600 ⎢1 −
⎣ ⎝d⎠
fy ⎞ ⎤
⎛
⎜ 600 +
⎟⎥ ≤ f
⎝
600 ⎠ ⎦ y
where fy is in MPa.
Biaxial Bending
AASHTO LRFD 5.7.4.5 stipulates that the design strength of noncircular members subjected to
biaxial bending may be computed, in lieu of a general section analysis based on stress and strain
compatibility, by one of the following approximate expressions:
1
1
1
1
=
+
−
Prxy Prx Pry Po
(2.15)
when the factored axial load, Pu 0.10 φ fc′Ag
Mux Muy
+
≤1
Mrx Mry
(2.16)
when the factored axial load, Pu < 0.10 φ fc′Ag
where
= factored axial resistance in biaxial flexure
Prxy
Prx, Pry = factored axial resistance corresponding to Mrx, Mry
Mux, Muy = factored applied moment about the x-axis, y-axis
Mrx, Mry = uniaxial factored flexural resistance of a section about the x-axis and y-axis corresponding
to the eccentricity produced by the applied factored axial load and moment, and
= 0.85 fc′ (Ag − As ) + As f y
Po
2.4.3.2
Shear Strength
Under the normal load conditions, the shear seldom governs the design of the column for conventional bridges since the lateral loads are usually small compared with the vertical loads. However,
in a seismic design, the shear is very important. In recent years, the research effort on shear strength
evaluation for columns has been increased remarkably. AASHTO LRFD provides a general shear
equation that applies for both beams and columns. The concrete shear capacity component and
the angle of inclination of diagonal compressive stresses are functions of the shear stress on the
concrete and the strain in the reinforcement on the flexural tension side of the member. It is rather
involved and hard to use.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Alternatively, the equations recommended by ATC-32 [5] can be used with acceptable accuracy.
The recommendations are listed as follows.
Except for the end regions of ductile columns, the nominal shear strength provided by concrete,
Vc, for members subjected to flexure and axial compression should be computed by
⎛
N ⎞
Vc = 0.165 ⎜1 + (3.45) 10 −6 u ⎟ fc′Ae
Ag ⎠
⎝
(
)
(MPa )
(2.17)
(MPa )
(2.18)
If the axial force is in tension, the Vc should be computed by
⎛
N ⎞
Vc = 0.165 ⎜1 + (1.38) 10 −5 u ⎟ fc′Ae
Ag ⎠
⎝
(
)
(note that Nu is negative for tension),
where
Ag = gross section area of the column (mm2)
Ae = effective section area, can be taken as 0.8Ag (mm2)
Nu = axial force applied to the column (N)
f c′ = compressive strength of concrete (MPa)
For end regions where the flexural ductility is normally high, the shear capacity should be reduced.
ATC-32 [5] offers the following equations to address this interaction.
With the end region of columns extending a distance from the critical section or sections not
less than 1.5D for circular columns or 1.5h for rectangular columns, the nominal shear strength
provided by concrete subjected to flexure and axial compression should be computed by
⎛
N ⎞
Vc = 0.165 ⎜ 0.5 + (6.9) 10 −6 u ⎟ fc′Ae
Ag ⎠
⎝
(
)
(MPa )
(2.19)
(MPa )
(2.18)
When axial load is tension, Vc can be calculated as
⎛
N ⎞
Vc = 0.165 ⎜1 + (1.38) 10 −5 u ⎟ fc′Ae
Ag ⎠
⎝
(
)
Again, Nu should be negative in this case.
The nominal shear contribution from reinforcement is given by
Vs =
Av fyh d
s
(MPa )
(2.20)
for tied rectangular sections, and by
Vs =
π Ah fyh D′
2
s
(2.21)
for spirally reinforced circular sections. In these equations, Av is the total area of shear reinforcement
parallel to the applied shear force, Ah is the area of a single hoop, fyh is the yield stress of horizontal
reinforcement, D′ is the diameter of a circular hoop, and s is the spacing of horizontal reinforcement.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-15
Piers and Columns
2.4.3.3
Ductility of Columns
The AASHTO LRFD [1] introduces the term ductility and requires that a structural system of bridge
be designed to ensure the development of significant and visible inelastic deformations prior to
failure.
The term ductility defines the ability of a structure and selected structural components to deform
beyond elastic limits without excessive strength or stiffness degradation. In mathematical terms, the
ductility µ is defined by the ratio of the total imposed displacement Δ at any instant to that at the
onset of yield Δy. This is a measure of the ability for a structure, or a component of a structure, to
absorb energy. The goal of seismic design is to limit the estimated maximum ductility demand to
the ductility capacity of the structure during a seismic event.
For concrete columns, the confinement of concrete must be provided to ensure a ductile column.
AASHTO LRFD [1] specifies the following minimum ratio of spiral reinforcement to total volume
of concrete core, measured out-to-out of spirals:
⎞ f′
⎛A
ρs = 0.45 ⎜ g − 1⎟ c
A
⎝ c ⎠ fyh
(2.22)
The transverse reinforcement for confinement at the plastic hinges shall be determined as follows:
ρs = 0.16
fc′ ⎛
1.25Pu ⎞
0.5 +
⎜
fy ⎝
Ag fc′ ⎟⎠
(2.23)
for which
⎛
1.25Pu ⎞
⎜ 0.5 + A f ′ ⎟ ≥ 1.0
⎝
g c ⎠
The total cross-sectional area (Ash) of rectangular hoop (stirrup) reinforcement for a rectangular
column shall be either
Ash = 0.30 ahc
fc′ ⎛ Ag ⎞
−1
fyh ⎜⎝ Ac ⎟⎠
(2.24)
Ash = 0.12 ahc
fc′ ⎛
1.25Pu ⎞
0.5 +
⎜
fy ⎝
Ag fc′ ⎟⎠
(2.25)
or,
whichever is greater,
where
a = vertical spacing of hoops (stirrups) with a maximum of 100 mm (mm)
Ac = area of column core measured to the outside of the transverse spiral reinforcement (mm2)
Ag = gross area of column (mm2)
Ash = total cross-sectional area of hoop (stirrup) reinforcement (mm2)
f c′ = specified compressive strength of concrete (Pa)
fyh = yield strength of hoop or spiral reinforcement (Pa)
hc = core dimension of tied column in the direction under consideration (mm)
ρs = ratio of volume of spiral reinforcement to total volume of concrete core (out-to-out of spiral)
Pu = factored axial load (MN)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.9
TABLE 2.3
Example 2.2 — typical section.
Column Group Loads — Service
Live Load + Impact
My (k-ft)
Mx (k-ft)
P (k)
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Dead
Load
Trans My-max
Long Mx-max
Axial N-max
Win
d
Wind
on LL
Long
Force
Centrifugal
Force-My
Temp.
220
148
1108
75
67
173
15
599
131
32
131
280
532
192
44
153
86
17
208
295
12
127
2
23
180
0
0
TABLE 2.4
Unreduced Seismic Loads (ARS)
My — Trans (k-ft)
Mx — Long (k-ft)
P — Axial (k)
Case 1
Max. Transverse
Case 2
Max. Longitudinal
4855
3126
–282
3286
3334
–220
Example 2.2 Design of a Two-Column Bent
Design the columns of a two-span overcrossing. The typical section of the structure is shown in
Figure 2.9. The concrete box girder is supported by a two-column bent and is subjected to HS20
loading. The columns are pinned at the bottom of the columns. Therefore, only the loads at the
top of columns are given here. Table 2.3 lists all the forces due to live load plus impact. Table 2.4
lists the forces due to seismic loads. Note that a load reduction factor of 5.0 will be assumed for
the columns.
Material Data
f c′ = 4.0 ksi (27.6 MPa)
E c = 3605 ksi (24855 MPa)
E s = 29000 ksi (199946 MPa)
f y = 60 ksi (414 MPa)
Try a column size of 4 ft (1.22 m) in diameter. Provide 26-#9 (26-#30) longitudinal reinforcement.
The reinforcement ratio is 1.44%.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-17
Piers and Columns
FIGURE 2.10
Example 2.2 — interaction diagram.
Section Properties
A g = 12.51 ft 2 (1.16 m 2)
Ast = 26.0 in 2 (16774 mm 2)
Ixc = I yc = 12.46 ft4 (0.1075 m 4)
Ixs = I ys = 0.2712 ft4 (0.0023 m 4)
The analysis follows the procedure discussed in Section 2.4.3.1. The moment and axial force interaction diagram is generated and is shown in Figure 2.10.
Following the procedure outlined in Section 2.4.2, the moment magnification factors for each
load group can be calculated and the results are shown in Table 2.5.
In which:
Ky = K x = 2.10
KyL/R = K x L/R = 2.1 × 27.0/(1.0) = 57
where R = radio of gyration = r/2 for a circular section.
22 < KL/R < 100
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
∴ Second-order effect should be considered.
2-18
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Moment Magnification and Buckling Calculations
TABLE 2.5
Moment Magnification
Cracked Transformed Section
Load P (k)
Trans.
M
Long
M
Comb.
M
E*Iy (k-ft2)
E*Ix (k-ft2)
Group Case
agy
agx
ag
I
I
I
II
III
III
III
IV
IV
IV
V
VI
VI
VI
VII
VII
1
2
3
1.571
1.661
2.765
1.337
1.406
1.396
1.738
1.437
1.448
1.920
1.303
1.370
1.358
1.645
1.243
1.296
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
1.640
1.367
2.059
1.385
1.403
1.344
1.671
1.611
1.349
1.978
1.365
1.382
1.327
1.629
1.245
1.275
1.587
1.384
2.364
1.344
1.405
1.361
1.708
1.455
1.377
1.936
1.310
1.373
1.340
1.640
1.244
1.286
1,738,699
1,488,966
1,392,713
1,962,171
2,046,281
1,999,624
1,901,005
1,864,312
1,755,985
1,635,757
2,042,411
2,101,830
2,068,404
1,980,146
2,048,312
1,940,100
1,619,399
2,205,948
1,728,396
1,776,045
2,056,470
2,212,829
2,011,763
1,494,630
2,098,586
1,585,579
1,776,045
2,056,470
2,212,829
2,011,763
2,036,805
2,053,651
Axial
Load
Trans. Pcy (k) Long Pcx (k) P(k)
Critical Buckling
5338
4571
4276
6024
6282
6139
5836
5723
5391
5022
6270
6453
6350
6079
6288
5956
4972
6772
5306
5452
6313
6793
6176
4588
6443
4868
5452
6313
6793
6176
6253
6305
1455
1364
2047
1137
1360
1305
1859
1306
1251
1805
1094
1308
1256
1788
826
888
Note: Column assumed to be unbraced against side sway.
The calculations for Loading Group III and Case 2 will be demonstrated in the following:
Bending in the longitudinal direction: Mx
Factored load = 1.3[βDD + (L + I) + CF + 0.3W + WL + LF]
βD = 0.75 when checking columns for maximum moment or maximum eccentricities and associated
axial load. βd in Eq. (2.8) = max dead-load moment, MDL/max total moment, Mt.
MDL = 148 × 0.75 = 111 k-ft (151 kN·m)
Mt = 0.75 × 148 + 599 + 0.3 × 192 + 86 + 295 + 2 = 1151 k-ft (1561 kN·m)
βd = 111/1151 = 0.0964
Ec Ig
EIx =
Pcx =
+ Es Is
5
1 + βd
π 2 EIx
( KLu )
2
=
3605 × 144 × 12.46
+ 29, 000 × 144 × 0.2712
5
=
= 2, 212, 829 k-ft 2
1 + 0.0964
π 2 × 2, 212, 829
= 6793 kips (30,229 kN )
(2.1 × 27)2
Cm = 1.0 for frame braced against side sway
δs =
1
1
=
= 1.344
1305
∑ Pu
1−
1−
0.75 × 6793
φ ∑ Pc
The magnified factored moment = 1.344 × 1.3 × 1151 = 2011 k-ft (2728 kN·m)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-19
Piers and Columns
Comparison of Factored Loads to Factored Capacity of the Column
TABLE 2.6
Applied Factored Forces (k-ft)
Group
I
I
I
II
III
III
III
IV
IV
IV
V
VI
VI
VI
VII
VII
Capacity (k-ft)
Case
Trans. My
Long Mx
Comb. M
Axial P (k)
φMn
φ
Ratio Mu/M
Status
1
2
3
852
566
1065
1211
1622
1402
1798
1022
813
1136
1429
1829
1617
2007
1481
1136
475
1972
981
546
1125
2011
1558
373
1245
717
517
1065
1905
1461
963
1039
975
2051
1448
1328
1974
2449
2379
1088
1487
1343
1519
2116
2499
2482
1766
1540
1455
1364
2047
1137
1360
1305
1859
1306
1251
1805
1094
1308
1256
1788
826
888
2924
2889
3029
2780
2886
2861
3018
2865
2837
3012
2754
2864
2842
3008
2372
2364
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.75
0.67
0.65
3.00
1.41
2.09
2.09
1.46
1.17
1.27
2.63
1.91
2.24
1.81
1.35
1.14
1.21
1.34
1.54
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
Notes:
1. Applied factored moments are magnified for slenderness in accordance with AASHTO LRFD.
2. The seismic forces are reduced by the load reduction factor R = 5.0.
L = 27.00 ft, f ′ = 4.00 ksi, Fy = 60.0 ksi, Ast = 26.00 in.2
c
The analysis results with the comparison of applied moments to capacities are summarized in
Table 2.6.
Column lateral reinforcement is calculated for two cases: (1) for applied shear and (2) for
confinement. Typically, the confinement requirement governs. Apply Eq. 2.22 or Eq. 2.23 to calculate
the confinement reinforcement. For seismic analysis, the unreduced seismic shear forces should be
compared with the shear forces due to plastic hinging of columns. The smaller should be used. The
plastic hinging analysis procedure is discussed elsewhere in this handbook and will not be repeated
here.
The lateral reinforcement for both columns are shown as follows.
For left column:
Vu
= 148 kips (659 kN) (shear due to plastic hinging governs)
φVn = 167 kips (743 kN)
∴ No lateral reinforcement is required for shear.
Reinforcement for confinement = ρs = 0.0057
∴ Provide #4 at 3 in. (#15 at 76 mm)
For right column:
Vu
= 180 kips (801 kN) (shear due to plastic hinging governs)
φVn = 167 kips (734 kN)
φVs = 13 kips (58 kN) (does not govern)
Reinforcement for confinement =ρs = 0.00623
∴ Provide #4 at 2.9 in. (#15 at 74 mm)
Summary of design:
4 ft (1.22 m) diameter of column with 26-#9 (26-#30) for main reinforcement and #4 at 2.9 in.
(#15 at 74 mm) for spiral confinement.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2-20
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 2.11
2.4.4
Typical cross sections of composite columns.
Steel and Composite Columns
Steel columns are not as commonly used as concrete columns. Nevertheless, they are viable solutions
for some special occasions, e.g., in space-restricted areas. Steel pipes or tubes filled with concrete
known as composite columns (Figure 2.11) offer the most efficient use of the two basic materials.
Steel at the perimeter of the cross section provides stiffness and triaxial confinement, and the
concrete core resists compression and prohibits local elastic buckling of the steel encasement. The
toughness and ductility of composite columns makes them the preferred column type for earthquake-resistant structures in Japan. In China, the composite columns were first used in Beijing
subway stations as early as 1963. Over the years, the composite columns have been used extensively
in building structures as well as in bridges [6–9].
In this section, the design provisions of AASHTO LRFD [1] for steel and composite columns are
summarized.
Compressive Resistance
For prismatic members with at least one plane of symmetry and subjected to either axial compression or combined axial compression and flexure about an axis of symmetry, the factored resistance
of components in compression, Pr, is calculated as
P r = φ cP n
where
Pn = nominal compressive resistance
φc = resistance factor for compression = 0.90
The nominal compressive resistance of a steel or composite column should be determined as
⎧0.66λ Fe As
⎪
Pn = ⎨ 0.88 Fe As
⎪⎩
λ
if
λ ≤ 2.25
if
λ > 2.25
(2.26)
in which
For steel columns:
2
⎛ KL ⎞ Fy
λ=⎜
π⎟
⎝ rs ⎠ Ee
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(2.27)
2-21
Piers and Columns
For composite column:
2
⎛ KL ⎞ Fe
λ=⎜
π⎟
⎝ rs ⎠ Ee
(2.28)
⎛A ⎞
⎛A ⎞
Fe = Fy + C1Fyr ⎜ r ⎟ + C2 fc ⎜ c ⎟
⎝ As ⎠
⎝ As ⎠
(2.29)
⎡ ⎛C ⎞
Ee = E ⎢1 + ⎜ 3 ⎟
⎢⎣ ⎝ n ⎠
⎛ Ac ⎞ ⎤
⎜ A ⎟⎥
⎝ s ⎠ ⎥⎦
(2.30)
where
As = cross-sectional area of the steel section (mm2)
Ac = cross-sectional area of the concrete (mm2)
Ar = total cross-sectional area of the longitudinal reinforcement (mm2)
Fy = specified minimum yield strength of steel section (MPa)
Fyr = specified minimum yield strength of the longitudinal reinforcement (MPa)
f c′ = specified minimum 28-day compressive strength of the concrete (MPa)
E = modules of elasticity of the steel (MPa)
L = unbraced length of the column (mm)
K = effective length factor
n = modular ratio of the concrete
rs = radius of gyration of the steel section in the plane of bending, but not less than 0.3 times the width
of the composite member in the plane of bending for composite columns, and, for filled tubes,
C 1 = 1.0;
C 2 = 0.85;
C 3 = 0.40
In order to use the above equation, the following limiting width/thickness ratios for axial compression of steel members of any shape must be satisfied:
E
b
≤k
Fy
t
where
k = plate buckling coefficient as specified in Table 2.7
b = width of plate as specified in Table 2.7
t = plate thickness (mm)
Wall thickness of steel or composite tubes should satisfy:
For circular tubes:
D
E
≤ 2.8
t
Fy
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(2.31)
2-22
TABLE 2.7
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Limiting Width-to-Thickness Ratios
k
b
Plates Supported along One Edge
Flanges and projecting
leg or plates
Stems of rolled tees
Other projecting elements
0.56 Half-flange width of I-section
Full-flange width of channels
Distance between free edge and first line of bolts or welds in plates
Full-width of an outstanding leg for pairs of angles on continuous contact
0.75 Full-depth of tee
0.45 Full-width of outstanding leg for single-angle strut or double-angle strut with
separator
Full projecting width for others
Plates Supported along Two Edges
Box flanges and cover plates
1.40 Clear distance between webs minus inside corner radius on each side for box flanges
Distance between lines of welds or bolts for flange cover plates
Webs and other plates elements 1.49 Clear distance between flanges minus fillet radii for webs of rolled beams
Clear distance between edge supports for all others
Perforated cover plates
1.86 Clear distance between edge supports
For rectangular tubes:
b
E
≤1.7
t
Fy
where
D = diameter of tube (mm)
b = width of face (mm)
t = thickness of tube (mm)
Flexural Resistance
The factored flexural resistance, Mr, should be determined as
Mr = φ f Mn
(2.32)
where
Mn = nominal flexural resistance
φf = resistance factor for flexure, φf = 1.0
The nominal flexural resistance of concrete-filled pipes that satisfy the limitation
D
E
≤ 2.8
t
Fy
may be determined:
If
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
D
E
< 2.0
, then Mn = M ps
t
Fy
(2.33)
2-23
Piers and Columns
If 2.0
E D
E
< ≤ 8.8
, then Mn = Myc
Fy
t
Fy
(2.34)
where
Mps = plastic moment of the steel section
Myc = yield moment of the composite section
Combined Axial Compression and Flexure
The axial compressive load, Pu, and concurrent moments, Mux and Muy, calculated for the factored
loadings for both steel and composite columns should satisfy the following relationship:
If
⎛M
M ⎞
Pu
Pu
< 0.2, then
+ ⎜ ux + uy ⎟ ≤ 1.0
Pr
2.0 Pr ⎝ Mrx Mry ⎠
(2.35)
If
Pu
P 8.0 ⎛ Mux Muy ⎞
≥ 0.2, then u +
+
≤ 1.0
Pr
Pr 9.0 ⎜⎝ Mrx Mry ⎟⎠
(2.36)
where
= factored compressive resistance
Pr
Mrx, Mry = factored flexural resistances about x and y axis, respectively
Mux, Muy = factored flexural moments about the x and y axis, respectively
References
1. AASHTO, LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, 1st ed., American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
2. Caltrans, Bridge Memo to Designers (7-10), California Department of Transportation, Sacramento,
1994.
3. White, D. W. and Hajjar, J. F., Application of second-order elastic analysis in LRFD: research to
practice, Eng. J., 28(4), 133, 1994.
4. Galambos, T. V., Ed., Guide to Stability Design for Metal Structures, 4th ed., the Structural Stability
Research Council, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988.
5. ATC, Improved Seismic Design Criteria for California Bridges: Provisional Recommendations,
Applied Technology Council, Report ATC-32, Redwood City, CA, 1996.
6. Cai, S.-H., Chinese standard for concrete-filled tube columns, in Composite Construction in Steel
and Concrete II, Proc. of an Engineering Foundation Conference, Samuel Easterling, W. and Kim
Roddis, W. M., Eds, Potosi, MO, 1992, 143.
7. Cai, S.-H., Ultimate strength of concrete-filled tube columns, in Composite Construction in Steel
and Concrete, Proc. of an Engineering Foundation Conference, Dale Buckner, C. and Viest, I. M.,
Eds, Henniker, NH, 1987, 703.
8. Zhong, S.-T., New concept and development of research on concrete-filled steel tube (CFST)
members, in Proc. 2nd Int. Symp. on Civil Infrastructure Systems, 1996.
9. CECS 28:90, Specifications for the Design and Construction of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Structures,
China Planning Press, Beijing [in Chinese], 1990.
10. AISC, Load and Research Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Buildings and Commentary,
2nd ed., American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL, 1993.
11. Galambos, T. V. and Chapuis, J., LRFD Criteria for Composite Columns and Beam Columns, Revised
Draft, Washington University, Department of Civil Engineering, St. Louis, MO, December 1990.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3
Towers
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Introduction .................................................................3-1
Functions ......................................................................3-2
Aesthetics ......................................................................3-2
Concept Design ............................................................3-4
Materials • Forms and Shapes • Erection
3.4
Final Design................................................................3-11
3.6
3.7
Construction...............................................................3-14
Summary ....................................................................3-15
Design Loads • Design Considerations
Charles Seim
T. Y. Lin International
3.1
Introduction
Towers are the most visible structural elements of long-span bridges. They project above the
superstructure and are seen from all directions by viewers and by users. Towers give bridges their
character and a unifying theme. They project a mnemonic image that people remember as a lasting
impression of the bridge itself. As examples of the powerful imagery of towers, contrast the elegant
art deco towers of the Golden Gate Bridge (Figure 3.1) with the utilitarian but timeless architecture
of the towers of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge (Figure 3.2). Or contrast the massive, rugged
stone towers of the Brooklyn Bridge (Figure 3.3) with the awkward confusing steel towers of the
Williamsburg Bridge in New York City (Figure 3.4).
Towers can be defined as vertical steel or concrete structures projecting above the deck, supporting
cables and carrying the forces to which the bridge is subjected to the ground. By this definition,
towers are used only for suspension bridges or for cable-stayed bridges, or hybrid suspension–cablestayed structures. The word pylon is sometimes used for the towers of cable–stayed bridges. Both
pylon and tower have about the same meaning — a tall and narrow structure supporting itself and
the roadway. In this chapter, the word tower will be used for both suspension and for cabled-stayed
bridges, to avoid any confusion in terms.
Both suspension and cable-stayed bridges are supported by abutments or piers at the point where
these structures transition to the approach roadway or the approach structure. Abutments are
discussed in Chapter 4. Piers and columns that support the superstructure for other forms of bridge
structures such as girders, trusses, or arches, usually do not project above the deck. Piers and columns
are discussed in Chapter 2.
The famous bridges noted above were opened in 1937, 1936, 1883, and 1903, respectively, and, if well
maintained, could continue to serve for another 100 years. Bridge engineers will not design structures
like these today because of changing technologies. These bridges are excellent examples of enduring
structures and can serve to remind bridge engineers that well-designed and maintained structures do
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-1
3-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.1
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
last for 150 years or longer. Robust designs, durable materials, provisions for access for inspection and
maintenance, and a well-executed maintenance program will help ensure a long life. The appearance
of the bridge, good or bad, is locked in for the life of the facility and towers are the most important
visual feature leading to the viewer’s impression of an aesthetic structure.
3.2
Functions
The main structural function of the towers of cable-stayed and suspension bridges is carrying
the weight of the bridge, traffic loads, and the forces of nature to the foundations. The towers
must perform these functions in a reliable, serviceable, aesthetic, and economical manner for the
life of the bridge, as towers, unlike other bridge components, cannot be replaced. Without
reliability, towers may become unsafe and the life of the entire bridge could be shortened. Without
serviceability being designed into the structure, which means that it is designed for access and
ease of maintenance, the bridge will not provide continuing long service to the user. The public
demands that long-span bridges be attractive, aesthetic statements with long lives, so as not to
be wasteful of public funds.
3.3
Aesthetics
While the main function of the towers is structural, an important secondary function is visual. The
towers reveal the character or motif of the bridge. The bridges used as examples in the introduction
are good illustrations of the image of the structure as revealed by the towers. Indeed, perhaps they
are famous because of their towers. Most people visualize the character of the Brooklyn Bridge by
the gothic, arched, masonry towers alone. The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and the Golden
Gate Bridge give completely different impressions to the viewer as conveyed by the towers. Seim
[7] measured the ratios of the visible components of the towers of the latter two bridges and found
important, but subtle, diminution of these ratios with height above the tower base. It is the subtle
changes in these ratios within the height of the towers that produce the much-admired proportions
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-3
Towers
FIGURE 3.2
San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
of these world-renowned bridges. The proportions of the towers for any new long-span bridge
should be carefully shaped and designed to give the entire bridge a strong — even robust — graceful,
and soaring visual image.
The aesthetics of the array of cables many times are of secondary importance to the aesthetics
of the towers. However, the array or form of the cables must be considered in the overall aesthetic
and structural evaluation of the bridge. Main cables of suspension bridges always drape in a
parabolic curve that most people instinctively enjoy. The large diameter of the cables makes them
stand out as an important contribution to the overall visual impression as the supporting element
of the roadway.
The cables of cable-stayed bridges are usually of small diameter and do not stand out visually as
strongly as do the cables of suspension bridges. However, the array of the stays, such as harp, fan,
radiating star, or others, should be considered in context with the tower form. The separated, parallel
cables of the harp form, for example, will not be as obtrusive to the towers as will other arrangements.
However, the harp cable form may not be appropriate for very long spans or for certain tower
shapes. The cables and the towers should be considered together as a visual system.
Billington [2] presents an overview of the importance of the role of aesthetics in the history of
the development of modern bridge design. Leonhardt [5] presents many examples of completed
bridges showing various tower shapes and cable arrangements for both suspension and cablestayed bridges.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.3
3.4
Brooklyn Bridge, New York. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
Conceptual Design
Perhaps the most important step in the design of a new bridge is the design concept for the structure
that ultimately will be developed into a final design and then constructed. The cost, appearance,
and reliability and serviceability of the facility will all be determined, for good or for ill, by the
conceptual design of the structure. The cost can be increased, sometimes significantly, by a concept
that is very difficult to erect. Once constructed, the structure will always be there for users to
admire — or to criticize. The user ultimately pays for the cost of the facility and also usually pays
for the cost of maintaining the structure. Gimsing [4] treats the concept design issues of both cablestayed and suspension bridges very extensively and presents examples to help guide designers.
A proper bridge design that considers the four functions of reliability, serviceability, appearance,
and cost together with an erectable scheme that requires low maintenance, is the ideal that the
design concept should meet.
A recent trend is to employ an architect as part of the design team. Architects may view a structure
in a manner different from engineers, and their roles in the project are not the same. The role of
the engineer is to be involved in all four functions and, most importantly, to take responsibility for
the structural adequacy of the bridge. The role of the architect generally only involves the function
of aesthetics. Their roles overlap in achieving aesthetics, which may also affect the economy of the
structure. Since both engineers and architects have as a common objective an elegant and economical
bridge, there should be cooperation and respect between them.
Occasional differences do occur when the architect’s aesthetic desires conflict with the engineer’s structural calculations. Towers, as the most visible component of the bridge, seem to be a
target for this type of conflict. Each professional must understand that these differences in
viewpoints will occur and must be resolved for a successful and fruitful union between the two
disciplines.
While economy is usually important, on occasions, cost is not an objective because the owner or
the public desires a “symbolic” structure. The architect’s fancy then controls and the engineer can
only provide the functions of safety and serviceability.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-5
Towers
FIGURE 3.4
3.4.1
Williamsburg Bridge, New York. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
Materials
Until the 1970s, steel was the predominant material used for the towers of both cable-stayed and
suspension bridges. The towers were often rectangular in elevation with a cross-sectional shape of
rectangular, cruciform, tee, or a similar shape easily fabricated in steel. Examples of suspension
bridge steel tower design are the plain, rectangular steel towers for the two Delaware Memorial
Bridges; the first constructed in 1951 and the parallel one in 1968 (Figure 3.5). An example of a
cable-stayed bridge that is an exception to the rectangular tower form is the modified A-frame,
weathering-steel towers of the Luling Bridge near New Orleans, 1983 (Figure 3.6).
The cross sections of steel towers are usually designed as a series of adjoining cells formed by
shop-welding steel plates together in units from 6 to 12 m long. The steel towers for a suspension
bridge, and for cable-stayed bridges with stays passing over the top of the tower in saddles, must
be designed for the concentrated load from the saddles. The steel cellular towers for a cable-stayed
bridge with cables framing in the towers must be designed for the local forces from the numerous
anchorages of the cables.
Since the 1970s, reinforced concrete has been used in many forms with rectangular and other
compact cross sections. Concrete towers are usually designed as hollow shafts to save weight and to
reduce the amount of concrete and reinforcing bars required. As with steel towers, concrete towers must
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.5
FIGURE 3.6
Delaware Memorial Bridges. (Courtesy of D. Sailors.)
Luling Bridge, New Orleans, Louisiana. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
be designed for the concentrated load from the saddles at the top, if used, or for the local forces
from the numerous anchorages of the cables framing into the tower shafts
Towers designed in steel will be lighter than towers designed in concrete, thus giving a potential
for savings in foundation costs. Steel towers will generally be more flexible and more ductile and
can be erected in less time than concrete towers. Steel towers will require periodic maintenance
painting, although weathering steel can be used for nonmarine environments.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-7
Towers
FIGURE 3.7 Generic forms for towers of cable-stayed bridges. (a) Single tower, I; (b) double vertical shafts, H; (c)
double cranked shafts; (d) inclined shafts, A; (e) inclined shafts, diamond; (f) inverted Y.
The cost of steel or concrete towers can vary with a number of factors so that market conditions,
contractor’s experience, equipment availability, and the design details and site-specific influences
will most likely determine whether steel or concrete is the most economical material. For pedestrian
bridges, timber towers may be economical and aesthetically pleasing.
During the conceptual design phase of the bridge, approximate construction costs of both materials need to be developed and compared. If life-cycle cost is important, then maintenance operations
and the frequencies of those operations need to be evaluated and compared, usually by a presentworth evaluation.
3.4.2
Forms and Shapes
Towers of cable-stayed bridges can have a wide variety of shapes and forms. Stay cables can also
be arranged in a variety of forms. For conceptual design, the height of cable-stayed towers above
the deck can be assumed to be about 20% of the main span length. To this value must be added
the structural depth of the girder and the clearance to the foundation for determining the approximate total tower height. The final height of the towers will be determined during the final design
phase.
The simplest tower form is a single shaft, usually vertical (Figure 3.7a). Occasionally, the single
tower is inclined longitudinally. Stay cables can be arranged in a single plane to align with the tower
or be splayed outward to connect with longitudinal edge beams. This form is usually employed for
bridges with two-way traffic, to avoid splitting a one-way traffic flow. For roadways on curves, the
single tower may be offset to the outside of the convex curve of the roadway and inclined transversely
to support the curving deck more effectively.
Two vertical shafts straddling the roadway with or without cross struts above the roadway form
a simple tower and are used with two planes of cables (Figure 3.7b) The stay cables would incline
inward to connect to the girder, introducing a tension component across the deck support system;
however, the girders are usually extended outward between the towers to align the cables vertically
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.8
Talmadge Bridge, Georgia. (Courtesy of T. Y. Lin International.)
with the tower shafts. The tower shafts can also be “cranked” or offset above the roadway
(Figure 3.7c). This allows the cables to be aligned in a vertical plane and to be attached to the girder,
which can pass continuously through the towers as used for the Talmadge Bridge, Georgia
(Figure 3.8). A horizontal strut is used between the tower shafts, offset to stabilize the towers.
The two shafts of cable-stayed bridges can be inclined inward toward each other to form a
modified A-frame, similar to the Luling Bridge towers (Figure 3.6), or inclined to bring the shafts
tops together to form a full A-frame (Figure 3.7d). The two planes of stay cables are inclined outward,
producing a more desirable compression component across the deck support system.
The form of the towers of cable-stayed bridge below the roadway is also important for both
aesthetics and costs. The shafts of the towers for a modified A-frame can be carried down to the
foundations at the same slope as above the roadway, particularly for sites with low clearance.
However, at high clearance locations, if the shafts of the towers for a full A-frame or for an inverted
Y-frame are carried down to the foundations at the same slope as above the roadway, the foundations may become very wide and costly. The aesthetic proportions also may be affected adversely.
Projecting the A-frame shafts downward vertically can give an awkward appearance. Sometimes
the lower shafts are inclined inward under the roadway producing a modified diamond
(Figure 3.7e), similar to the towers of the Glebe Island Bridge, Sidney, Australia (Figure 3.9). For
very high roadways, the inward inclination can form a full diamond or a double diamond as in
the Baytown Bridge, Texas (Figure 3.10). For very long spans requiring tall towers, the A-frame
can be extended with a single vertical shaft forming an inverted Y shape (Figure 3.7f) as in the
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-9
Towers
FIGURE 3.9
Glebe Island Bridge, Sidney, Australia. (Courtesy of T. Y. Lin International.)
Yang Pu Bridge, China (Figure 3.11). This form is very effective for very long spans where additional tower height is required and the inclined legs add stiffness and frame action for wind
resistance.
The number of shafts or columns within the towers of cable-stayed bridges can vary from one
to four. Three-shaft towers generally are not used for cable-stayed bridges except for very wide decks.
Four-shaft towers can be used best to support two separate structures instead of a single wide deck.
The towers could share a common foundation or each have its own foundation depending on the cost.
Suspension bridges can have from one to four cables depending on structural or architectural
needs. Only a few single-cable suspension bridges have been designed with an A or inverted Y form
of towers. Usually towers of suspension bridges follow a more traditional design using two vertical
shafts and two planes of cables, as illustrated by the steel towers for the Delaware Memorial Bridges
(see Figure 3.5). However, concrete towers have recently proved to be economical for some bridges.
The very long span (1410 m) Humber Bridge, England, 1983, used uniformly spaced, multi-strut
concrete towers (Figure 3.12). The crossing of the Great Belt seaway in Denmark (Figure 3.13),
opening in 1999, has concrete towers 254 m high with two struts, one near the midheight and one
at the top.
For conceptual designs, the height of suspension bridge towers above the deck depend on the
sag-to-span ratio which can vary from about 1:8 to 1:12. A good preliminary value is about 1:10.
To this value must be added the structural depth of the deck and the clearance to the foundations
to obtain the approximate total tower height. The shafts are usually connected together with several
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.10
Baytown Bridge, Texas. (Courtesy of T. Y. Lin International.)
FIGURE 3.11
Yang Pu Bridge, China. (Courtesy of T. Y. Lin International.)
struts or cross-bracing along the height of the tower, or the shafts are connected at the top with a
large single strut. Some form of strut is usually required for suspension bridges as the large cables
carry lateral wind and seismic loads to the tops of the tower shafts, which then need to be braced
against each other with cross struts to form a tower-frame action.
3.4.3
Erection
During the concept design phase, many different tower forms may be considered, and preliminary
designs and cost estimates completed. Each alternative considered should have at least one method
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-11
Towers
FIGURE 3.12
Humber Bridge, England. (Courtesy of Charles Seim.)
of erection developed during the concept design phase to ensure that the scheme under consideration is feasible to construct. The cost of unusual tower designs can be difficult to estimate and can
add significant cost to the project.
3.5
Final Design
The AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges [1] apply to bridges 150 m or less in span.
For important bridges and for long-span cable-supported bridge projects, special design criteria may
have to be developed by the designer. The special design criteria may have to be also developed in
cooperation with the owners of the facility to include their operations and maintenance requirements
and their bridge-performance expectations after large natural events such as earthquakes. Troitsky [8],
Podolny and Salzi [6], and Walter [9] present detailed design theory for cable-stayed bridges.
Design methodology for the towers should follow the same practice as the design methodology
for the entire bridge. The towers should be part of a global analysis in which the entire structure is
treated as a whole. From the global analyses, the towers can be modeled as a substructure unit with
forces and deformations imposed as boundary conditions.
Detailed structural analyses form the basis for the final design of the tower and its components
and connections. Both cabled-stayed and suspension bridges are highly indeterminate and require
careful analysis in at least a geometric nonlinear program.
3.5.1
Design Loads
The towers are subject to many different loading cases. The towers, as well as the entire structure,
must be analyzed, designed, and checked for the controlling loading cases.
The weight of the superstructure, including the self-weight of the towers, is obtained in the design
process utilizing the unit weights of the materials used in the superstructure and distributed to the
tower in accordance with a structural analysis of the completed structure or by the erection equipment during the construction phases.
Loads from traffic using the bridge such as trains, transit, trucks, or pedestrians are usually
prescribed in design codes and specifications or by the owners of the facility. These are loads moving
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3-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 3.13
Great Belt Bridge, Denmark. (Courtesy of Ben C. Gerwick, Inc.)
across the bridge and the forces imparted to the towers must be obtained from a structural analysis
that considers the moving loading. These are all gravity effects that act downward on the structure,
but will induce both vertical and horizontal forces on the towers.
A current trend for spanning wide widths of waterways is to design multispan bridges linked
together to form a long, continuous structure. With ordinary tower designs, the multispan cablestayed girders will deflect excessively under live loads as the towers will not be sufficiently stiffened
by the cable stays anchored within the flexible adjacent spans. For multispan suspension bridges
with ordinary tower designs, the same excessive live-load deflection can also occur. Towers for
multispan cable-supported bridges must be designed to be sufficiently rigid to control live-load
deflections.
Towers are also subject to temperature-induced displacements, both from the superstructure and
cable framing into the towers, and from the temperature-induced movement of the tower itself.
Towers can expand and contract differentially along the tower height from the sun shining on them
from morning until sunset. These temperature effects can cause deflection and torsional twisting
along the height of the tower.
Wind blowing on the towers as a bluff shape induces forces and displacements in the tower. Forces
will be induced into the cables by the pressure of wind on the superstructure, as well as by the wind
forces on the cables themselves. These additional forces will be carried to the towers.
For long-span bridges and for locations with known high wind speeds, wind should be treated
as a dynamic loading. This usually requires a wind tunnel test on a sectional model of the super-
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-13
Towers
structure in a wind tunnel and, for important bridges, an aeroelastic model in a large wind tunnel.
Under certain wind flows, the wind can also excite the tower itself, particularly if the tower is
designed with light steel components. In the rare instances in which wind-induced excitation of the
tower does occur, appropriate changes in the cross section of the tower can be made or a faring can
be added to change the dynamic characteristics of the tower.
The seismic excitation should be treated as dynamic inertia loadings inducing response within the
structure by exciting the vibrational modes of the towers. Induced seismic forces and displacement
can control the design of towers in locations with high seismic activity. For locations with lower
seismic activity, the tower design should be checked at least for code-prescribed seismic loadings.
A full analysis of the structure will reveal all of the forces, displacements, and other design
requirements for all loading cases for the final tower design.
3.5.2
Design Considerations
Suspension bridge cables pass over cable saddles that are usually anchored to the top of the tower.
A cable produces a large vertical force and smaller, but important, transverse and longitudinal forces
from temperature, wind, earthquake, or from the unbalanced cable forces between main and side
spans. These forces are transmitted through the cable saddle anchorage at each cable location to
the top of the tower. The towers and the permanent saddle anchorages must be designed to resist
these cable forces.
The erection of a suspension bridge must be analyzed and the sequence shown on the construction
plans. To induce the correct loading into the cables of the side span, the erection sequence usually
requires that the saddles be displaced toward the side spans. This is usually accomplished for short
spans by displacing the tops of the towers by pulling with heavy cables. For long spans, the saddles
can be displaced temporarily on rollers. As the stiffening deck elements are being erected into
position and the cable begins to take loads, the towers or saddles are gradually brought into final
vertical alignment. After the erection of the stiffening deck elements are completed, the saddles are
permanently fastened into position to take the unbalanced cable loads from the center and the side spans.
At the deck level, other forces may be imposed on the tower from the box girder or stiffening
truss carrying the roadway. These forces depend on the structural framing of the connection of the
deck and tower. Traditional suspension bridge designs usually terminate the stiffening truss or box
girder at the towers, which produces transverse, and longitudinal, forces on the tower at this point.
Contemporary suspension bridge designs usually provide for passing a box girder continuously
through the tower opening which may produce transverse forces but not longitudinal forces. For
this arrangement, the longitudinal forces must be carried by the girder to the abutments.
The most critical area of the tower design is the tower-to-foundation connection. Both shear
forces and moments are maximum at this point. Anchor bolts are generally used at the base of steel
towers. The bolts must be proportioned to transfer the loads from the tower to the bolts. The bolts
must be deeply embedded in the concrete footing block to transfer their loads to the footing
reinforcement. Providing good drainage for the rainwater running down the tower shafts will
increase the life of the steel paint system at the tower base and provide some protection to the
anchor bolts.
Concrete towers must be joined to the foundations with full shear and moment connections.
Lapped reinforcing bars splices are usually avoided as the lapping tends to congest the connections,
the strength of the bars cannot be developed, and lapped splices cannot be used for high seismic
areas. Using compact mechanical or welded splices will result in less congestion with easier placement of concrete around the reinforcement and a more robust tower-to-footing connection.
Careful coordination between the foundation designers and tower designers is required to achieve
a stable, efficient, and reliable connection.
The cable arrangements for cable-stayed bridges are many and varied. Some arrangements terminate the cables in the tower, whereas other arrangements pass the cable through the tower on
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
cable saddles. Cables terminating in the tower can pass completely through the tower cross section
and then anchor on the far side of the tower. This method of anchoring produces compression in
the tower cross section at these anchorage points. Cables can also be terminated at anchors within
the walls of the tower, producing tension in the tower cross section at the anchorage points. These
tension forces require special designs to provide reliable, long-life support for the cables.
Just as for suspension bridges, the erection of cable-stayed bridges must be analyzed and the
sequence shown on the construction plans. The girders, as they are erected outward from the towers,
are very vulnerable. The critical erection sequence is just before closing the two arms of the girders
at the center of the span. High winds can displace the arms and torque the towers, and heavy
construction equipment can load the arms without benefit of girder continuity to distribute the loads.
3.6
Construction
Towers constructed of structural steel are usually fabricated in a shop by welding together steel
plates and rolled shapes to form cells. Cells must be large enough to allow welders and welding
equipment, and if the steel is to be painted, painters and cleaning and painting equipment inside
each cell.
The steel tower components are transported to the bridge site and then erected by cranes and
bolted together with high-strength bolts. The contractor should use a method of tensioning the
high-strength bolts to give constant results and achieve the required tension. Occasionally, field
welding is used, but this presents difficulties in holding the component rigidly in position while the
weld is completed. Field welding can be difficult to control in poor weather conditions to achieve
ductile welds, particularly for vertical and overhead welds. Full-penetration welds require backup
bars that must be removed carefully if the weld is subject to fatigue loading.
Towers constructed of reinforced concrete are usually cast in forms that are removed and reused,
or jumped to the next level. Concrete placing heights are usually restricted to about 6 to 12 m to
limit form pressure from the freshly placed concrete. Reinforcing bar cages are usually preassembled
on the ground or on a work barge, and lifted into position by crane. This requires the main loadcarrying reinforcing bars to be spliced with each lift. Lapped splices are the easiest to make, but are
not allowed in seismic areas.
Slip forming is an alternative method that uses forms that are pulled slowly upward, reinforcing
bars positioned and the concrete placed in one continuous operation around the clock until the
tower is completed. Slip forming can be economical, particularly for constant-cross-section towers.
Some changes in cross section geometry can be accommodated. For shorter spans, precast concrete
segments can be stacked together and steel tendons tensioned to form the towers.
Tower designers should consider the method of erection that contractors may use in constructing
the towers. Often the design can reduce construction costs by incorporating more easily fabricated
and assembled steel components or assembled reinforcing bar cages and tower shapes that are easily
formed. Of course, the tower design cannot be compromised just to lower erection costs.
Some engineers and many architects design towers that are not vertical but are angled longitudinally toward or away from the main span. This can be done if such a design can be justified
structurally and aesthetically, and the extra cost can be covered within the project budget. The
difficulties of the design of longitudinally inclined towers must be carefully considered as well as
the more expensive and slower erection, which will create additional costs.
Many towers of cable-stayed bridges have legs sloped toward each other to form an A, an inverted
Y, a diamond, or similar shapes. These are not as difficult to construct as the longitudinally inclined
tower design. The sloping concrete forms can be supported by vertical temporary supports and
cross struts that tie the concrete forms together. This arrangement braces the partly cast concrete
tower legs against each other for support. Some of the concrete form supports for the doublediamond towers of the Baytown Bridge are visible in Figure 3.9.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-15
Towers
As the sloped legs are erected, the inclination may induce bending moments and lateral deflection
in the plane of the slope of the legs. Both of these secondary effects must be adjusted by jacking
the legs apart by a calculated amount of force or displacement to release the locked-in bending
stresses. If the amount of secondary stress is small, then cambering the leg to compensate for the
deflection and adding material to lower the induced stress can be used.
The jacking procedure adds cost but is an essential step in the tower erection. Neglecting this
important construction detail can “lock-in” stresses and deflections that will lower the factor of
safety of the tower and, in an extreme case, could cause a failure.
Tower construction usually requires special equipment to erect steel components or concrete
forms to the extreme height of the tower. Suspension bridges and some cable-stayed bridges require
cable saddles to be erected on the tower tops. Floating cranes rarely have the capacity to reach to
the heights of towers designed for long spans. Tower cranes, connected to the tower as it is erected,
can be employed for most tower designs and are a good choice for handling steel forms for the
erection of concrete towers. A tower crane used to jump the forms and raise materials can be seen
in Figure 3.9. Occasionally, vertical traveling cranes are used to erect steel towers by pulling themselves up the face of the tower following the erection of each new tower component.
The erection sequence for a suspension bridge may require that the towers be pulled by cables
from the vertical toward the sides spans or that the cable saddles be placed on rollers and displaced
toward the side spans on temporary supports. The tower restraints are gradually released or the
rollers pushed toward their final position as the erection of the deck element nears completion.
This operation is usually required to induce the design forces into the cables in the side spans. The
cable saddles then are permanently anchored to the towers.
Because the tower erection must be done in stages, each stage must be checked for stability and
for stresses and deflections. The specifications should require the tower erection to be checked by
an engineer, employed by the contractor, for stability and safety at each erection stage. The construction specifications should also require the tower erection stages to be submitted to the design
engineer for an evaluation. This evaluation should be thorough enough to determine if the proposed
tower erection staging will meet the intent of the original design, or if it needs to be modified to
bring the completed tower into compliance.
3.7
Summary
Towers provide the visible means of support of the roadway on which goods and people travel.
Being the most visible elements in a bridge, they give the bridge, for good or for ill, its character,
its motif, and its identifying aesthetic impression. Towers usually form structural portals through
which people pass as they travel from one point to another. Of themselves, towers form an aesthetic
structural statement.
Towers are the most critical structural element in the bridge as their function is to carry the forces
imposed on the bridge to the ground. Unlike most other bridge components, they cannot be replaced
during the life of the bridge. Towers must fulfill their function in a reliable, serviceable, economical,
and aesthetic manner for the entire life of the bridge. Towers must also be practicable to erect
without extraordinary expense.
Practicable tower shapes for cable-stayed bridges are many and varied. Towers can have one or
several legs or shafts arrayed from vertical to inclined and forming A- or inverted Y-shaped frames.
Suspension bridge towers are usually vertical, with two shafts connected with one or several struts.
The conceptual design is the most important phase in the design of a long-span bridge. This
phase sets, among other items, the span length, type of deck system, and the materials and shape
of the towers. It also determines the aesthetic, economics, and constructibility of the bridge. A
conceptual erection scheme should be developed during this phase to ensure that the bridge can
be economically constructed.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
3-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
The final design phase sets the specific shape, dimensions, and materials for the bridge. A practical
erection method should be developed during this phase and shown on the construction drawings.
If an unusual tower design is used, the tower erection should also be shown. The specifications
should allow the contractor to employ an alternative method of erection, provided that the method
is designed by an engineer and submitted to the design engineer for review. It is essential that the
design engineer follow the project into the construction stages. The designer must understand each
erection step that is submitted by the contractor in accordance with the specifications, to ensure
the construction complies with the design documents. Only by this means are owners assured that
the serviceability and reliability that they are paying for are actually achieved in construction.
The successful design of a cable-stayed or a suspension bridge involves many factors and decisions
that must be made during the planning, design, and construction phases of the project. Towers play
an important role in that successful execution. The final judgment of a successful project is made
by the people who use the facility and pay for its construction, maintenance, and long-life service
to society.
References
1. AASHTO, Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
2. Billington, D. P., The Tower and the Bridge, The New Art of Structural Engineering, Basic Books,
New York, 1983.
3. Cerver, F. A., New Architecture in Bridges, Muntaner, Spain, 1992.
4. Gimsing, N. J., Cable-Supported Bridges — Concept and Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997.
5. Leonhardt, F., Bridges, Aesthetics and Design, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1984.
6. Podolny, W. and Scalzi, J. B., Construction and Design of Cable Stayed Bridges, 2nd ed., John Wiley
& Sons, New York, 1986.
7. Seim, C., San Francisco Bay’s jeweled necklace, ASCE Civil Eng., 66(1), 14A, 1996.
8. Troitsky, M. S., Cable Stayed Bridges, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1988.
9. Walter, R., Cable Stayed Bridges, Thomas Telford, U.K., 1988.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4
Abutments and
Retaining Structures
4.1
4.2
Introduction .................................................................4-1
Abutments ....................................................................4-1
Abutment Types • General Design Considerations •
Seismic Design Considerations • Miscellaneous
Design Considerations • Design Example
Linan Wang
California Transportation
Department
Chao Gong
ICF Kaiser Engineers, Inc.
4.1
4.3
Retaining Structures...................................................4-22
Retaining Structure Types • Design Criteria •
Cantilever Retaining Wall Design Example • Tieback
Wall • Reinforced Earth-Retaining Structure •
Seismic Consideration for Retaining Structures
Introduction
As a component of a bridge, the abutment provides the vertical support to the bridge superstructure
at the bridge ends, connects the bridge with the approach roadway, and retains the roadway base
materials from the bridge spans. Although there are numerous types of abutments and the abutments for the important bridges may be extremely complicated, the analysis principles and design
methods are very similar. In this chapter the topics related to the design of conventional highway
bridge abutments are discussed and a design example is illustrated.
Unlike the bridge abutment, the earth-retaining structures are mainly designed for sustaining
lateral earth pressures. Those structures have been widely used in highway construction. In this
chapter several types of retaining structures are presented and a design example is also given.
4.2
Abutments
4.2.1
Abutment Types
Open-End and Closed-End Abutments
From the view of the relation between the bridge abutment and roadway or water flow that the
bridge overcrosses, bridge abutments can be divided into two categories: open-end abutment and
closed-end abutment, as shown in Figure 4.1.
For the open-end abutment, there are slopes between the bridge abutment face and the edge of
the roadway or river canal that the bridge overcrosses. Those slopes provide a wide open area for
the traffic flows or water flows under the bridge. It imposes much less impact on the environment
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-1
4-2
FIGURE 4.1
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Typical abutment types.
and the traffic flows under the bridge than a closed-end abutment. Also, future widening of the
roadway or water flow canal under the bridge by adjusting the slope ratios is easier. However, the
existence of slopes usually requires longer bridge spans and some extra earthwork. This may result
in an increase in the bridge construction cost.
The closed-end abutment is usually constructed close to the edge of the roadways or water canals.
Because of the vertical clearance requirements and the restrictions of construction right of way,
there are no slopes allowed to be constructed between the bridge abutment face and the edge of
roadways or water canals, and high abutment walls must be constructed. Since there is no room or
only a little room between the abutment and the edge of traffic or water flow, it is very difficult to
do the future widening to the roadways and water flow under the bridge. Also, the high abutment
walls and larger backfill volume often result in higher abutment construction costs and more
settlement of road approaches than for the open-end abutment.
Generally, the open-end abutments are more economical, adaptable, and attractive than the
closed-end abutments. However, bridges with closed-end abutments have been widely constructed
in urban areas and for rail transportation systems because of the right-of-way restriction and the
large scale of the live load for trains, which usually results in shorter bridge spans.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Abutments and Retaining Structures
4-3
Monolithic and Seat-Type Abutments
Based on the connections between the abutment stem and the bridge superstructure, the abutments
also can be grouped in two categories: the monolithic or end diaphragm abutment and the seattype abutment, as shown in Figure 4.1.
The monolithic abutment is monolithically constructed with the bridge superstructure. There is
no relative displacement allowed between the bridge superstructure and abutment. All the superstructure forces at the bridge ends are transferred to the abutment stem and then to the abutment
backfill soil and footings. The advantages of this type of abutment are its initial lower construction
cost and its immediate engagement of backfill soil that absorbs the energy when the bridge is
subjected to transitional movement. However, the passive soil pressure induced by the backfill soil
could result in a difficult-to-design abutment stem, and higher maintenance cost might be expected.
In practice, this type of abutment is mainly constructed for short bridges.
The seat-type abutment is constructed separately from the bridge superstructure. The bridge
superstructure seats on the abutment stem through bearing pads, rock bearings, or other devices.
This type of abutment allows the bridge designer to control the superstructure forces that are to be
transferred to the abutment stem and backfill soil. By adjusting the devices between the bridge
superstructure and abutment, the bridge displacement can be controlled. This type of abutment
may have a short stem or high stem, as shown in Figure 4.1. For a short-stem abutment, the abutment
stiffness usually is much larger than the connection devices between the superstructure and the
abutment. Therefore, those devices can be treated as boundary conditions in the bridge analysis.
Comparatively, the high stem abutment may be subject to significant displacement under relatively
less force. The stiffness of the high stem abutment and the response of the surrounding soil may
have to be considered in the bridge analysis. The availability of the displacement of connection
devices, the allowance of the superstructure shrinkage, and concrete shortening make this type of
abutment widely selected for the long bridge constructions, especially for prestressed concrete
bridges and steel bridges. However, bridge design practice shows that the relative weak connection
devices between the superstructure and the abutment usually require the adjacent columns to be
specially designed. Although the seat-type abutment has relatively higher initial construction cost
than the monolithic abutment, its maintenance cost is relatively lower.
Abutment Type Selection
The selection of an abutment type needs to consider all available information and bridge design
requirements. Those may include bridge geometry, roadway and riverbank requirements, geotechnical and right-of-way restrictions, aesthetic requirements, economic considerations, etc. Knowledge
of the advantages and disadvantages for the different types of abutments will greatly benefit the
bridge designer in choosing the right type of abutment for the bridge structure from the beginning
stage of the bridge design.
4.2.2
General Design Considerations
Abutment design loads usually include vertical and horizontal loads from the bridge superstructure,
vertical and lateral soil pressures, abutment gravity load, and the live-load surcharge on the abutment
backfill materials. An abutment should be designed so as to withstand damage from the Earth
pressure, the gravity loads of the bridge superstructure and abutment, live load on the superstructure
or the approach fill, wind loads, and the transitional loads transferred through the connections
between the superstructure and the abutment. Any possible combinations of those forces, which
produce the most severe condition of loading, should be investigated in abutment design. Meanwhile, for the integral abutment or monolithic type of abutment, the effects of bridge superstructure
deformations, including bridge thermal movements, to the bridge approach structures must be
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 4.1
Abutment Design Loads (Service Load Design)
Case
Abutment Design Loads
Dead load of superstructure
Dead load of wall and footing
Dead load of earth on heel of wall including surcharge
Dead load of earth on toe of wall
Earth pressure on rear of wall including surcharge
Live load on superstructure
Temperature and shrinkage
Allowable pile capacity of allowable soil pressure in % or basic
FIGURE 4.2
I
II
III
IV
V
X
X
X
X
X
X
—
100
X
X
X
X
X
—
—
100
—
X
X
X
X
—
—
150
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
125
X
X
—
—
—
—
—
150
Configuration of abutment design load and load combinations.
considered in abutment design. Nonseismic design loads at service level and their combinations are
shown in Table 4.1 and Figure 4.2. It is easy to obtain the factored abutment design loads and load
combinations by multiplying the load factors to the loads at service levels. Under seismic loading,
the abutment may be designed at no support loss to the bridge superstructure while the abutment
may suffer some damages during a major earthquake.
The current AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications recommend that either the service load design
or the load factor design method be used to perform an abutment design. However, due to the
uncertainties in evaluating the soil response to static, cycling, dynamic, and seismic loading, the
service load design method is usually used for abutment stability checks and the load factor method
is used for the design of abutment components.
The load and load combinations listed in Table 4.1 may cause abutment sliding, overturning, and
bearing failures. Those stability characteristics of abutment must be checked to satisfy certain
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-5
Abutments and Retaining Structures
restrictions. For the abutment with spread footings under service load, the factor of safety to resist
sliding should be greater than 1.5; the factor of safety to resist overturning should be greater than
2.0; the factor of safety against soil bearing failure should be greater than 3.0. For the abutment
with pile support, the piles have to be designed to resist the forces that cause abutment sliding,
overturning, and bearing failure. The pile design may utilize either the service load design method
or the load factor design method.
The abutment deep shear failure also needs to be studied in abutment design. Usually, the
potential of this kind of failure is pointed out in the geotechnical report to the bridge designers.
Deep pilings or relocating the abutment may be used to avoid this kind of failure.
4.2.3
Seismic Design Considerations
Investigations of past earthquake damage to the bridges reveal that there are commonly two types
of abutment earthquake damage — stability damage and component damage.
Abutment stability damage during an earthquake is mainly caused by foundation failure due to
excessive ground deformation or the loss of bearing capacities of the foundation soil. Those foundation failures result in the abutment suffering tilting, sliding, settling, and overturning. The
foundation soil failure usually occurs because of poor soil conditions, such as soft soil, and the
existence of a high water table. In order to avoid these kinds of soil failures during an earthquake,
borrowing backfill soil, pile foundations, a high degree of soil compaction, pervious materials, and
drainage systems may be considered in the design.
Abutment component damage is generally caused by excessive soil pressure, which is mobilized
by the large relative displacement between the abutment and its backfilled soil. Those excessive
pressures may cause severe damage to abutment components such as abutment back walls and
abutment wingwalls. However, the abutment component damages do not usually cause the bridge
superstructure to lose support at the abutment and they are repairable. This may allow the bridge
designer to utilize the deformation of abutment backfill soil under seismic forces to dissipate the
seismic energy to avoid the bridge losing support at columns under a major earthquake strike.
The behavior of abutment backfill soil deformed under seismic load is very efficient at dissipating
the seismic energy, especially for the bridges with total length of less than 300 ft (91.5 m) with no
hinge, no skew, or that are only slightly skewed (i.e., <15°). The tests and analysis revealed that if
the abutments are capable of mobilizing the backfill soil and are well tied into the backfill soil, a
damping ratio in the range of 10 to 15% is justified. This will elongate the bridge period and may
reduce the ductility demand on the bridge columns. For short bridges, a damping reduction factor,
D, may be applied to the forces and displacement obtained from bridge elastic analysis which
generally have damped ARS curves at 5% levels. This factor D is given in Eq. (4.1).
D=
1.5
+ 0.5
40 C + 1
(4.1)
where C = damping ratio.
Based on Eq. (4.1), for 10% damping, a factor D = 0.8 may be applied to the elastic force and
displacement. For 15% damping, a factor D = 0.7 may be applied. Generally, the reduction factor
D should be applied to the forces corresponding to the bridge shake mode that shows the abutment
being excited.
The responses of abutment backfill soil to the seismic load are very difficult to predict. The study
and tests revealed that the soil forces, which are applied to bridge abutment under seismic load,
mainly depend on the abutment movement direction and magnitude. In the design practice, the
Mononobe–Okabe method usually is used to quantify those loads for the abutment with no
restraints on the top. Recently, the “near full scale” abutment tests performed at the University of
California at Davis show a nonlinear relationship between the abutment displacement and the
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
backfill soil reactions under certain seismic loading when the abutment moves toward its backfill
soil. This relation was plotted as shown in Figure 4.3. It is difficult to simulate this nonlinear
relationship between the abutment displacement and the backfill soil reactions while performing
bridge dynamic analysis. However, the tests concluded an upper limit for the backfill soil reaction
on the abutment. In design practice, a peak soil pressure acting on the abutment may be predicted
corresponding to certain abutment displacements. Based on the tests and investigations of past
earthquake damages, the California Transportation Department suggests guidelines for bridge analysis considering abutment damping behavior as follows.
FIGURE 4.3
Proposed characteristics and experimental envelope for abutment backfill load–deformation.
By using the peak abutment force and the effective area of the mobilized soil wedge, the peak
soil pressure is compared to a maximum capacity of 7.7 ksf (0.3687 MPa). If the peak soil pressure
exceeds the soil capacity, the analysis should be repeated with reduced abutment stiffness. It is
important to note that the 7.7 ksf (0.3687 MPa) soil pressure is based on a reliable minimum
wall height of 8 ft (2.438 m). If the wall height is less than 8 ft (2.438 m), or if the wall is expected
to shear off at a depth below the roadway less than 8 ft (2.438 m), the allowable passive soil
pressure must be reduced by multiplying 7.7 ksf (0.3687 MPa) times the ratio of (L/8) [2], where
L is the effective height of the abutment wall in feet. Furthermore, the shear capacity of the
abutment wall diaphragm (the structural member mobilizing the soil wedge) should be compared
with the demand shear forces to ensure the soil mobilizations. Abutment spring displacement is
then evaluated against an acceptable level of displacement of 0.2 ft (61 mm). For a monolithictype abutment this displacement is equal to the bridge superstructure displacement. For seattype abutments this displacement usually does not equal the bridge superstructure displacement,
which may include the gap between the bridge superstructure and abutment backwall. However,
a net displacement of about 0.2 ft (61 mm) at the abutment should not be exceeded. Field
investigations after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake revealed that the abutment, which moved
up to 0.2 ft (61 mm) in the longitudinal direction into the backfill soil, appeared to survive with
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-7
Abutments and Retaining Structures
little need for repair. The abutments in which the backwall breaks off before other abutment
damage may also be satisfactory if a reasonable load path can be provided to adjacent bents and
no collapse potential is indicated.
For seismic loads in the transverse direction, the same general principles still apply. The 0.2-ft
(61-mm) displacement limit also applies in the transverse direction, if the abutment stiffness is
expected to be maintained. Usually, wingwalls are tied to the abutment to stiffen the bridge transversely. The lateral resistance of the wingwall depends on the soil mass that may be mobilized by
the wingwall. For a wingwall with the soil sloped away from the exterior face, little lateral resistance
can be predicted. In order to increase the transverse resistance of the abutment, interior supplemental shear walls may be attached to the abutment or the wingwall thickness may be increased,
as shown in Figure 4.4. In some situations larger deflection may be satisfactory if a reasonable load
path can be provided to adjacent bents and no collapse potential is indicated [2].
FIGURE 4.4
Abutment transverse enhancement.
Based on the above guidelines, abutment analysis can be carried out more realistically by a trialand-error method on abutment soil springs. The criterion for abutment seismic resistance design
may be set as follows.
Monolithic Abutment or Diaphragm Abutment (Figure 4.5)
With Footing
EQL £ Rsoil + Vdiaphragm
EQT £ Vww + Vkey
Vkeys = 0.75(Vpiles) for pile footing
Vkeys = m(Dead Load reaction @
bottom of footing)
for spread footing
Without Footing
EQT £ Vww + Vpiles
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
EQL £ Rsoil + Vdiaphragm
4-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 4.5
Seismic resistance elements for monolithic abutment.
Seat-Type Abutment (Figure 4.6)
Seat Type Abutment
EQT £ Rkeys
Vkeys = Vww + 0.75(Vpiles) for pile footing
Vkeys = Vww + m(Dead Load reaction @
bottom of footing)
for spread footing
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
EQL £ Rsoil
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.6
where
EQL
EQT
Rsoil
Rdiaphragm
Rww
Rpiles
Rkeys
j
µ
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
4-9
Seismic resistance elements for seat-type abutment.
longitudinal earthquake force from an elastic analysis
transverse earthquake force from an elastic analysis
resistance of soil mobilized behind abutment
j times the nominal shear strength of the diaphragm
j times the nominal shear strength of the wingwall
j times the nominal shear strength of the piles
j times the nominal shear strength of the keys in the direction of consideration
strength factor for seismic loading
coefficient factor between soil and concrete face at abutment bottom
It is noted that the purpose of applying a factor of 0.75 to the design of shear keys is to reduce the
possible damage to the abutment piles. For all transverse cases, if the design transverse earthquake
force exceeds the sum of the capacities of the wingwalls and piles, the transverse stiffness for the
analysis should equal zero (EQT = 0). Therefore, a released condition which usually results in larger
lateral forces at adjacent bents should be studied.
Responding to seismic load, bridges usually accommodate a large displacement. To provide
support at abutments for a bridge with large displacement, enough support width at the abutment
must be designed. The minimum abutment support width, as shown in Figure 4.7, may be equal
to the bridge displacement resulting from a seismic elastic analysis or be calculated as shown in
Equation (29-2), whichever is larger:
N = (305 + 2.5 L + 10 H )(1 + 0.002 S 2 )
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(4.2)
4-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 4.7
Abutment support width (seismic).
where
N = support width (mm)
L = length (m) of the bridge deck to the adjacent expansion joint, or to the end of bridge deck;
for single-span bridges L equals the length of the bridge deck
S = angle of skew at abutment in degrees
H = average height (m) of columns or piers supporting the bridge deck from the abutment to the
adjacent expansion joint, or to the end of the bridge deck; H = 0 for simple span bridges
4.2.4
Miscellaneous Design Considerations
Abutment Wingwall
Abutment wingwalls act as a retaining structure to prevent the abutment backfill soil and the
roadway soil from sliding transversely. Several types of wingwall for highway bridges are shown in
Figure 4.8. A wingwall design similar to the retaining wall design is presented in Section 4.3. However, live-load surcharge needs to be considered in wingwall design. Table 4.2 lists the live-load
surcharge for different loading cases. Figure 4.9 shows the design loads for a conventional cantilever
wingwall. For seismic design, the criteria in transverse direction discussed in Section 4.2.3 should
be followed. Bridge wingwalls may be designed to sustain some damage in a major earthquake, as
long as bridge collapse is not predicted.
Abutment Drainage
A drainage system is usually provided for the abutment construction. The drainage system
embedded in the abutment backfill soil is designed to reduce the possible buildup of hydrostatic
pressure, to control erosion of the roadway embankment, and to reduce the possibility of soil
liquefaction during an earthquake. For a concrete-paved abutment slope, a drainage system also
needs to be provided under the pavement. The drainage system may include pervious materials,
PSP or PVC pipes, weep holes, etc. Figure 4.10 shows a typical drainage system for highway bridge
construction.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-11
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.8
TABLE 4.2
Typical wingwalls.
Live Load Surcharges for Wingwall Design
Highway truck loading
Rail loading E-60
Rail loading E-70
Rail loading E-80
2 ft 0 in. (610 mm) equivalent soil
7 ft 6 in. (2290 mm) equivalent soil
8 ft 9 in. (2670 mm) equivalent soil
10 ft 0 in. (3050 mm) equivalent soil
Abutment Slope Protection
Flow water scoring may severely damage bridge structures by washing out the bridge abutment
support soil. To reduce water scoring damage to the bridge abutment, pile support, rock slope
protection, concrete slope paving, and gunite cement slope paving may be used. Figure 4.11 shows
the actual design of rock slope protection and concrete slope paving protection for bridge abutments.
The stability of the rock and concrete slope protection should be considered in the design. An
enlarged block is usually designed at the toe of the protections.
Miscellaneous Details
Some details related to abutment design are given in Figure 4.12. Although they are only for regular
bridge construction situations, those details present valuable references for bridge designers.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 4.9
Design loading for cantilever wingwall.
FIGURE 4.10
4.2.5
Typical abutment drainage system.
Design Example
A prestressed concrete box-girder bridge with 5° skew is proposed overcrossing a busy freeway as
shown in Figure 4.13. Based on the roadway requirement, geotechnical information, and the details
mentioned above, an open-end, seat-type abutment is selected. The abutment in transverse direction
is 89 ft (27.13 m) wide. From the bridge analysis, the loads on abutment and bridge displacements
are as listed:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-13
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.11
Superstructure dead load
HS20 live load
1.15 P-load + 1.0 HS load
Longitudinal live load
Longitudinal seismic load
(bearing pad capacity)
Transverse seismic load
Bridge temperature displacement
Bridge seismic displacement
Typical abutment slope protections.
=
=
=
=
=
1630 kips (7251 kN)
410 kips (1824 kN)
280 kips (1245 kN)
248 kips (1103 kN)
326 kips (1450 kN)
= 1241 kips (5520 kN)
= 2.0 in. (75 mm)
= 6.5 in. (165 mm)
Geotechnical Information
Live-load surcharge
Unit weight of backfill soil
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
= 2 ft (0.61 m)
= 120 pcf (1922 kg/m3)
4-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 4.12
Abutment design miscellaneous details.
FIGURE 4.13
Allowable soil bearing pressure
Soil lateral pressure coefficient (Ka)
Friction coefficient
Soil liquefaction potential
Ground acceleration
=
=
=
=
=
Bridge elevation (example).
4.0 ksf (0.19 MPa)
0.3
tan 33°
very low
0.3 g
Design Criteria
Abutment design
Abutment stability
Load factor method
Service load method
Design Assumptions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Superstructure vertical loading acting on the center line of abutment footing;
The soil passive pressure by the soil at abutment toe is neglected;
1.0 feet (0.305 m) wide of abutment is used in the design;
Reinforcement yield stress, fy = 60000 psi (414 MPa);
Concrete strength, fc¢ = 3250 psi (22.41 MPa);
Abutment backwall allowed damage in the design earthquake.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-15
Abutments and Retaining Structures
Solution
1. Abutment Support Width Design
Applying Eq. (4.2) with
L = 6.5 m
H = 90.0 m
S = 5°
the support width will be N = 600 mm. Add 75 mm required temperature movement, the
total required support width equals 675 mm. The required minimum support width for
seismic case equals the sum of the bridge seismic displacement, the bridge temperature
displacement, and the reserved edge displacement (usually 75 mm). In this example, this
requirement equals 315 mm, not in control. Based on the 675-mm minimum requirement,
the design uses 760 mm, OK. A preliminary abutment configuration is shown in Figure 4.14
based on the given information and calculated support width.
FIGURE 4.14
Abutment configuration (example).
2. Abutment Stability Check
Figure 4.15 shows the abutment force diagram,
where
qsc =
qe =
qeq =
PDL =
PHS =
PP =
F =
soil lateral pressure by live-load surcharge
soil lateral pressure
soil lateral apressure by seismic load
superstructure dead load
HS20 live load
permit live load
longitudinal live load
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 4.15
Feq
Pac
hsc
g
Wi
qsc
qe
qeq
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
Abutment applying forces diagram (example).
longitudinal bridge seismic load
resultant of active seismic soil lateral pressure
height of live-load surcharge
unit weight of soil
weight of abutment component and soil block
ka ¥ g ¥ hsc = 0.3 ¥ 0.12 ¥ 2 = 0.072 ksf (0.0034 MPa)
ka ¥ g ¥ H = 0.3 ¥ 0.12 ¥ 15.5 = 0.558 ksf (0.0267 MPa)
kae ¥ g ¥ H = 0.032 ¥ 0.12 ¥ 15.5 = 0.06 ksf (0.003 MPa)
The calculated vertical loads, lateral loads, and moment about point A are listed in Table 4.3.
The maximum and minimum soil pressure at abutment footing are calculated by
p=
P Ê 6e ˆ
1±
BË
B¯
(4.3)
where
p = soil bearing pressure
P = resultant of vertical forces
B = abutment footing width
e = eccentricity of resultant of forces and the center of footing
e = 2B -
M
P
(4.4)
M = total moment to point A
Referring to the Table 4.1 and Eqs. (4.3) and (4.4) the maximum and minimum soil pressures
under footing corresponding to different load cases are calculated. Since the soil bearing
pressures are less than the allowable soil bearing pressure, the soil bearing stability is OK.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-17
Abutments and Retaining Structures
Load Case
pmax
pmin
pallowable with Allowable % of Overstress
Evaluate
I
II
III
IV
V
Seismic
3.81
3.42
1.84
4.86
2.79
6.73
3.10
2.72
1.22
2.15
1.93
0.54
4.00
4.00
6.00
5.00
6.00
8.00
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
OK
TABLE 4.3 Vertical Forces, Lateral Forces, and Moment about
Point A (Example)
Load
Description
Backwall W1
Stem W2
Footing W3
Backfill soil
Soil surcharge
Front soil W4
Wingwalls
Keys
PDL
PHS
PP
F
Feq
Soil seismic load
Vertical
Load
(kips)
Lateral
Load
(kips)
Arm to A
(ft)
0.94
3.54
4.50
5.85
—
—
1.71
0.85
0.17
18.31
4.61
3.15
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4.33
1.16
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.79
3.66
0.47
7.75
6.00
6.00
10.13
5.17
7.75
2.38
16.12
6.00
6.00
6.00
6.00
9.25
9.25
9.30
Moment to A
(k-ft)
7.28
23.01
27.00
59.23
–22.34
–8.65
4.06
13.70
1.04
110.00
27.64
18.90
–25.80
–33.90
–4.37
Check for the stability resisting the overturning (load case III and IV control):
Load Case
III
IV
Driving Moment
Resist Moment
Factor of Safety
Evaluate
31
56.8
133.55
262.45
4.3
4.62
OK
OK
Checking for the stability resisting the sliding (load case III and IV control)
Load Case
III
IV
Driving Force
Resist Force
Factor of Safety
Evaluation
5.44
8.23
11.91
20.7
2.18
3.26
OK
OK
Since the structure lateral dynamic force is only combined with dead load and static soil
lateral pressures, and the factor of safety FS = 1.0 can be used, the seismic case is not in control.
3. Abutment Backwall and Stem Design
Referring to AASHTO guidelines for load combinations, the maximum factored loads for
abutment backwall and stem are
Location
Backwall level
Bottom of stem
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
V (kips)
M (k-ft)
1.95
10.36
4.67
74.85
4-18
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Abutment Backwall
Try #5 at 12 in. (305 mm) with 2 in. (50 mm) clearance
d = 9.7 in. (245 mm)
As ¥ fy = 0.31 ¥ 60 ¥
a=
As ◊ fy
f ◊ fc¢◊ bw
=
12
= 13.95 kips (62.05 kN )
16
13.95
= 0.42 in. (10.67 mm)
(0.85) (3.25) (12)
a
0.42 ˆ
= 9.33 k ◊ ft (13.46 kN ◊ m)
Mu = f ◊ Mn = f ◊ As ◊ f y Ê d - ˆ = 0.9 ¥ 13.95 ¥ Ê 9.7 Ë
Ë
2 ¯
2¯
> 4.67 k ◊ ft (6.33 kN ◊ m) OK
Vc = 2 fc¢ ◊ bw ◊ d = 2 ¥ 3250 ¥ 12 ¥ 9.7 = 13.27 kips (59.03 kN)
Vu = f ◊ Vc = 0.85 ¥ 13.27 = 11.28 kip (50.17 kN ) > 1.95 kips (8.67 kN )
OK
No shear reinforcement needed.
Abutment Stem
Abutment stem could be designed based on the applying moment variations along the
abutment wall height. Here only the section at the bottom of stem is designed.
Try #6 at 12 in. (305 mm) with 2 in. (50 mm) clearance.
As ¥ fy = 0.44 ¥ 60 = 26.40 kips (117.43 kN )
d = 39.4 in. (1000 mm)
a=
As ◊ fy
f ◊ fc¢◊ bw
=
26.4
= 0.796 in (20.0 mm)
(0.85)(3.25)(12)
0.8 ˆ
a
Mu = f ◊ As ◊ fy Ê d - ˆ = 0.9 ¥ 26.4 ¥ Ê 39.4 Ë
Ë
2 ¯
2¯
= 77.22 k ◊ft (104.7kN◊m)
> 74.85 k ◊ft (101.5kN◊m)
OK
Vc = 2 fc¢ bw d = 2 ¥ 3250 ¥ 12 ¥ 39.4 = 53.91 kips (238 kN)
Vu = f ◊ Vc = 0.85 ¥ 53.91 = 45.81 kips (202.3 kN) > 10.36 kips (46.08 kN)
OK
No shear reinforcement needed.
4. Abutment Footing Design
Considering all load combinations and seismic loading cases, the soil bearing pressure diagram under the abutment footing are shown in Figure 4.16.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-19
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.16
Bearing pressure under abutment footing (example).
a. Design forces:
Section at front face of abutment stem (design for flexural reinforcement):
qa-a = 5.1263 ksf (0.2454 MPa)
M
= 69.4 k-ft (94.1 kN·m)
a-a
Section at d = 30 – 3 – 1 = 26 in. (660 mm) from the front face of abutment stem (design
for shear reinforcement):
qb-b = 5.2341 ksf (0.251 MPa)
V
= 15.4 kips (68.5 kN)
b-b
b. Design flexural reinforcing (footing bottom):
Try #8 at 12, with 3 in. (75 mm) clearance at bottom
d = 30 – 3 – 1 = 26 in. (660 mm)
As ¥ fy = 0.79 ¥ 60 = 47.4 kips (211 kN )
a=
As ◊ fy
f ◊ fc¢◊ bw
=
47.4
= 1.43 in. (36 mm)
(0.85)(3.25)(12)
1.43 ˆ
a
Mn = f ◊ As ◊ fy Ê d - ˆ = 0.9 ¥ 47.4 ¥ Ê 26 Ë
Ë
¯
2 ¯
2
= 89.9 k◊ft (121.89 kN◊m )
> 69.4 k◊ft (94.1 kN◊m )
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
OK
4-20
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Vc = 2 fc¢ ◊ bw ◊ d = 2 ¥ 3250 ¥ 12 ¥ 26 = 35.57 kips (158.24 kN)
Vu = f ◊ Vc = 0.85 ¥ 35.57 = 30.23 kips (134.5 kN) > 15.5 kips (68.5 kN)
OK
No shear reinforcement needed.
Since the minimum soil bearing pressure under the footing is in compression, the
tension at the footing top is not the case. However, the minimum temperature reinforcing,
0.308 in.2/ft (652 mm2/m) needs to be provided. Using #5 at 12 in. (305 mm) at the footing
top yields
A s = 0.31 in.2/ft, (656 mm2/m)
5. Abutment Wingwall Design
The geometry of wingwall is
h = 3.0 ft (915 mm);
S = 2.0 ft (610 mm);
H = 13.0 ft (3960 mm);
L = 18.25 ft (5565 mm)
Referring to the Figure 4.15, the design loads are
VA- A =
=
[
0.36 ¥ 18.25 2
13 + (3 + 13) (3 + 3 ¥ 2) = 34 kips (152.39 kN )
6
[
2
M A- A =
=
]
wL 2
H + (h + H ) (h + 3S)
6
]
[
]
wL
3h 2 + ( H + 4 S) ( H + 2h)
24
0.036 ¥ 18.252
2
3(3) + (13 + 4 ¥ 2) (12 + 2 ¥ 3) = 212.8 k ◊ft (3129 kN◊m)
24
[
]
Design flexural reinforcing. Try using # 8 at 9 (225 mm).
As ¥ fy = 13 ¥ (0.79) ¥ 60 ¥
a=
As ◊ fy
f ◊ fc¢◊ bw
=
12
= 821.6 kips (3682 kN )
9
1280
= 2.97 in. (75 mm)
(0.85)(3.25)(13)(12)
d = 12 – 2 – 0.5 = 9.5 in. (240 mm)
M
n
2.97 ˆ
a
= 493.8 k◊ft (7261 kN ◊ m)
= f ◊ A ◊ f Ê d - ˆ = 0.9 ¥ (821.6) ¥ Ê 9.5 s yË
Ë
¯
2 ¯
2
> 212.8 k◊ft (3129 kN ◊ m)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
OK
Abutments and Retaining Structures
4-21
Checking for shear
Vc = 2 fc¢ ◊ bw ◊ d = 2 ¥ 3250 ¥ 13 ¥ 12 ¥ 9.5 = 168 kips (757.3 kN)
Vu = j ◊ Vc = 0.85 ¥ 168 = 142 kips (636 kN ) > 34 kips (152.3kN)
OK
No shear reinforcing needed.
Since the wingwall is allowed to be broken off in a major earthquake, the adjacent bridge
columns have to be designed to sustain the seismic loading with no wingwall resistance. The
abutment section, footing, and wingwall reinforcing details are shown in Figures 4.17a and b.
FIGURE 4.17
(a) Abutment typical section design (example). (b) Wingwall reinforcing (example).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-22
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
4.3
Retaining Structures
4.3.1
Retaining Structure Types
The retaining structure, or, more specifically, the earth-retaining structure, is commonly required
in a bridge design project. It is common practice that the bridge abutment itself is used as a retaining
structure. The cantilever wall, tieback wall, soil nail wall and mechanically stabilized embankment
(MSE) wall are the most frequently used retaining structure types. The major design function of a
retaining structure is to resist lateral forces.
The cantilever retaining wall is a cantilever structure used to resist the active soil pressure in
topography fill locations. Usually, the cantilever earth-retaining structure does not exceed 10 m in
height. Some typical cantilever retaining wall sections are shown in Figure 4.18a.
The tieback wall can be used for topography cutting locations. High-strength tie strands are
extended into the stable zone and act as anchors for the wall face elements. The tieback wall can
be designed to have minimum lateral deflection. Figure 4.18d shows a tieback wall section.
The MSE wall is a kind of “reinforced earth-retaining” structure. By installing multiple layers of
high-strength fibers inside of the fill section, the lateral deflection of filled soil will be restricted.
There is no height limit for an MSE wall but the lateral deflection at the top of the wall needs to
be considered. Figure 4.18e shows an example of an MSE wall.
The soil nail wall looks like a tieback wall but works like an MSE wall. It uses a series of soil nails
built inside the soil body that resist the soil body lateral movement in the cut sections. Usually, the
soil nails are constructed by pumping cement grout into predrilled holes. The nails bind the soil
together and act as a gravity soil wall. A typical soil nail wall model is shown in Figure 4.18f.
4.3.2
Design Criteria
Minimum Requirements
All retaining structures must be safe from vertical settlement. They must have sufficient resistance
against overturning and sliding. Retaining structures must also have adequate strength for all
structural components.
1. Bearing capacity: Similar to any footing design, the bearing capacity factor of safety should
be ≥1.0. Table 4.4 is a list of approximate bearing capacity values for some common materials.
If a pile footing is used, the soil-bearing capacity between piles is not considered.
2. Overturning resistance: The overturning point of a typical retaining structure is located at the
edge of the footing toe. The overturning factor of safety should be ≥1.50. If the retaining
structure has a pile footing, the fixity of the footing will depend on the piles only.
3. Sliding resistance: The factor of safety for sliding should be ≥1.50. The typical retaining wall
sliding capacity may include both the passive soil pressure at the toe face of the footing and
the friction forces at the bottom of the footing. In most cases, friction factors of 0.3 and 0.4
TABLE 4.4
Bearing Capacity
Bearing Capacity [N]
Material
Alluvial soils
Clay
Sand, confined
Gravel
Cemented sand and gravel
Rock
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
min, kPa
max, kPa
24
48
48
95
240
240
48
190
190
190
480
—
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 4.18
Retaining wall types.
4-24
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
can be used for clay and sand, respectively. If battered piles are used for sliding resistance,
the friction force at the bottom of the footing should be neglected.
4. Structural strength: Structural section moment and shear capacities should be designed
following common strength factors of safety design procedures.
Figure 4.19 shows typical loads for cantilever retaining structure design.
FIGURE 4 19
Typical loads on retaining wall.
Lateral Load
The unit weight of soil is typically in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 ton/m3. For flat backfill cases, if the
backfill material is dry, cohesionless sand, the lateral earth pressure (Figure 4.20a) distribution on
the wall will be as follows
The active force per unit length of wall (Pa) at bottom of wall can be determined as
pa = ka g H
(4.5)
The passive force per unit length of wall (Pa) at bottom of wall can be determined as
pp = kp g H
(4.6)
where
H = the height of the wall (from top of the wall to bottom of the footing)
g = unit weight of the backfill material
ka = active earth pressure coefficient
kp = passive earth pressure coefficient
The coefficients ka and kp should be determined by a geologist using laboratory test data from a
proper soil sample. The general formula is
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-25
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.20
ka =
Lateral Earth pressure.
1 – sin f
1 + sin f
kp =
1 1 + sin f
=
ka 1 - sin f
(4.7)
where f is the internal friction angle of the soil sample.
Table 4.5 lists friction angles for some typical soil types which can be used if laboratory test
data is not available. Generally, force coefficients of ka ≥ 0.30 and kp £ 1.50 should be used for
preliminary design.
TABLE 4.5
Internal Friction Angle and Force Coefficients
Material
Earth, loam
Dry sand
Wet sand
Compact Earth
Gravel
Cinders
Coke
Coal
f(degrees)
ka
kp
30–45
25–35
30–45
15–30
35–40
25–40
30–45
25–35
0.33–0.17
0.41–0.27
0.33–0.17
0.59–0.33
0.27–0.22
0.41–0.22
0.33–0.17
0.41–0.27
3.00–5.83
2.46–3.69
3.00–5.83
1.70–3.00
3.69–4.60
2.46–4.60
3.00–5.83
2.46–3.69
Based on the triangle distribution assumption, the total active lateral force per unit length of wall
should be
Pa =
1
k gH 2
2 a
(4.8)
The resultant earth pressure always acts at distance of H/3 from the bottom of the wall.
When the top surface of backfill is sloped, the ka coefficient can be determined by the Coulomb
equation (see Figure 4.20):
ka =
sin 2 (f + b)
È
sin (f + d ) sin (f – a ) ˘
sin b sin (b – d ) Í1 +
˙
sin (b – d ) sin (a + b) ˙
ÍÎ
˚
2
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
2
(4.9)
4-26
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Note that the above lateral earth pressure calculation formulas do not include water pressure on
the wall. A drainage system behind the retaining structures is necessary; otherwise, the proper water
pressure must be considered.
Table 4.6 gives values of ka for the special case of zero wall friction.
TABLE 4.6 Active Stress Coefficient ka Values from Coulomb
Equation (d = 0)
a
f
bo
0.00°
Flat
18.43°
1 to 3.0
21.80°
1 to 2.5
26.57°
1 to 2.0
33.69°
1 to 1.5
20°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.490
0.523
0.559
0.601
0.648
0.731
0.783
0.842
0.913
0.996
25°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.406
0.440
0.478
0.521
0.569
0.547
0.597
0.653
0.718
0.795
0.611
0.667
0.730
0.804
0.891
30°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.333
0.368
0.407
0.449
0.498
0.427
0.476
0.530
0.592
0.664
0.460
0.512
0.571
0.639
0.718
0.536
0.597
0.666
0.746
0.841
35°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.271
0.306
0.343
0.386
0.434
0.335
0.381
0.433
0.492
0.560
0.355
0.404
0.459
0.522
0.596
0.393
0.448
0.510
0.581
0.665
0.530
0.602
0.685
0.781
0.897
40°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.217
0.251
0.287
0.329
0.375
0.261
0.304
0.353
0.408
0.472
0.273
0.319
0.370
0.429
0.498
0.296
0.346
0.402
0.467
0.543
0.352
0.411
0.479
0.558
0.651
45°
90°
85°
80°
75°
70°
0.172
0.203
0.238
0.277
0.322
0.201
0.240
0.285
0.336
0.396
0.209
0.250
0.297
0.351
0.415
0.222
0.267
0.318
0.377
0.446
0.252
0.304
0.363
0.431
0.513
45.00°
1 to 1.0
0.500
0.593
0.702
0.832
0.990
Any surface load near the retaining structure will generate additional lateral pressure on the
wall. For highway-related design projects, the traffic load can be represented by an equivalent
vertical surcharge pressure of 11.00 to 12.00 kPa. For point load and line load cases (Figure 4.21),
the following formulas can be used to determine the additional pressure on the retaining wall:
For point load:
ph =
1.77V m 2 n2
H 2 m2 + n2
(
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
)
3
(m £ 0.4) ph
0.28V m 2 n2
H 2 0.16 + n3
(
)
(m > 0.4)
(4.10)
4-27
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.21 Additional lateral earth pressure. (a) Uniform surcharge; (b) point or line load; (c) horizontal pressure
distribution of point load.
For line load:
ph =
m2n
p w
4 H m2 + n2
(
)
2
w 0.203n
H 0.16 + n2
(m £ 0.4) ph =
(
)
2
(m > 0.4)
(4.11)
where
m=
y
x
; n=
H
H
Table 4.7 gives lateral force factors and wall bottom moment factors which are calculated by above
formulas.
TABLE 4.7
Line Load and Point Load Lateral Force Factors
Line Load Factors
Point Load Factors
m = x/H
(f)a
(m)b
m = x/H
(f)c
(m)d
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.50
2.00
0.548
0.510
0.469
0.429
0.390
0.353
0.320
0.197
0.128
0.335
0.287
0.245
0.211
0.182
0.158
0.138
0.076
0.047
0.40
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.50
2.00
0.788
0.597
0.458
0.356
0.279
0.220
0.175
0.061
0.025
0.466
0.316
0.220
0.157
0.114
0.085
0.064
0.019
0.007
Notes:
a Total lateral force along the length of wall = factor(f) ¥ w (force)/(unit length).
b Total moment along the length of wall = factor(m) ¥ w ¥ H (force ¥ length)/(unit length) (at bottom of footing).
c Total lateral force along the length of wall = factor(f) ¥ V/H (force)/(unit length).
d Total moment along the length of wall = factor(m) ¥ V (force ¥ length)/(unit length) (at bottom of footing).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-28
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
4.3.3
Cantilever Retaining Wall Design Example
The cantilever wall is the most commonly used retaining structure. It has a good cost-efficiency
record for walls less than 10 m in height. Figure 4.22a shows a typical cross section of a cantilever
retaining wall and Table 4.8 gives the active lateral force and the active moment about bottom of
the cantilever retaining wall.
(a)
(b)
FIGURE 4.22
Design example.
For most cases, the following values can be used as the initial assumptions in the reinforced
concrete retaining wall design process.
•
•
•
•
•
0.4 £ B/H £ 0.8
1/12 £ tbot/H £1/8
Ltoe @ B/3
ttop≥ 300 mm
tfoot ≥ tbot
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-29
Abutments and Retaining Structures
TABLE 4.8
s
h
p
0.00 y
m
p
0.40 y
m
p
0.60 y
m
p
0.80 y
m
p
1.00 y
m
p
1.50 y
m
p
2.00 y
m
s
h
p
0.00 y
m
p
0.40 y
m
p
0.60 y
m
p
0.80 y
m
p
1.00 y
m
p
1.50 y
m
p
2.00 y
m
Cantilever Retaining Wall Design Data with Uniformly Distributed Surcharge Load
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
2.94
0.33
0.98
5.30
0.41
2.16
6.47
0.42
2.75
7.65
0.44
3.33
8.83
0.44
3.92
11.77
0.46
5.39
14.71
0.47
6.86
4.24
0.40
1.69
7.06
0.48
3.39
8.47
0.50
4.24
9.88
0.51
5.08
11.30
0.53
5.93
14.83
0.54
8.05
18.36
0.55
10.17
5.77
0.47
2.69
9.06
0.55
5.00
10.71
0.57
6.15
12.36
0.59
7.30
14.00
0.60
8.46
18.12
0.63
11.34
22.24
0.64
14.22
7.53
0.53
4.02
11.30
0.62
7.03
13.18
0.65
8.54
15.06
0.67
10.04
16.94
0.68
11.55
21.65
0.71
15.31
26.36
0.72
19.08
9.53
0.60
5.72
13.77
0.69
9.53
15.89
0.72
11.44
18.00
0.74
13.34
20.12
0.76
15.25
25.42
0.79
20.02
30.71
0.81
24.78
11.77
0.67
7.84
16.47
0.76
12.55
18.83
0.79
14.91
21.18
0.81
17.26
23.53
0.83
19.61
29.42
0.87
25.50
35.30
0.89
31.38
14.24
0.73
10.44
19.42
0.83
16.14
22.00
0.86
18.98
24.59
0.89
21.83
27.18
0.91
24.68
33.65
0.94
31.80
40.13
0.97
38.92
16.94
0.80
13.56
22.59
0.90
20.33
25.42
0.93
23.72
28.24
0.96
27.11
31.07
0.98
30.50
38.13
1.02
38.97
45.19
1.05
47.45
19.89
0.87
17.24
26.01
0.97
25.19
29.06
1.00
29.17
32.12
1.03
33.14
35.18
1.06
37.12
42.83
1.10
47.06
50.48
1.13
57.01
23.06
0.93
21.53
29.65
1.04
30.75
32.95
1.07
35.36
36.24
1.10
39.98
39.54
1.13
44.59
47.77
1.17
56.12
56.01
1.21
67.65
26.48
1.00
26.48
33.54
1.11
37.07
37.07
1.14
42.36
40.60
1.17
47.66
44.13
1.20
52.95
52.95
1.25
66.19
61.78
1.29
79.43
3.2
3.4
3.6
3.8
4.0
4.2
4.4
4.6
4.8
5.0
5.2
51.89
1.40
72.65
61.78
1.51
93.41
66.72
1.56
103.79
71.66
1.59
114.17
76.60
1.63
124.54
88.96
1.69
150.49
101.32
1.74
176.44
56.95
1.47
83.53
67.31
1.58
106.31
72.49
1.62
117.70
77.66
1.66
129.09
82.84
1.70
140.48
95.79
1.76
168.96
108.73
1.82
197.44
62.25
1.53
95.45
73.07
1.65
120.35
78.49
1.69
132.80
83.90
1.73
145.25
89.31
1.77
157.70
102.85
1.84
188.82
116.38
1.89
219.94
67.78
1.60
108.45
79.08
1.71
135.56
84.72
1.76
149.11
90.37
1.80
162.67
96.02
1.84
176.23
110.14
1.91
210.12
124.26
1.96
244.00
73.55
1.67
122.58
85.31
1.78
151.99
91.20
1.83
166.70
97.08
1.87
181.41
102.96
1.90
196.12
117.67
1.98
232.89
132.38
2.04
269.67
79.55
1.73
137.88
91.78
1.85
169.70
97.90
1.90
185.61
104.02
1.94
201.52
110.14
1.97
217.43
125.44
2.05
257.20
140.74
2.11
296.97
30.12 34.01 38.13 42.48
1.07
1.13
1.20
1.27
32.13 38.54 45.75 53.81
37.66 42.01 46.60 51.42
1.17
1.24
1.31
1.38
44.18 52.14 61.00 70.80
41.42 46.01 50.83 55.89
1.21
1.28
1.35
1.42
50.21 58.95 68.63 79.30
45.19 50.01 55.07 60.37
1.24
1.31
1.38
1.45
56.23 65.75 76.25 87.79
48.95 54.01 59.31 64.84
1.27
1.34
1.41
1.49
62.26 72.55 83.88 96.29
58.37 64.01 69.90 76.02
1.32
1.40
1.47
1.55
77.32 89.55 102.94 117.53
67.78 74.02 80.49 87.19
1.36
1.44
1.52
1.59
92.38 106.56 122.00 138.77
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
47.07
1.33
62.76
56.48
1.44
81.59
61.19
1.49
91.00
65.90
1.52
100.41
70.60
1.56
109.83
82.37
1.62
133.36
94.14
1.67
156.90
4-30
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 4.8
s
h
p
0.00 y
m
p
0.40 y
m
p
0.60 y
m
p
0.80 y
m
p
1.00 y
m
p
1.50 y
m
p
2.00 y
m
s
h
p
0.00 y
m
p
0.40 y
m
p
0.60 y
m
p
0.80 y
m
p
1.00 y
m
p
1.50 y
m
p
2.00 y
m
Cantilever Retaining Wall Design Data with Uniformly Distributed Surcharge Load
5.4
85.78
1.80
154.41
98.49
1.92
188.72
104.85
1.96
205.88
111.20
2.01
223.04
117.55
2.04
240.19
133.44
2.12
283.08
149.33
2.18
325.97
7.6
169.92
2.53
430.46
187.80
2.65
498.43
196.75
2.71
532.41
205.69
2.75
566.39
214.63
2.80
600.38
236.99
2.89
685.34
259.35
2.97
770.30
5.6
92.25
1.87
172.21
105.43
1.98
209.11
112.02
2.03
227.56
118.61
2.07
246.01
125.20
2.11
264.46
141.68
2.19
310.59
158.15
2.26
356.72
7.8
178.98
2.60
465.35
197.34
2.72
536.94
206.51
2.77
572.73
215.69
2.82
608.53
224.87
2.87
644.32
247.82
2.96
733.81
270.76
3.04
823.30
5.8
98.96
1.93
191.33
112.61
2.05
230.91
119.44
2.10
250.70
126.26
2.14
270.50
133.09
2.18
290.29
150.15
2.26
339.77
167.21
2.33
389.25
7.0
144.15
2.33
336.35
160.62
2.45
394.01
168.86
2.50
422.83
177.10
2.55
451.66
185.33
2.59
480.49
205.93
2.68
552.57
226.52
2.76
624.64
6.0
105.90
2.00
211.81
120.03
2.12
254.17
127.09
2.17
275.35
134.15
2.21
296.53
141.21
2.25
317.71
158.86
2.33
370.67
176.51
2.40
423.62
8.2
197.81
2.73
540.67
217.10
2.85
619.79
226.75
2.91
659.36
236.40
2.96
698.92
246.05
3.00
738.48
270.17
3.10
837.38
294.30
3.18
936.28
6.2
113.08
2.07
233.70
127.67
2.18
278.94
134.97
2.23
301.55
142.27
2.28
324.17
149.56
2.32
346.79
167.80
2.40
403.33
186.04
2.47
459.87
8.4
6.4
6.6
6.8
7.0
7.2
7.4
120.50
2.13
257.06
135.56
2.25
305.26
143.09
2.30
329.36
150.62
2.35
353.46
158.15
2.39
377.55
176.98
2.47
437.80
195.81
2.54
498.05
128.14
2.20
281.92
143.68
2.32
333.18
151.44
2.37
358.81
159.21
2.41
384.43
166.98
2.46
410.06
186.39
2.54
474.14
205.81
2.62
538.21
136.03
2.27
308.33
152.03
2.39
362.74
160.03
2.44
389.95
168.04
2.48
417.16
176.04
2.52
444.36
196.04
2.61
512.38
216.05
2.69
580.39
144.15
2.33
336.35
160.62
2.45
394.01
168.86
2.50
422.83
177.10
2.55
451.66
185.33
2.59
480.49
205.93
2.68
552.57
226.52
2.76
624.64
152.50
2.40
366.01
169.45
2.52
427.01
177.92
2.57
457.51
186.39
2.62
488.01
194.86
2.66
518.51
216.05
2.75
594.76
237.23
2.83
671.01
161.09
2.47
397.36
178.51
2.59
461.80
187.22
2.64
494.02
195.92
2.69
526.24
204.63
2.73
558.46
226.40
2.82
639.00
248.17
2.90
719.55
8.6
8.8
9.0
9.2
9.5
10.0
207.57 217.58 227.81 238.29 248.99 265.50 294.18
2.80
2.87
2.93
3.00
3.07
3.17
3.33
581.21 623.72 668.25 714.86 763.58 840.74 980.60
227.34 237.82 248.52 259.47 270.65 287.86 317.71
2.92
2.99
3.06
3.12
3.19
3.29
3.46
664.23 710.75 759.38 810.17 863.18 946.94 1098.27
237.23 247.93 258.88 270.06 281.47 299.03 329.48
2.98
3.04
3.11
3.18
3.24
3.34
3.51
705.75 754.26 804.94 857.83 912.98 1000.04 1157.11
247.11 258.05 269.23 280.65 292.30 310.21 341.25
3.02
3.09
3.16
3.23
3.29
3.39
3.56
747.26 797.78 850.50 905.49 962.78 1053.14 1215.94
257.00 268.17 279.59 291.24 303.12 321.39 353.02
3.07
3.14
3.20
3.27
3.34
3.44
3.61
788.78 841.29 896.06 953.14 1012.58 1106.24 1274.78
281.71 293.47 305.48 317.71 330.19 349.34 382.43
3.17
3.24
3.31
3.38
3.44
3.55
3.72
892.57 950.08 1009.97 1072.29 1137.07 1238.99 1421.87
306.42 318.77 331.36 344.19 357.25 377.29 411.85
3.25
3.32
3.39
3.46
3.53
3.64
3.81
996.35 1058.87 1123.88 1191.43 1261.57 1371.74 1568.96
Notes:
1. s = equivalent soil thickness for uniformly distributed surcharge load (m).
2. h = wall height (m); the distance from bottom of the footing to top of the wall.
3. Assume soil density = 2.0 ton/m3.
4. Active earth pressure factor ka = 0.30.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-31
Abutments and Retaining Structures
Example
Given
A reinforced concrete retaining wall as shown in Figure 4.22b:
Ho = 3.0 m; surcharge w = 11.00 kPa
Earth internal friction angle f = 30°
Earth unit weight g = 1.8 ton/m3
Bearing capacity [s] = 190 kPa
Friction coefficient f = 0.30
Solution
1. Select Control Dimensions
Try h = 1.5 m, therefore, H = Ho + h = 3.0 + 1.5 = 4.5 m.
Use
t bot = 1/10H = 0.45 m fi 500 mm; ttop = tbot = 500 mm
tfoot = 600 mm
Use
B = 0.6H = 2.70 m fi 2700 mm;
Ltoe = 900 mm; therefore, Lheel = 2.7 – 0.9 – 0.5 = 1.3 m = 1300 mm
2. Calculate Lateral Earth Pressure
From Table 4.4, ka = 0.33 and kp = 3.00.
Active Earth pressure:
Part 1 (surcharge) P1 = kawH = 0.33(11.0)(4.5) = 16.34 kN
Part 2 P 2 = 0.5 kag H 2 = 0.5(0.33)(17.66)(4.5)2 = 59.01 kN
Maximum possible passive Earth pressure:
Pp = 0.5kpgh 2 = 0.5(3.00)(17.66)(1.5)2
= 59.60 kN
3. Calculate Vertical Loads
Surcharge
Ws (11.00)(1.3)
= 14.30 kN
Use r = 2.50 ton/m3 as the unit weight of reinforced concrete
Wall
Ww 0.50 (4.5 – 0.6) (24.53)
= 47.83 kN
Footing
Wf 0.60 (2.70) (24.53)
= 39.74 kN
Soil cover at toe
W t 17.66 (1.50 – 0.60) (0.90)
= 14.30 kN
Soil cover at heel W h 17.66 (4.50 – 0.60) (1.30)
= 89.54 kN
Total 205.71 kN
Hence, the maximum possible friction force at bottom of footing
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-32
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
F = f Ntot = 0.30 (205.71) = 61.71 kN
4. Check Sliding
Total lateral active force (include surcharge)
P1 + P2 = 16.34 + 59.01 = 75.35 kN
Total maximum possible sliding resistant capacity
Passive + friction = 59.60 + 61.71 = 121.31 kN
Sliding safety factor = 121.31/75.35 = 1.61 > 1.50
OK
5. Check Overturning
Take point A as the reference point
Resistant moment (do not include passive force for conservative)
Surcharge
14.30 (1.3/2 + 0.5 + 0.9)
= 29.32 kN·m
Soil cover at heel 89.54 (1.3/2 + 0.5 + 0.9)
= 183.56 kN·m
Wall
47.83 (0.5/2 + 0.9)
= 55.00 kN·m
Soil cover at toe
14.30 (0.9/2)
=
Footing
39.74 (2.7/2)
6.44 kN·m
= 53.65 kN·m
Total 327.97 kN·m
Overturning moment
P1(H/2) + P2(H/3) = 16.34 (4.5)/2 + 59.01 (4.5)/3 = 125.28 kN·m
Sliding safety factor = 327.97/125.28 = 2.62 > 1.50
OK
6. Check Bearing
Total vertical load
N tot = 205.71 kN
Total moment about center line of footing:
• Clockwise (do not include passive force for conservative)
Surcharge
14.30 (2.70/2 – 1.30/2)
= 10.01 kN·m
Soil cover @ heel 89.54 (2.70/2 – 1.30/2)
= 62.68 kN·m
72.69 kN·m
• Counterclockwise
Wall
47.83 (2.70/2 – 0.9 – 0.5/2)
=
Soil cover at toe
14.30 (2.70/2 – 0.9/2)
= 12.87 kN·m
Active earth pressure
9.57 kN·m
= 125.28 kN·m
147.72 kN·m
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-33
Abutments and Retaining Structures
Total moment at bottom of footing
Mtot = 147.72-72.69 = 75.03 kN·m (counterclockwise)
Maximum bearing stress
s = N tot/A ± Mtot/S
where
A = 2.70 (1.0) = 2.70 2m
2
S = 1.0 (2.7)
/6 = 1.22 3m
Therefore:
smax = 205.71/2.70 + 75.03/1.22 = 137.69 kPa
<[s] = 190 kPa
and
s min = 205.71/2.70 – 75.03/1.22 = 14.69 kPa
>0
OK
7. Flexure and Shear Strength
Both wall and footing sections need to be designed to have enough flexure and shear capacity.
4.3.4
Tieback Wall
The tieback wall is the proper structure type for cut sections. The tiebacks are prestressed anchor
cables that are used to resist the lateral soil pressure. Compared with other types of retaining
structures, the tieback wall has the least lateral deflection. Figure 4.23 shows the typical components
and the basic lateral soil pressure distribution on a tieback wall.
The vertical spacing of tiebacks should be between 1.5 and 2.0 m to satisfy the required clearance
for construction equipment. The slope angle of drilled holes should be 10 to 15° for grouting
convenience. To minimize group effects, the spacing between the tiebacks should be greater than
three times the tieback hole diameter, or 1.5 m minimum.
The bond strength for tieback design depends on factors such as installation technique, hole
diameter, etc. For preliminary estimates, an ultimate bound strength of 90 to 100 kPa may be
assumed. Based on construction experience, most tieback hole diameters are between 150 and
300 mm, and the tieback design capacity is in the range of 150 to 250 kN. Therefore, the corresponding lateral spacing of the tieback will be 2.0 to 3.0 m. The final tieback capacity must be prooftested by stressing the test tieback at the construction site.
A tieback wall is built from the top down in cut sections. The wall details consist of a base layer
and face layer. The base layer may be constructed by using vertical soldier piles with timber or
concrete lagging between piles acting as a temporary wall. Then, a final cast-in-place reinforcedconcrete layer will be constructed as the finishing layer of the wall. Another type of base layer that
has been used effectively is cast-in-place “shotcrete” walls.
4.3.5
Reinforced Earth-Retaining Structure
The reinforced earth-retaining structure can be used in fill sections only. There is no practical height
limit for this retaining system, but there will be a certain amount of lateral movement. The essential
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 4.23
Tieback wall. (a) Minimum unbond length; (b) earth pressure distribution distribution; (c) typical load diagram.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-35
Abutments and Retaining Structures
FIGURE 4.24
Mechanical Stabilized Earth (MSE).
concept is the use of multiple-layer strips or fibers to reinforce the fill material in the lateral direction
so that the integrated fill material will act as a gravity retaining structure. Figure 4.24 shows the
typical details of the MSE retaining structure.
Typically, the width of fill and the length of strips perpendicular to the wall face are on the order
of 0.8 of the fill height. The effective life of the material used for the reinforcing must be considered.
Metals or nondegradable fabrics are preferred.
Overturning and sliding need to be checked under the assumption that the reinforced soil body
acts as a gravity retaining wall. The fiber strength and the friction effects between strip and fill
material also need to be checked. Finally, the face panel needs to be designed as a slab which is
anchored by the strips and subjected to lateral soil pressure.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-36
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
4.3.6
Seismic Considerations for Retaining Structures
Seismic effects can be neglected in most retaining structure designs. For oversized retaining structures (H > 10 m), the seismic load on a retaining structure can be estimated by using the Mononobe–Okabe solution.
Soil Body ARS Factors
The factors kv and kh represent the maximum possible soil body acceleration values under seismic
effects in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Similar to other seismic load representations, the acceleration due to gravity will be used as the basic unit of kv and kh.
Unless a specific site study report is available, the maximum horizontal ARS value multiplied by
0.50 can be used as the kh design value. Similarly, kv will be equal to 0.5 times the maximum vertical
ARS value. If the vertical ARS curve is not available, kv can be assigned a value from 0.1kh to 0.3kh.
Earth Pressure with Seismic Effects
Figure 4.25 shows the basic loading diagram for earth pressure with seismic effects. Similar to a
static load calculation, the active force per unit length of wall (Pac) can be determined as:
Pae =
1
k g (1 - kv ) H 2
2 ae
(4.12)
where
È k ˘
q¢ = tan –1 Í h ˙
Î1 - kv ˚
kae =
(4.13)
sin 2 (f + b - q¢)
È
sin (f + d ) sin (f - q¢ - a ) ˘
cos q¢ sin b sin (b - q¢ - d) Í1 +
˙
sin (b - q¢ - d ) sin (a + b) ˙˚
ÍÎ
2
(4.14)
2
Note that with no seismic load, kv = kh = q¢ = 0. Therefore, Kac = Ka.
The resultant total lateral force calculated above does not act at a distance of H/3 from the bottom
of the wall. The following simplified procedure is often used in design practice:
• Calculate Pae (total active lateral earth pressure per unit length of wall)
• Calculate Pa = ½ kagH2 (static active lateral earth pressure per unit length of wall)
FIGURE 4.25
Load diagram for Earth pressure with seismic effects.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
4-37
Abutments and Retaining Structures
• Calculate DP = Pae – Pa
• Assume Pa acts at a distance of H/3 from the bottom of the wall
• Assume DP acts at a distance of 0.6H from the bottom of the wall
The total earth pressure, which includes seismic effects Pae, should always be bigger than the static
force Pa. If the calculation results indicate DP < 0, use kv = 0.
Using a procedure similar to the active Earth pressure calculation, the passive Earth pressure with
seismic effects can be determined as follows:
Ppe =
1
k g (1 - kv ) H 2
2 pe
(4.15)
where
È k ˘
q¢ = tan -1 Í h ˙
Î1 - kv ˚
k pe =
sin 2 (b + q¢ - f)
È
sin (f + d ) sin (f - q¢ + a ) ˘
cos q¢ sin 2 b sin (b + q¢ + d - 90) Í1 ˙
sin (b + q¢ + d) sin (a + b) ˙˚
ÍÎ
(4.16)
2
Note that, with no seismic load, kpc = kp.
References
1. AASHTO, Standar d Specifications for Highway Bridges, 16th ed., American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1996.
2. Bridge Memo to Designers Manual, Department of Transportation, State of California, Sacramento.
3. Brian H. Maroney, Matt Griggs, Eric Vanderbilt, Bruce Kutter, Yuk H. Chai and Karl Romstad,
Experimental measurements of bridge abutment behavior, in Proceeding of Second Annual Se ismic
Research Workshop, Division of Structures, Department of Transportation, Sacramento, CA, March
1993.
4. Brian H. Maroney and Yuk H. Chai, Bridge abutment stiffness and strength under earthquake
loadings, in Proceedings of the Second Internat ional Workshop of Seismic D esign and Retroffitting of
Reinforced Concrete Bridges, Queenstown, New Zealand, August 1994.
5. Rakesh K. Goel, Earthquake behavior of bridge with integral abutment, in Proceedings of the
National Se ismic C onference on Bridges and Highways, Sacramento, CA, July 1997.
6. E. C. Sorensen, Nonlinear soil-structure interaction analysis of a 2-span bridge on soft clay foundation, in Proceedings of the National Se ismic C onference on Bridges and Highways, Sacramento,
CA, July 1997.
7. AEAR, Manual for Railway Engineering, 1996.
8. Braja M. Das, Principles of Foundat ion Engineering, PWS-KENT Publishing Company, Boston, MA,
1990.
9. T. William Lambe and Robert V. Whitman, Soil Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1969.
10. Gregory P. Tschebotarioff, Foundat ions, Retaining and E arth Structures, 4th ed., McGraw-Hill, New
York, 1973.
11. Joseph E. Bowles, Foundat ion Analysis and Design, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1988.
12. Whitney Clark Huntington, Earth Pressure and Retaining Walls, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5
Geotechnical
Considerations
5.1
5.2
Introduction .................................................................5-1
Field Exploration Techniques......................................5-2
Borings and Drilling Methods • Soil-Sampling
Methods • Rock Coring • In Situ Testing •
Downhole Geophysical Logging • Test Pits and
Trenches • Geophysical Survey
Techniques • Groundwater Measurement
5.3
Defining Site Investigation Requirements................5-15
Choice of Exploration Methods and Consideration of
Local Practice • Exploration Depths • Numbers of
Explorations • The Risk of Inadequate Site
Characterization
5.4
Development of Laboratory Testing Program .........5-17
Purpose of Testing Program • Types and Uses of Tests
Thomas W. McNeilan
Fugro West, Inc.
James Chai
California Department
of Transportation
5.1
5.5
Data Presentation and Site Characterization...........5-19
Site Characterization Report • Factual Data
Presentation • Description of Subsurface Conditions
and Stratigraphy • Definition of Soil Properties •
Geotechnical Recommendations • Application of
Computerized Databases
Introduction
A complete geotechnical study of a site will (1) determine the subsurface stratigraphy and stratigraphic relationships (and their variability), (2) define the physical properties of the earth materials,
and (3) evaluate the data generated and formulate solutions to the project-specific and site-specific
geotechnical issues. Geotechnical issues that can affect a project can be broadly grouped as follows:
• Foundation Issues — Including the determination of the strength, stability, and deformations
of the subsurface materials under the loads imposed by the structure foundations, in and
beneath slopes and cuts, or surrounding the subsurface elements of the structure.
• Earth Pressure Issues — Including the loads and pressures imposed by the earth materials on
foundations and against supporting structures, or loads and pressures created by seismic (or
other) external forces.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-1
5-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
• Construction and Constructibility Considerations — Including the extent and characteristics
of materials to be excavated, and the conditions that affect deep foundation installation or
ground improvement.
• Groundwater Issues — Including occurrence, hydrostatic pressures, seepage and flow, and
erosion.
Site and subsurface characteristics directly affect the choice of foundation type, capacity of the
foundation, foundation construction methods, and bridge cost. Subsurface and foundation conditions also frequently directly or indirectly affect the route alignment, bridge type selection, and/or
foundation span lengths. Therefore, an appropriately scoped and executed foundation investigation
and site characterization should:
1. Provide the required data for the design of safe, reliable, and economic foundations;
2. Provide data for contractors to use to develop appropriate construction cost estimates;
3. Reduce the potential for a “changed condition” claim during construction.
In addition, the site investigation objectives frequently may be to
1. Provide data for route selection and bridge type evaluation during planning and preliminary
phase studies;
2. Provide data for as-built evaluation of foundation capacity, ground improvement, or other
similar requirements.
For many projects, it is appropriate to conduct the geotechnical investigation in phases. For the
first preliminary (or reconnaissance) phase, either a desktop study using only historical information
or a desktop study and a limited field exploration program may be adequate. The results of the
first-phase study can then be used to develop a preliminary geologic model of the site, which is
used to determine the key foundation design issues and plan the design-phase site investigation.
Bridge projects may require site investigations to be conducted on land, over water, and/or on
marginal land at the water’s edge. Similarly, site investigations for bridge projects can range from
conventional, limited-scope investigations for simple overpasses and grade separations to major
state-of-the-practice investigations for large bridges over major bodies of water.
This chapter includes discussions of
• Field exploration techniques;
• Definition of the requirements for and extent of the site investigation program;
• Evaluation of the site investigation results and development/scoping of the laboratory testing
program;
• Data presentation and site characterization.
The use of the site characterization results for foundation design is included in subsequent chapters.
5.2
Field Exploration Techniques
For the purpose of the following discussion, we have divided field exploration techniques into the
following groupings:
• Borings (including drilling, soil sampling, and rock-coring techniques)
• Downhole geophysical logging
• In situ testing — including cone penetration testing (CPT) and vane shear, pressure meter
and dilatometer testing
• Test pits and trenches
• Geophysical survey techniques
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.1
5.2.1
5-3
Drilling methods. (a) On land; (b) over water; (c) on marginal land.
Borings and Drilling Methods
Drilled soil (or rock) borings are the most commonly used subsurface exploration techniques. The
drilled hole provides the opportunity to collect samples of the subsurface through the use of a
variety of techniques and samplers. In addition to sample collection, drilling observations during
the advancement of the borehole provide an important insight to the subsurface conditions. Drilling
methods can be used for land, over water, and marginal land sites (Figure 5.1). It should be noted
that the complexity introduced when working over water or on marginal land may require moresophisticated and more-specialized equipment and techniques, and will significantly increase costs.
5.2.1.1
Wet (Mud) Rotary Borings
Wet rotary drilling is the most commonly used drilling method for the exploration of soil and rock,
and also is used extensively for oil exploration and water well installation. It is generally the preferred
method for (1) over water borings; (2) where groundwater is shallow; and (3) where the subsurface
includes soft, squeezing, or flowing soils.
With this technique, the borehole is advanced by rapid rotation of the drill bit that cuts, chips,
and grinds the material at the bottom of the borehole. The cuttings are removed from the borehole
by circulating water or drilling fluid down through the drill string to flush the cuttings up through
the annular space of the drill hole. The fluids then flow into a settling pit or solids separator. Drilling
fluid is typically bentonite (a highly refined clay) and water, or one of a number of synthetic products.
The drilling fluids are used to flush the cuttings from the hole, compensate the fluid pressure, and
stabilize borehole sidewalls. In broken or fractured rock, coarse gravel and cobbles, or other formations with voids, it may be necessary to case the borehole to prevent loss of circulation. Wet
rotary drilling is conducive to downhole geophysical testing, although the borehole must be thoroughly flushed before conducting some types of logging.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-4
5.2.1.2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Air Rotary Borings
The air rotary drilling technology is similar to wet rotary except that the cuttings are removed with
the circulation of high-pressure air rather than a fluid. Air rotary drilling techniques are typically
used in hard bedrock or other conditions where drill hole stability is not an overriding issue. In
very hard bedrock, a percussion hammer is often substituted for the bit. Air rotary drilling is
conducive to downhole geophysical testing methods.
5.2.1.3
Bucket-Auger Borings
The rotary bucket is similar to a large- (typically 18- to 24-in.)-diameter posthole digger with a
hinged bottom. The hole is advanced by rotating the bucket at the end of a kelly bar while pressing
it into the soil. The bucket is removed from the hole to be emptied. Rotary-bucket-auger borings
are used in alluvial soils and soft bedrock. This method is not always suitable in cobbly or rocky
soils, but penetration of hard layers is sometimes possible with special coring buckets. Bucket-auger
borings also may be unsuitable below the water table, although drilling fluids can be used to stabilize
the borehole.
The rotary-bucket-auger drilling method allows an opportunity for continuous inspection and
logging of the stratigraphic column of materials, by lowering the engineer or geologist on a platform
attached to a drill rig winch. It is common in slope stability and fault hazards studies to downhole
log 24-in.-diameter, rotary-bucket-auger boreholes advanced with this method.
5.2.1.4
Hollow-Stem-Auger Borings
The hollow-stem-auger drilling technique is frequently used for borings less than 20 to 30 m deep.
The proliferation of the hollow-stem-auger technology in recent years occurred as the result of its
use for contaminated soils and groundwater studies. The hollow-stem-auger consists of sections of
steel pipe with welded helical flanges. The shoe end of the pipe has a hollow bit assembly that is
plugged while rotating and advancing the auger. That plug is removed for advancement of the
sampling device ahead of the bit.
Hollow-stem-auger borings are used in alluvial soils and soft bedrock. This method is not always
suitable where groundwater is shallow or in cobbly and rocky soils. When attempting to sample
loose, saturated sands, the sands may flow into the hollow auger and produce misleading data. The
hollow-stem-auger drill hole is not conducive to downhole geophysical testing methods.
5.2.1.5
Continuous-Flight-Auger Borings
Continuous-flight-auger borings are similar to the hollow-stem-auger drilling method except that
the auger must be removed for sampling. With the auger removed, the borehole is unconfined and
hole instability often results. Continuous-flight-auger drill holes are used for shallow exploration
above the groundwater level.
5.2.2
Soil-Sampling Methods
There are several widely used methods for recovering samples for visual classification and laboratory
testing.
5.2.2.1
Driven Sampling
Driven sampling using standard penetration test (SPT) or other size samplers is the most widely
used sampling method. Although this sampling method recovers a disturbed sample, the “blow
count” measured with this type of procedure provides a useful index of soil density or strength.
The most commonly used blow count is the SPT blow count (also referred to as the N-value).
Although the N-value is an approximate and imprecise measurement (its value is affected by many
operating factors that are part of the sampling process, as well as the presence of gravel or cementation), various empirical relationships have been developed to relate N-value to engineering and
performance properties of the soils.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
5.2.2.2
5-5
Pushed Samples
A thin-wall tube (or in some cases, other types of samplers) can be pushed into the soil using
hydraulic pressure from the drill rig, the weight of the drill rod, or a fixed piston. Pushed sampling
generally recovers samples that are less disturbed than those recovered using driven-sampling
techniques. Thus, laboratory tests to determine strength and volume change characteristics should
preferably be conducted on pushed samples rather than driven samples. Pushed sampling is the
preferred sampling method in clay soils. Thin-wall samples recovered using push-sampling techniques can either be extruded in the field or sealed in the tubes.
5.2.2.3
Drilled or Cored Samplers
Drilled-in samplers also have application in some types of subsurface conditions, such as hard soil
and soft rock. With these types of samplers (e.g., Denison barrel and pitcher barrel), the sample
barrel is either cored into the sediment or rock or is advanced inside the drill rod while the rod is
advanced.
5.2.3
Rock Coring
The two rock-coring systems most commonly used for engineering applications are the conventional
core barrel and wireline (retrievable) system. At shallow depths above the water table, coring also
sometimes can be performed with an air or a mist system.
Conventional core barrels consist of an inner and outer barrel with a bit assembly. To obtain a
core at a discrete interval: (1) the borehole is advanced to the top of the desired interval, (2) the
drill pipe is removed, (3) the core barrel/bit is placed on the bottom of the pipe, and (4) the assembly
is run back to the desired depth. The selected interval is cored and the core barrel is removed to
retrieve the core. Conventional systems typically are most effective at shallow depths or in cases
where only discrete samples are required.
In contrast, wireline coring systems allow for continuous core retrieval without removal of the
drill pipe/bit assembly. The wireline system has a retrievable inner core barrel that can be pulled to
the surface on a wireline after each core run.
Variables in the coring process include the core bit type, fluid system, and drilling parameters.
There are numerous bit types and compositions that are applicable to specific types of rock; however,
commercial diamond or diamond-impregnated bits are usually the preferred bit from a core recovery
and quality standpoint. Tungsten carbide core bits can sometimes be used in weak rock or in highclay-content rocks. A thin bentonite mud is the typical drilling fluid used for coring. Thick mud
can clog the small bit ports and is typically avoided. Drilling parameters include the revolutions
per minute (RPM) and weight on bit (WOB). Typically, low RPM and WOB are used to start the
core run and then both values are increased.
Rock engineering parameters include percent recovery, rock quality designation (RQD), coring
rate, and rock strength. Percent recovery is a measure of the core recovery vs. the cored length,
whereas RQD is a measure of the intact core pieces longer than 4 in. vs. the cored length. Both
values typically increase as the rock mass becomes less weathered/fractured with depth; however,
both values are highly dependent on the type of rock, amount of fracturing, etc. Rock strength
(which is typically measured using unconfined triaxial compression test per ASTM guidelines) is
used to evaluate bearing capacity, excavatability, etc.
5.2.4
In Situ Testing
There are a variety of techniques that use instrumented probes or testing devices to measure soil
properties and conditions in the ground, the more widely used of which are described below. In
contrast to sampling that removes a sample from its in situ stress conditions, in situ testing is used
to measure soil and rock properties in the ground at their existing state of stress. The various in
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 5.2
CPT cones.
situ tests can either be conducted in a borehole or as a continuous sounding from the ground
surface. Except as noted, those techniques are not applicable to rock.
5.2.4.1
Cone Penetration Test Soundings
CPT sounding is one of the most versatile and widely used in situ test. The standard CPT cone
consists of a 1.4-in.-diameter cone with an apex angle of 60°, although other cone sizes are available
for special applications (Figure 5.2). The cone tip resistance beneath the 10-cm2 cone tip and the
friction along the 150 cm2 friction sleeve are measured with strain gauges and recorded electronically
at 1- or 2-cm intervals as the cone is advanced into the ground at a rate of about 2 cm/s. In addition
to the tip and sleeve resistances, many cones also are instrumented to record pore water pressure
or other parameters as the cone is advanced.
Because the CPT soundings provide continuous records of tip and sleeve resistances (and frequently pore pressure) vs. depth (Figure 5.3), they provide a continuous indicator of soil and
subsurface conditions that are useful in defining soil stratification. Numerous correlations between
the CPT measurements have been developed to define soil type and soil classification. In addition,
empirical correlations have been published to relate the cone tip and sleeve friction resistances to
engineering behavior, including undrained shear strength of clay soils and relative density and
friction of granular soils.
Most land CPTs are performed as continuous soundings using large 20-ton cone trucks
(Figure 5.4a), although smaller, more portable track-mounted equipment is also available. CPT
soundings are commonly extended down to more than 20 to 50 m. CPT soundings also can be
performed over water from a vessel using specialized equipment (Figure 5.4b) deployed by a crane
or from a stern A-frame. In addition, downhole systems have been developed to conduct CPTs in
boreholes during offshore site investigations. With a downhole system, CPT tests are interspersed
with soil sampling to obtain CPT data to more than 100 m in depth.
5.2.4.2
In Situ Vane Shear Tests
The undrained shear strength of clay soils can be measured in situ using a vane shear test. This test
is conducted by measuring the torque required to rotate a vane of known dimensions. The test can
be conducted from the ground surface by attaching a vane blade onto a rod or downhole below the
bottom of a borehole with a drop-in remote vane (Figure 5.5). The downhole vane is preferable,
since the torque required to rotate the active rotating vane is not affected by the torque of the rod.
The downhole vane is used both for land borings and over-water borings.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.3
5.2.4.3
5-7
CPT data provide a continuous record of in situ conditions.
Pressure Meter and Dilatometer Tests
Pressure meter testing is used to measure the in situ maximum and average shear modulus of the
soil or rock by inflating the pressure meter against the sidewalls of the borehole. The stresses,
however, are measured in a horizontal direction, not in the vertical direction as would occur under
most types of foundation loading. A test is performed by lowering the tool to the selected depth
and expanding a flexible membrane through the use of hydraulic fluid. As the tool is inflated, the
average displacement of the formation is measured with displacement sensors beneath the membrane, which is protected by stainless steel strips. A dilatometer is similar to a pressure meter, except
that the dilatometer consists of a flat plate that is pushed into the soil below the bottom of the
borehole. A dilatometer is not applicable to hard soils or rock.
5.2.5
Downhole Geophysical Logging
Geophysical logs are run to acquire data about the formation or fluid penetrated by the borehole.
Each log provides a continuous record of a measured value at a specific depth in the boring, and
is therefore useful for interpolating stratigraphy between sample intervals. Most downhole geophysical logs are presented as curves on grid paper or as electronic files (Figure 5.6). Some of the more
prevalent geophysical tools, which are used for geotechnical investigations, are described below.
• Electrical logs (E-logs) include resistivity, induction, and spontaneous potential (SP) logs.
Resistivity and induction logs are used to determine lithology and fluid type. A resistivity log
is used when the borehole is filled with a conductive fluid, while an induction log is used
when the borehole is filled with a non- or low-conductivity fluid. Resistivity tools typically
require an open, uncased, fluid-filled borehole. Clay formations and sands with higher salinity
will have low resistivity, while sands with fresh water will have higher resistivity values. Hard
rock and dry formations have the highest resistivity values. An SP log is often used in suite
with a resistivity or induction log to provide further information relative to formation
permeability and lithology.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 5.4
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CPT sounding methods. (a) On land; (b) over water.
5-9
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.5
In situ vane shear device.
• Suspension (velocity) logs are used to measure the average primary, compression wave, and
shear wave velocities of a 1-m-high segment of the soil and rock column surrounding the
borehole. Those velocities are determined by measuring the elapsed time between arrivals of
a wave propagating upward through the soil/rock column. The suspension probe includes
both a shear wave source and a compression wave source, and two biaxial receivers that detect
the source waves. This technique requires an open, fluid-filled hole.
• Natural gamma logs measure the natural radioactive decay occurring in the formation to infer
soil or rock lithology. In general, clay soils will exhibit higher gamma counts than granular
soils, although decomposed granitic sands are an exception to that generality. Gamma logs
can be run in any salinity fluid as well as air, and also can be run in cased boreholes.
• Caliper logs are used to measure the diameter of a borehole to provide insight relative to
caving and swelling. An accurate determination of borehole diameter also is important for
the interpretation of other downhole logs.
• Acoustic televiewer and digital borehole logs are conducted in rock to image the rock surface
within the borehole (Figure 5.7). These logs use sound in an uncased borehole to create an
oriented image of the borehole surface. These logs are useful for determining rock layering,
bedding, and fracture identification and orientation.
• Crosshole, downhole, and uphole shear wave velocity measurements are used to determine the
primary and shear wave velocities either to determine the elastic soil properties of soil and
rock or to calibrate seismic survey measurements. With the crosshole technique, the travel
time is measured between a source in one borehole and a receiver in a second borehole. This
technique can be used to measure directly the velocities of various strata. For downhole and
uphole logs, the travel time is measured between the ground surface and a downhole source
or receiver. Tests are conducted with the downhole source or receiver at different depths.
These measurements should preferably be conducted in cased boreholes.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 5.6
5.2.6
Example of downhole geophysical log.
Test Pits and Trenches
Where near-surface conditions are variable or problematic, the results of borings and in situ testing
can be supplemented by backhoe-excavated or hand-excavated test pits or trenches. These techniques are particularly suitable for such purposes as: (1) collecting hand-cut, block samples of
sensitive soils; (2) evaluating the variability of heterogeneous soils; (3) evaluating the extent of fill
or rubble; (4) determining depth to groundwater; and (5) the investigation of faulting.
5.2.7
Geophysical Survey Techniques
Noninvasive (compared with drilling methods) geophysical survey techniques are available for
remote sensing of the subsurface. In contrast to drilling and in situ testing methods, the geophysical
survey methods explore large areas rapidly and economically. When integrated with boring data,
these methods often are useful for extrapolating conditions between borings (Figure 5.8). Techniques are applicable either on land or below water. Some of the land techniques also are applicable
for marginal land or in the shallow marine transition zone. Geophysical survey techniques can be
used individually or as a group.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-11
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.7
FIGURE 5.8
Example of digital borehole image in rock.
Example integration of seismic reflection and boring data.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 5.9
5.2.7.1
Multibeam image of river channel bathymetry.
Hydrographic Surveys
Hydrographic surveys provide bathymetric contour maps and/or profiles of the seafloor, lake bed,
or river bottom. Water depth measurements are usually made using a high-frequency sonic pulse
from a depth sounder transducer mounted on a survey vessel. The choice of depth sounder system
(single-beam, multifrequency, multibeam, and swath) is dependent upon water depths, survey site
conditions, and project accuracy and coverage requirements. The use and application of more
sophisticated multibeam systems (Figure 5.9) have increased dramatically within the last few years.
5.2.7.2
Side-Scan Sonar
Side-scan sonar is used to locate and identify man-made objects (shipwrecks, pipelines, cables,
debris, etc.) on the seafloor and determine sediment and rock characteristics of the seafloor. The
side-scan sonar provides a sonogram of the seafloor that appears similar to a continuous photographic strip (Figure 5.10). A mosaic of the seafloor can be provided by overlapping the coverage
of adjacent survey lines.
5.2.7.3
Magnetometer
A magnetometer measures variations in the earth’s magnetic field strength that result from metallic
objects (surface or buried), variations in sediment and rock mineral content, and natural (diurnal)
variations. Data are used to locate and identify buried objects for cultural, environmental, and
archaeological site clearances.
5.2.7.4
High-Resolution Seismic Reflection and Subbottom Profilers
Seismic images of the subsurface beneath the seafloor can be developed by inducing sonic waves
into the water column from a transducer, vibrating boomer plate, sparker, or small air or gas gun.
Reflections of the sonic energy from the mudline and subsurface soils horizons are recorded to
provide an image of the subsurface geologic structure and stratigraphy along the path of the survey
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-13
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.10
Side-scan sonar image of river bottom.
vessel. The effective depth of a system and resolution of subsurface horizons depend on a number
of variables, including the system energy, output frequency spectrum, the nature of the seafloor,
and the subsea sediments and rocks. Seismic reflection data are commonly used to determine the
geologic structure (stratigraphy, depth to bedrock, folds, faults, subsea landslides, gas in sediments,
seafloor seeps, etc.) and evaluate the horizon continuity between borings (Figure 5.11).
5.2.7.5
Seismic Refraction
Seismic refraction measurements are commonly used on land to estimate depth to bedrock and
groundwater and to detect bedrock faulting. Measured velocities are also used for estimates of
rippability and excavation characteristics. In the refraction technique, sonic energy is induced into
the ground and energy refracted from subsurface soil and rock horizons is identified at a series of
receivers laid out on the ground. The time–distance curves from a series of profiles are inverted to
determine depths to various subsurface layers and the velocity of the layers. The data interpretation
can be compromised where soft layers underlie hard layers and where the horizons are too thin to
be detected by refraction arrivals at the surface. The technique also can be used in shallow water
(surf zones, lakes, ponds, and river crossings) using bottom (bay) cables.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 5.11
5.2.7.6
Interpreted stratigraphic relationships from seismic reflection data.
Ground Penetrating Radar Systems
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) systems measure the electromagnetic properties of the subsurface
to locate buried utilities or rebar, estimate pavement thickness, interpret shallow subsurface stratigraphy, locate voids, and delineate bedrock and landslide surfaces. GPR also can be used in arctic
conditions to estimate ice thickness and locate permafrost. Depths of investigation are usually
limited to 50 ft or less. Where the surface soils are highly conductive, the effective depth of investigation may be limited to a few feet.
5.2.7.7
Resistivity Surveys
Resistivity surveys induce currents into the ground to locate buried objects and to investigate shallow
groundwater. As electrodes are moved in specific patterns of separation, the resistivity is measured
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
FIGURE 5.12
5-15
Key factors to consider when defining site investigation requirements.
and inverted to produce depth sections and contour maps of subsurface resistivity values. This
method is used to identify and map subsurface fluids, including groundwater, surface and buried
chemical plumes, and to predict corrosion potential.
5.2.8
Groundwater Measurement
Groundwater conditions have a profound effect on foundation design, construction, and performance. Thus, the measurement of groundwater depth (or depth of water when drilling over water)
is one of the most fundamentally important elements of the site investigation. In addition to the
measurement of the water level, the site investigation should consider and define the potential for
artesian or perched groundwater. It is also important to recognize that groundwater levels may
change with season, rainfall, or other temporal reasons. All groundwater and water depth measurements should document the time of measurement and, where practical, should determine variations
in depth over some period of elapsed time. To determine the long-term changes in water level, it
is necessary to install and monitor piezometers or monitoring wells.
5.3
Defining Site Investigation Requirements
Many factors should be considered when defining the requirements (including types, numbers,
locations, and depths of explorations) for the site investigation (Figure 5.12). These factors include:
•
•
•
•
•
Importance, uncertainty, or risk associated with bridge design, construction, and performance
Geologic conditions and their potential variability
Availability (or unavailability) of historical subsurface data
Availability (or unavailability) of performance observations from similar nearby projects
Investigation budget
The following factors should be considered when evaluating the project risk: (1) What are the risks?
(2) How likely are the risks to be realized? (3) What are the consequences if the risks occur? Risks include:
• Certainty or uncertainty of subsurface conditions;
• Design risks (e.g., possibility that inadequate subsurface data will compromise design decisions or schedule);
• Construction risks (e.g., potential for changed conditions claims and construction delays);
• Performance risks (e.g., seismic performance).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Two additional requirements that should be considered when planning a subsurface investigation
are (1) reliability of the data collected and (2) timeliness of the data generated. Unfortunately, these
factors are too often ignored or underappreciated during the site investigation planning process or
geotechnical consultant selection process. Because poor-quality or misleading subsurface data can
lead to inappropriate selection of foundation locations, foundation types, and/or inadequate or
inappropriate foundation capacities, selection of a project geotechnical consultant should be based
on qualifications rather than cost. Similarly, the value of the data generated from the subsurface
investigation is reduced if adequate data are not available when the design decisions, which are
affected by subsurface conditions, are made. All too often, the execution of the subsurface exploration program is delayed, and major decisions relative to the general structure design and foundation locations have been cast in stone prior to the availability of the subsurface exploration results.
Frequently, the execution of the subsurface investigation is an iterative process that should be
conducted in phases (i.e., desktop study, reconnaissance site investigation, detailed design-phase
investigation). During each phase of site exploration, it is appropriate for data to be reviewed as
they are generated so that appropriate modifications can be made as the investigation is ongoing.
Appropriate adjustments in the investigation work scope can save significant expense, increase the
quality and value of the investigation results, and/or reduce the potential for a remobilization of
equipment to fill in missing information.
5.3.1
Choice of Exploration Methods and Consideration of Local Practice
Because many exploration techniques are suitable in some subsurface conditions, but not as suitable
or economical in other conditions, the local practice for the methods of exploration vary from region
to region. Therefore, the approach to the field exploration program should consider and be tailored to
the local practice. Conversely, there are occasions where the requirements for a project may justify using
exploration techniques that are not common in the project area. The need to use special techniques
will increase with the size of the project and the uniqueness or complexity of the site conditions.
5.3.2
Exploration Depths
The depths to which subsurface exploration should be extended will depend on the structure, its
size, and the subsurface conditions at the project location. The subsurface exploration for any project
should extend down through unsuitable layers into materials that are competent relative to the
design loads to be applied by the bridge foundations. Some of the exploration should be deep
enough to verify that unsuitable materials do not exist beneath the bearing strata on which the
foundations will be embedded. When the base of the foundation is underlain by layers of compressible material, the exploration should extend down through the compressible strata and into deeper
strata whose compressibility will not influence foundation performance.
For lightly loaded structures, it may be adequate to terminate the exploration when rock is
encountered, provided that the regional geology indicates that unsuitable strata do not underlie the
rock surface. For heavily-loaded foundations or foundations bearing on rock, it is appropriate to verify
that the explorations indeed have encountered rock and not a boulder. It is similarly appropriate to
extend at least some of the explorations through the weathered rock into sound or fresh rock.
5.3.3
Numbers of Explorations
The basic intent of the site investigation is to determine the subsurface stratigraphy and its variations,
and to define the representative soil (or rock) properties of the strata together with their lateral and
vertical variations. The locations and spacing of explorations should be adequate to provide a
reasonably accurate definition of the subsurface conditions, and should disclose the presence of any
important irregularities in the subsurface conditions. Thus, the numbers of explorations will depend
on both the project size and the geologic and depositional variability of the site location. When subsurface conditions are complex and variable, a greater number of more closely spaced explorations are
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
5-17
warranted. Conversely, when subsurface conditions are relatively uniform, fewer and more widely
spaced explorations may be adequate.
5.3.4
The Risk of Inadequate Site Characterization
When developing a site exploration program, it is often tempting to minimize the number of
explorations or defer the use of specialized techniques due to their expense. The approach of
minimizing the investment in site characterization is fraught with risk. Costs saved by the execution
of an inadequate site investigation, whether in terms of the numbers of explorations or the exclusion
of applicable site investigation techniques, rarely reduce the project cost. Conversely, the cost saved
by an inadequate investigation frequently increases the cost of construction by many times the
savings achieved during the site investigation.
5.4
Development of Laboratory Testing Program
5.4.1
Purpose of Testing Program
Laboratory tests are performed on samples for the following purposes:
• Classify soil samples;
• Evaluate basic index soil properties that are useful in evaluating the engineering properties
of the soil samples;
• Measure the strength, compressibility, and hydraulic properties of the soils;
• Evaluate the suitability of on-site or borrow soils for use as fill;
• Define dynamic parameters for site response and soil–structure interaction analyses during
earthquakes;
• Identify unusual subsurface conditions (e.g., presence of corrosive conditions, carbonate soils,
expansive soils, or potentially liquefiable soils).
The extent of laboratory testing is generally defined by the risks associated with the project.
Soil classification, index property, and fill suitability tests generally can be performed on disturbed
samples, whereas tests to determine engineering properties of the soils should preferably be performed on a relatively undisturbed, intact specimen. The quality of the data obtained from the
latter series of tests is significantly dependent on the magnitude of sample disturbance either during
sampling or during subsequent processing and transportation.
5.4.2
5.4.2.1
Types and Uses of Tests
Soil Classification and Index Testing
Soil classification and index properties tests are generally performed for even low-risk projects. Engineering parameters often can be estimated from the available in situ data and basic index tests using
published correlations. Site-specific correlations of these basic values may allow the results of a few
relatively expensive advanced tests to be extrapolated. Index tests and their uses include the following:
• Unit weight and water content tests to evaluate the natural unit weight and water content.
• Atterberg (liquid and plastic) limit tests on cohesive soils for classification and correlation
studies. Significant insight relative to strength and compressibility properties can be inferred
from the natural water content and Atterberg limit test results.
• Sieve and hydrometer tests to define the grain size distribution of coarse- and fine-grained
soils, respectively. Grain size data also are used for both classification and correlation studies.
Other index tests include tests for specific gravity, maximum and minimum density, expansion
index, and sand equivalent.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-18
5.4.2.2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Shear Strength Tests
Most bridge design projects require characterization of the undrained shear strength of cohesive
soils and the drained strength of cohesionless soils. Strength determinations are necessary to evaluate
the bearing capacity of foundations and to estimate the loads imposed on earth-retaining structures.
Undrained shear strength of cohesive soils can be estimated (often in the field) with calibrated
tools such as a torvane, pocket penetrometer, fall cone, or miniature vane shear device. More
definitive strength measurements are obtained in a laboratory by subjecting samples to triaxial
compression (TX), direct simple shear (DSS), or torsional shear (TS) tests. Triaxial shear tests
(including unconsolidated-undrained, UU, tests and consolidated-undrained, CU, tests) are the
most common type of strength test. In this type of test, the sample is subject to stresses that mimic
in situ states of stress prior to being tested to failure in compression or shear. Large and more high
risk projects often warrant the performance of CU or DSS tests where samples are tested along
stress paths which model the in situ conditions. In contrast, only less-sophisticated UU tests may
be warranted for less important projects.
Drained strength parameters of cohesionless soils are generally measured in either relatively
simple direct shear (DS) tests or in more-sophisticated consolidated-drained (CD) triaxial tests. In
general, few laboratory strength tests are performed on in situ specimens of cohesionless soil because
of the relative difficulty in obtaining undisturbed specimens.
5.4.2.3
Compaction Tests
Compaction tests are performed to evaluate the moisture–density relationship of potential fill
material. Once the relationship has been evaluated and the minimum level of compaction of fill
material to be used has been determined, strength tests may be performed on compacted specimens
to evaluate design parameters for the project.
5.4.2.4
Subgrade Modulus
R-value and CBR tests are performed to determine subgrade modulus and evaluate the pavement
support characteristics of the in situ or fill soils.
5.4.2.5
Consolidation Tests
Consolidation tests are commonly performed to (1) evaluate the compressibility of soil samples for
the calculation of foundation settlement; (2) investigate the stress history of the soils at the boring
locations to calculate settlement as well as to select stress paths to perform most advanced strength
tests; (3) evaluate elastic properties from measured bulk modulus values; and (4) evaluate the time
rate of settlement. Consolidation test procedures also can be modified to evaluate if foundation
soils are susceptible to collapse or expansion, and to measure expansion pressures under various
levels of confinement. Consolidation tests include incremental consolidation tests (which are performed at a number of discrete loads) and constant rate of strain (CRS) tests where load levels are
constantly increased or decreased. CRS tests can generally be performed relatively quickly and
provide a continuous stress–strain curve, but require more-sophisticated equipment.
5.4.2.6
Permeability Tests
In general, constant-head permeability tests are performed on relatively permeable cohesionless
soils, while falling-head permeability tests are performed on relatively impermeable cohesive soils.
Estimates of the permeability of cohesive soils also can be obtained from consolidation test data.
5.4.2.7
Dynamic Tests
A number of tests are possible to evaluate the behavior of soils under dynamic loads such as wave
or earthquake loads. Dynamic tests generally are strength tests with the sample subjected to some
sort of cyclic loading. Tests can be performed to evaluate variations of strength, modulus, and
damping, with variations in rate and magnitude of cyclic stresses or strains. Small strain parameters
for earthquake loading cases can be evaluated from resonant column tests.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
5-19
For earthquake loading conditions, dynamic test data are often used to evaluate site response and
soil–structure interaction. Cyclic testing also can provide insight into the behavior of potentially liquefiable soils, especially those which are not easily evaluated by empirical in situ test-based procedures.
5.4.2.8
Corrosion Tests
Corrosion tests are performed to evaluate potential impacts on steel or concrete structures due to
chemical attack. Tests to evaluate corrosion potential include resistivity, pH, sulfate content, and
chloride content.
5.5
Data Presentation and Site Characterization
5.5.1
Site Characterization Report
The site characterization report should contain a presentation of the site data and an interpretation
and analysis of the foundation conditions at the project site. The site characterization report should:
•
•
•
•
Present the factual data generated during the site investigation;
Describe the procedures and equipment used to obtain the factual data;
Describe the subsurface stratigraphic relationships at the project site;
Define the soil and rock properties that are relevant to the planning, design, construction,
and performance of the project structures;
• Formulate the solutions to the design and construction of the project.
The site data presented in the site characterization report may be developed from the current and/or
past field investigations at or near the project site, as-built documents, maintenance records, and
construction notes. When historic data are included or summarized, the original sources of the data
should be cited.
5.5.2
Factual Data Presentation
The project report should include the accurate and appropriate documentation of the factual data
collected and generated during the site investigation and testing program(s). The presentation and
organization of the factual data, by necessity, will depend upon the size and complexity of the project
and the types and extent of the subsurface data. Regardless of the project size or extent of exploration,
all reports should include an accurate plan of exploration that includes appropriate graphical
portrayal of surface features and ground surface elevation in the project area.
The boring log (Figure 5.13) is one of the most fundamental components of the data documentation. Although many styles of presentation are used, there are several basic elements that generally
should be included on a boring log. Those typical components include:
• Documentation of location and ground surface elevation;
• Documentation of sampling and coring depths, types, and lengths — e.g., sample type, blow
count (for driven samples), and sample length for soil samples; core run, recovery, and RQD
for rock cores — as well as in situ test depths and lengths;
• Depths and elevations of groundwater and/or seepage encountered;
• Graphical representation of soil and rock lithology;
• Description of soil and rock types, characteristics, consistency/density, or hardness;
• Tabular or graphical representation of test data.
In addition to the boring logs, the factual data should include tabulated summaries of test types,
depths, and results together with the appropriate graphical output of the tests conducted.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
5-20
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 5.13
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Typical log of test boring sheet for Caltrans project.
Geotechnical Considerations
5.5.3
5-21
Description of Subsurface Conditions and Stratigraphy
A sound geologic interpretation of the exploration and testing data are required for any project to
assess the subsurface conditions. The description of the subsurface conditions should provide users
of the report with an understanding of the conditions, their possible variability, and the significance
of the conditions relative to the project. The information should be presented in a useful format
and terminology appropriate for the users, who usually will include design engineers and contractors
who are not earth science professionals.
To achieve those objectives, the site characterization report should include descriptions of
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Site topography and/or bathymetry,
Site geology,
Subsurface stratigraphy and stratigraphic relationships,
Continuity or lack of continuity of the various subsurface strata,
Groundwater depths and conditions, and
Assessment of the documented and possible undocumented variability of the subsurface
conditions.
Information relative to the subsurface conditions is usually provided in text, cross sections, and
maps. Subsurface cross sections, or profiles, are commonly used to illustrate the stratigraphic
sequence, subsurface strata and their relationships, geologic structure, and other subsurface features
across a site. The cross section can range from simple line drawings to complex illustrations that
include boring logs and plotted test data (Figure 5.14).
Maps are commonly used to illustrate and define the subsurface conditions at a site. The maps
can include topographic and bathymetric contour maps, maps of the structural contours of a
stratigraphic surface, groundwater depth or elevation maps, isopach thickness maps of an individual stratum (or sequence of strata), and interpreted maps of geologic features (e.g., faulting,
bedrock outcrops, etc.). The locations of explorations should generally be included on the interpretive maps.
The interpretive report also should describe data relative to the depths and elevations of groundwater and/or seepage encountered in the field. The potential types of groundwater surface(s) and
possible seasonal fluctuation of groundwater should be described. The description of the subsurface
conditions also should discuss how the groundwater conditions can affect construction.
5.5.4
Definition of Soil Properties
Soil properties generally should be interpreted in terms of stratigraphic units or geologic deposits.
The interpretation of representative soil properties for design should consider lateral and vertical
variability of the different soil deposits. Representative soil properties should consider the potential
for possible in situ variations that have not been disclosed by the exploration program and laboratory
testing. For large or variable sites, it should be recognized that global averages of a particular soil
property may not appropriately represent the representative value at all locations. For that condition,
use of average soil properties may lead to unconservative design.
Soil properties and design recommendations are usually presented with a combination of narrative text, graphs, and data presented in tabular and/or bulleted list format. It is often convenient
and helpful to reference generalized subsurface profiles and boring logs in those discussions. The
narrative descriptions should include such factors as depth range, general consistency or density,
plasticity or grain size, occurrence of groundwater, occurrence of layers or seams, degree of weathering, and structure. For each stratigraphic unit, ranges of typical measured field and laboratory
data (e.g., strength, index parameters, and blow counts) should be described.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 5.14
Subsurface cross section for San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge East Span alignment.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Geotechnical Considerations
5.5.5
5-23
Geotechnical Recommendations
The site characterization report should provide solutions to the geotechnical issues and contain
geotechnical recommendations that are complete, concise, and definitive. The recommended foundation and geotechnical systems should be cost-effective, performance-proven, and constructible.
Where appropriate, alternative foundation types should be discussed and evaluated. When construction problems are anticipated, solutions to these problems should be described.
In addition to the standard consideration of axial and lateral foundation capacity, load–deflection
characteristics, settlement, slope stability, and earth pressures, there are a number of subsurface
conditions that can affect foundation design and performance:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Liquefaction susceptibility of loose, granular soils;
Expansive or collapsible soils;
Mica-rich and carbonate soils;
Corrosive soils;
Permafrost or frozen soils;
Perched or artesian groundwater.
When any of those conditions are present, they should be described and evaluated.
5.5.6
Application of Computerized Databases
Computerized databases provide the opportunity to compile, organize, integrate, and analyze geotechnical data efficiently. All collected data are thereby stored, in a standard format, in a central
accessible location. Use of a computerized database has a number of advantages. Use of automated
interactive routines allows the efficient production of boring logs, cross sections, maps, and parameter plots. Large volumes of data from multiple sources can be integrated and queried to evaluate
or show trends and variability. New data from subsequent phases of study can be easily and rapidly
incorporated into the existing database to update and revise the geologic model of the site.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6
Shallow Foundations
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
Introduction .................................................................6-1
Design Requirements...................................................6-2
Failure Modes of Shallow Foundations......................6-3
Bearing Capacity for Shallow Foundations................6-3
Bearing Capacity Equation • Bearing Capacity
on Sand from Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) •
Bearing Capacity from Cone Penetration Tests
(CPT) • Bearing Capacity from Pressuremeter Tests
(PMT) • Bearing Capacity According to Building
Codes • Predicted Bearing Capacity vs. Load Test
Results
6.5
Stress Distribution Due to Footing Pressures..........6-14
Semi-infinite, Elastic Foundations • Layered
Systems • Simplified Method (2:1 Method)
6.6
Settlement of Shallow Foundations ..........................6-17
Immediate Settlement by Elastic Methods •
Settlement of Shallow Foundations on
Sand • Settlement of Shallow Foundations on
Clay • Tolerable Settlement
6.7
Bearing Capacity According to Building Codes •
Bearing Capacity of Fractured Rock • Settlement
of Foundations on Rock
James Chai
California Department
of Transportation
6.1
Shallow Foundations on Rock ..................................6-28
6.8
Structural Design of Spreading Footings .................6-30
Introduction
A shallow foundation may be defined as one in which the foundation depth (D) is less than or on
the order of its least width (B), as illustrated in Figure 6.1. Commonly used types of shallow
foundations include spread footings, strap footings, combined footings, and mat or raft footings.
Shallow foundations or footings provide their support entirely from their bases, whereas deep
foundations derive the capacity from two parts, skin friction and base support, or one of these two.
This chapter is primarily designated to the discussion of the bearing capacity and settlement of
shallow foundations, although structural considerations for footing design are briefly addressed.
Deep foundations for bridges are discussed in Chapter 7.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-1
6-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 6.1
Definition sketch for shallow footings.
TABLE 6.1 Typical Values of Safety Factors Used in Foundation Design
(after Barker et al. [9])
Failure Type
Failure Mode
Shearing
Bearing capacity failure
Overturning
Overall stability
Sliding
Uplift
Heave
Piping
Seepage
Safety Factor
2.0–3.0
2.0–2.5
1.5–2.0
1.5–2.0
1.5–2.0
1.5–2.0
2.0–3.0
Remark
The lower values are used when
uncertainty in design is small
and consequences of failure are
minor; higher values are used
when uncertainty in design is
large and consequences of failure
are major
Source: Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R.B., Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd ed., John
Wiley & Sons, New York, 1967. With permission.
6.2
Design Requirements
In general, any foundation design must meet three essential requirements: (1) providing adequate
safety against structural failure of the foundation; (2) offering adequate bearing capacity of soil
beneath the foundation with a specified safety against ultimate failure; and (3) achieving acceptable
total or differential settlements under working loads. In addition, the overall stability of slopes in
the vicinity of a footing must be regarded as part of the foundation design. For any project, it is
usually necessary to investigate both the bearing capacity and the settlement of a footing. Whether
footing design is controlled by the bearing capacity or the settlement limit rests on a number of
factors such as soil condition, type of bridge, footing dimensions, and loads. Figure 6.2 illustrates
the load–settlement relationship for a square footing subjected to a vertical load P. As indicated in
the curve, the settlement p increases as load P increases. The ultimate load Pu is defined as a peak
load (curves 1 and 2) or a load at which a constant rate of settlement (curve 3) is reached as shown
in Figure 6.2. On the other hand, the ultimate load is the maximum load a foundation can support
without shear failure and within an acceptable settlement. In practice, all foundations should be
designed and built to ensure a certain safety against bearing capacity failure or excessive settlement.
A safety factor (SF) can be defined as a ratio of the ultimate load Pu and allowable load Pu. Typical
value of safety factors commonly used in shallow foundation design are given in Table 6.1.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-3
Shallow Foundations
6.3
Failure Modes of Shallow Foundations
Bearing capacity failure usually occurs in one of the three modes described as general shear, local
shear, or punching shear failure. In general, which failure mode occurs for a shallow foundation
depends on the relative compressibility of the soil, footing embedment, loading conditions, and
drainage conditions. General shear failure has a well-defined rupture pattern consisting of three
zones, I, II, and III, as shown in Figure 6.3a. Local shear failure generally consists of clearly defined
rupture surfaces beneath the footing (zones I and II). However, the failure pattern on the sides of
the footing (zone III) is not clearly defined. Punch shear failure has a poorly defined rupture pattern
concentrated within zone I; it is usually associated with a large settlement and does not mobilize
shear stresses in zones II and III as shown in Figure 6.3b and c. Ismael and Vesic [40] concluded
that, with increasing overburden pressure (in cases of deep foundations), the failure mode changes
from general shear to local or punch shear, regardless of soil compressibility. The further examination of load tests on footings by Vesic [68,69] and De Beer [29] suggested that the ultimate load
occurs at the breakpoint of the load–settlement curve, as shown in Figure 6.2. Analyzing the modes
of failure indicates that (1) it is possible to formulate a general bearing capacity equation for a
loaded footing failing in the general shear mode, (2) it is very difficult to generalize the other two
failure modes for shallow foundations because of their poorly defined rupture surfaces, and (3) it
is of significance to know the magnitude of settlements of footings required to mobilize ultimate
loads. In the following sections, theoretical and empirical methods for evaluating both bearing
capacity and settlement for shallow foundations will be discussed.
FIGURE 6.2
Load-settlement relationships of shallow footings.
6.4
Bearing Capacity for Shallow Foundations
6.4.1
Bearing Capacity Equation
The computation of ultimate bearing capacity for shallow foundations on soil can be considered
as a solution to the problem of elastic–plastic equilibrium. However, what hinders us from finding
closed analytical solutions rests on the difficulty in the selection of a mathematical model of soil
constitutive relationships. Bearing capacity theory is still limited to solutions established for the
rigid-plastic solid of the classic theory of plasticity [40,69]. Consequently, only approximate methods
are currently available for the posed problem. One of them is the well-known Terzaghi’s bearing
capacity equation [19,63], which can be expressed as
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 6.3
Three failure modes of bearing capacity.
qult = cNc sc + qNq + 0.5γBNγ sγ
(6.1)
where qult is ultimate bearing capacity, c is soil cohesion, q is effective overburden pressure at base
of footing (= γ1D), γ is effective unit weight of soil or rock, and B is minimum plan dimension of
footing. Nc, Nq, and Nγ are bearing capacity factors defined as functions of friction angle of soil and
their values are listed in Table 6.2. sc and sr are shape factors as shown in Table 6.3.
These three N factors are used to represent the influence of the cohesion (Nc), unit weight (Nγ),
and overburden pressure (Nq) of the soil on bearing capacity. As shown in Figures 6.1 and 6.3(a),
the assumptions used for Eq. (6.1) include
1. The footing base is rough and the soil beneath the base is incompressible, which implies that
the wedge abc (zone I) is no longer an active Rankine zone but is in an elastic state. Consequently, zone I must move together with the footing base.
2. Zone II is an immediate zone lying on a log spiral arc ad.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-5
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.2 Bearing Capacity Factors
for the Terzaghi Equation
φ (°)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
34
35
40
45
48
50
Nc
Nq
Nγ
Kpγ
5.7a
7.3
9.6
12.9
17.7
25.1
37.2
52.6
57.8
95.7
172.3
258.3
347.5
1.0
1.6
2.7
4.4
7.4
12.7
22.5
36.5
41.4
81.3
173.3
287.9
415.1
0
0.5
1.2
2.5
5.0
9.7
19.7
36.0
42.4
100.4
297.5
780.1
1153.2
10.8
12.2
14.7
18.6
25.0
35.0
52.0
—
82.0
141.0
298.0
—
800.0
a N = 1.5π + 1 (Terzaghi [63], p. 127);
c
values of Nγ for φ of 0, 34, and 48° are original Terzaghi values and used to backcompute Kpγ.
After Bowles, J.E., Foundation Analysis
and Design, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, New
York, 1996. With permission.
TABLE 6.3 Shape Factors
for the Terzaghi Equation
sc
sγ
Strip
Round
Square
1.0
1.0
1.3
0.6
1.3
0.8
After Terzaghi [63].
3. Zone III is a passive Rankine zone in a plastic state bounded by a straight line ed.
4. The shear resistance along bd is neglected because the equation was intended for footings
where D < B.
It is evident that Eq. (6.1) is only valid for the case of general shear failure because no soil
compression is allowed before the failure occurs.
Meyerhof [45,48], Hansen [35], and Vesic [68,69] further extended Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
equation to account for footing shape (si), footing embedment depth (d1), load inclination or
eccentricity (ii), sloping ground (gi), and tilted base (bi). Chen [26] reevaluated N factors in Terzaghi’s
equation using the limit analysis method. These efforts resulted in significant extensions of Terzaghi’s
bearing capacity equation. The general form of the bearing capacity equation [35,68,69] can be
expressed as
qult = cNc sc dcic gc bc + qNq sq dq bq + 0.5γBNγ sγ dγ iγ gγ bγ
when φ = 0,
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(6.2)
6-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 6.4
Influence of groundwater table on bearing capacity. (After AASHTO, 1997.)
qult = 5.14 su (1 + sc′ + dc′ − ic′ − bc′ − gc′ ) + q
(6.3)
where su is undrained shear strength of cohesionless. Values of bearing capacity factors Nc, Nq, and
Nγ can be found in Table 6.4. Values of other factors are shown in Table 6.5. As shown in Table 6.4,
Nc and Nq are the same as proposed by Meyerhof [48], Hansen [35], Vesic [68], or Chen [26].
Nevertheless, there is a wide range of values for Nγ as suggested by different authors. Meyerhof [48]
and Hansen [35] use the plain-strain value of φ, which may be up to 10% higher than those from
the conventional triaxial test. Vesic [69] argued that a shear failure in soil under the footing is a
process of progressive rupture at variable stress levels and an average mean normal stress should
be used for bearing capacity computations. Another reason causing the Nγ value to be unsettled is
how to evaluate the impact of the soil compressibility on bearing capacity computations. The value
of Nγ still remains controversial because rigorous theoretical solutions are not available. In addition,
comparisons of predicted solutions against model footing test results are inconclusive.
Soil Density
Bearing capacity equations are established based on the failure mode of general shearing. In order
to use the bearing capacity equation to consider the other two modes of failure, Terzaghi [63]
proposed a method to reduce strength characteristics c and φ as follows:
c* = 0.67c
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(for soft to firm clay)
(6.4)
6-7
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.4
Bearing Capacity Factors for Eqs. (6.2) and (6.3)
φ
Nc
Nq
Nγ(M)
Nγ(H)
Nγ(V)
Nγ(C)
Nq/Nc
tan φ
0
1
2
3
4
5
5.14
5.38
5.63
5.90
6.18
6.49
1.00
1.09
1.20
1.31
1.43
1.57
0.00
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.04
0.07
0.00
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.05
0.07
0.00
0.07
0.15
0.24
0.34
0.45
0.00
0.07
0.16
0.25
0.35
0.47
0.19
0.20
0.21
0.22
0.23
0.24
0.00
0.02
0.03
0.05
0.07
0.09
6
7
8
9
10
6.81
7.16
7.53
7.92
8.34
1.72
1.88
2.06
2.25
2.47
0.11
0.15
0.21
0.28
0.37
0.11
0.16
0.22
0.30
0.39
0.57
0.71
0.86
1.03
1.22
0.60
0.74
0.91
1.10
1.31
0.25
0.26
0.27
0.28
0.30
0.11
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
11
12
13
14
15
8.80
9.28
9.81
10.37
10.98
2.71
2.97
3.26
3.59
3.94
0.47
0.60
0.74
0.92
1.13
0.50
0.63
0.78
0.97
1.18
1.44
1.69
1.97
2.29
2.65
1.56
1.84
2.16
2.52
2.94
0.31
0.32
0.33
0.35
0.36
0.19
0.21
0.23
0.25
0.27
16
17
18
19
20
11.63
12.34
13.10
13.93
14.83
4.34
4.77
5.26
5.80
6.40
1.37
1.66
2.00
2.40
2.87
1.43
1.73
2.08
2.48
2.95
3.06
3.53
4.07
4.68
5.39
3.42
3.98
4.61
5.35
6.20
0.37
0.39
0.40
0.42
0.43
0.29
0.31
0.32
0.34
0.36
21
22
23
24
25
15.81
16.88
18.05
19.32
20.72
7.07
7.82
8.66
9.60
10.66
3.42
4.07
4.82
5.72
6.77
3.50
4.13
4.88
5.75
6.76
6.20
7.13
8.20
9.44
10.88
7.18
8.32
9.64
11.17
12.96
0.45
0.46
0.48
0.50
0.51
0.38
0.40
0.42
0.45
0.47
26
27
28
29
30
22.25
23.94
25.80
27.86
30.14
11.85
13.20
14.72
16.44
18.40
8.00
9.46
11.19
13.24
15.67
7.94
9.32
10.94
12.84
15.07
12.54
14.47
16.72
19.34
22.40
15.05
17.49
20.35
23.71
27.66
0.53
0.55
0.57
0.59
0.61
0.49
0.51
0.53
0.55
0.58
31
32
33
34
35
32.67
35.49
38.64
42.16
46.12
20.63
23.18
26.09
29.44
33.30
18.56
22.02
26.17
31.15
37.15
17.69
20.79
24.44
28.77
33.92
25.99
30.21
35.19
41.06
48.03
32.33
37.85
44.40
52.18
61.47
0.63
0.65
0.68
0.70
0.72
0.60
0.62
0.65
0.67
0.70
36
37
38
39
40
50.59
55.63
61.35
67.87
75.31
37.75
42.92
48.93
55.96
64.19
44.43
53.27
64.07
77.33
93.69
40.05
47.38
56.17
66.75
79.54
56.31
66.19
78.02
92.25
109.41
72.59
85.95
102.05
121.53
145.19
0.75
0.77
0.80
0.82
0.85
0.73
0.75
0.78
0.81
0.84
41
42
43
44
45
83.86
93.71
105.11
118.37
133.87
73.90
85.37
99.01
115.31
134.97
113.98
139.32
171.14
211.41
262.74
95.05
113.95
137.10
165.58
200.81
130.21
155.54
186.53
224.63
271.74
174.06
209.43
253.00
306.92
374.02
0.88
0.91
0.94
0.97
1.01
0.87
0.90
0.93
0.97
1.00
46
47
48
49
50
152.10
173.64
199.26
229.92
266.88
158.50
187.20
222.30
265.49
319.05
328.73
414.32
526.44
674.91
873.84
244.64
299.52
368.66
456.40
568.56
330.33
403.65
495.99
613.13
762.85
458.02
563.81
697.93
869.17
1089.46
1.04
1.08
1.12
1.15
1.20
1.04
1.07
1.11
1.15
1.19
Note: Nc and Nq are same for all four methods; subscripts identify author for Nγ:
M = Meyerhof [48]; H = Hansen [35]; V = Vesic [69]; C = Chen [26].
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 6.5
Shape, Depth, Inclination, Ground, and Base Factors for Eq. (6.3)
Shape Factors
sc = 1.0 +
sc = 1.0
sq = 1.0 +
Depth Factors
Nq
B
L
(for strip footing)
Nc
B
tan φ
L
sγ = 1.0 − 0.4
(for all φ)
B
≥ 0.6
L
ic = iq −
2
β
5.14
(φ = 0 )
gc′ =
1 − iq
(φ > 0 )
gc = iq −
⎡
⎤
Hi
iq = ⎢1.0 −
⎥
V + A f ca cot φ ⎥⎦
⎢⎣
⎡
⎤
Hi
iγ = ⎢1.0 −
⎥
V + A f ca cot φ ⎥⎦
⎢⎣
2+B L
m = mB =
1+ B L
(for all φ)
Ground Factors (base on slope)
mHi
A f ca N c
Nq − 1
Df
≤1
B
D
for f > 1
B
for
dq = 1 + 2 tan φ (1 – sin φ) k
(k defined above)
dγ = 1.00
Inclination Factors
ic′ = 1 −
D
⎧
k= f
⎪⎪
B
dc = 1.0 + 0.4k ⎨
⎛D ⎞
⎪k = tan −1 ⎜ f ⎟
⎝ B⎠
⎪⎩
m
(φ = 0 )
β in radius
1 − iq
5.14 tan φ
(φ > 0)
gq = gγ = (1.0 − tan β)
(for all φ)
2
Base Factors (tilted base)
m +1
or
2+L B
m = mL =
1+ L B
bc′ = gc′
(φ = 0 )
bc = 1 −
2β
5.14 tan φ
(φ > 0 )
bq = bγ = (1.0 − η tan φ)
2
(for all φ)
Notes:
1. When γ = 0 (and β ‘ne 0), use Nγ = 2 sin(±β) in Nγ term
2. Compute m = mB when Hi = HB (H parallel to B) and m = mL when Hi = HL (H parallel to L); for both HB and HL, use
m=
mB2 + mL2
3. 0 ≤ iq , iγ ≤ 1
4. β + η ≤ 90°; β ≤ φ
where
Af = effective footing dimension as shown in Figure 6.6
Df = depth from ground surface to base of footing
V = vertical load on footing
Hi = horizontal component of load on footing with Hmax ð V tan δ + caAf
ca = adhesion to base (0.6c ð ca ð 1.0c)
δ = friction angle between base and soil (0.5φ ð δ ð φ)
β = slope of ground away from base with (+) downward
η = tilt angle of base from horizontal with (+) upward
After Vesic [68,69].
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-9
Shallow Foundations
φ* = tan −1 (0.67 tan φ)
(for loose sands with φ < 28°)
(6.5)
Vesic [69] suggested that a flat reduction of φ might be too conservative in the case of local and
punching shear failure. He proposed the following equation for a reduction factor varying with
relative density Dr:
((
)
φ* = tan −1 0.67 + Dr − 0.75 Dr2 tan φ
) (for 0 < D < 0.67)
r
(6.6)
Groundwater Table
Ultimate bearing capacity should always be estimated by assuming the highest anticipated groundwater table. The effective unit weight γe shall be used in the qNq and 0.5γB terms. As illustrated in
Figure 6.5, the weighted average unit weight for the 0.5γB term can be determined as follows:
FIGURE 6.5 Definition sketch for loading and dimensions for footings subjected to eccentric or inclined loads.
(After AASHTO, 1997.)
⎧γ avg
⎪
γ = ⎨γ ′ + (dw B) γ avg − γ ′
⎪γ ′
⎩
(
)
for dw ≥ B
for 0 < dw < B
for d ≤ 0
(6.7)
Eccentric Load
For footings with eccentricity, effective footing dimensions can be determined as follows:
Af = B′L′
(6.8)
where L = L - 2eL and B = B - 2eB. Refer to Figure 6.5 for loading definitions and footing dimensions.
For example, the actual distribution of contact pressure for a rigid footing with eccentric loading
in the L direction (Figure 6.6) can be obtained as follows:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 6.6
Contact pressure for footing loaded eccentrically about one axis. (After AASHTO 1997.)
qmax = P[1 ± 6eL L] BL
min
[
(for eL < L 6)
] (for L 6 < e
⎪⎧2 P 3B( L 2 − eL )
qmax = ⎨
⎪⎩
0
min
(6.9)
L
< L 2)
(6.10)
Contact pressure for footings with eccentric loading in the B direction may be determined using
above equations by replacing terms L with B and terms B with L. For an eccentricity in both
directions, reference is available in AASHTO [2,3].
6.4.2
Bearing Capacity on Sand from Standard Penetration Tests (SPT)
Terzaghi and Peck [64, 65] proposed a method using SPT blow counts to estimate ultimate bearing
capacity for footings on sand. Modified by Peck et al. [53], this method is presented in the form of
the chart shown in Figure 6.7. For a given combination of footing width and SPT blow counts, the
chart can be used to determine the ultimate bearing pressure associated with 25.4 mm (1.0 in.)
settlement. The design chart applies to shallow footings (Df ð B) sitting on sand with water table
at great depth. Similarly, Meyerhof [46] published the following formula for estimating ultimate
bearing capacity using SPT blow counts:
qult = Navg
′
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Df ⎞
B⎛
⎜ Cw1 + Cw 2
⎟R
B⎠ I
10 ⎝
(6.11)
6-11
Shallow Foundations
where RI is a load inclination factor shown in Table 6.6 (RI = 1.0 for vertical loads). Cw1 and Cw2 are
correction factors whose values depend on the position of the water table:
TABLE 6.6
Load Inclination Factor (R1)
For Square Footings
Load Inclination Factor (RI)
H/V
Df /B = 0
Df /B = 1
Df /B = 3
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.75
0.65
0.55
0.50
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.80
0.75
0.65
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.85
0.80
0.70
0.65
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.30
0.25
0.20
For Rectangular Footings
Load Inclination Factor (RI)
H/H
Df /B = 0
Df /B = 1
Df /B = 5
Df /B = 0
Df /B = 1
Df /B = 5
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
0.70
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.75
0.65
0.60
0.50
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.10
0.80
0.70
0.65
0.55
0.50
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.80
0.70
0.65
0.55
0.50
0.40
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.20
0.15
0.85
0.80
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.35
0.30
0.25
0.90
0.85
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
0.45
0.40
0.35
After Barker et al. [9].
FIGURE 6.7 Design chart for proportioning shallow footings on sand. (a) Rectangular base; (b) round base. (After
Peck et al. [53])
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
⎧Cw1 = Cw 2 = 0.5
⎪
⎨Cw1 = Cw 2 = 1.0
⎪C = 0.5 and C = 1.0
w2
⎩ w1
for Dw = 0
for Dw ≥ Df = 1.5 B
for Dw = Df
(6.12)
Navg
′ is an average value of the SPT blow counts, which is determined within the range of depths
from footing base to 1.5B below the footing. In very fine or silty saturated sand, the measured SPT
blow count (N) is corrected for submergence effect as follows:
N ′ = 15 + 0.5 ( N − 15) for N > 15
6.4.3
(6.13)
Bearing Capacity from Cone Penetration Tests (CPT)
Meyerhof [46] proposed a relationship between ultimate bearing capacity and cone penetration
resistance in sands:
qult = qc
Df ⎞
B⎛
⎜ Cw1 + Cw 2
⎟R
B⎠ I
40 ⎝
(6.14)
where qc is the average value of cone penetration resistance measured at depths from footing base
to 1.5B below the footing base. Cw1, Cw2, and R1 are the same as those as defined in Eq. (6.11).
Schmertmann [57] recommended correlated values of ultimate bearing capacity to cone penetration resistance in clays as shown in Table 6.7.
TABLE 6.7 Correlation between Ultimate Bearing
Capacity (qult) and Cone Penetration Resistance (qc)
qult (ton/ft2)
qc (kg/cm or ton/ft )
2
10
20
30
40
50
2
Strip Footings
Square Footings
5
8
11
13
15
9
12
16
19
22
After Schmertmann [57] and Awkati, 1970.
6.4.4
Bearing Capacity from Pressure-Meter Tests (PMT)
Menard [44], Baguelin et al. [8], and Briaud [15,17] proposed using the limit pressure measured
in PMT to estimate ultimate bearing capacity:
qult = r0 + κ ( p1 − p0 )
(6.15)
where r0 is the initial total vertical pressure at the foundation level, κ is the dimensionless bearing
capacity coefficient from Figure 6.8, p1 is limit pressure measured in PMT at depths from 1.5B above
to 1.5B below foundation level, and p0 is total horizontal pressure at the depth where the PMT is
performed.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Shallow Foundations
FIGURE 6.8
6.4.5
6-13
Values of empirical capacity coefficient, κ. (After Canadian Geotechnical Society [24].)
Bearing Capacity According to Building Codes
Recommendations for bearing capacity of shallow foundations are available in most building codes.
Presumptive value of allowable bearing capacity for spread footings are intended for preliminary
design when site-specific investigation is not justified. Presumptive bearing capacities usually do
not reflect the size, shape, and depth of footing, local water table, or potential settlement. Therefore,
footing design using such a procedure could be either overly conservative in some cases or unsafe
in others [9]. Recommended practice is to use presumptive bearing capacity as shown in Table 6.8
for preliminary footing design and to finalize the design using reliable methods in the preceding
discussion.
6.4.6
Predicted Bearing Capacity vs. Load Test Results
Obviously, the most reliable method of obtaining the ultimate bearing capacity is to conduct a fullscale footing load test at the project site. Details of the test procedure have been standardized as
ASTM D1194 [5]. The load test is not usually performed since it is very costly and not practical
for routine design. However, using load test results to compare with predicted bearing capacity is
a vital tool to verify the accuracy and reliability of various prediction procedures. A comparison
between the predicted bearing capacity and results of eight load tests conducted by Milovic [49] is
summarized in Table 6.9.
Recently, load testing of five large-scale square footings (1 to 3 m) on sand was conducted on the
Texas A&M University National Geotechnical Experimental Site [94]. One of the main objects of
the test is to evaluate the various procedures used for estimating bearing capacities and settlements
of shallow foundations. An international prediction event was organized by ASCE Geotechnical
Engineering Division, which received a total of 31 predictions (16 from academics and 15 from
consultants) from Israel, Australia, Japan, Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Brazil, France,
and Italy. Comparisons of predicted and measured values of bearing capacity using various procedures were summarized in Tables 6.10 through 6.12. From those comparisons, it can be argued that
the most accurate settlement prediction methods are the Schmertmann-DMT (1986) and the Peck
and Bazarra (1967) although they are on the unconservative side. The most conservative methods
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 6.8
Presumptive Values of Allowable Bearing Capacity for Spread Foundations
qall (ton/ft2)
Type of Bearing Material
Consistency in Place
Range
Massive crystalline igneous and metamorphic
rock: granite, diorite, basalt, gneiss,
thoroughly cemented conglomerate (sound
condition allows minor cracks)
Foliated metamorphic rock: slate, schist (sound
condition allows minor cracks)
Sedimentary rock: hard cemented shales,
siltstone, sandstone, limestone without
cavities
Weathered or broken bedrock of any kind
except highly argillaceous rock (shale); RQD
less than 25
Compaction shale or other highly argillaceous
rock in sound condition
Well-graded mixture of fine and coarse-grained
soil: glacial till, hardpan, boulder clay (GWGC, GC, SC)
Gravel, gravel–sand mixtures, boulder gravel
mixtures (SW, SP)
Hard sound rock
60–100
80
Medium-hard sound rock
30–40
35
Medium-hard sound rock
15–25
20
Soft rock
8–12
10
Soft rock
8–12
10
Very compact
8–12
10
Coarse to medium sand, sand with little gravel
(SW, SP)
Fine to medium sand, silty or clayey medium
to coarse sand (SW, SM, SC)
Homogeneous inorganic clay, sandy or silty clay
(CL, CH)
Inorganic silt, sandy or clayey silt, varved siltclay-fine sand
Very compact
Medium to compact
Loose
Very compact
Medium to compact
Loose
Very compact
Medium to compact
Loose
Very stiff to hard
Medium to stiff
Soft
Very stiff to hard
Medium to stiff
Soft
Recommended Value for Use
6–10
4–7
2–5
4–6
2–4
1–3
3–5
2–4
1–2
3–6
1–3
0.5–1
2–4
1–3
0.5–1
7
5
3
4
3
1.5
3
2.5
1.5
4
2
0.5
3
1.5
0.5
Notes:
1. Variations of allowable bearing pressure for size, depth, and arrangement of footings are given in Table 2 of NAFVAC [52].
2. Compacted fill, placed with control of moisture, density, and lift thickness, has allowable bearing pressure of equivalent
natural soil.
3. Allowable bearing pressure on compressible fine-grained soils is generally limited by considerations of overall settlement
of structure.
4. Allowable bearing pressure on organic soils or uncompacted fills is determined by investigation of individual case.
5. If tabulated recommended value for rock exceeds unconfined compressive strength of intact specimen, allowable pressure
equals unconfined compressive strength.
After NAVFAC [52].
are Briaud [15] and Burland and Burbidge [20]. The most accurate bearing capacity prediction
method was the 0.2qc (CPT) method [16].
6.5
Stress Distribution Due to Footing Pressures
Elastic theory is often used to estimate the distribution of stress and settlement as well. Although soils
are generally treated as elastic–plastic materials, the use of elastic theory for solving the problems is
mainly due to the reasonable match between the boundary conditions for most footings and those of
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-15
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.9
Comparison of Computed Theoretical Bearing Capacities and Milovic and Muh’s Experimental Values
Test
Bearing Capacity Method
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
= 0.0 m
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.5
0.0
0.3
= 0.5 m
0.5
0.5
1.0
0.71
0.71 0.71 0.71
= 2.0 m
2.0
2.0
1.0
0.71
0.71 0.71 0.71
17.06
17.06 17.65
17.65 17.06 17.06
= 15.69 kN/m3 16.38
35.5 (36.25) 38.5 (40.75) 38.5 22
25
20
20
= 37°(38.5°)
= 6.37 kPa
3.92
7.8
7.8 12.75
14.7
9.8
9.8
2.2
2.6
qult (kg/cm2) 4.1 5.5
24.2
33.0
qult (kg/cm2) 10.8 12.2
2.5
9.2
22.9
19.7
2.9*
4.3*
6.5*
9.4*
10.3
26.4
28.4
4.8
7.6
2.3
3.0
8.2*
3.1
23.4
5.0
8.0
7.2
9.8
2.2*
23.7*
*
25.1
24.7
5.1
8.2
2.3
3.2
8.1
10.4
6.0
9.2
2.6
3.8
14.0
15.3
35.8
33.0*
D
B
L
γ
φ
c
Milovic (tests)
Muh’s (tests)
Terzaghi
Meyerhof
Hansen
Vesic
Balla
a
After Milovic (1965), but all methods recomputed by author and Vesic added.
Notes:
1. φ = triaxial value φtr; (plane strain value) = 1.5 φtr - 17.
2. * = best: Terzaghi = 4; Hansen = 2; Vesic = 1; and Balla = 1.
Source: Bowles, J.E., Foundation Analysis and Design, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996. With permission.
TABLE 6.10 Comparison of Measured vs. Predicted Load Using Settlement Prediction Method
Predicted Load (MN) @ s = 25 mm
Prediction Methods
Briaud [15]
Burland and Burbidge [20]
De Beer (1965)
Menard and Rousseau (1962)
Meyerhof — CPT (1965)
Meyerhof — SPT (1965)
Peck and Bazarra (1967)
Peck, Hansen & Thornburn [53]
Schmertmann — CPT (1970)
Schmertmann — DMT (1970)
Schultze and Sherif (1973)
Terzaghi and Peck [65]
Measured Load @ s = 25mm
1.0 m Footing
1.5 m Footing
2.5 m Footing
3.0 m(n) Footing
3.0 m(s) Footing
0.904
0.699
1.140
0.247
0.288
0.195
1.042
0.319
0.455
1.300
1.465
0.287
0.850
1.314
1.044
0.803
0.394
0.446
0.416
1.899
0.718
0.734
2.165
2.615
0.529
1.500
2.413
1.850
0.617
0.644
0.738
1.000
4.144
1.981
1.475
4.114
4.750
1.244
3.600
2.817
2.367
0.597
1.017
0.918
1.413
5.679
2.952
1.953
5.256
5.850
1.476
4.500
2.817
2.367
0.597
1.017
0.918
1.413
5.679
2.952
1.953
5.256
5.850
1.476
4.500
Source: FHWA, Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-068, 1997.
TABLE 6.11
Comparison of Measured vs. Predicted Load Using Bearing Capacity Prediction Method
Predicted Bearing Capacity (MN)
Prediction Methods
Briaud — CPT [16]
Briaud — PMT [15]
Hansen [35]
Meyerhof [45,48]
Terzaghi [63]
Vesic [68,69]
Measured Load @ s = 150 mm
1.1 m Footing
1.5 m Footing
2.6 m Footing
3.0m(n) Footing
3.0m(s) Footing
1.394
0.872
0.772
0.832
0.619
0.825
1.287
0.779
0.814
0.991
0.740
0.896
1.389
0.781
0.769
1.058
0.829
0.885
1.513
0.783
0.730
1.034
0.826
0.855
1.513
0.783
0.730
1.034
0.826
0.855
Source: FHWA, Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-068, 1997.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 6.12
Best Prediction Method Determination
Mean Predicted Load/
Mean Measured Load
Settlement Prediction Method
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Briaud [15]
Burland & Burbidge [20]
De Beer [29]
Menard and Rousseau (1962)
Meyerhof — CPT (1965)
Meyerhof — SPT (1965)
Peck and Bazarra (1967)
Peck, et al. [53]
Schmertmann — CPT [56]
Schmertmann — DMT [56]
Shultze and Sherif (1973)
Terzaghi and Peck [65]
0.66
0.62
0.24
0.21
0.21
0.28
1.19
0.57
0.42
1.16
1.31
0.32
Bearing Capacity Prediction Method
1
2
3
4
5
6
Briaud — CPT [16]
Briaud — PMT [15]
Hansen [35]
Meyerhof [45,48]
Terzaghi [63]
Vesic [68,69]
1.08
0.61
0.58
0.76
0.59
0.66
Source: FHWA, Publication No. FHWA-RD-97-068, 1997.
elastic solutions [37]. Another reason is the lack of availability of acceptable alternatives. Observation
and experience have shown that this practice provides satisfactory solutions [14,37,54,59].
6.5.1
Semi-infinite, Elastic Foundations
Bossinesq equations based on elastic theory are the most commonly used methods for obtaining
subsurface stresses produced by surface loads on semi-infinite, elastic, isotropic, homogenous,
weightless foundations. Formulas and plots of Bossinesq equations for common design problems
are available in NAVFAC [52]. Figure 6.9 shows the isobars of pressure bulbs for square and continuous footings. For other geometry, refer to Poulos and Davis [55].
6.5.2
Layered Systems
Westergaard [70], Burmister [21–23], Sowers and Vesic [62], Poulos and Davis [55], and Perloff
[54] discussed the solutions to stress distributions for layered soil strata. The reality of interlayer
shear is very complicated due to in situ nonlinearity and material inhomogeneity [37,54]. Either
zero (frictionless) or with perfect fixity is assumed for the interlayer shear to obtain possible
solutions. The Westergaard method assumed that the soil being loaded is constrained by closed
spaced horizontal layers that prevent horizontal displacement [52]. Figures 6.10 through 6.12 by
the Westergaard method can be used for calculating vertical stresses in soils consisting of alternative
layers of soft (loose) and stiff (dense) materials.
6.5.3
Simplified Method (2:1 Method)
Assuming a loaded area increasing systemically with depth, a commonly used approach for computing the stress distribution beneath a square or rectangle footing is to use the 2:1 slope method.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-17
Shallow Foundations
FIGURE 6.9
1986.)
Pressure bulbs based on the Bossinesq equation for square and long footings. (After NAVFAC 7.01,
Sometimes a 60° distribution angle (1.73-to-1 slope) may be assumed. The pressure increase Δq at
a depth z beneath the loaded area due to base load P is
⎧P ( B + z) ( L + z)
Δq = ⎨
2
⎩P ( B + z)
(for a rectangle footing)
(for a square footing)
(6.16)
where symbols are referred to Figure 6.13A. The solutions by this method compare very well with
those of more theoretical equations from depth z from B to about 4B but should not be used for
depth z from 0 to B [14]. A comparison between the approximate distribution of stress calculated
by a theoretical method and the 2:1 method is illustrated in Figure 6.13B.
6.6
Settlement of Shallow Foundations
The load applied on a footing changes the stress state of the soil below the footing. This stress
change may produce a time-dependent accumulation of elastic compression, distortion, or consol-
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-18
FIGURE 6.10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Vertical stress contours for square and strip footings [Westerqaard Case]. (After NAVFAC 7.01, 1986.)
idation of the soil beneath the footing. This is often termed foundation settlement. True elastic
deformation consists of a very small portion of the settlement while the major components of the
settlement are due to a change of void ratio, particle rearrangement, or crushing. Therefore, very
little of the settlement will be recovered even if the applied load is removed. The irrecoverable
deformation of soil reflects its inherent elastic–plastic stress–strain relationship. The reliability of
settlement estimated is influenced principally by soil properties, layering, stress history, and the
actual stress profile under the applied load [14,66]. The total settlement may be expressed as
s = si + sc + ss
(6.17)
where s is the total settlement, si is the immediate or distortion settlement, sc is the primary
consolidation settlement, and ss is the secondary settlement. The time-settlement history of a shallow
foundation is illustrated in Figure 6.14. Generally speaking, immediate settlement is not elastic.
However, it is often referred to as elastic settlement because the elastic theory is usually used for
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Shallow Foundations
6-19
FIGURE 6.11 Influence value for vertical stress beneath a corner of a uniformly loaded rectangular area (Westerqaard Case). (After NAVFAC [52].)
computation. The immediate settlement component controls in cohesionless soils and unsaturated
cohesive soils, while consolidation compression dictates in cohesive soils with a degree of saturation
above 80% [3].
6.6.1
Immediate Settlement by Elastic Methods
Based on elastic theory, Steinbrenner [61] suggested that immediate settlements of footings on sands
and clay could be estimated in terms of Young’s modulus E of soils. A modified procedure developed
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 6.12
Influence value for vertical stress beneath triangular load (Westerqaard Case). (After NAVFAC [52].)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Shallow Foundations
FIGURE 6.13A
6-21
Approximate distribution of vertical stress due to surface load. (After Perloff [54].)
FIGURE 6.13B Relationship between vertical stress below a square uniformly loaded area as determined by approximate and exact methods. (After Perloff [54].)
FIGURE 6.14
Schematic time–settlement history of typical point on a foundation. (After Perloff [54].)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-22
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
by Bowles [14] may be used for computing settlements of footings with flexible bases on the halfspace. The settlement equation can be expressed as follows:
(
)
si = q0 B′ 1 − µ 2 mIs IF Es
(6.18)
Is = n ( I1 + (1 − 2µ ) I2 (1 − µ )
(6.19)
where q0 is contact pressure, µ and Es are weighted average values of Poisson’s ratio and Young’s
modulus for compressive strata, B is the least-lateral dimension of contribution base area (convert
round bases to equivalent square bases; B = 0.5B for center and B = B for corner Ii; L´ = 0.5L for
center and L´ = L for corner Ii), Ii are influence factors depending on dimension of footings, base
embedment depth, thickness of soil stratum, and Poisson’s ratio (I1 and I2 are given in Table 6.13
and IF is given in Figure 6.15; M = L´/B´ and N = H/B´), H is the stratum depth causing settlement
(see discussion below), m is number of corners contributing to settlement (m = 4 at the footing
center; m = 2 at a side; and m = 1 at a corner), and n equals 1.0 for flexible footings and 0.93 for
rigid footings.
FIGURE 6.15 Influence factor IF for footing at a depth D (use actual footing width and depth dimension for this
D/B ratio). (After Bowles [14].)
This equation applies to soil strata consisting of either cohesionless soils of any water content or
unsaturated cohesive soils, which may be either organic or inorganic. Highly organic soils (both Es
and µ are subject to significant changes by high organic content) will be dictated by secondary or
creep compression rather than immediate settlement; therefore, the applicability of the above
equation is limited.
Suggestions were made by Bowles [14] to use the equations appropriately as follows: 1. Make the
best estimate of base contact pressure q0; 2. Identify the settlement point to be calculated and divide
the base (as used in the Newmark stress method) so the point is at the corner or common corner
of one or up to four contributing areas; 3. Determine the stratum depth causing settlement which
does not approach to infinite rather at either the depth z = 5B or depth to where a hard stratum is
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-23
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.13
N
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.5
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
20.0
500
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.5
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
Values of I2 and I2 to Compute Influence Factors as Used in Eq. (6.21)
M = 1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.0
I1 = 0.009
I2 = 0.041
0.033
0.066
0.066
0.079
0.104
0.083
0.142
0.083
0.224
0.075
0.285
0.064
0.363
0.048
0.408
0.037
0.437
0.031
0.457
0.026
0.471
0.022
0.482
0.020
0.491
0.017
0.498
0.016
0.529
0.008
0.560
0.000
I1 = 0.007
I2 = 0.043
0.026
0.074
0.053
0.094
0.086
0.107
0.121
0.114
0.207
0.118
0.284
0.114
0.402
0.097
0.484
0.082
0.553
0.070
0.585
0.060
0.618
0.008
0.042
0.032
0.068
0.064
0.081
0.102
0.087
0.140
0.088
0.224
0.080
0.288
0.069
0.372
0.052
0.421
0.041
0.452
0.034
0.474
0.028
0.490
0.024
0.502
0.022
0.511
0.019
0.519
0.017
0.553
0.009
0.587
0.000
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.075
0.051
0.097
0.082
0.111
0.115
0.120
0.197
0.130
0.271
0.131
0.392
0.122
0.484
0.110
0.554
0.098
0.609
0.087
0.653
0.008
0.042
0.031
0.069
0.063
0.083
0.100
0.090
0.138
0.091
0.224
0.084
0.290
0.074
0.379
0.056
0.431
0.044
0.465
0.036
0.489
0.031
0.506
0.027
0.519
0.023
0.529
0.021
0.537
0.019
0.575
0.010
0.612
0.000
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.075
0.050
0.097
0.081
0.112
0.113
0.122
0.194
0.134
0.267
0.136
0.386
0.131
0.479
0.121
0.552
0.111
0.610
0.101
0.658
0.008
0.042
0.030
0.070
0.061
0.085
0.098
0.093
0.136
0.095
0.223
0.089
0.292
0.078
0.384
0.060
0.440
0.048
0.477
0.039
0.502
0.033
0.520
0.029
0.534
0.025
0.545
0.023
0.554
0.020
0.595
0.010
0.635
0.000
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.075
0.050
0.098
0.080
0.113
0.112
0.123
0.192
0.136
0.264
0.139
0.382
0.137
0.474
0.129
0.548
0.120
0.608
0.111
0.658
0.008
0.042
0.029
0.070
0.060
0.087
0.096
0.095
0.134
0.098
0.222
0.093
0.292
0.083
0.389
0.064
0.448
0.051
0.487
0.042
0.514
0.036
0.533
0.031
0.549
0.027
0.560
0.024
0.570
0.022
0.614
0.011
0.656
0.000
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.050
0.098
0.080
0.113
0.112
0.123
0.191
0.137
0.262
0.141
0.378
0.141
0.470
0.135
0.543
0.128
0.604
0.120
0.656
0.008
0.042
0.028
0.071
0.059
0.088
0.095
0.097
0.132
0.100
0.220
0.096
0.292
0.086
0.393
0.068
0.455
0.054
0.496
0.045
0.524
0.038
0.545
0.033
0.561
0.029
0.574
0.026
0.584
0.023
0.631
0.012
0.677
0.000
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.080
0.113
0.112
0.124
0.190
0.138
0.261
0.143
0.376
0.144
0.466
0.139
0.540
0.133
0.601
0.126
0.653
0.007
0.043
0.028
0.071
0.058
0.089
0.093
0.098
0.130
0.102
0.219
0.099
0.292
0.090
0.396
0.071
0.460
0.057
0.503
0.048
0.534
0.040
0.556
0.035
0.573
0.031
0.587
0.028
0.597
0.025
0.647
0.013
0.696
0.001
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.079
0.113
0.111
0.124
0.190
0.138
0.260
0.144
0.374
0.145
0.464
0.142
0.536
0.137
0.598
0.131
0.650
0.007
0.043
0.027
0.072
0.057
0.090
0.092
0.100
0.129
0.104
0.217
0.102
0.292
0.094
0.398
0.075
0.465
0.060
0.510
0.050
0.542
0.043
0.566
0.037
0.584
0.033
0.598
0.029
0.610
0.027
0.662
0.013
0.714
0.001
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.079
0.114
0.111
0.124
0.189
0.139
0.259
0.145
0.373
0.147
0.462
0.145
0.534
0.140
0.595
0.135
0.647
0.007
0.043
0.027
0.072
0.056
0.091
0.091
0.101
0.127
0.106
0.216
0.105
0.291
0.097
0.400
0.078
0.469
0.063
0.516
0.053
0.550
0.045
0.575
0.039
0.594
0.035
0.609
0.031
0.621
0.028
0.677
0.014
0.731
0.001
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.079
0.114
0.110
0.125
0.188
0.140
0.257
0.147
0.368
0.152
0.453
0.154
0.522
0.154
0.579
0.153
0.628
0.007
0.043
0.027
0.073
0.056
0.091
0.090
0.102
0.126
0.108
0.214
0.108
0.290
0.100
0.401
0.081
0.473
0.066
0.522
0.055
0.557
0.047
0.583
0.041
0.602
0.036
0.618
0.033
0.631
0.030
0.690
0.015
0.748
0.001
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.079
0.014
0.110
0.125
0.188
0.140
0.256
0.147
0.367
0.153
0.451
0.155
0.519
0.156
0.576
0.157
0.624
0.007
0.043
0.027
0.073
0.055
0.092
0.089
0.103
0.125
0.109
0.213
0.110
0.289
0.102
0.402
0.084
0.476
0.069
0.526
0.058
0.563
0.050
0.590
0.043
0.611
0.038
0.627
0.034
0.641
0.031
0.702
0.016
0.763
0.001
0.006
0.044
0.024
0.076
0.049
0.098
0.079
0.014
0.110
0.125
0.188
0.140
0.256
0.148
0.367
0.154
0.451
0.156
0.519
0.157
0.575
0.157
0.623
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-24
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 6.13 (continued)
N
8.0
9.0
10.0
20.0
500.0
Values of I2 and I2 to Compute Influence Factors as Used in Eq. (6.21)
M = 1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2.0
0.053
0.643
0.047
0.663
0.042
0.679
0.038
0.756
0.020
0.832
0.001
0.078
0.688
0.071
0.716
0.064
0.740
0.059
0.856
0.031
0.977
0.001
0.092
0.697
0.084
0.730
0.077
0.758
0.071
0.896
0.039
1.046
0.002
0.103
0.700
0.095
0.736
0.088
0.766
0.082
0.925
0.046
1.102
0.002
0.112
0.700
0.104
0.737
0.097
0.770
0.091
0.945
0.053
1.150
0.002
0.119
0.698
0.112
0.736
0.105
0.770
0.099
0.959
0.059
1.191
0.002
0.125
0.695
0.118
0.735
0.112
0.770
0.106
0.969
0.065
1.227
0.003
0.129
0.692
0.124
0.732
0.118
0.768
0.122
0.977
0.071
1.259
0.003
0.152
0.672
0.151
0.710
0.149
0.745
0.147
0.982
0.124
2.532
0.008
0.157
0.666
0.156
0.704
0.156
0.738
0.156
0.965
0.148
1.721
0.016
0.158
0.665
0.158
0.702
0.158
0.735
0.158
0.957
0.156
1.879
0.031
Source: Bowles, J.E., Foundation Analysis and Design, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996. With permission.
encountered (where Fs in the hard layer is about 10Es of the adjacent upper layer); and 4. Calculate
the weighted average Es as follows:
1
Es, avg =
∑
n
6.6.2
1
Hi Esi
∑H
i
(6.20)
n
Settlement of Shallow Foundations on Sand
SPT Method
D’Appolonio et al. [28] developed the following equation to estimate settlements of footings on
sand using SPT data:
s = µ 0µ1 pB M
(6.21)
where µ0 and µ1 are settlement influence factors dependent on footing geometry, depth of embedment, and depth to the relative incompressible layer (Figure 6.16), p is average applied pressure
under service load and M is modulus of compressibility. The correlation between M and average
SPT blow count is given in Figure 6.17.
Barker et al. [9] discussed the commonly used procedure for estimating settlement of footing on
sand using SPT blow count developed by Terzaghi and Peck [64,65] and Bazaraa [10].
CPT Method
Schmertmann [56,57] developed a procedure for estimating footing settlements on sand using CPT
data. This CPT method uses cone penetration resistance, qc, as a measure of the in situ stiffness
(compressibility) soils. Schmertmann’s method is expressed as follows
s = C1C2 ΔpΣ ( IZ Es )i Δzi
(6.22)
⎛ σ′ ⎞
C1 = 1 − 0.5 ⎜ v 0 ⎟ ≥ 0.5
⎝ Δp ⎠
(6.23)
(
)
C2 = 1 + 0.2 log tyr 0.1
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(6.24)
6-25
Shallow Foundations
FIGURE 6.16
al [28].)
Settlement influence factors µ0 and µ1 for the D’Appolonia et al. procedure. (After D’Appolonia et
FIGURE 6.17 Correlation between modulus of compressibility and average value SPT blow count. (After D’Appolonia et al [28].)
Ï2.5qc
for square footings (axisymmetric conditions)
Ô
Ô
Es = Ì3.5qc
for continuous footings with L B ≥ 10 ( plan strain conditions) (6.25)
Ô
ÔÓ 2.5 + ( L B - 1) 9 qc for footings with 1 ≥ L B ≥ 10
[
]
where Dp = s ¢vf – s ¢v0 is net load pressure at foundation level, s ¢v0 is initial effective in situ
overburden stress at the bottom of footings, s ¢vf is final effective in situ overburden stress at the
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-26
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 6.18
et al [58].)
Variation of Schmertmann’s improved settlement influence factors with depth. (After Schmertmann
TABLE 6.14 Coefficients to Define the Dimensions of Schmertmann’s Improved Settlement Influence Factor
Diagram in Figure 6.19
Peak Value of Stress Influence Factor Izp
L/B
1
2
4
8
Š10
Max. Depth of
Influence zmax/B
Depth to
Peak Value zp/B
Value of
Iz at Top Izt
Δp
=1
σ ′vp
Δp
=2
σ ′vp
Δp
=4
σ ′vp
Δp
= 10
σ ′vp
2.00
2.20
2.65
3.55
4.00
0.50
0.55
0.65
0.90
1.00
0.10
0.11
0.13
0.18
0.20
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.60
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.64
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.70
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.82
0.82
Note: σ ′ is the initial vertical pressure at depth of peak influence.
vp
After Schmertmann et al. [57].
bottom of footings, Iz is strain influence factor as defined in Figure 6.18 and Table 6.14, Es is the
appropriate Young’s modulus at the middle of the ith layer of thickness Δz1, C1 is pressure correction
factor, C2 is time rate factor (equal to 1 for immediate settlement calculation or if the lateral pressure
is less than the creep pressure determined from pressure-meter tests), qc is cone penetration resistance, in pressure units, and Δz is layer thickness.
Recent studies by Tan and Duncan [62] have compared measured settlements with settlements
predicted using various procedures for footings on sand. These studies conclude that methods
predicting settlements close to the average of measured settlement are likely to underestimate
settlements half the time and to overestimate them half the time. The conservative methods (notably
Terzaghi and Peck’s) tend to overestimate settlements more than half the time and to underestimate
them less often. On the other hand, there is a trade-off between accuracy and reliability. A relatively
accurate method such as the D’Appolonia et al. method calculates settlements that are about equal
to the average value of actual settlements, but it underestimates settlements half the time (a reliability
of 50%). To ensure that the calculated settlements equal or exceed the measured settlements about
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-27
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.15 Value of Adjustment Factor for 50 and 90% Reliability
in Displacement Estimates
Adjustment Factor
Method
Soil Type
For 50% Reliability
For 90% Reliability
Terzaghi and Peck [65]
Schmertmann
D’Appolonia et al. [28]
Sand
Sand
Sand
0.45
0.60
1.00
1.05
1.25
2.00
TABLE 6.16 Some Empirical Equations for Cc and Cα
Compression Index
Source
Comment
Cc = 0.009(LL – 10)
Cc = 0.2343e0
Cc = 0.5Gs(PI/100)
Cc = 0PI/74
Cc = 0.37(e0 + 0.003wL + 0.0004wN – 0.34)
Terzaghi and Peck [65]
Nagaraj and Murthy [51]
Worth and Wood [71]
EPRI (1990)
Azzouz et al. [7]
St ð 5, LL < 100
Recompression Index
Source
Cr = 0.0463wLGs
Nagaraj and Murthy [50]
Modified cam clay model
Statistical analysis
90% of the time (a reliability of 90%), an adjustment factor of two should be applied to the
settlements predicted by the D’Appolonia et al. method. Table 6.15 shows values of the adjustment
factor for 50 and 90% reliability in settlement predicted using Terzaghi and Peck, D’Appolonia et
al., and Schmertmann methods.
6.6.3
Settlement of Shallow Foundations on Clay
Immediate Settlement
Immediate settlement of shallow foundations on clay can be estimated using the approach described
in Section 6.6.1.
Consolidation Settlement
Consolidation settlement is time dependent and may be estimated using one-dimensional consolidation theory [43,53,66]. The consolidation settlement can be calculated as follows
⎧ H
⎪ c
⎪1 + e0
sc ⎨
⎪ Hc
⎪1 + e
0
⎩
⎡
⎛ σ′ ⎞ ⎤
⎛ σ′ ⎞
⎢Cr log ⎜ p ⎟ + Cc log ⎜ vf ⎟ ⎥
⎝ σ ′′vo ⎠
⎢⎣
⎝ σ ′p ⎠ ⎥⎦
⎛ σ′ ⎞
Cc log ⎜ vf ⎟
⎝ σ ′p ⎠
(for OC soils, i.e., σ′ > σ′ )
p
v0
(for NC soils, i.e., σ′ = σ′ )
p
(6.26)
v0
where Hc is height of compressible layer, e0 is void ratio at initial vertical effective stress, Cγ is
recompression index (see Table 6.16), Cc is compression index (see Table 6.16), σ ′p is maximum
past vertical effective stress, σ ′v 0 is initial vertical effective stress, σ ′vf is final vertical effective stress.
Highly compressible cohesive soils are rarely chosen to place footings for bridges where tolerable
amount of settlement is relatively small. Preloading or surcharging to produce more rapid consolidation has been extensively used for foundations on compressible soils [54]. Alternative foundation
systems would be appropriate if large consolidation settlement is expected to occur.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-28
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 6.17
Secondary Compression Index
Cα/Cc
Material
0.02 ± 0.01
0.03 ± 0.01
0.04 ± 0.01
0.05 ± 0.01
0.06 ± 0.01
Granular soils including rockfill
Shale and mudstone
Inorganic clays and silts
Organic clays and silts
Peat and muskeg
Source: Terzaghi, I. et al., Soil Mechanics in Engineering
Practice, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996. With
permission.
Secondary Settlement
Settlements of footings on cohesive soils continuing beyond primary consolidation are called secondary settlement. Secondary settlement develops at a slow and continually decreasing rate and
may be estimated as follows:
ss = Cα Ht log
tsc
tp
(6.27)
where Cα is coefficient of secondary settlement (Table 6.17), Ht is total thickness of layers undergoing
secondary settlement, tsc is time for which secondary settlement is calculated (in years), and tp is
time for primary settlement (>1 year).
6.6.4
Tolerable Settlement
Tolerable movement criteria for foundation settlement should be established consistent with the
function and type of structure, anticipated service life, and consequences of unacceptable movements on structure performance as outlined by AASHTO [3]. The criteria adopted by AASHTO
considering the angular distortion (δ/l) between adjacent footings is as follows:
δ ⎧0.008
≤⎨
l ⎩0.004
for simple - span bridge
for continuous - span bridge
(6.28)
where δ is differential settlement of adjacent footings and l is center–center spacing between adjacent
footings. These (δ/l) limits are not applicable to rigid frame structures, which shall be designed for
anticipated differential settlement using special analysis.
6.7
Shallow Foundations on Rock
Wyllie [72] outlines the following examinations which are necessary for designing shallow foundations on rock:
1. The bearing capacity of the rock to ensure that there will be no crushing or creep of material
within the loaded zone;
2. Settlement of the foundation which will result from elastic strain of the rock, and possibly
inelastic compression of weak seams within the volume of rock compressed by the applied
load;
3. Sliding and shear failure of blocks of rock formed by intersecting fractures within the foundation.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-29
Shallow Foundations
TABLE 6.18 Presumptive Bearing Pressures (tsf) for Foundations on Rock after Putnam, 1981
Code
Year1
Baltimore
BOCA
Boston
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Detroit
Indiana
Kansas
Los Angeles
New York City
New York State
Ohio
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Richmond
St. Louis
San Francisco
UBC
NBC Canada
New South
Wales, Australia
1962
1970
1970
1970
1951/1969
1968
1956
1967
1961/1969
1970
1970
1970
1969
1959/1969
1968
1960/1970
1969
1970
1970
1974
Bedrock2
Sound
Foliated Rock
100
100
100
100
35
40
50
100
0.2qu
100
0.2qu
0.2qu
10
60
100
100
50
25
100
100
3–5
0.2qu
2qu
100
2qu
2qu
4
60
40
40
15
25
40
40
3–5
2qu
Sound
Sedimentary Rock
33
25
10
25
0.2qu
9600
0.2qu
0.2qu
3
60
15
15
10–15
25
25
25
3–5
0.2qu
100
13
Soft
Rock3
10
10
10
0.2qu
12
0.2qu
0.2qu
1
8
10
8
8
10
10
0.2qu
Soft
Shale
4
0.2qu
12
0.2qu
0.2qu
1
Broken
Shale
(4)
1.5
(4)
0.2qu
0.2qu
0.2qu
1
4
8
4
1.5
1.5
1.5
0.2qu
0.2qu
4.5
Notes:
1. Year of code or original year and date of revision.
2. Massive crystalline bedrock.
3. Soft and broken rock, not including shale.
4. Allowable bearing pressure to be determined by appropriate city official.
5. qu = unconfined compressive strength.
This condition usually occurs where the foundation is located on a steep slope and the orientation
of the fractures is such that the blocks can slide out of the free face.
6.7.1
Bearing Capacity According to Building Codes
It is common to use allowable bearing capacity for various rock types listed in building codes for
footing design. As provided in Table 6.18, the bearing capacities have been developed based on rock
strength from case histories and include a substantial factor of safety to minimize settlement.
6.7.2
Bearing Capacity of Fractured Rock
Various empirical procedures for estimating allowable bearing capacity of foundations on fractured
rock are available in the literature. Peck et al. [53] suggested an empirical procedure for estimating
allowable bearing pressures of foundations on jointed rock based on the RQD index. The predicted
bearing capacities by this method shall be used with the assumption that the foundation settlement
does not exceed 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) [53]. Carter and Kulhawy [25] proposed an empirical approach
for estimating ultimate bearing capacity of fractured rock. Their method is based on the unconfined
compressive strength of the intact rock core sample and rock mass quality.
Wyllie [72] detailed an analytical procedure for computing bearing capacity of fractured rock
mass using Hoek–Brown strength criterion. Details of rational methods for the topic can also be
found in Kulhawy and Goodman [42] and Goodman [32].
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-30
6.7.3
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Settlements of Foundations on Rock
Wyllie [72] summarizes settlements of foundations on rock as following three different types: (1)
Elastic settlements result from a combination of strain of the intact rock, slight closure and movement of fractures and compression of any minor clay seams (less than a few millimeters). Elastic
theory can be used to calculate this type of settlement. Detailed information can be found in Wyllie
[72], Kulhawy, and AASHTO [3]. (2) Settlements result from the movement of blocks of rock due
to shearing of fracture surfaces. This occurs when foundations are sitting at the top of a steep slope
and unstable blocks of rocks are formed in the face. The stability of foundations on rock is influenced
by the geologic characterization of rock blocks. The information required on structural geology
consists of the orientation, length and spacing of fractures, and their surface and infilling materials.
Procedures have been developed for identifying and analyzing the stability of sliding blocks [72],
stability of wedge blocks [36], stability of toppling blocks [33], or three-dimensional stability of
rock blocks [34]. (3) Time-dependent settlement occurs when foundations found on rock mass that
consists of substantial seams of clay or other compressible materials. This type of settlement can be
estimated using the procedures described in Section 6.6.3. Also time-dependent settlement can
occur if foundations found on ductile rocks, such as salt where strains develop continuously at any
stress level, or on brittle rocks when the applied stress exceeds the yield stress.
6.8
Structural Design of Spread Footings
The plan dimensions (B and L) of a spread footing are controlled by the allowable soil pressure
beneath the footing. The pressure distribution beneath footings is influenced by the interaction of
the footing rigidity with the soil type, stress–state, and time response to stress as shown in
Figure 6.19 (a) (b). However, it is common practice to use the linear pressure distribution beneath
rigid footings as shown in Figure 6.19 (c). The depth (D) for spread footings is usually controlled
by shear stresses. Two-way action shear always controls the depth for centrally loaded square
footings. However, wide-beam shear may control the depth for rectangular footings when the L/B
ratio is greater than about 1.2 and may control for other L/B ratios when there is overturning or
eccentric loading (Figure 6.20a). In addition, footing depth should be designed to satisfy diagonal
(punching) shear requirement (Figure 6.20b). Recent studies by Duan and McBride [30] indicate
that when the length-to-thickness ratio of cantilever (L/D as defined in Figure 6.21) of a footing
(or pile-cap) is greater than 2.2, a nonlinear distribution of reaction should be used for footing or
pile-cap design. The specifications and procedures for footing design can be found in AASHTO
[2], ACI [4], or Bowles [12, 13].
Acknowledgment
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruce Kutter, who reviewed the early version of the
chapter and provided many thoughtful suggestions. Advice and support from Prof. Kutter are greatly
appreciated.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Shallow Foundations
6-31
FIGURE 6.19 Contact pressure distribution for a rigid footing. (a) On cohesionless soils; (b) on cohesive soils; (c)
usual assumed linear distribution.
FIGURE 6.20 (a) Section for wide-beam shear; (b) section for diagonal-tension shear; (c) method of computing
area for allowable column bearing stress.
FIGURE 6.21
Illustration of the length-to-thickness ratio of cantilever of a footing or pile cap.
References
1. AASHTO, LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
2. AASHTO, Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (Interim Revisions), 16th ed., American
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1997.
3. AASHTO, LRFD Bridge System Design Specification (Interim Revisions), American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1997.
4. ACI, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete (ACI 318-89), American Concrete Institute, Detroit, MI, 1989, 353 pp. (with commentary).
5. ASTM, Section 4 Construction, 04.08 Soil and Rock (I): D420–D4914, American Society for Testing
and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, 1997.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
6-32
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
6. ATC-32, Improved Seismic Design Criteria for California Bridges: Provisional Recommendations,
Applied Technology Council, Redwood City, CA, 1996.
7. Azzouz, A.S., Krizek, R.J., and Corotis, R.B., Regression of analysis of soil compressibility, JSSMFE
Soils and Foundations, 16(2), 19–29, 1976.
8. Baguelin, F., Jezequel, J.F., and Shields, D.H., The Pressuremeter and Foundation Engineering, Transportation Technical Publications, Clausthal, 1978, 617 pp.
9. Barker, R.M., Duncan, J.M., Rojiani, K.B., Ooi, P.S.K., Tan, C.K., and Kim, S.G., Manuals for the
Design of Bridge Foundations, National Cooperative Highway Research Program Report 343,
Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1991.
10. Bazaraa, A.R.S.S., Use of Standard Penetration Test for Estimating Settlements of Shallow Foundations on Sands, Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois,
Urbana, 1967, 380 pp.
11. Bowles, J.E., Analytical and Computer Methods in Foundation Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York,
1974.
12. Bowles, J.E., Spread footings, Chapter 15, in Foundation Engineering Handbook, Winterkorn, H.F.
and Fang, H.Y., Eds., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1975.
13. Bowles, J.E., Foundation Analysis and Design, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1996.
14. Briaud, J.L., The Pressuremeter, A.A. Balkema Publishers, Brookfield, VT, 1992.
15. Briaud, J.L., Spread footing design and performance, FHWA Workshop at the Tenth Annual
International Bridge Conference and Exhibition, 1993.
16. Briaud, J.L., Pressuremeter and foundation design, in Proceedings of the Conference on Use of in
situ tests in Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE Geotechnical Publication No. 6, 74–116, 1986.
17. Briaud, J.L. and Gibben, R., Predicted and measured behavior of five spread footings on sand,
Geotechnical Special Publication No. 41, ASCE Specialty Conference: Settlement 1994, ASCE, New
York, 1994.
18. Buisman, A.S.K., Grondmechanica, Waltman, Delft, 190, 1940.
19. Burland, J.B. and Burbidge, M.C., Settlement of foundations on sand and gravel, Proc. Inst. Civil
Eng., Tokyo, 2, 517, 1984.
20. Burmister, D.M., The theory of stresses and displacements in layered systems and application to
the design of airport runways, Proc. Highway Res. Board, 23, 126–148, 1943.
21. Burmister, D.M., Evaluation of pavement systems of WASHO road test layered system methods,
Highway Research Board Bull. No. 177, 1958.
22. Burmister, D.M., Applications of dimensional analyses in the evaluation of asphalt pavement
performances, paper presented at Fifth Paving Conference, Albuquerque, NM, 1967.
23. Canadian Geotechnical Society, Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual, 2nd ed., 1985, 456.
24. Carter. J.P. and Kulhawy, F.H., Analysis and Design of Drilled Shaft Foundations Socketed into
Rock, Report No. EL-5918, Empire State Electric Engineering Research Corporation and Electric
Power Research Institute, 1988.
25. Chen, W.F., Limit Analysis and Soil Plasticity, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1975.
26. Chen, W.F. and Mccarron, W.O., Bearing capacity of shallow foundations, Chap. 4, in Foundation
Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed., Fang, H.Y., Ed., Chapman & Hall, 1990.
27. D’Appolonia, D.J., D’Appolonia, E., and Brisette, R.F., Settlement of spread footings on sand
(closure), ASCE J. Soil Mech. Foundation Div., 96(SM2), 754–761, 1970.
28. De Beer, E.E., Bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations on sand, Proc. Symposium
on Bearing Capacity and Settlement of Foundations, Duke University, Durham, NC, 315–355, 1965.
29. De Beer, E.E., Proefondervindelijke bijdrage tot de studie van het gransdraagvermogen van zand
onder funderingen p staal, Bepaling von der vormfactor sb, Ann. Trav. Publics Belg., 1967.
30. Duan, L. and McBride, S.B., The effects of cap stiffness on pile reactions, Concrete International,
American Concrete Institue, 1995.
31. FHWA, Large-Scale Load Tests and Data Base of Spread Footings on Sand, Publication No. FHWARD-97-068, 1997.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Shallow Foundations
6-33
32. Goodman, R.E. and Bray, J.W., Toppling of rock slopes, in Proceedings of the Specialty Conference
on Rock Engineering for Foundations and Slopes, Vol. 2, ASCE, Boulder, CO, 1976, 201–234.
33. Goodman, R.E. and Shi, G., Block Theory and Its Application to Rock Engineering, Prentice-Hall,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1985.
34. Hansen, B.J., A Revised and Extended Formula for Bearing Capacity, Bull. No. 28, Danish Geotechnical Institute, Copenhagen, 1970, 5–11.
35. Hoek, E. and Bray, J., Rock Slope Engineering, 2nd ed., IMM, London, 1981.
36. Holtz, R.D., Stress distribution and settlement of shallow foundations, Chap. 5, in Foundation
Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed., Fang, H.Y., Ed., Chapman & Hall, 1990.
37. Ismael, N.F. and Vesic, A.S., Compressibility and bearing capacity, ASCE J. Geotech. Foundation
Eng. Div. 107(GT12), 1677–1691, 1981.
38. Kulhawy, F.H. and Mayne, P.W., Manual on Estimating Soil Properties for Foundation Design,
Electric Power Research Institute, EPRI EL-6800, Project 1493-6, Final Report, August, 1990.
39. Kulhawy, F.H. and Goodman, R.E., Foundation in rock, Chap. 55, in Ground Engineering Reference
Manual, F.G. Bell, Ed., Butterworths, 1987.
40. Lambe, T.W. and Whitman, R.V., Soil Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1969.
41. Menard, L., Regle pour le calcul de la force portante et du tassement des fondations en fonction
des resultats pressionmetriques, in Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Vol. 2, Montreal, 1965, 295–299.
42. Meyerhof, G.G., The ultimate bearing capacity of foundations, Geotechnique, 2(4), 301–331, 1951.
43. Meyerhof, G.G., Penetration tests and bearing capacity of cohesionless soils, ASCE J. Soil Mech.
Foundation Div., 82(SM1), 1–19, 1956.
44. Meyerhof, G.G., Some recent research on the bearing capacity of foundations, Can. Geotech. J.,
1(1), 16–36, 1963.
45. Meyerhof, G.G., Shallow foundations, ASCE J. Soil Mech. and Foundations Div., 91, No. SM2,
21–31, 1965.
46. Milovic, D.M., Comparison between the calculated and experimental values of the ultimate bearing
capacity, in Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation
Engineering, Vol. 2, Montreal, 142–144, 1965.
47. Nagaraj, T.S. and Srinivasa Murthy, B.R., Prediction of preconsolidation pressure and recompression index of soils, ASTMA Geotech. Testing J., 8(4), 199–202, 1985.
48. Nagaraj. T.S. and Srinivasa Murthy, B.R., A critical reappraisal of compression index, Geotechnique,
36(1), 27–32, 1986.
49. NAVFAC, Design Manual 7.02, Foundations & Earth Structures, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Department of the Navy, Washington, D.C., 1986.
50. NAVFAC, Design Manual 7.01, Soil Mechanics, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Department of the Navy, Washington, D.C., 1986.
51. Peck, R.B., Hanson, W.E., and Thornburn, T.H., Foundation Engineering, 2nd ed., John Wiley &
Sons, New York, 1974.
52. Perloff, W.H., Pressure distribution and settlement, Chap. 4, in Foundation Engineering Handbook,
2nd ed., Fang, H.Y., Ed., Chapman & Hall, 1975.
53. Poulos, H.G. and Davis, E.H., Elastic Solutions for Soil and Rock Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons,
New York, 1974.
54. Schmertmann, J.H., Static cone to compute static settlement over sand, ASCE J. Soil Mech. Foundation Div., 96(SM3), 1011–1043, 1970.
55. Schmertmann, J.H., Guidelines for cone penetration test performance and design, Federal Highway
Administration, Report FHWA-TS-78-209, 1978.
56. Schmertmann, J.H., Dilatometer to Computer Foundation Settlement, Proc. In Situ ’86, Specialty
Conference on the Use of In Situ Tests and Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, New York, 303–321, 1986.
57. Schmertmann, J.H., Hartman, J.P., and Brown, P.R., Improved strain influence factor diagrams,
ASCE J. Geotech. Eng. Div., 104(GT8), 1131–1135, 1978.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
58. Schultze, E. and Sherif, G. Prediction of settlements from evaluated settlement observations on
sand, Proc. 8th Int. Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Moscow, 225–230,
1973.
59. Scott, R.F., Foundation Analysis, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1981.
60. Sowers, G.F. and Vesic, A.B., Vertical stresses in subgrades beneath statically loaded flexible pavements, Highway Research Board Bulletin, No. 342, 1962.
61. Steinbrenner, W., Tafeln zur Setzungberechnung, Die Strasse, 1943, 121–124.
62. Tan, C.K. and Duncan, J.M., Settlement of footings on sand—accuracy and reliability, in Proceedings of Geotechnical Congress, Boulder, CO, 1991.
63. Terzaghi, J., Theoretical Soil Mechanics, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1943.
64. Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R.B., Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, John Wiley & Sons, New York,
1948.
65. Terzaghi, K. and Peck, R.B., Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons,
New York, 1967.
66. Terzaghi, K., Peck, R.B., and Mesri, G., Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 3rd ed., John Wiley
& Sons, New York, 1996.
67. Vesic, A.S., Bearing capacity of deep foundations in sand, National Academy of Sciences, National
Research Council, Highway Research Record, 39, 112–153, 1963.
68. Vesic, A.S., Analysis of ultimate loads of shallow foundations, ASCE J. Soil Mech. Foundation Eng.
Div., 99(SM1), 45–73, 1973.
69. Vesic, A.S., Bearing capacity of shallow foundations, Chap. 3, in Foundation Engineering Handbook,
Winterkorn, H.F. and Fang, H.Y., Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1975.
70. Westergaard, H.M., A problem of elasticity suggested by a problem in soil mechanics: soft material
reinforced by numerous strong horizontal sheets, in Contributions to the Mechanics of Solids,
Stephen Timoshenko Sixtieth Anniversary Volume, Macmillan, New York, 1938.
71. Wroth, C.P. and Wood, D.M., The correlation of index properties with some basic engineering
properties of soils, Can. Geotech. J., 15(2), 137–145, 1978.
72. Wyllie, D.C., Foundations on Rock, E & FN SPON, 1992.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7
Deep Foundations
7.1
7.2
Introduction .................................................................7-1
Classification and Selection.........................................7-2
Typical Foundations • Typical Bridge
Foundations • Classification • Advantages/
Disadvantages of Different Types of Foundations •
Characteristics of Different Types of Foundations •
Selection of Foundations
7.3
Design Considerations...............................................7-10
Design Concept • Design Procedures • Design
Capacities • Summary of Design Methods • Other
Design Issues • Uncertainty of Foundation Design
7.4
Axial Capacity and Settlement — Individual
Foundation .................................................................7-14
General • End Bearing • Side Resistance •
Settlement of Individual Pile, t–z, Q–z Curves
7.5
Lateral Capacity and Deflection — Individual
Foundation .................................................................7-25
General • Broms’ Method • Lateral Capacity and
Deflection — p–y Method •Lateral Spring: p-y Curves for Rock
7.6
Youzhi Ma
Geomatrix Consultants, Inc.
Nan Deng
Bechtel Corporation
7.1
Grouped Foundations................................................7-34
General • Axial Capacity of Pile Group • Settlement
of a Pile Group • Lateral Capacity and Deflection of
a Pile Group
7.7
Seismic Design............................................................7-38
Seismic Lateral Capacity Design of Pile Groups •
Determination of Pile Group Spring Constants •
Design of Pile Foundations against Soil Liquefaction
Introduction
A bridge foundation is part of the bridge substructure connecting the bridge to the ground. A
foundation consists of man-made structural elements that are constructed either on top of or within
existing geologic materials. The function of a foundation is to provide support for the bridge and
to transfer loads or energy between the bridge structure and the ground.
A deep foundation is a type of foundation where the embedment is larger than its maximum
plane dimension. The foundation is designed to be supported on deeper geologic materials because
either the soil or rock near the ground surface is not competent enough to take the design loads or
it is more economical to do so.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-1
7-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
The merit of a deep foundation over a shallow foundation is manifold. By involving deeper
geologic materials, a deep foundation occupies a relatively smaller area of the ground surface. Deep
foundations can usually take larger loads than shallow foundations that occupy the same area of
the ground surface. Deep foundations can reach deeper competent layers of bearing soil or rock,
whereas shallow foundations cannot. Deep foundations can also take large uplift and lateral loads,
whereas shallow foundations usually cannot.
The purpose of this chapter is to give a brief but comprehensive review to the design procedure
of deep foundations for structural engineers and other bridge design engineers. Considerations of
selection of foundation types and various design issues are first discussed. Typical procedures to
calculate the axial and lateral capacities of an individual pile are then presented. Typical procedures
to analyze pile groups are also discussed. A brief discussion regarding seismic design is also presented
for its uniqueness and importance in the foundation design.
7.2
Classification and Selection
7.2.1
Typical Foundations
Typical foundations are shown on Figure 7.1 and are listed as follows:
A pile usually represents a slender structural element that is driven into the ground. However, a
pile is often used as a generic term to represent all types of deep foundations, including a
(driven) pile, (drilled) shaft, caisson, or an anchor. A pile group is used to represent various
grouped deep foundations.
A shaft is a type of foundation that is constructed with cast-in-place concrete after a hole is first
drilled or excavated. A rock socket is a shaft foundation installed in rock. A shaft foundation
also is called a drilled pier foundation.
A caisson is a type of large foundation that is constructed by lowering preconstructed foundation
elements through excavation of soil or rock at the bottom of the foundation. The bottom of
the caisson is usually sealed with concrete after the construction is completed.
An anchor is a type of foundation designed to take tensile loading. An anchor is a slender, smalldiameter element consisting of a reinforcement bar that is fixed in a drilled hole by grout
concrete. Multistrain high-strength cables are often used as reinforcement for large-capacity
anchors. An anchor for suspension bridge is, however, a foundation that sustains the pulling
loads located at the ends of a bridge; the foundation can be a deadman, a massive tunnel, or
a composite foundation system including normal anchors, piles, and drilled shafts.
A spread footing is a type of foundation that the embedment is usually less than its smallest width.
Normal spread footing foundation is discussed in detail in Chapter 6.
7.2.2
Typical Bridge Foundations
Bridge foundations can be individual, grouped, or combination foundations. Individual bridge
foundations usually include individual footings, large-diameter drilled shafts, caissons, rock sockets,
and deadman foundations. Grouped foundations include groups of caissons, driven piles, drilled
shafts, and rock sockets. Combination foundations include caisson with driven piles, caisson with
drilled shafts, large-diameter pipe piles with rock socket, spread footings with anchors, deadman
with piles and anchors, etc.
For small bridges, small-scale foundations such as individual footings or drilled shaft foundations,
or a small group of driven piles may be sufficient. For larger bridges, large-diameter shaft foundations, grouped foundations, caissons, or combination foundations may be required. Caissons, largediameter steel pipe pile foundations, or other types of foundations constructed by using the cofferdam method may be necessary for foundations constructed over water.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-3
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.1
Typical foundations.
Bridge foundations are often constructed in difficult ground conditions such as landslide areas,
liquefiable soil, collapsible soil, soft and highly compressible soil, swelling soil, coral deposits, and
underground caves. Special foundation types and designs may be needed under these circumstances.
7.2.3
Classification
Deep foundations are of many different types and are classified according to different aspects of a
foundation as listed below:
Geologic conditions — Geologic materials surrounding the foundations can be soil and rock. Soil
can be fine grained or coarse grained; from soft to stiff and hard for fine-grained soil, or from loose to
dense and very dense for coarse-grained soil. Rock can be sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic; and
from very soft to medium strong and hard. Soil and rock mass may possess predefined weaknesses and
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-4
TABLE 7.1
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Range of Maximum Capacity of Individual Deep Foundations
Type of Foundation
Driven concrete piles
Driven steel pipe piles
Driven steel H-piles
Drilled shafts
Large steel pipe piles, concrete-filled;
large-diameter drilled shafts; rock rocket
Size of Cross Section
Up to 45 cm
Up to 45 cm
Up to 45 cm
Up to 60 cm
0.6 to 3 m
Maximum Compressive Working Capacity
100 to 250 tons (900 to 2200 kN)
50 to 250 tons (450 to 2200 kN)
50 to 250 tons (450 to 2200 kN)
Up to 400 tons (3500 kN)
300 to 5,000 tons or more (2700 to 45000 kN)
discontinuities, such as rock joints, beddings, sliding planes, and faults. Water conditions can be
different, including over river, lake, bay, ocean, or land with groundwater. Ice or wave action may
be of concern in some regions.
Installation methods — Installation methods can be piles (driven, cast-in-place, vibrated, torqued,
and jacked); shafts (excavated, drilled and cast-in-drilled-hole); anchor (drilled); caissons (Chicago,
shored, benoto, open, pneumatic, floating, closed-box, Potomac, etc.); cofferdams (sheet pile, sand
or gravel island, slurry wall, deep mixing wall, etc.); or combined.
Structural materials — Materials for foundations can be timber, precast concrete, cast-in-place
concrete, compacted dry concrete, grouted concrete, post-tension steel, H-beam steel, steel pipe,
composite, etc.
Ground effect — Depending on disturbance to the surrounding ground, piles can be displacement
piles, low displacement, or nondisplacement piles. Driven precast concrete piles and steel pipes with
end plugs are displacement piles; H-beam and unplugged steel pipes are low-displacement piles;
and drilled shafts are nondisplacement piles.
Function — Depending on the portion of load carried by the side, toe, or a combination of the
side and toe, piles are classified as frictional, end bearing, and combination piles, respectively.
Embedment and relative rigidity — Piles can be divided into long piles and short piles. A long
pile, simply called a pile, is embedded deep enough that fixity at its bottom is established, and the
pile is treated as a slender and flexible element. A short pile is a relatively rigid element that the
bottom of the pile moves significantly. A caisson is often a short pile because of its large cross section
and stiffness. An extreme case for short piles is a spread-footing foundation.
Cross section — The cross section of a pile can be square, rectangular, circular, hexagonal, octagonal, H-section; either hollow or solid. A pile cap is usually square, rectangular, circular, or bellshaped. Piles can have different cross sections at different depths, such as uniform, uniform taper,
step-taper, or enlarged end (either grouted or excavated).
Size — Depending on the diameter of a pile, piles are classified as pin piles and anchors (100 to
300 mm), normal-size piles and shafts (250 to 600 mm), large-diameter piles and shafts (600 to
3000 mm), caissons (600 mm and up to 3000 mm or larger), and cofferdams or other shoring
construction method (very large).
Loading — Loads applied to foundations are compression, tension, moment, and lateral loads.
Depending on time characteristics, loads are further classified as static, cyclic, and transient loads.
The magnitude and type of loading also are major factors in determining the size and type of a
foundation (Table 7.1).
Isolation — Piles can be isolated at a certain depth to avoid loading utility lines or other construction, or to avoid being loaded by them.
Inclination — Piles can be vertical or inclined. Inclined piles are often called battered or raked
piles.
Multiple Piles — Foundation can be an individual pile, or a pile group. Within a pile group, piles
can be of uniform or different sizes and types. The connection between the piles and the pile cap
can be fixed, pinned, or restrained.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Deep Foundations
7.2.4
7-5
Advantages/Disadvantages of Different Types of Foundations
Different types of foundations have their unique features and are more applicable to certain conditions than others. The advantages and disadvantages for different types of foundations are listed
as follows.
Driven Precast Concrete Pile Foundations
Driven concrete pile foundations are applicable under most ground conditions. Concrete piles are
usually inexpensive compared with other types of deep foundations. The procedure of pile installation is straightforward; piles can be produced in mass production either on site or in a manufacture
factory, and the cost for materials is usually much less than steel piles. Proxy coating can be applied
to reduce negative skin friction along the pile. Pile driving can densify loose sand and reduce
liquefaction potential within a range of up to three diameters surrounding the pile.
However, driven concrete piles are not suitable if boulders exist below the ground surface where
piles may break easily and pile penetration may be terminated prematurely. Piles in dense sand,
dense gravel, or bedrock usually have limited penetration; consequently, the uplift capacity of this
type of piles is very small.
Pile driving produces noise pollution and causes disturbance to the adjacent structures. Driving
of concrete piles also requires large overhead space. Piles may break during driving and impose a
safety hazard. Piles that break underground cannot take their design loads, and will cause damage
to the structures if the broken pile is not detected and replaced. Piles could often be driven out of
their designed alignment and inclination and, as a result, additional piles may be needed. A special
hardened steel shoe is often required to prevent pile tips from being smashed when encountering
hard rock. End-bearing capacity of a pile is not reliable if the end of a pile is smashed.
Driven piles may not be a good option when subsurface conditions are unclear or vary considerably over the site. Splicing and cutting of piles are necessary when the estimated length is different
from the manufactured length. Splicing is usually difficult and time-consuming for concrete piles.
Cutting of a pile would change the pattern of reinforcement along the pile, especially where extra
reinforcement is needed at the top of a pile for lateral capacity. A pilot program is usually needed
to determine the length and capacity prior to mass production and installation of production piles.
The maximum pile length is usually up to 36 to 38 m because of restrictions during transportation
on highways. Although longer piles can be produced on site, slender and long piles may buckle easily
during handling and driving. Precast concrete piles with diameters greater than 45 cm are rarely used.
Driven Steel Piles
Driven steel piles, such as steel pipe and H-beam piles, are extensively used as bridge foundations,
especially in seismic retrofit projects. Having the advantage and disadvantage of driven piles as
discussed above, driven steel piles have their uniqueness.
Steel piles are usually more expensive than concrete piles. They are more ductile and flexible and
can be spliced more conveniently. The required overhead is much smaller compared with driven
concrete piles. Pipe piles with an open end can penetrate through layers of dense sand. If necessary,
the soil inside the pipe can be taken out before further driving; small boulders may also be crushed
and taken out. H-piles with a pointed tip can usually penetrate onto soft bedrock and establish
enough end-bearing capacity.
Large-Diameter Driven, Vibrated, or Torqued Steel Pipe Piles
Large-diameter pipe piles are widely used as foundations for large bridges. The advantage of this
type of foundation is manifold. Large-diameter pipe piles can be built over water from a barge, a
trestle, or a temporary island. They can be used in almost all ground conditions and penetrate to
a great depth to reach bedrock. Length of the pile can be adjusted by welding. Large-diameter pipe
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
piles can also be used as casings to support soil above bedrock from caving in; rock sockets or rock
anchors can then be constructed below the tip of the pipe. Concrete or reinforced concrete can be
placed inside the pipe after it is cleaned. Another advantage is that no workers are required to work
below water or the ground surface. Construction is usually safer and faster than other types of
foundations, such as caissons or cofferdam construction.
Large-diameter pipe piles can be installed by methods of driving, vibrating, or torque. Driven
piles usually have higher capacity than piles installed through vibration or torque. However, driven
piles are hard to control in terms of location and inclination of the piles. Moreover, once a pile is
out of location or installed with unwanted inclination, no corrective measures can be applied. Piles
installed with vibration or torque, on the other hand, can be controlled more easily. If a pile is out
of position or inclination, the pile can even be lifted up and reinstalled.
Drilled Shaft Foundations
Drilled shaft foundations are the most versatile types of foundations. The length and size of the
foundations can be tailored easily. Disturbance to the nearby structures is small compared with
other types of deep foundations. Drilled shafts can be constructed very close to existing structures
and can be constructed under low overhead conditions. Therefore, drilled shafts are often used in
many seismic retrofit projects. However, drilled shafts may be difficult to install under certain ground
conditions such as soft soil, loose sand, sand under water, and soils with boulders. Drilled shafts
will generate a large volume of soil cuttings and fluid and can be a mess. Disposal of the cuttings
is usually a concern for sites with contaminated soils.
Drilled shaft foundations are usually comparable with or more expensive than driven piles. For
large bridge foundations, their cost is at the same level of caisson foundations and spread footing
foundations combined with cofferdam construction. Drilled shaft foundations can be constructed
very rapidly under normal conditions compared with caisson and cofferdam construction.
Anchors
Anchors are special foundation elements that are designed to take uplift loads. Anchors can be
added if an existing foundation lacks uplift capacity, and competent layers of soil or rock are shallow
and easy to reach. Anchors, however, cannot take lateral loads and may be sheared off if combined
lateral capacity of a foundation is not enough.
Anchors are, in many cases, pretensioned in order to limit the deformation to activate the anchor.
The anchor system is therefore very stiff. Structural failure resulting from anchor rupture often occurs
very quickly and catastrophically. Pretension may also be lost over time because of creep in some types
of rock and soil. Anchors should be tested carefully for their design capacity and creep performance.
Caissons
Caissons are large structures that are mainly used for construction of large bridge foundations.
Caisson foundations can take large compressive and lateral loads. They are used primarily for overwater construction and sometimes used in soft or loose soil conditions, with a purpose to sink or
excavate down to a depth where bedrock or firm soil can be reached. During construction, large
boulders can be removed.
Caisson construction requires special techniques and experience. Caisson foundations are usually
very costly, and comparable to the cost of cofferdam construction. Therefore, caissons are usually
not the first option unless other types of foundation are not favored.
Cofferdam and Shoring
Cofferdams or other types of shoring systems are a method of foundation construction to retain
water and soil. A dry bottom deep into water or ground can be created as a working platform.
Foundations of essentially any of the types discussed above can be built from the platform on top
of firm soil or rock at a great depth, which otherwise can only be reached by deep foundations.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-7
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.2
Acting loads on top of a pile or a pile group. (a) Individual pile; (b) pile group.
A spread footing type of foundation can be built from the platform. Pile foundations also can
be constructed from the platform, and the pile length can be reduced substantially. Without cofferdam or shoring, a foundation may not be possible if constructed from the water or ground
surface, or it may be too costly.
Cofferdam construction is often very expensive and should only be chosen if it is favorable
compared with other foundation options in terms of cost and construction conditions.
7.2.5
Characteristics of Different Types of Foundations
In this section, the mechanisms of resistance of an individual foundation and a pile group are
discussed. The function of different types of foundations is also addressed.
Complex loadings on top of a foundation from the bridge structures above can be simplified into
forces and moments in the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions, respectively (Figure 7.2).
Longitudinal and transverse loads are also called horizontal loads; longitudinal and transverse
moments are called overturning moments, moment about the vertical axis is called torsional
moment. The resistance provided by an individual foundation is categorized in the following (also
see Figure 7.3).
End-bearing: Vertical compressive resistance at the base of a foundation; distributed end-bearing
pressures can provide resistance to overturning moments;
Base shear: Horizontal resistance of friction and cohesion at the base of a foundation;
Side resistance: Shear resistance from friction and cohesion along the side of a foundation;
Earth pressure: Mainly horizontal resistance from lateral Earth pressures perpendicular to the side
of the foundation;
Self-weight: Effective weight of the foundation.
Both base shear and lateral earth pressures provide lateral resistance of a foundation, and the
contribution of lateral earth pressures decreases as the embedment of a pile increases. For long piles,
lateral earth pressures are the main source of lateral resistance. For short piles, base shear and endbearing pressures can also contribute part of the lateral resistance. Table 7.2 lists various types of
resistance of an individual pile.
For a pile group, through the action of the pile cap, the coupled axial compressive and uplift
resistance of individual piles provides the majority of the resistance to the overturning moment
loading. Horizontal (or lateral) resistance can at the same time provide torsional moment resistance.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 7.3
TABLE 7.2
Resistances of an individual foundation.
Resistance of an Individual Foundation
Type of Resistance
Vertical
Compressive Load
(Axial)
Vertical
Uplift Load
(Axial)
Spread footing (also
see Chapter 31)
Individual short pile
foundation
End bearing
Individual end-bearing
long pile foundation
Individual frictional
long pile foundation
Individual long pile
foundation
Anchor
End bearing
Base shear, lateral
—
earth pressure
Side friction Lateral earth
pressure, base
shear
Lateral earth
—
pressure
Side friction Lateral earth
pressure
Side friction Lateral earth
pressure
Side friction
—
Type of Foundation
TABLE 7.3
End bearing; side
friction
Side friction
End bearing; side
friction
—
Horizontal
Load
(Lateral)
Overturning
Moment
(Lateral)
Torsional
Moment
(Torsional)
End bearing, lateral
earth pressure
Lateral earth
pressure, end
bearing
Lateral earth
pressure
Lateral earth
pressure
Lateral earth
pressure
—
Base shear, lateral
earth pressure
Side friction, lateral
earth pressure,
base shear
—
Side friction
Side friction
—
Additional Functions of Pile Group Foundations
Type of Resistance
Type of Foundation
Grouped spread footings
Grouped piles, foundations
Grouped anchors
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Overturning moment
(Lateral)
Vertical compressive resistance
Vertical compressive and uplift resistance
Vertical uplift resistance
Torsional moment
(Torsional)
Horizontal resistance
Horizontal resistance
—
Deep Foundations
7-9
A pile group is more efficient in resisting overturning and torsional moment than an individual
foundation. Table 7.3 summarizes functions of a pile group in addition to those of individual piles.
7.2.6
Selection of Foundations
The two predominant factors in determining the type of foundations are bridge types and ground
conditions.
The bridge type, including dimensions, type of bridge, and construction materials, dictates the
design magnitude of loads and the allowable displacements and other performance criteria for the
foundations, and therefore determines the dimensions and type of its foundations. For example, a
suspension bridge requires large lateral capacity for its end anchorage which can be a huge deadman,
a high capacity soil or rock anchor system, a group of driven piles, or a group of large-diameter
drilled shafts. Tower foundations of an over-water bridge require large compressive, uplift, lateral,
and overturning moment capacities. The likely foundations are deep, large-size footings using
cofferdam construction, caissons, groups of large-diameter drilled shafts, or groups of a large
number of steel piles.
Surface and subsurface geologic and geotechnical conditions are another main factor in determining the type of bridge foundations. Subsurface conditions, especially the depths to the loadbearing soil layer or bedrock, are the most crucial factor. Seismicity over the region usually dictates
the design level of seismic loads, which is often the critical and dominant loading condition. A
bridge that crosses a deep valley or river certainly determines the minimum span required. Overwater bridges have limited options to chose in terms of the type of foundations.
The final choice of the type of foundation usually depends on cost after considering some other
factors, such as construction conditions, space and overhead conditions, local practice, environmental conditions, schedule constraints, etc. In the process of selection, several types of foundations
would be evaluated as candidates once the type of bridge and the preliminary ground conditions
are known. Certain types of foundations are excluded in the early stage of study. For example, from
the geotechnical point of view, shallow foundations are not an acceptable option if a thick layer of
soft clay or liquefiable sand is near the ground surface. Deep foundations are used in cases where
shallow foundations would be excessively large and costly. From a constructibility point of view,
driven pile foundations are not suitable if boulders exist at depths above the intended firm bearing
soil/rock layer.
For small bridges such as roadway overpasses, for example, foundations with driven concrete or
steel piles, drilled shafts, or shallow spread footing foundations may be the suitable choices. For
large over-water bridge foundations, single or grouped large-diameter pipe piles, large-diameter
rock sockets, large-diameter drilled shafts, caissons, or foundations constructed with cofferdams
are the most likely choice. Caissons or cofferdam construction with a large number of driven pile
groups were widely used in the past. Large-diameter pipe piles or drilled shafts, in combination
with rock sockets, have been preferred for bridge foundations recently.
Deformation compatibility of the foundations and bridge structure is an important consideration.
Different types of foundation may behave differently; therefore, the same type of foundations should
be used for one section of bridge structure. Diameters of the piles and inclined piles are two important
factors to considere in terms of deformation compatibility and are discussed in the following.
Small-diameter piles are more “brittle” in the sense that the ultimate settlement and lateral
deflection are relatively small compared with large-diameter piles. For example, 20 small piles can
have the same ultimate load capacity as two large-diameter piles. However, the small piles reach the
ultimate state at a lateral deflection of 50 mm, whereas the large piles do at 150 mm. The smaller
piles would have failed before the larger piles are activated to a substantial degree. In other words,
larger piles will be more flexible and ductile than smaller piles before reaching the ultimate state.
Since ductility usually provides more seismic safety, larger-diameter piles are preferred from the
point of view of seismic design.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Inclined or battered piles should not be used together with vertical piles unless the inclined piles
alone have enough lateral capacity. Inclined piles provide partial lateral resistance from their axial
capacity, and, since the stiffness in the axial direction of a pile is much larger than in the perpendicular directions, inclined piles tend to attract most of the lateral seismic loading. Inclined piles
will fail or reach their ultimate axial capacity before the vertical piles are activated to take substantial
lateral loads.
7.3
Design Considerations
7.3.1
Design Concept
The current practice of foundation design mainly employs two types of design concepts, i.e., the
permissible stress approach and the limit state approach.
By using the permissible stress approach, both the demanded stresses from loading and the
ultimate stress capacity of the foundation are evaluated. The foundation is considered to be safe as
long as the demanded stresses are less than the ultimate stress capacity of the foundation. A factor
of safety of 2 to 3 is usually applied to the ultimate capacity to obtain various allowable levels of
loading in order to limit the displacements of a foundation. A separate displacement analysis is
usually performed to determine the allowable displacements for a foundation, and for the bridge
structures. Design based on the permissible concept is still the most popular practice in foundation
design.
Starting to be adopted in the design of large critical bridges, the limit state approach requires
that the foundation and its supported bridge should not fail to meet performance requirements
when exceeding various limit states. Collapse of the bridge is the ultimate limit state, and design is
aimed at applying various factors to loading and resistance to ensure that this state is highly
improbable. A design needs to ensure the structural integrity of the critical foundations before
reaching the ultimate limit state, such that the bridge can be repaired a relatively short time after
a major loading incident without reconstruction of the time-consuming foundations.
7.3.2
Design Procedures
Under normal conditions, the design procedures of a bridge foundation should involve the following
steps:
1. Evaluate the site and subsurface geologic and geotechnical conditions, perform borings or
other field exploratory programs, and conduct field and laboratory tests to obtain design
parameters for subsurface materials;
2. Review the foundation requirements including design loads and allowable displacements,
regulatory provisions, space, or other constraints;
3. Evaluate the anticipated construction conditions and procedures;
4. Select appropriate foundation type(s);
5. Determine the allowable and ultimate axial and lateral foundation design capacity, load vs.
deflection relationship, and load vs. settlement relationship;
6. Design various elements of the foundation structure; and
7. Specify requirements for construction inspection and/or load test procedures, and incorporate the requirements into construction specifications.
7.3.3
Design Capacities
Capacity in Long-Term and Short-Term Conditions
Depending on the loading types, foundations are designed for two different stress conditions.
Capacity in total stress is used where loading is relatively quick and corresponds to an undrained
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Deep Foundations
7-11
condition. Capacity in effective stress is adopted where loading is slow and corresponds to a drained
condition. For many types of granular soil, such as clean gravel and sand, drained capacity is very
close to undrained capacity under most loading conditions. Pile capacity under seismic loading is
usually taken 30% higher than capacity under static loading.
Axial, Lateral, and Moment Capacity
Deep foundations can provide lateral resistance to overturning moment and lateral loads and axial
resistance to axial loads. Part or most of the moment capacity of a pile group are provided by the
axial capacity of individual piles through pile cap action. The moment capacity depends on the
axial capacity of the individual piles, the geometry arrangement of the piles, the rigidity of the pile
cap, and the rigidity of the connection between the piles and the pile cap. Design and analysis is
often concentrated on the axial and lateral capacity of individual piles. Axial capacity of an individual
pile will be addressed in detail in Section 7.4 and lateral capacity in Section 7.5. Pile groups will be
addressed in Section 7.6.
Structural Capacity
Deep foundations may fail because of structural failure of the foundation elements. These elements
should be designed to take moment, shear, column action or buckling, corrosion, fatigue, etc. under
various design loading and environmental conditions.
Determination of Capacities
In the previous sections, the general procedure and concept for the design of deep foundations are
discussed. Detailed design includes the determination of axial and lateral capacity of individual
foundations, and capacity of pile groups. Many methods are available to estimate these capacities,
and they can be categorized into three types of methodology as listed in the following:
• Theoretical analysis utilizing soil or rock strength;
• Empirical methods including empirical analysis utilizing standard field tests, code requirements, and local experience; and
• Load tests, including full-scale load tests, and dynamic driving and restriking resistance
analysis.
The choice of methods depends on the availability of data, economy, and other constraints. Usually,
several methods are used; the capacity of the foundation is then obtained through a comprehensive
evaluation and judgment.
In applying the above methods, the designers need to keep in mind that the capacity of a
foundation is the sum of capacities of all elements. Deformation should be compatible in the
foundation elements, in the surrounding soil, and in the soil–foundation interface. Settlement or
other movements of a foundation should be restricted within an acceptable range and usually is a
controlling factor for large foundations.
7.3.4
Summary of Design Methods
Table 7.4 presents a partial list of design methods available in the literature.
7.3.5
Other Design Issues
Proper foundation design should consider many factors regarding the environmental conditions, type
of loading conditions, soil and rock conditions, construction, and engineering analyses, including:
• Various loading and loading combinations, including the impact loads of ships or vehicles
• Earthquake shaking
• Liquefaction
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-12
TABLE 7.4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Summary of Design Methods for Deep Foundations
Type
Design For
Soil Condition
Method and Author
Driven pile
End bearing
Clay
Nc method [67]
Nc method [23]
CPT methods [37,59,63]
CPT [8,10]
Nq method with critical depth concept [38]
Nq method [3]
Nq method [23]
Nq by others [26,71,76]
Limiting Nq values [1,13]
Value of f [27,30,39]
SPT [37,38]
CPT methods [37,59,63]
CPT [8,10]
[10]
a-method [72,73]
a-method [1]
b-method [23]
l-method [28,80]
CPT methods [37,59,63]
CPT [8,10]
SPT [14]
a-method [72,73]
b-method [7]
b-method [23]
CPT method [37,59,63]
CPT [8,10]
SPT [37,38]
Load test: ASTM D 1143, static axial compressive test
Load test: ASTM D 3689, static axial tensile test
Sanders’ pile driving formula (1850) [50]
Danish pile driving formula [68]
Engineering News formula (Wellingotn, 1988)
Dynamic formula — WEAP Analysis
Strike and restrike dynamic analysis
Interlayer influence [38]
No critical depth [20,31]
[77]
[41,81]
Theory of elasticity, Mindlin’s solutions [50]
Finite-element method [15]
Load test: ASTM D 1143, static axial compressive test
Load test: ASTM D 3689, static axial tensile test
Nc method [66]
Large base [45,57]
CPT [8,10]
[74]
[38]
[55]
[52]
[37,38]
[8,10]
[10]
Pressure meter [10]
Sand
Side resistance
Rock
Clay
Sand
Side and end
All
Load-settlement
Sand
All
Drilled shaft
End bearing
Clay
Sand
Rock
Rock
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-13
Deep Foundations
TABLE 7.4 (continued)
Type
Summary of Design Methods for Deep Foundations
Design For
Soil Condition
Method and Author
Side resistance
Clay
a-method [52]
a-method [67]
a-method [83]
CPT [8,10]
[74]
[38]
[55]
b-method [44,52]
SPT [52]
CPT [8,10]
Coulombic [34]
Coulombic [75]
SPT [12]
[24]
[58]
[11,32]
[25]
[46]
[84]
[60]
[48]
[61,62]
FHWA [57]
Load test [47]
[57]
[57]
[85]
Load test [47]
Broms’ method [5]
Broms’ method [6]
p–y method [56]
p–y response [35]
p–y response [53]
p–y response [82]
p–y response [53]
p–y response [1]
p–y response for inclined piles [2,29]
p–y response in layered soil
p–y response [42]
p–y response [86]
Theory of elasticity method [50]
Finite-difference method [64]
General finite-element method (FEM)
FEM dynamic
Pressure meter method [36,78]
Pressure meter method [36]
Load test: ASTM D 3966
Elasticity approach [50]
Elasticity approach [21]
Two-dimensional group [51]
Three-dimensional group [52]
[10]
[16]
Sand
Rock
All
Side and end
Rock
Load-settlement
All
Sand
Clay
Lateral resistance
Load-settlement
End bearing
Lateral resistance
Group
Theory
Lateral g-factor
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
All
Clay
Sand
All
Clay
Clay (w/water)
Clay (w/o water)
Sand
All
Rock
All
7-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
7.3.6
Rupture of active fault and shear zone
Landslide or ground instability
Difficult ground conditions such as underlying weak and compressible soils
Debris flow
Scour and erosion
Chemical corrosion of foundation materials
Weathering and strength reduction of foundation materials
Freezing
Water conditions including flooding, water table change, dewatering
Environmental change due to construction of the bridge
Site contamination condition of hazardous materials
Effects of human or animal activities
Influence upon and by nearby structures
Governmental and community regulatory requirements
Local practice
Uncertainty of Foundation Design
Foundation design is as much an art as a science. Although most foundation structures are manmade, the surrounding geomaterials are created, deposited, and altered in nature over the geologic
times. The composition and engineering properties of engineering materials such as steel and
concrete are well controlled within a variation of uncertainty of between 5 to 30%. However, the
uncertainty of engineering properties for natural geomaterials can be up to several times, even
within relatively uniform layers and formations. The introduction of faults and other discontinuities
make generalization of material properties very hard, if not impossible.
Detailed geologic and geotechnical information is usually difficult and expensive to obtain.
Foundation engineers constantly face the challenge of making engineering judgments based on
limited and insufficient data of ground conditions and engineering properties of geomaterials.
It was reported that under almost identical conditions, variation of pile capacities of up to 50%
could be expected within a pile cap footprint under normal circumstances. For example, piles within
a nine-pile group had different restruck capacities of 110, 89, 87, 96, 86, 102, 103, 74, and 117 kips
(1 kip = 4.45 kN), respectively [19].
Conservatism in foundation design, however, is not necessarily always the solution. Under seismic
loading, heavier and stiffer foundations may tend to attract more seismic energy and produce larger
loads; therefore, massive foundations may not guarantee a safe bridge performance.
It could be advantageous that piles, steel pipes, caisson segments, or reinforcement steel bars are
tailored to exact lengths. However, variation of depth and length of foundations should always be
expected. Indicator programs, such as indicator piles and pilot exploratory borings, are usually a
good investment.
7.4
Axial Capacity and Settlement — Individual Foundation
7.4.1
General
The axial resistance of a deep foundation includes the tip resistance ( Qend ), side or shaft resistance
( Qside), and the effective weight of the foundation ( Wpile ). Tip resistance, also called end bearing, is
the compressive resistance of soil near or under the tip. Side resistance consists of friction, cohesion,
and keyed bearing along the shaft of the foundation. Weight of the foundation is usually ignored
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-15
Deep Foundations
under compression because it is nearly the same as the weight of the soil displaced, but is usually
accounted for under uplift loading condition.
At any loading instance, the resistance of an individual deep foundation (or pile) can be expressed
as follows:
Q = Qend + SQside ± Wpile
(7.1)
The contribution of each component in the above equation depends on the stress–strain behavior
and stiffness of the pile and the surrounding soil and rock. The maximum capacity of a pile can be
expressed as
Qc max £ Qc end _ max + SQcside _ max - Wpile
(in compression)
(7.2)
Qt max £ Qt end_ max + SQt side _ max + Wpile
(in uplift)
(7.3)
and is less than the sum of all the maximum values of resistance. The ultimate capacity of a pile
undergoing a large settlement or upward movement can be expressed as
c
Qc ult = Qc end_ult + SQcside_ult - Wpile £ Qmax
(7.4)
t
Qt ult = Qt end_ult + SQt side_ult + Wpile £ Qmax
(7.5)
Side- and end-bearing resistances are related to displacement of a pile. Maximum end bearing
capacity can be mobilized only after a substantial downward movement of the pile, whereas side
resistance reaches its maximum capacity at a relatively smaller downward movement. Therefore,
the components of the maximum capacities ( Qmax ) indicated in Eqs. (7.2) and (7.3) may not be
realized at the same time at the tip and along the shaft. For a drilled shaft, the end bearing is usually
ignored if the bottom of the borehole is not cleared and inspected during construction. Voids or
compressible materials may exist at the bottom after concrete is poured; as a result, end bearing
will be activated only after a substantial displacement.
Axial displacements along a pile are larger near the top than toward the tip. Side resistance depends
on the amount of displacement and is usually not uniform along the pile. If a pile is very long,
maximum side resistance may not occur at the same time along the entire length of the pile. Certain
types of geomaterials, such as most rocks and some stiff clay and dense sand, exhibit strain softening
behavior for their side resistance, where the side resistance first increases to reach its maximum,
then drops to a much smaller residual value with further displacement. Consequently, only a fixed
length of the pile segment may maintain high resistance values and this segment migrates downward
to behave in a pattern of a progressive failure. Therefore, the capacity of a pile or drilled shaft may
not increase infinitely with its length.
For design using the permissible stress approach, allowable capacity of a pile is the design
capacity under service or routine loading. The allowable capacity ( Qall ) is obtained by dividing
ultimate capacity ( Qult ) by a factor of safety (FS) to limit the level of settlement of the pile and
to account for uncertainties involving material, installation, loads calculation, and other aspects.
In many cases, the ultimate capacity ( Qult ) is assumed to be the maximum capacity ( Qmax ). The
factor of safety is usually between 2 to 3 for deep foundations depending on the reliability of the
ultimate capacity estimated. With a field full-scale loading test program, the factor of safety is
usually 2.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-16
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 7.5
Typical Values of Bearing Capacity Factor Nq
j (degrees)
Nq (driven pile displacement)
Nq b (drilled piers)
a
a
b
26
10
5
28
15
8
30
21
10
31
24
12
32
29
14
33
35
17
34
42
21
35
50
25
36
62
30
37
77
38
38
86
43
39
120
60
40
145
72
Limit j to 28° if jetting is used.
1. In case a bailer of grab bucket is used below the groundwater table, calculate end bearing based on j not
exceeding 28°.
2. For piers greater than 24-in. diameter, settlement rather than bearing capacity usually controls the design. For
estimating settlement, take 50% of the settlement for an equivalent footing resting on the surface of comparable
granular soils (Chapter 5, DM-7.01).
Source: NAVFAC [42].
7.4.2
End Bearing
End bearing is part of the axial compressive resistance provided at the bottom of a pile by the
underlying soil or rock. The resistance depends on the type and strength of the soil or rock and on
the stress conditions near the tip. Piles deriving their capacity mostly from end bearing are called
end bearing piles. End bearing in rock and certain types of soil such as dense sand and gravel is
usually large enough to support the designed loads. However, these types of soil or rock cannot be
easily penetrated through driving. No or limited uplift resistance is provided from the pile tips;
therefore, end-bearing piles have low resistance against uplift loading.
The end bearing of a pile can be expressed as:
Q end_max
Ï cN c A pile
Ô
Ôs¢ N A
= Ì v q pile
ÔUc
- N k A pile
Ô ----Ó2
for clay
for sand
(7.6)
for rock
where
Qend_max
= the maximum end bearing of a pile
Apile
= the area of the pile tip or base
Nc , Nq , Nk = the bearing capacity factors for clay, sand, and rock
c
= the cohesion of clay
s ¢v
= the effective overburden pressure
U
Uc
= the unconfined compressive strength of rock and c = Su , the equivalent shear
2
strength of rock
Clay
The bearing capacity factor Nc for clay can be expressed as
L
Nc = 6.0 Ê1 + 0.2 ˆ £ 9
Ë
D¯
(7.7)
where L is the embedment depth of the pile tip and D is the diameter of the pile.
Sand
The bearing capacity factor Nq generally depends on the friction angle f of the sand and can be
estimated by using Table 7.5 or the Meyerhof equation:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-17
Deep Foundations
j
Nq = e p tan j tan 2 Ê 45 + ˆ
Ë
2¯
(7.8)
The capacity of end bearing in sand reaches a maximum cutoff after a certain critical embedment
depth. This critical depth is related to f and D and for design purposes is listed as follows:
Lc = 7 D,
f = 30 o for loose sand
Lc = 10 D,
f = 34 o for medium dense sand
Lc = 14 D,
f = 38o for dense sand
Lc = 22 D,
f = 45o for very dense sand
The validity of the concept of critical depth has been challenged by some people; however, the
practice to limit the maximum ultimate end bearing capacity in sand will result in conservative
design and is often recommended.
Rock
The bearing capacity factor Nk depends on the quality of the rock mass, intact rock properties,
fracture or joint properties, embedment, and other factors. Because of the complex nature of the
rock mass and the usually high value for design bearing capacity, care should be taken to estimate
Nk . For hard fresh massive rock without open or filled fractures, Nk can be taken as high as 6. Nk
decreases with increasing presence and dominance of fractures or joints and can be as low as 1.
Rock should be treated as soil when rock is highly fractured and weathered or in-fill weak materials
control the behavior of the rock mass. Bearing capacity on rock also depends on the stability of the
rock mass. Rock slope stability analysis should be performed where the foundation is based on a
slope. A higher factor of safety, 3 to as high as 10 to 20, is usually applied in estimating allowable
bearing capacity for rocks using the Nk approach.
The soil or rock parameters used in design should be taken from averaged properties of soil or
rock below the pile tip within the influence zone. The influence zone is usually taken as deep as
three to five diameters of the pile. Separate analyses should be conducted where weak layers exist
below the tip and excessive settlement or punch failure might occur.
Empirical Methods
Empirical methods are based on information of the type of soil/rock and field tests or index
properties. The standard penetration test (SPT) for sand and cone penetration test (CPT) for soil
are often used.
Meyerhof [38] recommended a simple formula for piles driven into sand. The ultimate tip bearing
pressure is expressed as
qend_ max £ 4 NSPT
in tsf (1 tsf = 8.9 kN)
(7.9)
where NSPT is the blow count of SPT just below the tip of the driven pile and qend_max = Qend_max / Apile.
Although the formula is developed for piles in sand, it also is used for piles in weathered rock for
preliminary estimate of pile capacity.
Schmertmann [63] recommended a method to estimate pile capacity by using the CPT test:
qend_ max = qb =
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
qc1 + qc 2
2
(7.10)
7-18
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
where
qc1 = averaged cone tip resistance over a depth of 0.7 to 4 diameters of the pile below tip of the pile
qc2 = the averaged cone tip resistance over a depth of 8 diameters of the pile above the tip of the pile
Chapter 6 presents recommended allowable bearing pressures for various soil and rock types for
spread footing foundations and can be used as a conservative estimate of end-bearing capacity for
end-bearing piles.
TABLE 7.6
Typical Values of a and fs
Range of Shear
Strength, Su ksf
0 to 0.600
0.600 to 3
3 to 11
Formula to Estimate a
Range of a
1
a = 1.0
11 to 576
(76 psi to 4000 psi)
Range of fs ksfa
0–0.6
Description
Soft clay
Ê
1ˆ
a = 0.375 Á1 + ˜ ,
Ë Su ¯
1–0.5
0.6–1.5
Medium stiff clay to very
stiff clay
Ê
1ˆ
a = 0.375 Á1 + ˜ ,
Ë Su ¯
0.5–0.41
1.5–4.5
Hard clay to very soft
rock
0.41–0.056
4.5–32
(31–220 psi)
Soft rock to hard rock
a=
5
, Su in psi,
2Su
Note: 1 ksf = 1000 psf; 1 psi = 144 psf; 1 psf = 0.048 kPa; 1 psi = 6.9 kPa
For concrete driven piles and for drilled piers without buildup of mud cakes along the shaft. (Verify if fs ≥ 3 ksf.)
a
7.4.3
Side Resistance
Side resistance usually consists of friction and cohesion between the pile and the surrounding soil or
rock along the shaft of a pile. Piles that derive their resistance mainly from side resistance are termed
frictional piles. Most piles in clayey soil are frictional piles, which can take substantial uplift loads.
The maximum side resistance of a pile Qside_max can be expressed as
Qside _ max =
ÂfA
s
side
(7.11)
fs = Ks s ¢v tan d + ca
(7.12)
ca = aSu
(7.13)
where
 = the sum for all layers of soil and rock along the pile
Aside = the shaft side area
fs = the maximum frictional resistance on the side of the shaft
Ks = the lateral earth pressure factor along the shaft
s ¢v = the effective vertical stress along the side of the shaft
d = the friction angle between the pile and the surrounding soil; for clayey soil under quick
loading, d is very small and usually omitted
ca = the adhesion between pile and surrounding soil and rock
a = a strength factor, and
Su = the cohesion of the soil or rock
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-19
Deep Foundations
TABLE 7.7
Typical Values Cohesion and Adhesion fs
Consistency of Soil
Cohesion, Su psf
Adhesion, fs psf
Timber and concrete
Very soft
Soft
Medium stiff
Stiff
Very stiff
0–250
250–500
500–1000
1000–2000
2000–4000
0–250
250–480
480–750
750–950
950–1300
Steel
Very soft
Soft
Medium stiff
Stiff
Very stiff
0–250
250–500
500–1000
1000–2000
2000–4000
0–250
250–460
480–700
700–720
720–750
Pile Type
1 psf = 0.048 kPa.
Source: NAVFAC [42].
TABLE 7.8
Typical Values of Bond Stress of Rock Anchors for Selected Rock
Ultimate Bond Stresses between Rock
and Anchor Plus (dskin), psi
Rock Type (Sound, Nondecayed)
Granite and basalt
Limestone (competent)
Dolomitic limestone
Soft limestone
Slates and hard shales
Soft shales
Sandstone
Chalk (variable properties)
Marl (stiff, friable, fissured)
250–450
300–400
200–300
150–220
120–200
30–120
120–150
30–150
25–36
Note: It is not generally recommended that design bond stresses exceed 200 psi
even in the most competent rocks. 1 psi = 6.9 kPa.
Source: NAVFAC [42].
TABLE 7.9
Typical Values of earth Pressure Coefficient K s
Earth Pressure Coefficients K s
Pile Type
Driven single H-pile
Driven single displacement pile
Driven single displacement tapered pile
Driven jetted pile
Drilled pile (less than 24-in. diameter)
Insert pile
Driven with predrilled hole
Drilled pier
a
b
K s a (compression)
K s a (tension)
Ks b
0.5–1.0
1.0–1.5
1.5–2.0
0.4–0.9
0.7
—
0.3–0.5
0.6–1.0
1.0–1.3
0.3–0.6
0.4
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.7–3.0
—
—
—
0.7 (compression)
0.5 (tension)
0.4–0.7
0.1–0.4
From NAVFAC [42].
From Le Tirant (1979), K s increases with OCR or DR.
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7-20
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
TABLE 7.10
Typical Value of Pile-Soil Friction Angles d
Pile Type
d, °
Alternate for d
Concrete
Concrete (rough, cast-in-place)b
Concrete (smooth)b
Steela
Steel (corrugated)
Steel (smooth)c
Timbera
—
33
30
20
33
—
—
d = ¾j
d = 0.85j
d = 0.70j
—
d=j
d = j – 5°
d = ¾j
a
NAVFAC [42].
Woodward et al. [85]
c API [1] and de Ruiter and Beringen [13]
a
b
Typical values of a , fs , Ks , d are shown in Tables 7.6 through 7.10. For design purposes, side
resistance fs in sand is limited to a cutoff value at the critical depth, which is equal to about 10B
for loose sand and 20B for dense sand.
Meyerhof [38] recommended a simple formula for driven piles in sand. The ultimate side adhesion is expressed as
N SPT
f s £ ---------50
in tsf (1 tsf = 8.9 kN)
(7.14)
where NSPT is the averaged blow count of SPT along the pile.
Meyerhof [38] also recommended a formula to calculate the ultimate side adhesion based on
CPT results as shown in the following.
For full displacement piles:
fs =
qc
£ 1.0 in tsf
200
(7.15)
or
fs = 2 fc £ 1.0
(7.16)
For nondisplacement piles:
fs =
qc
£ 0.5 in tsf
400
(7.17)
or
fs = fc £ 0.5
(7.18)
in which
qc , fc = the cone tip and side resistance measured from CPT; averaged values should be used
along the pile
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7-21
Deep Foundations
Downdrag
For piles in soft soil, another deformation-related issue should be noted. When the soil surrounding
the pile settles relative to a pile, the side friction, also called the negative skin friction, should be
considered when there exists underlying compressible clayey soil layers and liquefiable loose sand
layers. Downdrag can also happen when ground settles because of poor construction of caissons in
sand. On the other hand, updrag should also be considered in cases where heave occurs around the
piles for uplift loading condition, especially during installation of piles and in expansive soils.
7.4.4
Settlement of Individual Pile, t–z, Q–z Curves
Besides bearing capacity, the allowable settlement is another controlling factor in determining the
allowable capacity of a pile foundation, especially if layers of highly compressible soil are close to
or below the tip of a pile.
Settlement of a small pile (diameter less than 350 mm) is usually kept within an acceptable range
(usually less than 10 mm) when a factor of safety of 2 to 3 is applied to the ultimate capacity to
obtain the allowable capacity. However, in the design of large-diameter piles or caissons, a separate
settlement analysis should always be performed.
The total settlement at the top of a pile consists of immediate settlement and long-term settlement.
The immediate settlement occurs during or shortly after the loads are applied, which includes elastic
compression of the pile and deformation of the soil surrounding the pile under undrained loading
conditions. The long-term settlement takes place during the period after the loads are applied, which
includes creep deformation and consolidation deformation of the soil under drained loading conditions.
Consolidation settlement is usually significant in soft to medium stiff clayey soils. Creep settlement occurs most significantly in overconsolidated (OC) clays under large sustained loads, and can
be estimated by using the method developed by Booker and Poulos (1976). In principle, however,
long-term settlement can be included in the calculation of ultimate settlement if the design parameters of soil used in the calculation reflect the long-term behavior.
Presented in the following sections are three methods that are often used:
• Method of solving ultimate settlement by using special solutions from the theory of elasticity
[50,85]. Settlement is estimated based on equivalent elasticity in which all deformation of
soil is assumed to be linear elastic.
• Empirical method [79].
• Method using localized springs, or the so called t–z and Q–z method [52a].
Method from Elasticity Solutions
The total elastic settlement S can be separated into three components:
S = Sb + Ss + Ssh
(7.19)
where Sb is part of the settlement at the tip or bottom of a pile caused by compression of soil layers
below the pile under a point load at the pile tip, and is expressed as
Sb =
pb Db Ibb
Es
(7.20)
Ss is part of the settlement at the tip of a pile caused by compression of soil layers below the pile
under the loading of the distributed side friction along the shaft of the pile, and can be expressed as
Ss =
Â
i
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
( fsili Dzi ) Ibs
Es
(7.21)
7-22
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
and Ssh is the shortening of the pile itself, and can be expressed as
Ssh =
Â
i
( fsili Dzi ) + pb Ab ( Dzi )
Ec ( Ai )
(7.22)
where
pb = averaged loading pressure at pile tip
Ab = cross section area of a pile at pile tip; Ab pb is the total load at the tip
Db = diameter of pile at the pile tip
i = subscript for ith segment of the pile
l = perimeter of a segment of the pile
Dz = axial length of a segment of the pile; L =
 Dz
i
is the total length of the pile.
i
fs
Es
Ec
Ibb
Ibs
= unit friction along side of shaft; fsili Dzi is the side frictional force for segment i of the pile
= Young’s modulus of uniform and isotropic soil
= Young’s modulus of the pile
= base settlement influence factor, from load at the pile tip (Figure 7.4)
= base settlement influence factor, from load along the pile shaft (Figure 7.4)
Because of the assumptions of linear elasticity, uniformity, and isotropy for soil, this method is
usually used for preliminary estimate purposes.
Method by Vesic [79]
The settlement S at the top of a pile can be broken down into three components, i.e.,
S = Sb + Ss + Ssh
(7.23)
Settlement due to shortening of a pile is
Ssh = (Qp + a sQs )
L
AEc
(7.24)
where
Qp = point load transmitted to the pile tip in the working stress range
Qs = shaft friction load transmitted by the pile in the working stress range (in force units)
a s = 0.5 for parabolic or uniform distribution of shaft friction, 0.67 for triangular distribution of
shaft friction starting from zero friction at pile head to a maximum value at pile tip, 0.33 for
triangular distribution of shaft friction starting from a maximum at pile head to zero at the pile tip
=
pile
length
L
=
pile
cross-sectional area
A
=
modulus
of elasticity of the pile
Ec
Settlement of the pile tip caused by load transmitted at the pile tip is
Sb =
CpQp
Dqo
(7.25)
where
Cp = empirical coefficient depending on soil type and method of construction, see Table 7.11.
D = pile diameter
qo = ultimate end bearing capacity
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
FIGURE 7.4
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Influence factors Ibb and Ibs . [From Woodward, Gardner and Greer (1972).85
7-24
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
and settlement of the pile tip caused by load transmitted along the pile shaft is
Ss =
CsQs
hqo
(7.26)
where
Cs = (0.93 + 0.16 D / B) Cp
h = embedded length
TABLE 7.11 Typical Values of C p for Estimating
Settlement of a Single Pile
Soil Type
Sand (dense to loose)
Clay (stiff to soft)
Silt (dense to loose)
Driven Piles
Bored Piles
0.02–0.04
0.02–0.03
0.03–0.05
0.09–0.18
0.03–0.06
0.09–0.12
Note: Bearing stratum under pile tip assumed to
extend at least 10 pile diameters below tip and soil
below tip is of comparable or higher stiffness.
Method Using Localized Springs: The t–z and Q–z method
In this method, the reaction of soil surrounding the pile is modeled as localized springs: a series of
springs along the shaft (the t–z curves) and the spring attached to the tip or bottom of a pile (the
Q–z curve). t is the load transfer or unit friction force along the shaft, Q is the tip resistance of the
pile, and z is the settlement of soil at the location of a spring. The pile itself is also represented as
a series of springs for each segment. A mechanical model is shown on Figure 7.5. The procedure
to obtain the settlement of a pile is as follows:
• Assume a pile tip movement zb_1; obtain a corresponding tip resistance Q_1 from the Q–z curve.
• Divide the pile into number of segments, and start calculation from the bottom segment.
Iterations:
1. Assume an averaged movement of the segment zs_1; obtain the averaged side friction
along the bottom segment ts_1 by using the t–z curve at that location.
2. Calculate the movement at middle of the segment from elastic shortening of the pile under
axial loading zs_2. The axial load is the tip resistance Q_1 plus the added side friction ts_1.
3. Iteration should continue until the difference between zs_1 and zs_2 is within an acceptable
tolerance.
Iteration continues for all the segments from bottom to top of the pile.
• A settlement at top of pile zt_1 corresponding to a top axial load Qt_1 is established.
• Select another pile tip movement zb_2 and calculate zt_2 and Qt_2 until a relationship curve
of load vs. pile top settlement is found.
The t–z and Q–z curves are established from test data by many authors. Figure 7.6 shows the t–z
and Q–z curves for cohesive soil and cohesionless soil by Reese and O’Neil [57].
Although the method of t–z and Q–z curves employs localized springs, the calculated settlements
are usually within a reasonable range since the curves are backfitted directly from the test results.
Factors of nonlinear behavior of soil, complicated stress conditions around the pile, and partial
corrections to the Winkler’s assumption are embedded in this methodology. Besides, settlement of
a pile can be estimated for complicated conditions such as varying pile geometry, different pile
materials, and different soil layers.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-25
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.5
Analytical model for pile under axial loading with t–z and Q–z curves.
7.5
Lateral Capacity and Deflection — Individual Foundation
7.5.1
General
Lateral capacity of a foundation is the capacity to resist lateral deflection caused by horizontal forces
and overturning moments acted on the top of the foundation. For an individual foundation, lateral
resistance comes from three sources: lateral earth pressures, base shear, and nonuniformly distributed end-bearing pressures. Lateral earth pressure is the primary lateral resistance for long piles.
Base shear and distributed end-bearing pressures are discussed in Chapter 6.
7.5.2
Broms’ Method
Broms [5] developed a method to estimate the ultimate lateral capacity of a pile. The pile is assumed
to be short and rigid. Only rigid translation and rotation movements are considered and only
ultimate lateral capacity of a pile is calculated. The method assumes distributions of ultimate lateral
pressures for cohesive and cohesionless soils; the lateral capacity of piles with different top fixity
conditions are calculated based on the assumed lateral pressure as illustrated on Figures 7.7 and
7.8. Restricted by the assumptions, the Broms’ method is usually used only for preliminary estimates
of the ultimate lateral capacity of piles.
Ultimate Lateral Pressure
The ultimate lateral pressure qh,u along a pile is calculated as follows:
Ï 9c u
q h, u = Ì
Ó 3K p p 0¢
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
for cohesive soil
for cohesionless soil
(7.27)
7-26
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
where
cu = shear strength of the soil
K p = coefficient of passive earth pressure, K p = tan 2 ( 45o + j / 2) and j is the friction angle of
cohesionless soils (or sand and gravel)
p0¢ = effective overburden pressure, p0¢ = g ¢z at a depth of z from the ground surface, where g ¢
is the effective unit weight of the soil
FIGURE 7.6 Load transfer for side resistance (t–z) and tip bearing (Q–z). (a) Side resistance vs. settlement, drilled
shaft in cohesive soil; (b) tip bearing vs. settlement, drilled shaft in cohesive soil; (c) side resistance vs. settlement,
drilled shaft in cohesionless soil; (d) tip bearing vs. settlement, drilled shaft in cohesionless soil. (From AASHTO
LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, First Edition, coyyright 1996 by the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation officials, Washington, D.C. Used by permission.)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-27
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.7 Free-head, short rigid piles — ultimate load conditions. (a) Rigid pile; (b) cohesive soils; (c) cohesionless soils. [After Broms (1964).5,6]
FIGURE 7.8 Fixed-head, short rigid piles — ultimate load conditions. (a) Rigid pile; (b) cohesive soils; (c) cohesionless soils. [After Broms (1964).5,6]
Ultimate Lateral Capacity for the Free-Head Condition
The ultimate lateral capacity Pu of a pile under the free-head condition is calculated by using the
following formula:
Ï L¢ 2 – 2L¢L ¢ + 0.5L¢ 2
0
0
Ô Ê --------------------------------------------------ˆ ( 9c u B )
Ô Ë L¢ + H + 1.5B ¯
Pu = Ì
Ô 0.5BL 3 K p g¢
Ô ----------------------------Ó H+L
where
L = embedded length of pile
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
for cohesive soil
(7.28)
for cohesionless soil
7-28
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
H = distance of resultant lateral force above ground surface
B = pile diameter
L¢ = embedded pile length measured from a depth of 1.5 B below the ground surface, or
L¢ = L - 1.5 B
L0 = depth to center of rotation, and L0 = ( H + 23 L) / (2 H + L)
L0¢ = depth to center of rotation measured from a depth of 1.5 B below the ground surface, or
L0¢ = L0 - 1.5 B
Ultimate Lateral Capacity for the Fixed-Head Condition
The ultimate lateral capacity Pu of a pile under the fixed-head condition is calculated by using the
following formula:
Ï 9c u B ( L – 1.5B )
Pu = Ì
2
Ó 1.5g¢BL K p
7.5.3
for cohesive soil
for cohesionless soil
(7.29)
Lateral Capacity and Deflection — p–y Method
One of the most commonly used methods for analyzing laterally loaded piles is the p–y method,
in which soil reactions to the lateral deflections of a pile are treated as localized nonlinear springs
based on the Winkler’s assumption. The pile is modeled as an elastic beam that is supported on a
deformable subgrade.
The p–y method is versatile and can be used to solve problems including different soil types,
layered soils, nonlinear soil behavior; different pile materials, cross sections; and different pile head
connection conditions.
Analytical Model and Basic Equation
An analytical model for pile under lateral loading with p–y curves is shown on Figure 7.9. The basic
equation for the beam-on-a-deformable-subgrade problem can be expressed as
EI
d2y
d4y
P
+ p+q = 0
x
dx 2
dx 4
(7.30)
where
y = lateral deflection at point x along the pile
EI = bending stiffness or flexural rigidity of the pile
Px = axial force in beam column
p = soil reaction per unit length, and p = - Es y ; where Es is the secant modulus of soil reaction
q = lateral distributed loads
The following relationships are also used in developing boundary conditions:
M = - EI
Q=-
q=
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
d4y
dx 4
dy
dM
+ Px
dx
dx
dy
dx
(7.31)
(7.32)
(7.33)
7-29
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.9
Analytical model for pile under lateral loading with p–y curves.
where M is the bending moment, Q is the shear force in the beam column, q is the rotation of
the pile.
The p–y method is a valuable tool in analyzing laterally loaded piles. Reasonable results are usually
obtained. A computer program is usually required because of the complexity and iteration needed
to solve the above equations using the finite-difference method or other methods. It should be noted
that Winkler’s assumption ignores the global effect of a continuum. Normally, if soil behaves like
a continuum, the deflection at one point will affect the deflections at other points under loading.
There is no explicit expression in the p–y method since localized springs are assumed. Although
p–y curves are developed directly from results of load tests and the influence of global interaction
is included implicitly, there are cases where unexpected outcomes resulted. For example, excessively
large shear forces will be predicted for large piles in rock by using the p–y method approach, where
the effects of the continuum and the shear stiffness of the surrounding rock are ignored. The
accuracy of the p–y method depends on the number of tests and the variety of tested parameters,
such as geometry and stiffness of pile, layers of soil, strength and stiffness of soil, and loading
conditions. One should be careful to extrapolate p–y curves to conditions where tests were not yet
performed in similar situations.
Generation of p–y Curves
A p–y curve, or the lateral soil resistance p expressed as a function of lateral soil movement y, is
based on backcalculations from test results of laterally loaded piles. The empirical formulations of
p–y curves are different for different types of soil. p–y curves also depend on the diameter of the
pile, the strength and stiffness of the soil, the confining overburden pressures, and the loading
conditions. The effects of layered soil, battered piles, piles on a slope, and closely spaced piles are
also usually considered. Formulation for soft clay, sand, and rock is provided in the following.
p–y Curves for Soft Clay
Matlock [35] proposed a method to calculate p–y curves for soft clays as shown on Figure 7.10. The
lateral soil resistance p is expressed as
Ï Ê y ˆ1§3
pu
Ô 0.5 -----p = Ì Ë y 50¯
Ô
Ó pu
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
y < y p = 8y 50
y ≥ yp
(7.34)
7-30
FIGURE 7.10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Characteristic shape of p–y curve for soft clay. [After Matlock, (1970)35]
in which
pu = ultimate lateral soil resistance corresponding to ultimate shear stress of soil
y50 = lateral movement of soil corresponding to 50% of ultimate lateral soil resistance
y = lateral movement of soil
The ultimate lateral soil resistance pu is calculated as
ÏÊ
x
g¢x
Ô 3 + ------- + J ---ˆ¯ cB
B
c
pu = Ì Ë
Ô
Ó 9cB
g¢B
x < x r = ( 6B ) § Ê -------- + Jˆ
Ë c
¯
(7.35)
x ≥ xr
where g ¢ is the effective unit weight, x is the depth from ground surface, c is the undrained
shear strength of the clay, and J is a constant frequently taken as 0.5.
The lateral movement of soil corresponding to 50% of ultimate lateral soil resistance y50 is
calculated as
y50 = 2.5e 50 B
(7.36)
where e 50 is the strain of soil corresponding to half of the maximum deviator stress. Table 7.12
shows the representative values of e 50 .
p–y Curves for Sands
Reese et al. [53] proposed a method for developing p–y curves for sandy materials. As shown on
Figure 7.11, a typical p–y curve usually consists of the following four segments:
Segment
Curve type
Range of y
Range of p
1
Linear
0 to yk
0 to pk
2
Parabolic
yk to ym
pk to pm
3
Linear
ym to yu
pm to pu
4
Linear
≥ yu
pu
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
p–y curve
p = (kx ) y
Ê yˆ
p = pm Á ˜
Ë ym ¯
p = pm +
p = pu
n
pu - pm
( y - ym )
yu - ym
7-31
Deep Foundations
where ym , yu , pm , and pu can be determined directly from soil parameters. The parabolic form
of Segment 2, and the intersection with Segment 1 ( yk and pk ) can be determined based on ym ,
yu , pm , and pu as shown below.
Segment 1 starts with a straight line with an initial slope of kx , where x is the depth from the
ground surface to the point where the p–y curve is calculated. k is a parameter to be determined
based on relative density and is different whether above or below water table. Representative values
of k are shown in Table 7.13.
TABLE 7.12
Representative Values of e 50
Consistency of Clay
Undrained Shear Strength, psf
e 50
0–400
400–1000
1000–2000
2000–4000
4000–8000
0.020
0.010
0.007
0.005
0.004
Soft
Medium stiff
Stiff
Very stiff
Hard
1 psf = 0.048 kPa.
FIGURE 7.11
Characteristic shape of p–y curves for sand. [After Reese, et al. (1974)53]
TABLE 7.13
Friction Angle and Consistency
Relative to
Water Table
29°–30°
(Loose)
30°–36°
(Medium Dense)
36°–40°
(Dense)
20 pci
25 pci
60 pci
90 pci
125 pci
225 pci
Friction Angle and Consistency
Above
Below
1 pci = 272 kPa/m.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-32
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Segment 2 is parabolic and starts from end of Segment 1 at
1 ( n -1)
Èp / y ù
yk = Í m nm ú
Î (kx ) û
and pk = ( kx ) yk , the power of the parabolic
n=
ym Ê pu - pm ˆ
pm ÁË yu - ym ˜¯
Segments 3 and 4 are straight lines. ym , yu , pm , and pu are expressed as
ym =
b
60
(7.37)
yu =
3b
80
(7.38)
pm = Bs ps
(7.39)
pu = As ps
(7.40)
where b is the diameter of a pile; As and Bs are coefficients that can be determined from
Figures 7.12 and 7.13, depending on either static or cyclic loading conditions; ps is equal to the
minimum of pst and psd , as
tan b
È Ko x tan j sin b
ù
Í tan(b - j)cos a + tan(b - j) (b + x tan b tan a )ú
pst = gx Í
ú
Í
ú
b
f
j
a
tan
(tan
tan
tan
)
K
x
K
b
+
a
Î o
û
FIGURE 7.12
Variation of As with depth for sand. [After Reese, et al. (1974).53]
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(7.41)
7-33
Deep Foundations
FIGURE 7.13
Variation of Bs with depth for sand. [After Reese, et al. (1974).53]
8
4
p sd = K a bxg [ tan b – 1 ] + K o bgx tan f tan b
p = min( pst , psd )
(7.42)
(7.43)
in which j is the friction angle of soil; a is taken as j / 2 ; b is equal to 45o + j / 2 ; Ko is the
coefficient of the earth pressure at rest and is usually assumed to be 0.4; and Ka is the coefficient
of the active earth pressure and equals to tan 2 ( 45o - j / 2) .
7.5.4
Lateral Spring: p–y Curves for Rock
Reese86 proposed a procedure to calculate p–y curves for rock using basic rock and rock mass
properties such as compressive strength of intact rock qur , rock quality designation (RQD), and
initial modulus of rock Eir . A description of the procedure is presented in the following.
A p–y curve consists of three segments:
Segment 1: p = Kir y
p Ê y ˆ
Segment 2: p = ur Á
2 Ë yrm ˜¯
Segment 3: p = pur
for
y £ ya
for
ya < y < 16 yrm
for
y ≥ 16 yrm
0.25
(7.44)
where p is the lateral force per unit pile length and y is the lateral deflection.
Kir is the initial slope and is expressed as
Kir = kir Eir
kir is a dimensionless constant and is determined by
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(7.45)
7-34
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
k ir
ÏÊ
400x
Ô 100 + -------------rˆ¯
= ÌË
3b
Ô
Ó 500
for
for
0 £ x r £ 3b
x r > 3b
(7.46)
xr = depth below bedrock surface, b is the width of the rock socket
Eir = initial modulus of rock.
ya is the lateral deflection separating Segment 1 and 2, and
Ê pur ˆ
ya = Á 0.25
˜
Ë 2 yrm Kir ¯
1.333
(7.47)
where
yrm = krm b
(7.48)
krm is a constant, ranging from 0.0005 to 0.00005.
pur is the ultimate resistance and can be determined by
P ur
Ï
x
Ô a r q ur b ÊË 1 + 1.4 ----rˆ¯
b
= Ì
Ô
Ó 5.2a r q ur b
for
for
0 £ x r £ 3b
x r > 3b
(7.49)
where
qur = compressive strength of rock and a r is a strength reduction factor determined by
ar = 1 -
RQD
150
0 £ RQD £ 100
(7.50)
RQD = rock quality designation for rock.
7.6
Grouped Foundations
7.6.1
General
Although a pile group is composed of a number of individual piles, the behavior of a pile group is
not equivalent to the sum of all the piles as if they were separate individual piles. The behavior of
a pile group is more complex than an individual pile because of the effect of the combination of
piles, interactions between the piles in the group, and the effect of the pile cap. For example, stresses
in soil from the loading of an individual pile will be insignificant at a certain depth below the pile
tip. However, the stresses superimposed from all neighboring piles may increase the level of stress
at that depth and result in considerable settlements or a bearing capacity failure, especially if there
exists an underlying weak soil layer. The interaction and influence between piles usually diminish
for piles spaced at approximately 7 to 8 diameters.
The axial and lateral capacity and the corresponding settlement and lateral deflection of a pile
group will be discussed in the following sections.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-35
Deep Foundations
7.6.2
Axial Capacity of Pile Group
The axial capacity of a pile group is the combination of piles in the group, with consideration of
interaction between the piles. One way to account for the interaction is to use the group efficiency
factor ha, which is expressed as:
ha =
Â
PGroup
(7.51)
PSingle_Pile,i
i
Â
PSingle_Pile,i is the sum of the axial capacity of
where PGroup is the axial capacity of a pile group.
i
all the individual piles. Individual piles are discussed in detail in Section 7.4. The group efficiency
for axial capacity depends on many factors, such as the installation method, ground conditions,
and the function of piles, which are presented in Table 7.14.
TABLE 7.14
Group Efficiency Factor for Axial Capacity
Pile Installation
Method
Function
Ground
Conditions
Expected Group
Efficiency
Driven Pile
End bearing
Side friction
Side friction
Sand
Loose to medium dense sand
Dense sand
1.0
>1.0, up to 2.0
May be ⭌ 1.0
Drilled shaft
All
Sand
<1.0
Driven pile and
drilled shaft
Side friction
End bearing
Side friction
End bearing
Side friction
End bearing
Soft to medium stiff clay
Soft to medium stiff clay
Stiff clay
Stiff clay
Clay
Clay, or underlying clay layers
<1.0
<1.0
1.0
1.0
<1.0
<1.0
Design Group Efficiency
(with minimum spacing equal
to 2.5 pile diameter)
1.0
1.0, or increase with load test
1.0
0.67–1.0
0.67–1.0
0.67–1.0
1.0
1.0
Also use “Group Block”
Also use “Group Block”
At close spacings, driven piles in loose to medium dense sand may densify the sand and consequently increase the lateral stresses and frictions along the piles. However, driven piles in dense sand
may cause dilation of the sand and consequently cause heave and damage to other piles. The
influence of spacing to the end bearing for sand is usually limited and the group efficiency factor
ha is taken as 1.0, under normal conditions.
For drilled piers in loose to medium dense sand, no densification of sand is made. The group
efficiency factor ha is usually less than 1.0 because of the influence of other close piles.
For driven piles in stiff to very stiff clay, the piles in a pile group tend to form a “group block”
that behaves like a giant, short pile. The size of the group block is the extent of soil enclosed by the
piles, including the perimeter piles as shown on Figure 7.14. The group efficiency factor ha is
usually equal to 1.0. For piles in soft to medium stiff clay, the group efficiency factor ha is usually
less than 1.0 because the shear stress levels are increased by loading from adjacent piles.
The group block method is also often used to check the bearing capacity of a pile group. The
group block is treated as a large deep spread footing foundation and the assumed bottom level of
the footing is different depending on whether the pile is end bearing or frictional. For end-bearing
piles, the capacity of the group block is examined by assuming the bottom of the footing is at the
tip of the piles. For frictional piles, the capacity of the group pile is checked by assuming that the
bottom of the footing is located at ⅓ of the total embedded length above the tip. The bearing
capacity of the underlying weaker layers is then estimated by using methods discussed in Chapter 6.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-36
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 7.14
Block failure model for pile group in clay.
The smaller capacity, by using the group efficiency approach, the group block approach, and the
group block approach with underlying weaker layers, is selected as the capacity of the pile group.
7.6.3
Settlement of a Pile Group
The superimposed stresses from neighboring piles will raise the stress level below the tip of a pile
substantially, whereas the stress level is much smaller for an individual pile. The raised stress level
has two effects on the settlement of a pile group. The magnitude of the settlement will be larger for
a pile group and the influence zone of a pile group will be much greater. The settlement of a pile
group will be much larger in the presence of underlying highly compressible layers that would not
be stressed under the loading of an individual pile.
The group block method is often used to estimate the settlement of a group. The pile group is
simplified to an equivalent massive spread footing foundation except that the bottom of the footing
is much deeper. The plane dimensions of the equivalent footing are outlined by the perimeter piles
of the pile group. The method to calculate settlement of spread footings is discussed in Chapter 6.
The assumed bottom level of the footing block is different depending on either end bearing or
frictional piles. For end-bearing piles, the bottom of the footing is at the tip of the piles. For frictional
piles, the bottom of the footing is located at ⅓ of total embedded length above the tip. In many
cases, settlement requirement also is an important factor in the design of a pile group.
Vesic [79] introduced a method to calculate settlement of a pile group in sand which is expressed as
Sg = Ss
Bg
Bs
(7.52)
where
Sg = the settlement of a pile group
Ss = the settlement of an individual pile
Bg = the smallest dimension of the group block
Bs = the diameter of an individual pile
7.6.4
Lateral Capacity and Deflection of a Pile Group
The behavior of a pile group under lateral loading is not well defined. As discussed in the sections
above, the lateral moment capacity is greater than the sum of all the piles in a group because piles
would form couples resulting from their axial resistance through the action of the pile cap. However,
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-37
Deep Foundations
the capacity of a pile group to resist lateral loads is usually smaller than the sum of separate,
individual piles because of the interaction between piles.
The approach used by the University of Texas at Austin (Reese, O’Neil, and co-workers) provides
a comprehensive and practical method to analyze a pile group under lateral loading. The finitedifference method is used to model the structural behavior of the foundation elements. Piles are
connected through a rigid pile cap. Deformations of all the piles, in axial and lateral directions, and
force and moment equilibrium are established. The reactions of soil are represented by a series of
localized nonlinear axial and lateral springs. The theory and procedures to calculate axial and lateral
capacity of individual piles are discussed in detail in Sections 7.4 and 7.5. A computer program is
usually required to analyze a pile group because of the complexity and iteration procedure involving
nonlinear soil springs.
The interaction of piles is represented by the lateral group efficiency factors, which is multiplied
to the p–y curves for individual piles to reduce the lateral soil resistance and stiffness. Dunnavant
and O’Neil [16] proposed a procedure to calculate the lateral group factors. For a particular pile i,
the group factor is the product of influence factors from all neighboring piles j, as
n
bi = b 0
’b
(7.53)
ij
j =1
j πi
where bi is the group factor for pile i, b0 is a total reduction factor and equals 0.85, bij is the
influence factor from a neighboring pile j, and n is the total number of piles. Depending on the
location of the piles i and j in relation to the direction of loading, bij is calculated as follows:
ÊS ˆ
i is leading, or directly ahead of j ( q = 0°) bl = bij = 0.69 + 0.5 log10 Á ij ˜ £ 1
Ë B¯
(7.54)
ÊS ˆ
i is trailing, or directly behead of j ( q = 180°) bt = bij = 0.48 + 0.6 log10 Á ij ˜ £ 1
Ë B¯
(7.55)
ÊS ˆ
i and j are abreast, or side-by-side ( q = 90°) bs = bij = 0.78 + 0.36 log10 Á ij ˜ £ 1
Ë B¯
(7.56)
where Sij is the center-to-center distance between i and j, B is the diameter of the piles i and j,
and q is the angle between the loading direction and the connection vector from i to j. When the
piles i and j are at other angles to the direction of loading, bij is computed by interpolation, as
0∞ < q < 90∞
bq1 = bij = bl + (bs - bl )
q
90
(7.57)
90∞ < q < 180∞
bq2 = bij = bt + (bs - bt )
q - 90
90
(7.58)
In cases that the diameters of the piles i and j are different, we propose to use the diameter of pile
j. To avoid an abrupt change of b0 from 0.85 to 1.0, we propose to use:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-38
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Ï 0.85
Ô
Ô
Ô
S
b o = Ì 0.85 + 0.0375 ÊË ----ij- – 3ˆ¯
Bj
Ô
Ô
Ô 1.0
Ó
7.7
for
S
----ij- £ 3
Bj
for
S
3 < ----ij- < 7
Bj
for
S ij
----- ≥ 7
Bj
Seismic Design
Seismic design of deep bridge foundations is a broad issue. Design procedures and emphases vary
with different types of foundations. Since pile groups, including driven piles and drilled cast-inplace shafts, are the most popular types of deep bridge foundations, following discussion will
concentrate on the design issues for pile group foundations only.
In most circumstances, seismic design of pile groups is performed to satisfy one or more of the
following objectives:
• Determine the capacity and deflection of the foundation under the action of the seismic
lateral load;
• Provide the foundation stiffness parameters for dynamic analysis of the overall bridge structures; and
• Ensure integrity of the pile group against liquefaction and slope instability induced ground
movement.
7.7.1
Seismic Lateral Capacity Design of Pile Groups
In current practice, seismic lateral capacity design of pile groups is often taken as the same as
conventional lateral capacity design (see Section 7.5). The seismic lateral force and the seismic
moment from the upper structure are first evaluated for each pile group foundation based on the
tributary mass of the bridge structure above the foundation level, the location of the center of
gravity, and the intensity of the ground surface acceleration. The seismic force and moment are
then applied on the pile cap as if they were static forces, and the deflections of the piles and the
maximum stresses in each pile are calculated and checked against the allowable design values. Since
seismic forces are of transient nature, the factor of safety required for resistance of seismic load can
be less than those required for static load. For example, in the Caltrans specification, it is stipulated
that the design seismic capacity can be 33% higher than the static capacity [9].
It should be noted that, in essence, the above procedure is pseudostatic, only the seismic forces
from the upper structure are considered, and the effect of seismic ground motion on the behavior
of pile group is ignored. The response of a pile group during an earthquake is different from its
response to a static lateral loading. As seismic waves pass through the soil layers and cause the
soil layers to move laterally, the piles are forced to move along with the surrounding media. Except
for the case of very short piles, the pile cap and the pile tip at any moment may move in different
directions. This movement induces additional bending moments and stresses in the piles.
Depending on the intensity of the seismic ground motion and the characteristics of the soil strata,
this effect can be more critical to the structural integrity of the pile than the lateral load from
the upper structure.
Field measurements (e.g., Tazoh et al. [70]), post-earthquake investigation (e.g., Seismic Advisory Committee, [65]), and laboratory model tests (e.g., Nomura et al., [43]) all confirm that
seismic ground movements dictate the maximum responses of the piles. The more critical situation is when the soil profile consists of soft layer(s) sandwiched by stiff layers, and the modulus
contrast among the layers is large. In this case, local seismic moments and stresses in the pile
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
7-39
Deep Foundations
section close to the soft layer/hard layer interface may very well be much higher than the moments
and stresses caused by the lateral seismic loads from the upper structure. If the site investigation
reveals that the underground soil profile is of this type and the bridge is of critical importance,
it is desirable that a comprehensive dynamic analysis be performed using one of more sophisticated computer programs capable of modeling the dynamic interaction between the soil and the
pile system, e.g., SASSI [33]. Results of such dynamic analysis can provide a better understanding
of the seismic responses of a pile group.
7.7.2
Determination of Pile Group Spring Constants
An important aspect in bridge seismic design is to determine, through dynamic analysis, the
magnitude and distribution of seismic forces and moments in the bridge structure. To accomplish
this goal, the characteristics of the bridge foundation must be considered appropriately in an
analytical model.
At the current design practice, the force–displacement relationships of a pile foundation are
commonly simplified in an analytical model as a stiffness matrix, or a set of translational and
rotational springs. The characteristics of the springs depend on the stiffness at pile head for individual piles and the geometric configuration of piles in the group. For a pile group consisting of
vertical piles, the spring constants can be determined by the following steps:
• The vertical and lateral stiffnesses at the pile head of a single pile, Kvv and Khh, are first evaluated
based on the pile geometry and the soil profile. These values are determined by calculating
the displacement at the pile head corresponding to a unit force. For many bridge foundations,
a rigid pile cap can be assumed. Design charts are available for uniform soil profiles (e.g.,
NAVFAC [42]). For most practical soil profiles, however, it is convenient to use computer
programs, such as APILE [18] and LPILE [17], to determine the single pile stiffness values.
It should be noted that the force–deformation behavior of a pile is highly nonlinear. In
evaluating the stiffness values, it is desirable to use the secant modulus in the calculated pilehead force–displacement relationship compatible to the level of pile-head displacement to be
developed in the foundation. This is often an iterative process.
In calculating the lateral stiffness values, it is common practice to introduce a group factor
h, h £ 1.0, to account for the effect of the other piles in the same group. The group factor
depends on the relative spacing S/D in the pile group, where S is the spacing between two
piles and D is the diameter of the individual pile. There are studies reported in the literature
about the dynamic group factors for pile groups of different configurations. However, in the
current design practice, static group factors are used in calculation of the spring constants.
Two different approaches exist in determining the group factor: one is based on reduction
of the subgrade reaction moduli; the other is based on the measurement of plastic deformation
of the pile group. Since the foundation deformations in the analysis cases involving the spring
constants are mostly in the small-strain range, the group factors based on subgrade reaction
reduction should be used (e.g., NAVFAC [42]).
• The spring constants of the pile group can be calculated using the following formulas:
N
KG , x
=
ÂK
hh ,i
(7.59)
hh ,i
(7.60)
i =1
N
KG , y =
ÂK
i =1
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7-40
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
N
KG , z
=
ÂK
(7.61)
vv ,i
i =1
N
KG, yy =
ÂK
vv ,i
◊ xi2
(7.62)
◊ yi2
(7.63)
i =1
N
KG, xx =
ÂK
vv ,i
i =1
where KG,x , KG,y , KG,z are the group translational spring constants, KG,yy , KG,xx are the group
rotational spring constants with respect to the center of the pile cap. All springs are calculated
at the center of the pile cap; Kvv,i and Khh,i are the lateral and vertical stiffness values at pile
head of the ith pile; xi, yi are the coordinates of the ith pile in the group; and N is the total
number of piles in the group.
In the above formulas, the bending stiffness of a single pile at the pile top and the off-diagonal
stiffness terms are ignored. For most bridge pile foundations, these ignored items have only minor
significance. Reasonable results can be obtained using the above simplified formulas.
It should be emphasized that the behavior of the soil–pile system is greatly simplified in the
concept of “spring constant.” The responses of a soil–pile structure system are complicated and
highly nonlinear, frequency dependent, and are affected by the inertia/stiffness distribution of the
structure above ground. Therefore, for critical structures, it is advisable that analytical models
including the entire soil–pile structure system should be used in the design analysis.
7.7.3
Design of Pile Foundations against Soil Liquefaction
Liquefaction of loose soil layers during an earthquake poses a serious hazard to pile group foundations. Field observations and experimental studies (e.g., Nomura et al. [43], Miyamoto et al. [40],
Tazoh and Gazetas [69], Boulanger et al. [4]) indicate that soil liquefaction during an earthquake
has significant impacts on the behavior of pile groups and superstructures. The impacts are largely
affected by the intensity of liquefaction-inducing earthquakes and the relative locations of the
liquefiable loose soil layers. If a loose layer is close to the ground surface and the earthquake intensity
is moderate, the major effect of liquefaction of the loose layer is to increase the fundamental period
of the foundation–structure system, causing significant lateral deflection of the pile group and
superstructure. For high-intensity earthquakes, and especially if the loose soil layer is sandwiched
in hard soil layers, liquefaction of the loose layer often causes cracking and breakage of the piles
and complete loss of capacity of the foundation, thus the collapse of the superstructure.
There are several approaches proposed in the literature for calculation of the dynamic responses
of a pile or a pile group in a liquefied soil deposit. In current engineering practice, however, more
emphasis is on taking proper countermeasures to mitigate the adverse effect of the liquefaction
hazard. These mitigation methods include
• Densify the loose, liquefiable soil layer. A stone column is often satisfactory if the loose layer
is mostly sand. Other approaches, such as jet grouting, deep soil mixing with cementing
agents, and in situ vibratory densification, can all be used. If the liquefiable soil layer is close
to the ground surface, a complete excavation and replacement with compacted engineering
fill is sometimes also feasible.
• Isolate the pile group from the surrounding soil layers. This is often accomplished by installing
some types of isolation structures, such as sheet piles, diaphragm walls, soil-mixing piles,
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Deep Foundations
7-41
etc., around the foundation to form an enclosure. In essence, this approach creates a huge
block surrounding the piles with increased lateral stiffness and resistance to shear deformation
while limiting the lateral movement of the soil close to the piles.
• Increase the number and dimension of the piles in a foundation and therefore increase the
lateral resistance to withstand the forces induced by liquefied soil layers. An example is 10 ft
(3.3 m) diameter cast-in-steel shell piles used in bridge seismic retrofit projects in the San
Francisco Bay Area following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
References
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Individual Piles in Clay, internal report, 1986.
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in Offshore Engineering, ASCE, April, 1983, 536–545.
23. Goudreault, P. A. and B. H. Fellenius, A Program for the Design of Piles and Piles Groups Considering Capacity, Settlement, and Dragload Due to Negative Skin Friction, 1994.
24. Gupton, C. and T. Logan, Design Guidelines for Drilled Shafts in Weak Rocks in South Florida,
Preprint, Annual Meeting of South Florida Branch of ASCE, 1984.
25. Horvath, R. G. and T. C. Kenney, Shaft resistance of rock-socketed drilled piers, in Symposium on
Deep Foundat ions, ASCE National Convention, Atlanta, GA, 1979, 182–214.
26. Janbu, N., Static bearing capacity of friction piles, in Proc. 6th European Conference on Soil Mech.
& Found. Eng., Vol. 1.2, 1976, 479–488.
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1967.
28. Kraft L. M., J. A. Focht, and S. F. Amerasinghe, Friction capacity of piles driven into clay, J. Geot.
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30. Kulhawy, F. H., Transmission Line Structures Foundations for Uplift-Compression Loading, Report
No. EL-2870, Report to the Electrical Power Research Institute, Geotechnical Group, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY, 1983.
31. Kulhawy, F. H., Limiting tip and side resistance: fact or fallacy? in Proc. of the American Soc iety of
Civil Engineers, ASCE, Symposium on Analysis and Design of Pile Foundat ions, R. J. Meyer, Ed., San
Francisco, 1984, 80–89.
32. Kulhawy, F. H. and K. K. Phoon, Drilled shaft side resistance in clay soil or rock, in Geotechnical
Special Publicat ion No. 38, Design and Performanc e of Deep Foundat ions: Piles and P iers in Soil t o
Soft Rock, Ed. P. P. Nelson, T. D. Smith, and E. C. Clukey, Eds., ASCE, 172–183, 1993.
33. Lysmer, J., M. Tabatabaie-Raissi, F. Tajirian, S. Vahdani, and F. Ostadan, SASSI — A System for
Analysis of Soil-Structure Interaction, Report No. UCB/GT/81-02, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, April, 1981.
34. McVay, M. C., F. C. Townsend, and R. C. Williams, Design of socketed drilled shafts in limestone,
J. Geotech. Eng., 118-GT10, 1626–1637, 1992.
35. Matlock, H., Correlations for design of laterally-loaded piles in soft clay, Paper No. OTC 1204,
Proc. 2nd Annual O ffshore Tech. Conf., Vol. 1, Houston, TX, 1970, 577–594.
36. Menard, L. F., Interpretation and application of pressuremeter test results, Sols-Soils, Paris, 26,
1–23, 1975.
37. Meyerhof, G. G., Penetration tests and bearing capacity of cohesionless soils, J. Soil Mech. Found.
Div. ASCE, 82(SM1), 1–19, 1956.
38. Meyerhof, G. G., Bearing capacity and settlement of pile foundations, J. Geotech. Eng. Div. ASCE,
102(GT3), 195–228, 1976.
39. Mitchell, J. K. and T. A. Lunne, Cone resistance as a measure of sand strength, Proc. ASCE J. Geotech.
Eng. Div., 104(GT7), 995–1012, 1978.
40. Miyamoto, Y., Y. Sako, K. Miura, R. F. Scott, and B. Hushmand, Dynamic behavior of pile group
in liquefied sand deposit, Proceedings, 10th World Conference on Earthquak e Engineering, 1992,
1749–1754.
41. Mosher, R. L., Load Transfer Criteria for Numerical Analysis of Axially Loaded Piles in Sand, U.S.
Army Engineering Waterways Experimental Station, Automatic Data Processing Center, Vicksburg,
MI, January, 1984.
42. NAVFAC, Design Manual DM7.02: Foundations and Earth Structures, Department of the Navy,
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Alexandra, VA, September, 1986.
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Deep Foundations
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43. Nomura, S., K. Tokimatsu, and Y. Shamoto, Behavior of soil-pile-structure system during liquefaction, in Proceedings, 8th Japanese Conference on Earthquak e Engineering, Tokyo, December 12–14,
Vol. 2, 1990, 1185–1190.
44. O’Neil M. W. and L. C. Reese, Load transfer in a slender drilled pier in sand, ASCE, ASCE Spring
Convention and Exposition, Pittsburgh, PA, Preprint 3141, April, 1978, 30 pp.
45. O’Neil, M. W. and S. A. Sheikh, Geotechnical behavior of underrems in pleistocene clay, in Drilled
Piers and Caiss ons, II, C. N. Baker, Jr., Ed., ASCE, May, 57–75, 1985.
46. O’Neil, M. W., F. C. Townsend, K. M. Hassan, A. Buller, and P. S. Chan, Load Transfer for Drilled
Shafts in Intermediate Geo‘materials, FHWA-RD-95-172, November, 184 pp, 1996.
47. Osterberg, J. O., New load cell testing device, in Proc. 14th Annual Conf., Vol. 1, Deep Foundations
Institute, 1989, 17–28.
48. Pells, P. J. N. and R. M. Turner, Elastic solutions for the design and analysis of rock-socketed piles,
Can. Geotech. J., 16(3), 481–487, 1979.
49. Pells, P. J. N. and R. M. Turner, End bearing on rock with particular reference to sandstone, in
Structural Foundations on Rock, Proc. Intn. Conf. on Structural Found. on Rock, Vol. 1, Sydney,
May 7–9, 1980, 181–190.
50. Poulos, H. G. and E. H. Davis, Pile Foundat ion Analysis and Design, John Wiley & Sons, New York,
1980.
51. Reese, L. C. and H. Matlock, Behavior of a two-dimensional pile group under inclined and eccentric
loading, in Proc. Offshore Exploration Conf., Long Beach, CA, February, 1966.
52. Reese, L. C. and M. W. O’Neil, The analysis of three-dimensional pile foundations subjected to
inclined and eccentric loads, Proc. ASCE Conf., September, 1967, 245–276.
53. Reese, L. C., W. R. Cox, and F. D. Koop, Analysis of laterally loaded piles in sand, paper OTC 2080,
Proc. Fifth Offshore Tech. Conf., Houston, TX, 1974.
54. Reese, L. C., W. R. Cox, and F. D. Koop, Field testing and analysis of laterally loaded piles in stiff
clay, paper OTC 2313, in Proc. Seventh O ffshore Tech. Conf., Houston, TX, 1975.
55. Reese, L. C. and S. J. Wright, Drilled Shafts: Design and Construction, Guideline Manual, Vol. 1;
Construction Procedures and Design for Axial Load, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal
Highway Administration, July, 1977.
56. Reese, L. C., Behavior of Piles and Pile Groups under Lateral Load, a report submitted to the
Federal Highway Administration, Washington, D.C., July, 1983, 404 pp.
57. Reese, L. C. and M. W. O’Neil, Drilled Shafts: Construction Procedures and Design Methods, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, McLean, VA, 1988.
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Preprint No. 80-546, South Florida Convention, ASCE, 1980.
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CPT, Penetration Testing 1988, ISOPT-1, De Ruite, Ed., 1988.
60. Rosenberg, P. and N. L. Journeaux, Friction and end bearing tests on bedrock for high capacity
socket design, Can. Geotech. J., 13(3), 324–333, 1976.
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rock, Can. Geotech. J., Vol. 24(1), 114–125, 1987.
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24(1), 126–142, 1987.
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1978.
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© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
66. Skempton, A. W., The bearing capacity of clay, Proc. Building R esearch Congress, Vol. 1, 1951,
180–189.
67. Skempton, A. W., Cast-in situ bored piles in London clay, Geotechnique, 9, 153–173, 1959.
68. Sörensen, T. and B. Hansen, Pile driving formulae — an investigation based on dimensional
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2081, 1996.
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Dynamic Response of Pile Foundations — Experiment, Analysis and Observation, ASCE Geotechnical Special Publication No. 11, 1987.
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Displacement Method. Research report conducted under Interagency contract 108 for the Texas
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8
Effective Length of
Compression Members*
8.1
8.2
8.3
Introduction .................................................................8-1
Isolated Columns .........................................................8-2
Framed Columns — Alignment
Chart Method...............................................................8-3
Alignment Chart Method • Requirements for Braced
Frames • Simplified Equations. to Alignment Charts
8.4
Modifications to Alignment Charts............................8-8
Different Restraining Girder End Conditions •
Consideration of Partial Column Base Fixity •
Columns Restrained by Tapered Rectangular Girders
8.5
Framed Columns — Alternative Methods ...............8-13
LeMessurier Method • Lui Method • Remarks
Lian Duan
California Department
of Transportation
Wai-Fah Chen
University of Hawaii at Manoa
8.1
8.6
8.7
Crossing Frame System..............................................8-16
Latticed and Built-Up Members ...............................8-17
Latticed Members • Built-Up Members
8.8
8.9
Tapered Columns .......................................................8-20
Summary.....................................................................8-20
Introduction
The concept of effective length factor or K factor plays an important role in compression member
design. Although great efforts have been made in the past years to eliminate the K factor in column
design, K factors are still popularly used in practice for routine design [1].
Mathematically, the effective length factor or the elastic K factor is defined as
K =
Pe
=
Pcr
p2 E I
L2 Pcr
(8.1)
where Pe is Euler load, elastic buckling load of a pin-ended column, Pcr is elastic buckling load of
an end-restrained framed column, E is modulus of elasticity, I is moment of inertia in the flexural
buckling plane, and L is unsupported length of column.
*Much of the material of this chapter was taken from Duan, L. and Chen, W. F., Chapter 17: Effective length factors
of compression members, in Handbook of Structural Engineering, Chen, W. F., Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1997.
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-1
8-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.1
Isolated columns. (a) End-restrained columns; (b) pin-ended columns.
Physically, the K factor is a factor that, when multiplied by actual length of the end-restrained column
(Figure 8.1a), gives the length of an equivalent pin-ended column (Figure 8.1b) whose buckling load is
the same as that of the end-restrained column. It follows that the effective length KL of an end-restrained
column is the length between adjacent inflection points of its pure flexural buckling shape.
Practically, design specifications provide the resistance equations for pin-ended columns, while
the resistance of framed columns can be estimated through the K factor to the pin-ended column
strength equations. Theoretical K factor is determined from an elastic eigenvalue analysis of the
entire structural system, while practical methods for the K factor are based on an elastic eigenvalue
analysis of selected subassemblages. This chapter presents the state-of-the-art engineering practice
of the effective length factor for the design of columns in bridge structures.
8.2
Isolated Columns
From an eigenvalue analysis, the general K factor equation of an end-restrained column as shown
in Figure 8.1 is obtained as
C+
RkAL
EI
S
det
-(C + S )
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
C+
S
-(C + S )
RkBL
EI
-(C + S )
-(C + S )
2
p
T L3
2( C + S ) - Ê ˆ + k
Ë K¯
EI
=0
(8.2)
Effective Length of Compression Members
8-3
FIGURE 8.2 Theoretical and recommended K factors for isolated columns with idealized end conditions. (Source:
American Institute of Steel Construction. Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Buildings,
2nd ed., Chicago, IL, 1993. With permission. Also from Johnston, B. G., Ed., Structural Stability Research Council,
Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1976. With permission.)
where the stability function C and S are defined as
C=
( p / K )sin( p / K ) - ( p / K )2 cos( p / K )
2 - 2 cos( p / K ) - ( p / K )sin( p / K )
(8.3)
S=
( p / K )2 - ( p / K )sin( p / K )
2 - 2 cos( p / K ) - ( p / K )sin( p / K )
(8.4)
The largest value of K satisfying Eq. (8.2) gives the elastic buckling load of an end-retrained column.
Figure 8.2 summarizes the theoretical K factors for columns with some idealized end conditions
[2,3]. The recommended K factors are also shown in Figure 8.2 for practical design applications.
Since actual column conditions seldom comply fully with idealized conditions used in buckling
analysis, the recommended K factors are always equal or greater than their theoretical counterparts.
8.3
Framed Columns — Alignment Chart Method
In theory, the effective length factor K for any columns in a framed structure can be determined
from a stability analysis of the entire structural analysis — eigenvalue analysis. Methods available
for stability analysis include slope–deflection method [4], three-moment equation method [5], and
energy methods [6]. In practice, however, such analysis is not practical, and simple models are often
used to determine the effective length factors for framed columns [7~10]. One such practical
procedure that provides an approximate value of the elastic K factor is the alignment chart method
[11]. This procedure has been adopted by the AASHTO [2] and AISC [3]. Specifications and the
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8-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.3
Subassemblage models for K factors of framed columns. (a) Braced frames; (b) unbraced frames.
ACI-318-95 Code [12], among others. At present, most engineers use the alignment chart method
in lieu of an actual stability analysis.
8.3.1
Alignment Chart Method
The structural models employed for determination of K factors for framed columns in the alignment
chart method are shown in Figure 8.3 The assumptions [2,4] used in these models are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
All members have constant cross section and behave elastically.
Axial forces in the girders are negligible.
All joints are rigid.
For braced frames, the rotations at near and far ends of the girders are equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction (i.e., girders are bent in single curvature).
5. For unbraced frames, the rotations at near and far ends of the girders are equal in magnitude
and direction (i.e., girders are bent in double curvature).
6. The stiffness parameters, L P / EI , of all columns are equal.
7. All columns buckle simultaneously.
By using the slope–deflection equation method and stability functions, the effective length factor
equations of framed columns are obtained as follows:
For columns in braced frames:
GA GB
Ê G + GB ˆ Ê
p / K ˆ 2 tan ( p / 2 K )
-1 = 0
( p / K )2 + Á A
˜ +
˜Á1Ë
p/K
tan( p / K ) ¯
4
2 ¯Ë
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
(8.5)
8-5
Effective Length of Compression Members
For columns in unbraced frames:
2
GAGB ( p / K )2 - 36
p/K
=0
6(GA + GB )
tan( p / K )
(8.6)
where G is stiffness ratios of columns and girders, subscripts A and B refer to joints at the two ends
of the column section being considered, and G is defined as
G=
 (E I / L )
 (E I / L )
c c
c
g g
g
(8.7)
where S indicates a summation of all members rigidly connected to the joint and lying in the plane
in which buckling of the column is being considered; subscripts c and g represent columns and
girders, respectively.
Eqs. (8.5) and (8.6) can be expressed in form of alignment charts as shown in Figure 8.4. It is
noted that for columns in braced frames, the range of K is 0.5 £ K £ 1.0; for columns in unbraced
frames, the range is 1.0 £ K £ •. For column ends supported by but not rigidly connected to a
footing or foundations, G is theoretically infinity, but, unless actually designed as a true frictionfree pin, may be taken as 10 for practical design. If the column end is rigidly attached to a properly
designed footing, G may be taken as 1.0.
Example 8.1
Given
A four-span reinforced concrete bridge is shown in Figure 8.5. Using the alignment chart, determine
the K factor for Column DC. E = 25,000 MPa.
Section properties are
Superstructure:
Columns:
I = 3.14 (1012) mm4
I = 3.22 (1011) mm4
A = 5.86 (106) mm2
A = 2.01 (106) mm2
Solution
1. Calculate G factor for Column DC.
GD
 (E I / L )
=
=
E
I
L
(
/
)
Â
c c
c
g g
g
D
3.22(1012 ) / 12, 000
= 0.235
2(3.14)(1012 ) / 55, 000
D
G = 1.0D
(Ref. [3])
2. From the alignment chart in Figure 8.4b, K = 1.21 is obtained.
8.3.2
Requirements for Braced Frames
In stability design, one of the major decisions engineers have to make is the determination of whether
a frame is braced or unbraced. The AISC-LRFD [3] states that a frame is braced when “lateral
stability is provided by diagonal bracing, shear walls or equivalent means.” However, there is no
specific provision for the “amount of stiffness required to prevent sidesway buckling” in the AISC,
AASHTO, and other specifications. In actual structures, a completely braced frame seldom exists.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-6
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.4 Alignment charts for effective length factors of framed columns. (a) Braced frames; (b) unbraced
frames. (Source: American Institute of Steel Construction, Load and Resistance Factor Design Specifications for Structural Steel Buildings, 2nd ed., Chicago, IL, 1993. With permission. Also from Johnston, B. G., Ed., Structural Stability
Research Council, Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1976.
With permission.)
FIGURE 8.5
A four-span reinforced concrete bridge.
But in practice, some structures can be analyzed as braced frames as long as the lateral stiffness
provided by bracing system is large enough. The following brief discussion may provide engineers
with the tools to make engineering decisions regarding the basic requirements for a braced frame.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-7
Effective Length of Compression Members
FIGURE 8.6
Diagonal cross-bracing system.
8.3.2.1
Lateral Stiffness Requirement
Galambos [13] presented a simple conservative procedure to estimate the minimum lateral stiffness
provided by a bracing system so that the frame is considered braced.
Required Lateral Stiffness Tk =
ÂP
n
Lc
(8.8)
where  represents summation of all columns in one story, Pn is nominal axial compression strength
of column using the effective length factor K = 1, and Lc is unsupported length of the column.
8.3.2.2
Bracing Size Requirement
Galambos [13] employed Eq. (8.8) to a diagonal bracing (Figure 8.6) and obtained minimum
requirements of diagonal bracing for a braced frame as
Ab =
[ 1 + (L
b
/ Lc )2
] ÂP
3/ 2
n
2
( Lb / Lc ) E
(8.9)
where Ab is cross-sectional area of diagonal bracing and Lb is span length of beam.
A recent study by Aristizabal-Ochoa [14] indicates that the size of diagonal bracing required for
a totally braced frame is about 4.9 and 5.1% of the column cross section for “rigid frame” and
“simple farming,” respectively, and increases with the moment inertia of the column, the beam
span, and with beam to column span ratio Lb/Lc.
8.3.3
Simplified Equations to Alignment Charts
8.3.3.1. Duan–King–Chen Equations
A graphical alignment chart determination of the K factor is easy to perform, while solving the chart
Eqs. (8.5) and (8.6) always involves iteration. To achieve both accuracy and simplicity for design purpose,
the following alternative K factor equations were proposed by Duan, King, and Chen [15].
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
For braced frames:
K = 1-
1
1
1
5 + 9GA 5 + 9GB 10 + GAGB
(8.10)
For unbraced frames:
For K < 2
K = 4-
For K ≥ 2
K=
1
1
1
1 + 0.2GA 1 + 0.2GB 1 + 0.01GAGB
2 pa
0.9 + 0.81 + 4 ab
(8.11)
(8.12)
where
8.3.3.2
a=
GAGB
+3
GA + GB
(8.13)
b=
36
+6
GA + GB
(8.14)
3GAGB + 1.4 (GA + GB ) + 0.64
3GAGB + 2.0 (GA + GB ) + 1.28
(8.15)
French Equations
For braced frames:
K =
For unbraced frames:
K =
1.6GAGB + 4.0 (GA + GB ) + 7.5
GA + GB + 7.5
(8.16)
Eqs. (8.15) and (8.16) first appeared in the French Design Rules for Steel Structure [16] in 1966,
and were later incorporated into the European Recommendations for Steel Construction[17]. They
provide a good approximation to the alignment charts [18].
8.4
Modifications to Alignment Charts
In using the alignment charts in Figure 8.4 and Eqs. (8.5) and (8.6), engineers must always be aware
of the assumptions used in the development of these charts. When actual structural conditions
differ from these assumptions, unrealistic design may result [3,19,20]. SSRC Guide [19] provides
methods enabling engineers to make simple modifications of the charts for some special conditions,
such as, for example, unsymmetrical frames, column base conditions, girder far-end conditions,
and flexible conditions. A procedure that can be used to account for far ends of restraining columns
being hinged or fixed was proposed by Duan and Chen [21~23], and Essa [24]. Consideration of
effects of material inelasticity on the K factor for steel members was developed originally by Yura
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-9
Effective Length of Compression Members
[25] and expanded by Disque [26]. LeMessurier [27] presented an overview of unbraced frames
with or without leaning columns. An approximate procedure is also suggested by AISC-LRFD [3].
Several commonly used modifications for bridge columns are summarized in this section.
8.4.1
Different Restraining Girder End Conditions
When the end conditions of restraining girders are not rigidly jointed to columns, the girder stiffness
(Ig/Lg) used in the calculation of G factor in Eq. (8.7) should be multiplied by a modification factor
ak given below:
For a braced frame:
ak =
Ï1.0
Ô
Ì2.0
Ô1.5
Ó
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.17)
ak =
Ï 1.0
Ô
Ì2 / 3
Ô 0.5
Ó
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.18)
For a unbraced frame:
8.4.2
Consideration of Partial Column Base Fixity
In computing the K factor for monolithic connections, it is important to evaluate properly the
degree of fixity in foundation. The following two approaches can be used to account for foundation
fixity.
8.4.2.1. Fictitious Restraining Beam Approach
Galambos [28] proposed that the effect of partial base fixity can be modeled as a fictitious beam.
The approximate expression for the stiffness of the fictitious beam accounting for rotation of
foundation in the soil has the form:
Is
q BH 3
=
LB
72 Esteel
(8.19)
where q is modulus of subgrade reaction (varies from 50 to 400 lb/in.3, 0.014 to 0.109 N/mm3); B and
H are width and length (in bending plane) of foundation, and Esteel is modulus of elasticity of steel.
Based on Salmon et al. [29] studies, the approximate expression for the stiffness of the fictitious
beam accounting for the rotations between column ends and footing due to deformation of base
plate, anchor bolts, and concrete can be written as
Is
b d2
=
LB
72 Esteel / Econcrete
(8.20)
where b and d are width and length of the base plate, subscripts concrete and steel represent concrete
and steel, respectively. Galambos [28] suggested that the smaller of the stiffness calculated by
Eqs. (8.25) and (8.26) be used in determining K factors.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
8.4.2.2
AASHTO-LRFD Approach
The following values are suggested by AASHTO-LRFD [2]:
G = 1.5
G = 3.0
G = 5.0
G = 1.0
footing anchored on rock
footing not anchored on rock
footing on soil
footing on multiple rows of end bearing piles
Example 8.2
Given
Determine K factor for the Column AB as shown in Figure 8.5 by using the alignment chart with
the necessary modifications. Section and material properties are given in Example 8.1 and spread
footings are on soil.
Solution
1. Calculate G factor with Modification for Column AB.
Since the far end of restraining girders are hinged, girder stiffness should be multiplied by
0.5. Using section properties in Example 8.1, we obtain:
 (E I / L )
=
 a (E I / L )
c c
GB
c
B
k
g g
g
B
=
G
3.22(1012 ) / 8, 000
= 0.454
(3.14)(1012 ) / 55, 000 + 0.5(3.14)(1012 ) / 50, 000
= 5.0A (Ref. [2])
2. From the alignment chart in Figure 8.4b, K = 1.60 is obtained.
8.4.3
Column Restrained by Tapered Rectangular Girders
A modification factor aT was developed by King et al. [30] for those framed columns restrained by
tapered rectangular girders with different far-end conditions. The following modified G factor is
introduced in connection with the use of alignment charts:
G =
 (E I / L )
 a (E I / L )
c c
T
c
g g
(8.21)
g
where Ig is moment of inertia of the girder at the near end. Both closed-form and approximate
solutions for modification factor aT were derived. It is found that the following two-parameter
power-function can describe the closed-form solutions very well:
a T = a k (1 - r )b
(8.22)
in which the parameter ak is a constant (Eqs. 8.17 and 8.18) depending on the far-end conditions,
and b is a function of far-end conditions and tapering factor a and r as defined in Figure 8.7.
1. For a linearly tapered rectangular girder (Figure 8.7a):
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-11
Effective Length of Compression Members
FIGURE 8.7
Tapered rectangular girders: (a) linearly tapered girder. (b) symmetrically tapered girder.
For a braced frame:
b =
Ï0.02 + 0.4 r
Ô
Ì0.75 - 0.1 r
Ô0.75 - 0.1 r
Ó
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.23)
For an unbraced frame:
b =
Ï0.95
Ô
Ì0.70
Ô0.70
Ó
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.24)
2. For a symmetrically tapered rectangular girder (Figure 8.7b)
For a braced frame:
b =
Ï3 - 1.7 a 2 - 2 a
Ô
2
Ì3 + 2.5 a - 5.55 a
Ô3 - a2 - 2.7 a
Ó
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.25)
For an unbraced frame:
b =
Ï3 + 3.8 a 2 - 6.5 a
Ô
2
Ì3 + 2.3 a - 5.45 a
Ô3 - 0.3 a
Ó
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
rigid far end ¸
Ô
fixed far end ý
hinged far end Ôþ
(8.26)
8-12
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.8
A simple frame with rectangular sections.
Example 8.3
Given
A one-story frame with a symmetrically tapered rectangular girder is shown in Figure 8.8. Assuming
r = 0.5, a = 0.2, and Ig = 2Ic = 2I, determine K factor for Column AB.
Solution
1. Use the Alignment Chart with Modification
For joint A, since the far end of girder is rigid, use Eqs. (8.26) and (8.22)
2
b = 3 + 3.8 ( 0.2 ) – 6.5 ( 0.2 ) = 1.852
a T = ( 1 – 0.5 )
1.852
= 0.277
Â
Â
E c I c § Lc
EI § L
G A = ----------------------------------- = ---------------------------------------- = 3.61
0.277 E ( 2I ) § 2L
aT E g I g § Lg
G B = 1.0
(Ref. [3])
From the alignment chart in Figure 8.4b, K = 1.59 is obtained
2. Use the Alignment Chart without Modification
A direct use of Eq. (8.7) with an average section (0.75h) results in
Ig = 0.753 (2 I ) = 0.844 I
GA =
EI / L
= 2.37
0.844 EI / 2 L
GB = 1.0
From the alignment chart in Figure 8.4b, K = 1.50, or (1.50 – 1.59)/1.59 = –6% in error on
the less conservative side.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Effective Length of Compression Members
FIGURE 8.9
Subassemblage of LeMessurier method.
8.5
Framed Columns — Alternative Methods
8.5.1
LeMessurier Method
Considering that all columns in a story buckle simultaneously and strong columns will brace weak
columns (Figure 8.9), a more accurate approach to calculate K factors for columns in a side-sway
frame was developed by LeMessurier [27]. The Ki value for the ith column in a story can be obtained
by the following expression:
Ki =
Ê
p 2 EIi
Á
L2i Pi Á
Ë
 P +  C P ˆ˜
 P ˜¯
L
(8.27)
L
where Pi is axial compressive force for member i, and subscript i represents the ith column and SP
is the sum of axial force of all columns in a story.
PL =
b=
b EI
L2
(8.28)
6(GA + GB ) + 36
2(GA + GB ) + GA GB + 3
(8.29)
ˆ
Ê K2
CL = Á b 2o - 1˜
¯
Ë p
(8.30)
in which Ko is the effective length factor obtained by the alignment chart for unbraced frames and
PL is only for those columns that provide side-sway stiffness.
Example 8.4
Given
Determine K factors for bridge columns shown in Figure 8.5 by using the LeMessurier method.
Section and material properties are given in Example 8.1.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-14
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Example 8.4 — Detailed Calculations by LeMessurier Method
TABLE 8.1
Members
I (mm ¥ 10 )
L (mm)
Gtop
Gbottom
b
Kio
CL
PL
P
CLP
4
11
AB and EF
CD
Sum
Notes
3.217
8,000
0.454
0.0
9.91
1.082
0.176
50,813E
P
0.176P
3.217
12,000
0.235
0.0
10.78
1.045
0.193
24,083E
1.4P
0.270P
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
123,709E
3.4P
0.622P
Eq. (8.7)
Eq. (8.7)
Eq. (8.29)
Alignment chart
Eq. (8.30)
Eq. (8.28)
P = 3,000 kN
P = 3,000 kN
Solutions
The detailed calculations are listed in Table 8.1 By using Eq. (8.32), we obtain:
K AB =
=
KCD =
=
8.5.2
Ê
p 2 EI AB
Á
L2AB PAB Á
Ë
 P +  C P ˆ˜
 P ˜¯
L
L
p 2 E (3.217)(1011 ) Ê 3.4 P + 0.622 P ˆ
Á
˜
(8.000)2 ( P) Ë 123, 709 E ¯
Ê
p 2 EICD
Á
L2CD PCD Á
Ë
= 1.270
 P +  C P ˆ˜
 P ˜¯
L
L
p 2 E (3.217)(1011 ) Ê 3.4 P + 0.622 P ˆ
Á
˜
(12, 000)2 (1.4 P) Ë 123, 709 E ¯
= 0.715
Lui Method
A simple and straightforward approach for determining the effective length factors for framed
columns without the use of alignment charts and other charts was proposed by Lui [31]. The
formulas take into account both the member instability and frame instability effects explicitly. The
K factor for the ith column in a story was obtained in a simple form:
Ki =
È
Ê p 2 E Ii ˆ ÍÊ
Á P L2 ˜ ÍË
Ë i i ¯
ÍÎ
Â
Ê
Pˆ
1
Á
+
L¯Á 5
h
Ë
ˆù
˜ú
H ˜¯ ú
úû
D1
 Â
(8.31)
where S(P/L) represents the sum of axial-force-to-length ratio of all members in a story; SH is the
story lateral load producing D1, D1 is the first-order interstory deflection; h is member stiffness
index and can be calculated by
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-15
Effective Length of Compression Members
FIGURE 8.10
TABLE 8.2
A bridge structure subjected to fictitious lateral loads.
Example 8.5 — Detailed Calculations by Lui Method
Members
I (mm4 ¥ 1011)
L (mm)
H (kN)
D1 (mm)
D1 /SH (mm/kN)
Mtop (kN-m)
Mbottom (kN-m)
m
h (kN/mm)
P/L (kN/mm)
AB and EF
CD
Sum
3.217
8,000
150
0.00144
—
–476.9
–483.3
0.986
185,606
P/8,000
3.217
12,000
210
0.00146
—
–785.5
–934.4
0.841
46,577
1.4 P/12,000
—
—
h=
Notes
510
—
2.843 (10–6)
—
—
—
417,789
1.1P/3,000
(3 + 4.8m + 4.2 m 2 ) EI
L3
Average
Eq. (8.32)
P = 3,000 kN
(8.32)
in which m is the ratio of the smaller to larger end moments of the member; it is taken as positive
if the member bends in reverse curvature, and negative for single curvature.
It is important to note that the term SH used in Eq. (8.36) is not the actual applied lateral load.
Rather, it is a small disturbing or fictitious force (taken as a fraction of the story gravity loads) to
be applied to each story of the frame. This fictitious force is applied in a direction such that the
deformed configuration of the frame will resemble its buckled shape.
Example 8.5
Given
Determine the K factors for bridge columns shown in Figure 8.5 by using the Lui method.
Section and material properties are given in Example 8.1.
Solutions
Apply fictitious lateral forces at B, D, and F (Figure 8.10) and perform a first-order analysis. Detailed
calculation is shown in Table 8.2.
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
By using Eq. (8.31), we obtain
K AB =
=
È
Ê p 2 E I AB ˆ ÍÊ
Á P L2 ˜ ÍË
Ë AB AB ¯
ÍÎ
Â
Ê
Pˆ
1
Á
+
L¯Á 5
h
Ë
ˆù
˜ú
H ˜¯ ú
úû
D1
 Â
Ê p 2(25, 000)(3.217)(1011 ) ˆ ÈÊ 1.1P ˆ Ê
ˆù
1
+ 2.843(10 -6 )˜ ú
˜Á
Á
˜ ÍÁË
¯û
P (8, 000)2
Ë
¯ Î 3, 000 ¯ Ë 5( 417, 789)
= 1.229
KCD =
=
È
Ê p 2 E ICD ˆ ÍÊ
Á P L2 ˜ ÍË
Ë CD CD ¯
ÍÎ
Â
Ê
Pˆ
1
Á
+
L¯Á 5
h
Ë
ˆù
˜ú
H ˜¯ ú
úû
D1
 Â
Ê p 2(25, 000)(3.217)(1011 ) ˆ ÈÊ 1.1P ˆ Ê
ˆù
1
+ 2.843(10 -6 )˜ ú
˜Á
Á
˜ ÍÁË
¯û
1.4 P (12, 000)2
Ë
¯ Î 3, 000 ¯ Ë 5( 417, 789)
= 0.693
8.5.3
Remarks
For a comparison, Table 8.3 summarizes the K factors for the bridge columns shown in Figure 8.5
obtained from the alignment chart, LeMessurier and Lui methods, as well as an eigenvalue analysis.
It is seen that errors of alignment chart results are rather significant in this case. Although the
K factors predicted by Lui’s formulas and LeMessurier’s formulas are almost the same in most cases,
the simplicity and independence of any chart in the case of Lui’s formula make it more desirable
for design office use [32].
TABLE 8.3
Columns
AB
CD
8.6
Comparison of K Factors for Frame in Figure 8.5
Theoretical
Alignment Chart
Lui Eq. (8.31)
LeMessurier Eq. (8.27)
1.232
0.694
1.082
1.045
1.229
0.693
1.270
0.715
Crossing Bracing Systems
Picard and Beaulieu [33,34] reported theoretical and experimental studies on double diagonal crossbracings (Figure 8.6) and found that
1. A general effective length factor equation is given as
K = 0.523 -
0.428
≥ 0.50
C/T
(8.33)
where C and T represent compression and tension forces obtained from an elastic analysis,
respectively.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Effective Length of Compression Members
2. When the double diagonals are continuous and attached at an intersection point, the effective
length of the compression diagonal is 0.5 times the diagonal length, i.e., K = 0.5, because the
C/T ratio is usually smaller than 1.6.
El-Tayem and Goel [35] reported a theoretical and experimental study about the X-bracing system
made from single equal-leg angles. They concluded that
1. Design of X-bracing system should be based on an exclusive consideration of one half diagonal
only.
2. For X-bracing systems made from single equal-leg angles, an effective length of 0.85 times
the half-diagonal length is reasonable, i.e., K = 0.425.
8.7
Latticed and Built-Up Members
It is a common practice that when a buckling model involves relative deformation produced by
shear forces in the connectors, such as lacing bars and batten plates, between individual components,
a modified effective length factor Km or effective slenderness ratio (KL/r)m is used in determining
the compressive strength. Km is defined as
Km = a v K
(8.34)
in which K is the usual effective length factor of a latticed member acting as a unit obtained from
a structural analysis and av is the shear factor to account for the effect of shear deformation on the
buckling strength. Details of the development of the shear factor av can be found in textbooks by
Bleich [5] and Timoshenko and Gere [36]. The following section briefly summarizes av formulas
for various latticed members.
8.7.1
Latticed Members
By considering the effect of shear deformation in the latticed panel on buckling load, shear factor
av of the following form has been introduced:
Laced Compression Members (Figures 8.11a and b)
av = 1 +
p 2 EI
d3
( KL)2 Ad Ed ab 2
(8.35)
Compression Members with Battens (Figure 8.11c)
av = 1 +
p 2 EI Ê ab
a2 ˆ
+
2 Á
( KL) Ë 12 Eb Ib 24 EI f ˜¯
(8.36)
Laced-Battened Compression Members (Figure 8.11d)
av = 1 +
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
p2 E I Ê
d3
b ˆ
+
2 Á
2
( KL) Ë Ad Ed ab
aAb Eb ˜¯
(8.37)
8-18
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.11 Typical configurations of latticed members: (a) single lacing; (b) double lacing; (c) battens; (d) lacingbattens; (e) perforated cover plates.
Compression Members with Perforated Cover Plates (Figure 8.11e)
av = 1 +
p 2 EI Ê 9c3 ˆ
( KL)2 ÁË 64 aEI f ˜¯
(8.38)
where Ed is modulus of elasticity of materials for lacing bars; Eb is modulus of elasticity of materials
for batten plates; Ad is cross-sectional area of all diagonals in one panel; Ib is moment inertia of all
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Effective Length of Compression Members
battens in one panel in the buckling plane and If is moment inertia of one side of main components
taken about the centroid axis of the flange in the buckling plane; a, b, d are height of panel, depth
of member, and length of diagonal, respectively; and c is the length of a perforation.
The Structural Stability Research Council [37] suggested that a conservative estimating of the
influence of 60° or 45° lacing, as generally specified in bridge design practice, can be made by
modifying the overall effective length factor K by multiplying a factor av, originally developed by
Bleich [5] as follows:
For
KL
> 40, a v = 1 + 300 / ( KL / r )2
r
(8.39)
For
KL
£ 40, a v = 1.1
r
(8.40)
It should be pointed out that the usual K factor based on a solid member analysis is included in
Eqs. (8.35) through (8.38). However, since the latticed members studied previously have pin-ended
conditions, the K factor of the member in the frame was not included in the second terms of the
square root of the above equations in their original derivations [5,36].
8.7.5
Built-Up Members
AISC-LRFD [3] specifies that if the buckling of a built-up member produces shear forces in the
connectors between individual component members, the usual slenderness ratio KL/r for compression members must be replaced by the modified slenderness ratio (KL/r)m in determining the
compressive strength.
1. For snug-tight bolted connectors:
2
Ê KL ˆ = Ê KL ˆ + Ê a ˆ
Ë r ¯ o ÁË ri ˜¯
Ë r ¯m
2
(8.41)
2. For welded connectors and for fully tightened bolted connectors:
2
2
Ê aˆ
Ê KL ˆ = Ê KL ˆ + 0.82 a
Ë r ¯o
Ë r ¯m
(1 + a 2 ) ÁË rib ˜¯
2
(8.42)
where (KL/r)o is the slenderness ratio of built-up member acting as a unit, (KL/r)m is modified
slenderness ratio of built-up member, a/ri is the largest slenderness ratio of the individual components, a/rib is the slenderness ratio of the individual components relative to its centroidal axis parallel
to axis of buckling, a is the distance between connectors, ri is the minimum radius of gyration
of individual components, rib is the radius of gyration of individual components relative to its
centroidal axis parallel to member axis of buckling, a is the separation ratio = h/2rib, and h is the
distance between centroids of individual components perpendicular to the member axis of buckling.
Eq. (8.41) is the same as that used in the current Italian code, as well as in other European
specifications, based on test results [38]. In this equation, the bending effect is considered in the
first term in square root, and shear force effect is taken into account in the second term. Eq. (8.42)
was derived from elastic stability theory and verified by test data [39]. In both cases, the end
connectors must be welded or slip-critical-bolted.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
8-20
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 8.12 Effective length factor for tapered columns. (a) Braced frame; (b) unbraced frame. (Source: Galambos,
T. V., Ed., Structural Stability Research Council Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures, 4th ed., John
Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988. With permission.)
8.8
Tapered Columns
The state-of-the-art design for tapered structural members was provided in the SSRC guide [37].
The charts as shown in Figure 8.12 can be used to evaluate the effective length factors for tapered
column restrained by prismatic beams [37]. In these figures, IT and IB are the moment of inertia of
top and bottom beam, respectively; b and L are length of beam and column, respectively; and g is
tapering factor as defined by
g =
d1 - do
do
(8.43)
where do and d1 are the section depth of column at the smaller and larger end, respectively.
8.9
Summary
This chapter summarizes the state-of-the-art practice of the effective length factors for isolated
columns, framed columns, diagonal bracing systems, latticed and built-up members, and tapered
columns. Design implementation with formulas, charts, tables, and various modification factors
adopted in current codes and specifications, as well as those used in bridge structures, are
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Effective Length of Compression Members
8-21
described. Several examples are given to illustrate the steps of practical applications of these
methods.
References
1. McGuire, W., Computers and steel design, Modern Steel Constr., 32(7), 39, 1992.
2. AASHTO, LRFD Br idge Design Specifications, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
3. AISC, Load and Resistanc e Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel Building s, 2nd ed., American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL, 1993.
4. Chen, W. F. and Lui, E. M., Stability Design of Steel Frames, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1991.
5. Bleich, F., Buckling S trength of Metal Structures, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1952.
6. Johnson, D. E., Lateral stability of frames by energy method, J. Eng. Mech. ASCE, 95(4), 23, 1960.
7. Lu, L. W., A survey of literature on the stability of frames, Weld. Res. Counc. Bull., New York, 1962.
8. Kavanagh, T. C., Effective length of framed column, Trans. ASCE, 127(II) 81, 1962.
9. Gurfinkel, G. and Robinson, A. R., Buckling of elasticity restrained column, J. Struct. Div. ASCE,
91(ST6), 159, 1965.
10. Wood, R. H., Effective lengths of columns in multi-storey buildings, Struct. Eng., 50(7–9), 234,
295, 341, 1974.
11. Julian, O. G. and Lawrence, L. S., Notes on J and L Nomograms for Determination of Effective
Lengths, unpublished report, 1959.
12. ACI, Building C ode Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-95) and Commentary (ACI
318R-95), American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 1995.
13. Galambos, T. V., Lateral support for tier building frames, AISC Eng. J., 1(1), 16, 1964.
14. Aristizabal-Ochoa, J. D., K-factors for columns in any type of construction: nonparadoxical
approach, J. Struct. Eng. ASCE, 120(4), 1272, 1994.
15. Duan, L., King, W. S., and Chen, W. F., K factor equation to alignment charts for column design,
ACI Struct. J., 90(3), 242, 1993.
16. Regles de Cacul des C onstructions en acier, CM66, Eyrolles, Paris, 1975.
17. ECCS, European Recomme ndat ions for Steel Construction, European Convention for Construction
Steelworks, 1978.
18. Dumonteil, P., Simple equations for effective length factors, AISC Eng. J., 29(3), 111, 1992.
19. Johnston, B. G., Ed., Structural Stability Research Council, Guide to Stability Design Criteria for
Metal Structures, 3rd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1976.
20. Liew, J. Y. R., White, D. W., and Chen, W. F., Beam-column design in steel frameworks — insight
on current methods and trends, J. Constr. Steel. Res., 18, 269, 1991.
21. Duan, L. and Chen, W. F., Effective length factor for columns in braced frames, J. Struct. Eng.
ASCE, 114(10), 2357, 1988.
22. Duan, L. and Chen, W. F., Effective length factor for columns in unbraced frames, J. Struct. Eng.
ASCE, 115(1), 150, 1989.
23. Duan, L. and Chen, W. F., 1996. Errata of paper: effective length factor for columns in unbraced
frames, J. Struct. Eng. ASCE, 122(1), 224, 1996.
24. Essa, H. S., Stability of columns in unbraced frames, J. Struct. Eng., ASCE, 123(7), 952, 1997.
25. Yura, J. A., The effective length of columns in unbraced frames, AISC Eng. J., 8(2), 37, 1971.
26. Disque, R. O., Inelastic K factor in design, AISC Eng. J., 10(2), 33, 1973.
27. LeMessurier, W. J., A practical method of second order analysis, part 2 — rigid frames, AISC Eng.
J., 14(2), 50, 1977.
28. Galambos, T. V., Influence of partial base fixity on frame instability, J. Struct. Div. ASCE, 86(ST5),
85, 1960.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
29. Salmon, C. G., Schenker, L., and Johnston, B. G., Moment-rotation characteristics of column
anchorage, Trans. ASCE, 122, 132, 1957.
30. King, W. S., Duan, L., Zhou, R. G., Hu, Y. X., and Chen, W. F., K factors of framed columns
restrained by tapered girders in U.S. codes, Eng. Struct., 15(5), 369, 1993.
31. Lui, E. M., A novel approach for K-factor determination. AISC Eng. J., 29(4), 150, 1992.
32. Shanmugam, N. E. and Chen, W. F., An assessment of K factor formulas, AISC Eng. J., 32(3), 3,
1995.
33. Picard, A. and Beaulieu, D., Design of diagonal cross bracings, part 1: theoretical study, AISC Eng.
J., 24(3), 122, 1987.
34. Picard, A. and Beaulieu, D., Design of diagonal cross bracings, part 2: experimental study, AISC
Eng. J., 25(4), 156, 1988.
35. El-Tayem, A. A. and Goel, S. C., Effective length factor for the design of X-bracing systems, AISC
Eng. J., 23(4), 41, 1986.
36. Timoshenko, S. P. and Gere, J. M., Theory of Elast ic Stability, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1961.
37. Galambos, T. V., Ed., Structural Stability Research Counc il, Guide to Stability Design Criteria for
Metal Structures, 4th ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1988.
38. Zandonini, R., Stability of compact built-up struts: experimental investigation and numerical
simulation, Constr. Met., 4, 1985 [in Italian].
39. Aslani, F. and Goel, S. C., An analytical criteria for buckling strength of built-up compression
members, AISC Eng. J., 28(4), 159, 1991.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9
Vessel Collision
Design of Bridges
9.1
Introduction .................................................................9-2
9.2
Initial Planning.............................................................9-4
Background • Basic Concepts • Application
Selection of Bridge Site • Selection of Bridge Type,
Configuration, and Layout • Horizontal and Vertical
Clearance • Approach Spans • Protection Systems
9.3
Waterway Characteristics.............................................9-6
Channel Layout and Geometry • Water Depth and
Fluctuations • Current Speed and Direction
9.4
Vessel Traffic Characteristics .......................................9-6
Physical and Operating Characteristics • Vessel Fleet
Characteristics
9.5
Collision Risk Analysis ................................................9-8
9.6
Vessel Impact Loads...................................................9-10
Risk Acceptance Criteria • Collision Risk Models
Ship Impact • Barge Impact • Application of
Impact Forces
Michael Knott
9.7
9.8
Moffatt & Nichol Engineers
Physical Protection Systems • Aids to Navigation
Alternatives
Zolan Prucz
Modjeski and Masters, Inc.
Bridge Analysis and Design.......................................9-14
Bridge Protection Measures ......................................9-15
9.9
Conclusions ................................................................9-16
Notations
The following symbols are used in this chapter. The section number in parentheses after definition
of a symbol refers to the section or figure number where the symbol first appears or is identified.
AF
BM
BP
DWT
H
N
P
PBH
PDH
annual frequency of bridge element collapse (Section 9.5.2)
beam (width) of vessel (Figure 9.2)
width of bridge pier (Figure 9.2)
size of vessel based on deadweight tonnage (one tonne = 2205 lbs = 9.80 kN) (Section 9.4.1)
ultimate bridge element strength (Section 9.5.2)
number of one-way vessel passages through the bridge (Section 9.5.2)
vessel collision impact force (Section 9.5.2)
ship collision impact force for head-on collision between ship bow and a rigid object (Section 9.6.1)
ship collision impact force between ship deckhouse and a rigid superstructure (Section 9.6.1)
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9-1
9-2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
PMT
PS
PA
PC
PG
RBH
RDH
V
x
φ
ship collision impact force between ship mast and a rigid superstructure (Section 9.6.1)
ship collision impact force for head-on collision between ship bow and a rigid object (Section 9.6.1)
probability of vessel aberrancy (Section 9.5.2)
probability of bridge collapse (Section 9.5.2)
geometric probability of vessel collision with bridge element (Section 9.5.2)
ratio of exposed superstructure depth to the total ship bow depth (Section 9.6.1)
reduction factor for ship deckhouse collision force (Section 9.6.1)
design impact speed of vessel (Section 9.6.1)
distance to bridge element from the centerline of vessel transit path (Figure 9.2)
angle between channel and bridge centerlines (Figure 9.2)
9.1
Introduction
9.1.1
Background
It was only after a marked increase in the frequency and severity of vessel collisions with bridges
that studies of the vessel collision problem have been initiated in recent years. In the period from
1960 to 1998, there have been 30 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collision,
with a total loss of life of 321 people. The greatest loss of life occurred in 1983 when a passenger
ship collided with a railroad bridge on the Volga River, Russia; 176 were killed when the aberrant
vessel attempted to transit through a side span of the massive bridge. Most of the deaths occurred
when a packed movie theater on the top deck of the passenger ship was sheared off by the low
vertical clearance of the bridge superstructure.
Of the bridge catastrophes mentioned above, 15 have occurred in the United States, including
the 1980 collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge crossing Tampa Bay, Florida, in which 396 m of
the main span collapsed and 35 lives were lost as a result of the collision by an empty 35,000 DWT
(deadweight tonnage) bulk carrier (Figure 9.1).
One of the more publicized tragedies in the United States involved the 1993 collapse of a CSX
Railroad Bridge across Bayou Canot near Mobile, Alabama. During dense fog, a barge tow became
lost and entered a side channel of the Mobile River where it struck a railroad bridge causing a large
displacement of the structure. The bridge collapsed a few minutes later when a fully loaded Amtrak
passenger train attempted to cross the damaged structure; 47 fatalities occurred as a result of the
collapse and the train derailment.
It should be noted that there are numerous vessel collision accidents with bridges which cause
significant damage, but do not necessarily result in collapse of the structure. A study of river towboat
collisions with bridges located on the U.S. inland waterway system during the short period from
1970 to 1974 revealed that there were 811 accidents with bridges costing $23 million in damages
and 14 fatalities. On the average, some 35 vessel collision incidents are reported every day to U.S.
Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
A recent accident on a major waterway bridge occurred in Portland, Maine in September 1996
when a loaded tanker ship (171 m in length and 25.9 m wide) rammed the guide pile fender system
of the existing Million Dollar Bridge over the Fore River. A large portion of the fender was destroyed;
the flair of the ship’s bow caused significant damage to one of the bascule leafs of the movable
structure (causing closure of the bridge until repairs were made); and 170,000 gallons of fuel oil
were spilled in the river due to a 9-m hole ripped in the vessel hull by an underwater protrusion
of the concrete support pier (a small step in the footing). Although the main cause of the accident
was attributed to pilot error, a contributing factor was certainly the limited horizontal clearance of
the navigation opening through the bridge (only 29 m).
The 1980 collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was a major turning point in awareness and
increased concern for the safety of bridges crossing navigable waterways. Important steps in the
development of modern ship collision design principles and specifications include:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
FIGURE 9.1
9-3
Sunshine Skyway Bridge, May 9, 1980 after being struck by the M/V Summit Venture.
• In 1983, a “Committee on Ship/Barge Collision,” appointed by the Marine Board of the National
Research Council in Washington, D.C., completed a study on the risk and consequences of ship
collisions with bridges crossing navigable coastal waters in the United States [1].
• In June 1983, a colloquium on “Ship Collision with Bridges and Offshore Structures” was
held in Copenhagen, Denmark under the auspices of the International Association for Bridge
and Structural Engineering (IABSE), to bring together and disseminate the latest developments on the subject [2].
• In 1984, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development incorporated criteria
for the design of bridge piers with respect to vessel collision for structures crossing waterways
in the state of Louisiana [3,4].
• In 1988, a pooled-fund research project was sponsored by 11 states and the Federal Highway
Administration to develop vessel collision design provisions applicable to all of the United
States. The final report of this project [5] was adopted by AASHTO as a Vessel Collision
Design Guide Specification in February, 1991 [6].
• In 1993, the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) published a comprehensive document that included a review of past and recent developments in
the study of ship collisions and the interaction between vessel traffic and bridges [7].
• In 1994, AASHTO adopted the recently developed LRFD bridge design specifications [8],
which incorporate the vessel collision provisions developed in Reference [6] as an integral
part of the bridge design criteria.
• In December 1996, the Federal Highway Administration sponsored a conference on “The
Design of Bridges for Extreme Events” in Atlanta, Georgia to discuss developments in design
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9-4
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
loads (vessel collision, earthquake, and scour) and issues related to the load combinations of
extreme events [9].
• In May 1998, an international symposium on “Advances in Bridge Aerodynamics, Ship Collision Analysis, and Operation & Maintenance” was held in Copenhagen, Denmark in conjunction with the opening of the record-setting Great Belt Bridge to disseminate the latest
developments on the vessel collision subject [10].
Current highway bridge design practices in the United States follow the AASHTO specifications [6,8].
The design of railroad bridge protection systems against vessel collision is addressed in the American
Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for Railway Engineering
[11]. Research and development work in the area of vessel collision with bridges continues. Several
aspects, such as the magnitude of the collision loads to be used in design, and the appropriate combination of extreme events (such as collision plus scour) are not yet well established and understood. As
further research results become available, appropriate code changes and updates can be expected.
9.1.2
Basic Concepts
The vulnerability of a bridge to vessel collision is affected by a variety of factors, including:
• Waterway geometry, water stage fluctuations, current speeds, and weather conditions;
• Vessel characteristics and navigation conditions, including vessel types and size distributions,
speed and loading conditions, navigation procedures, and hazards to navigation;
• Bridge size, location, horizontal and vertical geometry, resistance to vessel impact, structural
redundancy, and effectiveness of existing bridge protection systems;
• Serious vessel collisions with bridges are extreme events associated with a great amount of
uncertainty, especially with respect to the impact loads involved. Since designing for the
worst-case scenario could be overly conservative and economically undesirable, a certain
amount of risk must be considered as acceptable. The commonly accepted design objective
is to minimize (in a cost-effective manner) the risk of catastrophic failure of a bridge component, and at the same time reduce the risk of vessel damage and environmental pollution.
The intent of vessel collision provisions is to provide bridge components with a “reasonable”
resistance capacity against ship and barge collisions. In navigable waterway areas where collision by
merchant vessels may be anticipated, bridge structures should be designed to prevent collapse of the
superstructure by considering the size and type of vessel, available water depth, vessel speed, structure
response, the risk of collision, and the importance classification of the bridge. It should be noted that
damage to the bridge (even failure of secondary structural members) is usually permitted as long as
the bridge deck carrying motorist traffic does not collapse (i.e., sufficient redundancy and alternate
load paths exist in the remaining structure to prevent collapse of the superstructure).
9.1.3
Application
The vessel collision design recommendations provided in this chapter are consistent with the
AASHTO specifications [6,8] and they apply to all bridge components in navigable waterways with
water depths over 2.0 ft (0.6 m). The vessels considered include merchant ships larger than
1000 DWT and typical inland barges.
9.2
Initial Planning
It is very important to consider vessel collision aspects as early as possible in the planning process
for a new bridge, since they can have a significant effect on the total cost of the bridge. Decisions
related to the bridge type, location, and layout should take into account the waterway geometry,
the navigation channel layout, and the vessel traffic characteristics.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9.2.1
9-5
Selection of Bridge Site
The location of a bridge structure over a waterway is usually predetermined based on a variety of
other considerations, such as environmental impacts, right-of-way, costs, roadway geometry, and
political considerations. However, to the extent possible, the following vessel collision guidelines
should be followed:
• Bridges should be located away from turns in the channel. The distance to the bridge should
be such that vessels can line up before passing the bridge, usually at least eight times the
length of the vessel. An even larger distance is preferable when high currents and winds are
likely to occur at the site.
• Bridges should be designed to cross the navigation channel at right angles and should be
symmetrical with respect to the channel.
• An adequate distance should exist between bridge locations and areas with congested navigation, port facilities, vessel berthing maneuvers, or other navigation problems.
• Locations where the waterway is shallow or narrow so that bridge piers could be located out
of vessel reach are preferable.
9.2.2
Selection of Bridge Type, Configuration, and Layout
The selection of the type and configuration of a bridge crossing should consider the characteristics
of the waterway and the vessel traffic, so that the bridge would not be an unnecessary hazard to
navigation. The layout of the bridge should maximize the horizontal and vertical clearances for
navigation, and the bridge piers should be placed away from the reach of vessels. Finding the optimum
bridge configuration and layout for different bridge types and degrees of protection is an iterative process
which weighs the costs involved in risk reduction, including political and social aspects.
9.2.3
Horizontal and Vertical Clearance
The horizontal clearance of the navigation span can have a significant impact on the risk of vessel
collision with the main piers. Analysis of past collision accidents has shown that bridges with a
main span less than two to three times the design vessel length or less than two times the channel
width are particularly vulnerable to vessel collision.
The vertical clearance provided in the navigation span is usually based on the highest vessel that
uses the waterway in a ballasted condition and during periods of high water level. The vertical
clearance requirements need to consider site-specific data on actual and projected vessels, and must
be coordinated with the Coast Guard in the United States. General data on vessel height characteristics are included in References [6,7].
9.2.4
Approach Spans
The initial planning of the bridge layout should also consider the vulnerability of the approach
spans to vessel collision. Historical vessel collisions have shown that bridge approach spans were
damaged in over 60% of the total number of accidents. Therefore, the number of approach piers
exposed to vessel collision should be minimized, and horizontal and vertical clearance considerations should also be applied to the approach spans.
9.2.5
Protection Systems
Bridge protection alternatives should be considered during the initial planning phase, since the cost
of bridge protection systems can be a significant portion of the total bridge cost. Bridge protection
systems include fender systems, dolphins, protective islands, or other structures designed to redirect,
withstand, or absorb the impact force and energy, as described in Section 9.8.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9-6
9.3
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Waterway Characteristics
The characteristics of the waterway in the vicinity of the bridge site such as the width and depth of
the navigation channel, the current speed and direction, the channel alignment and cross section,
the water elevation, and the hydraulic conditions, have a great influence on the risk of vessel collision
and must be taken into account.
9.3.1
Channel Layout and Geometry
The channel layout and geometry can affect the navigation conditions, the largest vessel size that
can use the waterway, and the loading condition and speed of vessels.
The presence of bends and intersections with other waterways near the bridge increases the
probability of vessels losing control and become aberrant. The navigation of downstream barge
tows through bends is especially difficult.
The vessel transit paths in the waterway in relation to the navigation channel and the bridge piers
can affect the risk of aberrant vessels hitting the substructure.
9.3.2
Water Depth and Fluctuations
The design water depth for the channel limits the size and draft of vessels using the waterway. In
addition, the water depth plays a critical role in the accessibility of vessels to piers outside the
navigation channel. The vessel collision analysis must include the possibility of ships and barges
transiting ballasted or empty in the waterway. For example, a loaded barge with a 6 m draft would
run aground before it could strike a pier in 4 m of water, but the same barge empty with a 1 m
draft could potentially strike the pier.
The water level along with the loading condition of vessels influences the location on the pier
where vessel impact loads are applied, and the susceptibility of the superstructure to vessel hits. The
annual mean high water elevation is usually the minimum water level used in design. In waterways
with large water stage fluctuations, the water level used can have a significant effect on the structural
requirements for the pier and/or pier protection design. In these cases, a closer review of the water
stage statistics at the bridge site is necessary in order to select an appropriate design water level.
9.3.3
Current Speed and Direction
Water currents at the location of the bridge can have a significant effect on navigation and on the
probability of vessel aberrancy. The design water currents commonly used represent annual average
values rather than the occasional extreme values that occur only a few times per year, and during
which vessel traffic restrictions may also apply.
9.4
Vessel Traffic Characteristics
9.4.1
Physical and Operating Characteristics
General knowledge on the operation of vessels and their characteristics is essential for safe bridge
design. The types of commercial vessels encountered in navigable waterways may be divided into
ships and barge tows.
9.4.1.1
Ships
Ships are self-propelled vessels using deep-draft waterways. Their size may be determined based on
the DWT. The DWT is the weight in metric tonnes (1 tonne = 2205 lbs = 9.80 kN) of cargo, stores,
fuel, passenger, and crew carried by the ship when fully loaded. There are three main classes of merchant
ships: bulk carriers, product carriers/tankers, and freighter/containers. General information on ship
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9-7
profiles, dimensions, and sizes as a function of the class of ship and its DWT is provided in
References [6,7]. The dimensions given in References [6,7] are typical values, and due to the large
variety of existing vessels, they should be regarded as general approximations.
The steering of ships in coastal waterways is a difficult process. It involves constant communications between the shipmaster, the helmsman, and the engine room. There is a time delay before a
ship starts responding to an order to change speed or course, and the response of the ship itself is
relatively slow. Therefore, the shipmaster has to be familiar with the waterway and be aware of
obstructions and navigation and weather conditions in advance. Very often local pilots are used to
navigate the ships through a given portion of a coastal waterway. When the navigation conditions
are difficult, tugboats are used to assist ships in making turns. Ships need speed to be able to steer
and maintain rudder control. A minimum vessel speed of about 5 knots (8 km/h) is usually needed
to maintain steering. Fully loaded ships are more maneuverable, and in deep water they are directionally stable and can make turns with a radius equal to one to two times the length of the ship.
However, as the underkeel clearance decreases to less than half the draft of the ship, many ships
tend to become directionally unstable, which means that they require constant steering to keep
them traveling in a straight line. In the coastal waterways of the United States, the underkeel
clearance of many laden ships may be far less than this limit, in some cases as small as 5% of the
draft of the ship. Ships riding in ballast with shallow draft are less maneuverable than loaded ships,
and, in addition, they can be greatly affected by winds and currents. Historical accident data indicate
that most bridge accidents involve empty or ballasted vessels.
9.4.1.2
Barge Tows
Barge tows use both deep-draft and shallow-draft waterways. The majority of the existing bridges
cross shallow draft waterways where the vessel fleet comprises barge tows only. The size of barges
in the United States is usually defined in terms of the cargo-carrying capacity in short tons (1 ton =
2000 lbs = 8.90 kN). The types of inland barges include open and covered hoppers, tank barges,
and deck barges. They are rectangular in shape and their dimensions are quite standard so they can
travel in tows. The number of barges per tow can vary from one to over 20 and their configuration
is affected by the conditions of the waterway. In most cases barges are pushed by a towboat.
Information on barge dimensions and capacity, as well as on barge tow configurations, is included
in References [6,7]. A statistical analysis of barge tow types, configurations, and dimensions, which
utilizes barge traffic data from the Ohio River, is reported in Reference [12].
It is very difficult to control and steer barge tows, especially in waterways with high stream
velocities and cross currents. Taking a turn in a fast waterway with high current is a serious
undertaking. In maneuvering a bend, tows experience a sliding effect in a direction opposite to the
direction of the turn, due to inertial forces, which are often coupled with the current flow. Sometimes, bridge piers and fenders are used to line up the tow before the turn. Bridges located in a
high-velocity waterway near a bend in the channel will probably be hit by barges numerous times
during their lifetime. In general, there is a high likelihood that any bridge element that can be
reached by a barge will be hit during the life of the bridge.
9.4.2
Vessel Fleet Characteristics
The vessel data required for bridge design include types of vessels and size distributions, transit
frequencies, typical vessel speeds, and loading conditions. In order to determine the vessel size
distribution at the bridge site, detailed information on both present and projected future vessel
traffic is needed. Collecting data on the vessel fleet characteristics for the waterway is an important
and often time-consuming process.
Some of the sources in the United States for collecting vessel traffic data are listed below:
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, District Offices
• Port authorities and industries along the waterway
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9-8
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
• Local pilot associations and merchant marine organizations
• U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Safety & Bridge Administration Offices
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “Products and Services Available to the Public,” Water
Resources Support Center, Navigation Data Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, NDC Report 89-N1, August 1989
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “Waterborne Commerce of the United States (WCUS), Parts
1 thru 5,” Water Resources Support Center (WRSC), Fort Belvoir, Virginia
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “Lock Performance Monitoring (LPM) Reports,” Water
Resources Support Center (WRSC), Fort Belvoir, Virginia
• Shipping registers (American Bureau of Shipping Register, New York; and Lloyd’s Register of
Shipping, London)
• Bridge tender reports for movable bridges
Projections for anticipated vessel traffic during the service life of the bridge should address both
changes in the volume of traffic and in the size of vessels. Factors that need to be considered include:
•
•
•
•
•
Changes in regional economics;
Plans for deepening or widening the navigation channel;
Planned changes in alternate waterway routes and in navigation patterns;
Plans for increasing the size and capacity of locks leading to the bridge;
Port development plans.
Vessel traffic projections that are made by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department
of Transportation, Port Authorities, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with planned
channel-deepening projects or lock replacements are also good sources of information for bridge
design. Since a very large number of factors can affect the vessel traffic in the future, it is important
to review and update the projected traffic during the life of the bridge.
9.5
Collision Risk Analysis
9.5.1
Risk Acceptance Criteria
Bridge components exposed to vessel collision could be subjected to a very wide range of impact
loads. Due to economic and structural constraints, bridge design for vessel collision is not based
on the worst-case scenario, and a certain amount of risk is considered acceptable.
The risk acceptance criteria consider both the probability of occurrence of a vessel collision and
the consequences of the collision. The probability of occurrence of a vessel collision is affected by
factors related to the waterway, vessel traffic, and bridge characteristics. The consequences of a
collision depend on the magnitude of the collision loads and the bridge strength, ductility, and
redundancy characteristics. In addition to the potential for loss of life, the consequences of a collision
can include damage to the bridge, disruption of motorist and marine traffic, damage to the vessel
and cargo, regional economic losses, and environmental pollution.
Acceptable risk levels have been established by various codes and for individual bridge projects
[2–10]. The acceptable annual frequencies of bridge collapse values used generally range from 0.001
to 0.0001. These values were usually determined in conjunction with the risk analysis procedure
recommended, and should be used accordingly.
The AASHTO provisions [6,8] specify an annual frequency of bridge collapse of 0.0001 for critical
bridges and an annual frequency of bridge collapse of 0.001 for regular bridges. These annual
frequencies correspond to return periods of bridge collapse equal to 1 in 10,000 years, and 1 in
1000 years, respectively. Critical bridges are defined as those bridges that are expected to continue
to function after a major impact, because of social/survival or security/defense requirements.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9.5.2
9.5.2.1
Collision Risk Models
General Approach
Various collision risk models have been developed to achieve design acceptance criteria [2–10]. In
general, the occurrence of a collision is separated into three events: (1) a vessel approaching the
bridge becomes aberrant, (2) the aberrant vessel hits a bridge element, and (3) the bridge element
that is hit fails. Collision risk models consider the effects of the vessel traffic, the navigation
conditions, the bridge geometry with respect to the waterway, and the bridge element strength with
respect to the impact loads. They are commonly expressed in the following form [6,8]:
AF = (N) (PA) (PG) (PC)
(9.1)
where AF is the annual frequency of collapse of a bridge element; N is the annual number of vessel
transits (classified by type, size, and loading condition) which can strike a bridge element; PA is the
probability of vessel aberrancy; PG is the geometric probability of a collision between an aberrant
vessel and a bridge pier or span; PC is the probability of bridge collapse due to a collision with an
aberrant vessel.
9.5.2.2
Vessel Traffic Distribution, N
The number of vessels, N, passing the bridge based on size, type, and loading condition and available
water depth has to be developed for each pier and span component to be evaluated. All vessels of
a given type and loading condition have to be divided into discrete groupings of vessel size by DWT
to determine the contribution of each group to the annual frequency of bridge element collapse.
Once the vessels are grouped and their frequency distribution is established, information on typical
vessel characteristics may be obtained from site-specific data, or from published general data such
as References [6,7].
9.5.2.3
Probability of Aberrancy, PA
The probability of vessel aberrancy reflects the likelihood that a vessel is out of control in the vicinity
of a bridge. Loss of control may occur as a result of pilot error, mechanical failure, or adverse
environmental conditions. The probability of aberrancy is mainly related to the navigation conditions at the bridge site. Vessel traffic regulations, vessel traffic management systems, and aids to
navigation can improve the navigation conditions and reduce the probability of aberrancy.
The probability of vessel aberrancy may be evaluated based on site-specific information that
includes historical data on vessel collisions, rammings, and groundings in the waterway, vessel traffic,
navigation conditions, and bridge/waterway geometry. This has been done for various bridge design
provisions and specific bridge projects worldwide [2,3,7,9,12]. The probability of aberrancy values
determined range from 0.5 × 10–4 to over 7.0 × 10–4.
As an alternative, the AASHTO provisions [6,8] recommend base rates for the probability of
vessel aberrancy that are multiplied by correction factors for bridge location relative to bends in
the waterway, currents acting parallel to vessel transit path, crosscurrents acting perpendicular to
vessel transit path, and the traffic density of vessels using the waterway. The recommended base
rates are 0.6 × 10–4 for ships, and 1.2 × 10–4 for barges.
9.5.2.4
Geometric Probability, PG
The geometric probability is the probability that a vessel will hit a particular bridge pier given that
it has lost control (i.e., is aberrant) in the vicinity of the bridge. It is mainly a function of the
geometry of the bridge in relation to the waterway. Other factors that can affect the likelihood that
an aberrant vessel will strike a bridge element include the original vessel transit path, course, rudder
position, velocity at the time of failure, vessel type, size, draft and maneuvering characteristics, and
the hydraulic and environmental conditions at the bridge site. Various geometric probability models,
some based on simulation studies, have been recommended and used on different bridge projects
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
9-10
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 9.2
Geometric probability of pier collision.
[2,3,7]. The AASHTO provisions [6,8] use a normal probability density function about the centerline
of the vessel transit path for estimating the likelihood of an aberrant vessel being within a certain
impact zone along the bridge axis. Using a normal distribution accounts for the fact that aberrant
vessels are more likely to pass under the bridge closer to the navigation channel than farther away
from it. The standard deviation of the distribution equals the length of the design vessel considered.
The probability that an aberrant vessel is located within a certain zone is the area under the normal
probability density function within that zone (Figure 9.2).
Bridge elements beyond three times the standard deviation from the centerline of vessel transit
path are designed for specified minimum impact load requirements, which are usually associated
with an empty vessel drifting with the current.
9.5.2.5
Probability of Collapse, PC
The probability of collapse, PC, is a function of many variables, including vessel size, type, forepeak
ballast and shape, speed, direction of impact, and mass. It is also dependent on the ultimate lateral
load strength of the bridge pier (particularly the local portion of the pier impacted by the bow of
the vessel). Based on collision damages observed from numerous ship–ship collision accidents which
have been correlated to the bridge–ship collision situation [2], an empirical relationship has been
developed based on the ratio of the ultimate pier strength, H, to the vessel impact force, P. As shown
in Figure 9.3, for H/P ratios less than 0.1, PC varies linearly from 0.1 at H/P = 0.1 to 1.0 at H/P =
0.0. For H/P ratios greater than 0.1, PC varies linearly from 0.1 at H/P = 0.1 to 0.0 at H/P = 1.0.
9.6
Vessel Impact Loads
9.6.1
Ship Impact
The estimation of the load on a bridge pier during a ship collision is a very complex problem. The
actual force is time dependent, and varies depending on the type, size, and construction of the
vessel; its velocity; the degree of water ballast in the forepeak of the bow; the geometry of the
collision; and the geometry and strength characteristics of the bridge. There is a very large scatter
among the collision force values recommended in various vessel collision guidelines or used in
various bridge projects [2–10].
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
FIGURE 9.3
Probability of collapse distribution.
FIGURE 9.4
Ship impact force.
Ship collision forces are commonly applied as equivalent static loads. Procedures for evaluating
dynamic effects when the vessel force indentation behavior is known are included in
References [3,4,10,13,14]. The AASHTO provisions [6,8] use the following formula for estimating
the static head-on ship collision force, PS, on a rigid pier:
Ps = 0.98 ( DWT ) 2(V 16 )
1
(9.2)
where PS is the equivalent static vessel impact force (MN); DWT is the ship deadweight tonnage in
tonnes; and V is the vessel impact velocity in knots (Figure 9.4). This formulation was primarily
developed from research conducted by Woisin in West Germany during 1967 to 1976 on physical
ship models to generate data for protecting the reactors of nuclear power ships from collisions with
other ships. A schematic representation of a typical impact force time history is shown in Figure 9.6
based on Woisin’s test data. The scatter in the results of these tests is of the order of ±50%. The
formula recommended (Eq. 9.2) uses a 70% fractile of an assumed triangular distribution with zero
values at 0% and 100% and a maximum value at the 50% level (Figure 9.7).
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 9.5
FIGURE 9.6
Barge impact force.
Typical ship impact force time history by Woisin.
Formulas for computing design ship collision loads on a bridge superstructure are given in the
AASHTO provisions [6,8] as a function of the design ship impact force, PS, as follows:
• Ship Bow Impact Force, PBH:
PBH = (R BH) (P S)
(9.3)
where RBH is a reduction coefficient equal to the ratio of exposed superstructure depth to the
total bow depth.
• Ship Deckhouse Impact Force, PDH:
P DH = (R DH) (P S)
(9.4)
where RDH is a reduction coefficient equal to 0.10 for ships larger than 100,000 DWT, and
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
FIGURE 9.7
Probability density function of ship impact force.
DWT
0.2 – --------------------- ( 0.10 )
100, 000
for ships under 100,000 DWT.
• Ship Mast Impact Force, PMT:
P MT = 0.10 P DH
(9.5)
where PDH is the ship deckhouse impact force.
The magnitude of the impact loads computed for ship bow and deckhouse collisions are quite
high relative to the strength of most bridge superstructure designs. Also, there is great uncertainty
associated with predicting ship collision loads on superstructures because of the limited data available and the ship–superstructure load interaction effects. It is therefore suggested that superstructures, and also weak or slender parts of the substructure, be located out of the reach of a ship’s hull
or bow.
9.6.2
Barge Impact
The barge collision loads recommended by AASHTO for the design of piers are shown in Figure 9.5
as a function of the tow length and the impact speed. Numerical formulations for deriving these
relationships may be found in References [6,8].
The loads in Figure 9.5 were computed using a standard 59.5 × 10.7 m hopper barge. The impact
force recommended for barges larger than the standard hopper barge is determined by increasing
the standard barge impact force by the ratio of the width of the wider barge to the width of the
standard hopper barge.
9.6.3
Application of Impact Forces
Collision forces on bridge substructures are commonly applied as follows:
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
• 100% of the design impact force in a direction parallel to the navigation channel (i.e., head-on);
• 50% of the design impact force in the direction normal to the channel (but not simultaneous
with the head-on force);
• For overall stability, the design impact force is applied as a concentrated force at the mean
high water level;
• For local collision forces, the design impact force is applied as a vertical line load equally
distributed along the ship’s bow depth for ships, and along head log depth for barges;
• For superstructure design the impact forces are applied transversely to the superstructure
component in a direction parallel to the navigation channel.
When determining the bridge components exposed to physical contact by any portion of the hull
or bow of the vessel considered, the bow overhang, rake, or flair distance of vessels have to be taken
into account. The bow overhang of ships and barges is particularly dangerous for bridge columns
and for movable bridges with relatively small navigation clearances.
9.7
Bridge Analysis and Design
Vessel collisions are extreme events with a very low probability of occurrence; therefore the limit state
considered is usually structural survival. Depending on the importance of the bridge, various degrees
of damage are allowed — provided that the structure maintains its integrity, hazards to traffic are
minimized, and repairs can be made in a relatively short period of time. When the design is based on
more frequent but less severe collisions, structural damage and traffic interruptions are not allowed.
Designing for vessel collision is commonly based on equivalent static loads that include global
forces for checking overall capacity and local forces for checking local strength of bridge components.
A clear load path from the location of the vessel impact to the bridge foundation needs to be
established and the components and connections within the load path must be adequately designed
and detailed. The design of individual bridge components is based on strength and stability criteria.
Overall stability, redundancy, and ductility are important criteria for structural survival.
The contribution of the superstructure to the transfer of loads to adjacent substructure units
depends on the capacity of the connection of the superstructure to substructure and the relative
stiffness of the substructure at the location of the impact. Analysis guidelines for determining the
distribution of collision loads to adjacent piers are included in Reference [15]. To find out how
much of the transverse impact force is taken by the pier and how much is transferred to the
superstructure, two analytical models are typically used. One is a two-dimensional or a threedimensional model of the complete pier, and the other is a two-dimensional model of the superstructure projected on a horizontal plane. The projected superstructure may be modeled as a beam
with the moment of inertia referred to a vertical axis through the center of the roadway, and with
hinges at expansion joint locations. The beam is supported at pier locations by elastic horizontal
springs representing the flexibility of each pier. The flexibility of the piers is obtained from pier
models using virtual forces. The superstructure model is loaded with a transverse virtual force acting
at the place where the pier under consideration is located. The spring in the model at that place is
omitted to obtain a flexibility coefficient of the superstructure at the location of the top of the pier
under consideration. Thus, the horizontal displacement of the top of the pier due to the impact
force on the pier (usually applied at mean high water level) is equal to the true displacement of the
superstructure due to the transmitted part of the impact force. The magnitude of the force transmitted to the superstructure is obtained by equating the total true displacement of the top of the
pier from the pier model to the displacement of the superstructure. However, in order to consider
partial transfer of lateral forces to the superstructure, positive steel or concrete connections of
superstructure to substructure, such as shear keys must be provided. Similarly, for partial transfer
to the superstructure of the longitudinal component of the impact force the shear capacity of the
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9-15
bearings must be adequate. When elastomeric bearings are used, their longitudinal flexibility may
be added to the longitudinal flexibility of the piers. If the ultimate capacity of the bearings is
exceeded, then the pier must take the total longitudinal force and be treated as a cantilever.
The modeling of pile foundations could vary from the simple assumption of a point of fixity to
nonlinear soil–structure interaction models, depending on the limit state considered and the sensitivity of the response to the soil conditions. Lateral load capacity analysis methods for pile groups
that include nonlinear behavior are recommended in References [15,16] and the features of a finiteelement analysis computer program developed for bridge piers composed of pier columns and cap
supported on a pile cap and nonlinear piles and soil are presented in Reference [17]. Transient
foundation uplift or rocking involving separation from the subsoil of an end bearing foundation
pile group or the contact area of a foundation footing could be allowed under impact loading
provided sufficient consideration is given to the structural stability of the substructure.
9.8
Bridge Protection Measures
The cost associated with protecting a bridge from catastrophic vessel collision can be a significant
portion of the total bridge cost, and must be included as one of the key planning elements in
establishing a bridge’s type, location, and geometry. The alternatives listed below are usually evaluated in order to develop a cost-effective solution for a new bridge project:
• Design the bridge piers, foundations, and superstructure to withstand directly the vessel
collision forces and impact energies;
• Design a pier fender system to reduce the impact loads to a level below the capacity of the
pier and foundation;
• Increase span lengths and locate piers in shallow water out of reach of large vessels in order
to reduce the impact design loads; and
• Protect piers from vessel collision by means of physical protection systems.
9.8.1
Physical Protection Systems
Piers exposed to vessel collision can be protected by special structures designed to absorb the impact
loads (forces or energies), or redirect the aberrant vessel away from the pier. Because of the large
forces and energies involved in a vessel collision, protection structures are usually designed for
plastic deformation under impact (i.e., they are essentially destroyed during the head-on design
collision and must be replaced). General types of physical protection systems include:
Fender Systems. These usually consist of timber, rubber, steel, or concrete elements attached to a
pier to fully, or partially, absorb vessel impact loads. The load and energy absorbing characteristics of such fenders is relatively low compared with typical vessel impact design loads.
Pile-Supported Systems. These usually consist of pile groups connected by either flexible or rigid
caps to absorb vessel impact forces. The piles may be vertical (plumb) or battered depending
on the design approach followed, and may incorporate relatively large-diameter steel pipe or
concrete pile sizes. The pile-supported protection structure may be either freestanding away
from the pier, or attached to the pier itself. Fender systems may be attached to the pile
structure to help resist a portion of the impact loads.
Dolphin Protection Systems. These usually consist of large-diameter circular cells constructed of
driven steel sheet piles, filled with rock or sand, and topped by a thick concrete cap. Vessel
collision loads are absorbed by rotation and lateral deformation of the cell during impact.
Island Protection Systems. These usually consist of protective islands built of a sand or quarryrun rock core and protected by outer layers of heavy rock riprap for wave, current, and ice
protection. The island geometry is developed to stop an aberrant vessel from hitting a pier
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
by forcing it to run aground. Although extremely effective as protection systems, islands are
often difficult to use due to adverse environmental impacts on river bottoms (dredge and fill
permits) and river currents (increase due to blockage), as well as impacts due to settlement
and downdrag forces on the bridge piers.
Floating Protection Systems. These usually consist of cable net systems suspended across the
waterway to engage and capture the bow of an aberrant vessel, or floating pontoons anchored
in front of the piers. Floating protection systems have a number of serious drawbacks (environmental, effectiveness, maintenance, cost, etc.) and are usually only considered for
extremely deep water situations where other protection options are not practicable.
The AASHTO Guide Specification [6] provides examples and contains a relatively extensive
discussion of various types of physical protection systems, such as fenders, pile-supported structures,
dolphins, protective islands, and floating structures. However, the code does not include specific
procedures and recommendations on the actual design of such protection structures. Further
research is needed to establish consistent analysis and design methodologies for protection structures, particularly since these structures undergo large plastic deformations during the collision.
9.8.2
Aids to Navigation Alternatives
Since 60 to 85% of all vessel collisions are caused by pilot error, it is important that all aspects of the
bridge design, siting, and aids to navigation with respect to the navigation channel be carefully evaluated
with the purpose of improving or maintaining safe navigation in the waterway near the bridge. Traditional aids include buoys, range markers, navigation lighting, and radar reflectors, as well as standard
operating procedures and regulations specifically developed for the waterway by government agencies
and pilot associations. Modern aids include advanced vessel traffic control systems (VTS) using shorebased radar surveillance and radio-telephone communication systems; special electronic transmitters
known as Raycon devices mounted to bridge spans for improved radar images indicating the centerline
of the channel; and advanced navigation positioning systems based on shipboard global positioning
satellite (GPS) receivers using differential signal techniques to improve location accuracy.
Studies have indicated that improvements in the aids to navigation near a bridge can provide
extremely cost-effective solutions to reducing the risk of collisions to acceptable levels. The cost of
such aid to navigation improvements and shipboard electronic navigation systems is usually a
fraction of the cost associated with expensive physical protection alternatives. However, few electronic navigation systems have ever been implemented (worldwide) due to legal complications
arising from liability concerns; impacts on international laws governing trade on the high seas; and
resistance by maritime users.
It should be noted that the traditional isolation of the maritime community must come to an
end. In addition to the bridge costs, motorist inconvenience, and loss of life associated with a
catastrophic vessel collision, significant environmental damage can also occur due to spilled hazardous or noxious cargoes in the waterway. The days when the primary losses associated with an
accident rested with the vessel and her crew are over. The $13 million value of the M/V Summit
Venture was far below the $250 million replacement cost of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which the
vessel destroyed. The losses associated with the 11 million gallons of crude oil spilled from the M/V
Exxon Valdez accident off the coast of Alaska in 1989 are over $3.5 billion. Both of these accidents
could have been prevented using shipboard advanced electronic navigation systems.
9.9
Conclusions
Experience to date has shown that the use of the vessel impact and bridge protection requirements
(such as the AASHTO specifications [6,8]) for planning and design of new bridges has resulted in
a significant change in proposed structure types over navigable waterways. Incorporation of the risk
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Vessel Collision Design of Bridges
9-17
of vessel collision and cost of protection in the total bridge cost has almost always resulted in longerspan bridges being more economical than traditional shorter span structures, since the design goal
for developing the bridge pier and span layout is the least cost of the total structure (including the
protection costs). Typical costs for incorporating vessel collision and protection issues in the planning stages of a new bridge have ranged from 5% to 50% of the basic structure cost without
protection.
Experience has also shown that it is less expensive to include the cost of protection in the planning
stages of a proposed bridge than to add it after the basic span configuration has been established
without considering vessel collision concerns. Typical costs for adding protection, or for retrofitting
an existing bridge for vessel collision, have ranged from 25% to over 100% of the existing bridge
costs.
It is recognized that vessel collision is but one of a multitude of factors involved in the planning
process for a new bridge. The designer must balance a variety of needs including political, social,
and economic in arriving at an optimal bridge solution for a proposed highway crossing. Because
of the relatively high bridge costs associated with vessel collision design for most waterway crossings,
it is important that additional research be conducted to improve our understanding of vessel impact
mechanics, the response of the structure, and the development of cost-effective protection systems.
References
1. National Research Council, Ship Collisions with Bridges — The Nature of the Accidents, Their
Prevention and Mitigation, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1983.
2. IABSE, Ship Collision with Bridges and Offshore Structures, International Association for Bridge
and Structural Engineering, Colloquium Proceedings, Copenhagen, Denmark, 3 vols. (Introductory, Preliminary, and Final Reports), 1983.
3. Modjeski and Masters, Criteria for the Design of Bridge Piers with Respect to Vessel Collision in
Louisiana Waterways, Report prepared for Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the Federal Highway Administration, 1984.
4. Prucz, Z. and Conway, W. B., Design of bridge piers against ship collision, in Bridges and Transmission Line Structures, L. Tall, Ed., ASCE, New York, 1987, 209–223.
5. Knott, M. A. and Larsen, O. D. 1990. Guide Specification and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design
of Highway Bridges, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Report
No. FHWA-RD-91-006.
6. AASHTO, Guide Specification and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges,
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1991.
7. Larsen, O. D., Ship Collision with Bridges: The Interaction between Vessel Traffic and Bridge
Structures, IABSE Structural Engineering Document 4, IABSE-AIPC-IVBH, Zürich, Switzerland,
1993.
8. AASHTO, LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and Commentary, American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1994.
9. FHWA, The Design of Bridges for Extreme Events, Proceedings of Conference in Atlanta, Georgia,
December 3–6, 1996.
10. International Symposium on Advances in Bridge Aerodynamics, Ship Collision Analysis, and Operation
& Maintenance, Copenhagen, Denmark, May 10–13, Balkema Publishers, Rotterdam, Netherlands,
1998.
11. AREMA, Manual for Railway Engineering, Chapter 8, Part 23, American Railway Engineering
Association, Washington, D.C., 1999.
12. Whitney, M. W., Harik, I. E., Griffin, J. J., and Allen, D. L., Barge collision design of highway bridges,
J. Bridge Eng. ASCE, 1(2), 47–58, 1996.
13. Prucz, Z. and Conway, W. B., Ship Collision with Bridge Piers — Dynamic Effects, Transportation
Research Board Paper 890712, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 1989.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
14. Grob, B. and Hajdin, N., Ship impact on inland waterways, Struct. Eng. Int., IABSE, Zürich,
Switzerland, 4, 230–235, 1996.
15. Kuzmanovic, B. O. and Sanchez, M. R., Design of bridge pier pile foundations for ship impact, J.
Struct. Eng. ASCE, 118(8), 2151–2167, 1992.
16. Brown, D. A. and Bollmann, H. T., Pile supported bridge foundations designed for impact loading,
Transportation Research Record 1331, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 87–91,
1992.
17. Hoit, M., McVay, M., and Hays, C., Florida Pier Computer Program for Bridge Substructure
Analysis: Models and Methods, Conference Proceedings, Design of Bridges for Extreme Events,
FHWA, Washington, D.C., 1996.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
10
Bridge Hydraulics
Jim Springer
10.1
10.2
Hydrology • Bridge Deck Drainage Design • Stage
Hydraulics
California Department
of Transportation
10.3
Ke Zhou
California Department
of Transportation
Introduction ...............................................................10-1
Bridge Hydrology and Hydraulics ............................10-1
Bridge Scour .............................................................10-11
Bridge Scour Analysis • Bridge Scour Calculation •
Bridge Scour Investigation and Prevention
10.1 Introduction
This chapter presents bridge engineers basic concepts, methods, and procedures used in bridge
hydraulic analysis and design. It involves hydrology study, hydraulic analysis, on-site drainage design,
and bridge scour evaluation.
Hydrology study for bridge design mainly deals with the properties, distribution, and circulation
of water on and above the land surface. The primary objective is to determine either the peak
discharge or the flood hydrograph, in some cases both, at the highway stream crossings. Hydraulic
analysis provides essential methods to determine runoff discharges, water profiles, and velocity
distribution. The on-site drainage design part of this chapter is presented with the basic procedures
and references for bridge engineers to design bridge drainage.
Bridge scour is a big part of this chapter. Bridge engineers are systematically introduced to
concepts of various scour types, presented with procedures and methodology to calculate and
evaluate bridge scour depths, provided with guidelines to conduct bridge scour investigation and
to design scour preventive measures.
10.2 Bridge Hydrology and Hydraulics
10.2.1 Hydrology
10.2.1.1
Collection of Data
Hydraulic data for the hydrology study may be obtained from the following sources: as-built plans,
site investigations and field surveys, bridge maintenance books, hydraulic files from experienced
report writers, files of government agencies such as the U.S. Corps of Engineers studies, U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS), Soil Conservation Service, and FEMA studies, rainfall data from local
water agencies, stream gauge data, USGS and state water agency reservoir regulation, aerial photographs, and floodways, etc.
Site investigations should always be conducted except in the simplest cases. Field surveys are very
important because they can reveal conditions that are not readily apparent from maps, aerial
0-8493-1681-2/03/$0.00+$1.50
© 2003 by CRC Press LLC
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
photographs and previous studies. The typical data collected during a field survey include high
water marks, scour potential, stream stability, nearby drainage structures, changes in land use not
indicated on maps, debris potential, and nearby physical features. See HEC-19, Attachment D [16]
for a typical Survey Data Report Form.
10.2.1.2
Drainage Basin
The area of the drainage basin above a given point on a stream is a major contributing factor to
the amount of flow past that point. For given conditions, the peak flow at the proposed site is
approximately proportional to the drainage area.
The shape of a basin affects the peak discharge. Long, narrow basins generally give lower peak
discharges than pear-shaped basins. The slope of the basin is a major factor in the calculation of
the time of concentration of a basin. Steep slopes tend to result in shorter times of concentration
and flatter slopes tend to increase the time of concentration. The mean elevation of a drainage basin
is an important characteristic affecting runoff. Higher elevation basins can receive a significant
amount of precipitation as snow. A basin orientation with respect to the direction of storm movement can affect peak discharge. Storms moving upstream tend to produce lower peaks than those
moving downstream.
10.2.1.3
Discharge
There are several hydrologic methods to determine discharge. Most of the methods for estimating
flood flows are based on statistical analyses of rainfall and runoff records and involve preliminary
or trial selections of alternative designs that are judged to meet the site conditions and to accommodate the flood flows selected for analysis.
Flood flow frequencies are usually calculated for discharges of 2.33 years through the overtopping
flood. The frequency flow of 2.33 years is considered to be the mean annual discharge. The base
flood is the 100-year discharge (1% frequency). The design discharge is the 50-year discharge (2%
frequency) or the greatest of record, if practical. Many times, the historical flood is so large that a
structure to handle the flow becomes uneconomical and is not warranted. It is the engineer’s
responsibility to determine the design discharge. The overtopping discharge is calculated at the site,
but may overtop the roadway some distance away from the site.
Changes in land use can increase the surface water runoff. Future land-use changes that can be
reasonably anticipated to occur in the design life should be used in the hydrology study. The type
of surface soil is a major factor in the peak discharge calculation. Rock formations underlying the
surface and other geophysical characteristics such as volcanic, glacial, and river deposits can have
a significant effect on runoff. In the United States, the major source of soil information is the Soil
Conservation Service (SCS). Detention storage can have a significant effect on reducing the peak
discharge from a basin, depending upon its size and location in the basin.
The most commonly used methods to determine discharges are
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Rational method
Statistical Gauge Analysis Methods
Discharge comparison of adjacent basins from gauge analysis
Regional flood-frequency equations
Design hydrograph
The results from various methods of determining discharge should be compared, not averaged.
10.2.1.3.1 Rational Method
The rational method is one of the oldest flood calculation methods and was first employed in Ireland
in urban engineering in 1847. This method is based on the following assumptions:
1. Drainage area is smaller than 300 acres.
2. Peak flow occurs when all of the watershed is contributing.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
10-3
Bridge Hydraulics
TABLE 10.1
Runoff Coefficients for Developed Areas
Type of Drainage Area
Runoff Coefficient
Business
Downtown areas
Neighborhood areas
Residential areas
Single-family areas
Multiunits, detached
Multiunits, attached
Suburban
Apartment dwelling areas
Industrial
Light areas
Heavy areas
Parks, cemeteries
Playgrounds
Railroad yard areas
Unimproved areas
Lawns
Sandy soil, flat, 2%
Sandy soil, average, 2–7%
Sandy soil, steep, 7%
Heavy soil, flat, 2%
Heavy soil, average, 2–7%
Heavy soil, steep, 7%
Streets
Asphaltic
Concrete
Brick
Drives and walks
Roofs
0.70–0.95
0.50–0.70
0.30–0.50
0.40–0.60
0.60–0.75
0.25–0.40
0.50–0.70
0.50–0.80
0.60–0.90
0.10–0.25
0.20–0.40
0.20–0.40
0.10–0.30
0.05–0.10
0.10–0.15
0.15–0.20
0.13–0.17
0.18–0.25
0.25–0.35
0.70–0.95
0.80–0.95
0.70–0.85
0.75–0.85
0.75–0.95
3. The rainfall intensity is uniform over a duration equal to or greater than the time of concentration, Tc .
4. The frequency of the peak flow is equal to the frequency of the rainfall intensity.
Q = Ci A
(10.1)
where
Q = discharge, in cubic foot per second
C = runoff coefficient (in %) can be determined in the field and from Tables 10.1 and 10.2 [5,16]
or a weighted C value is used when the basin has varying amounts of different cover. The
weighted C value is determined as follows:
C=
ÂC A
ÂA
j
j
(10.2)
j
i = rainfall intensity (in inches per hour) can be determined from either regional IDF maps or
individual IDF curves
A = drainage basin area (in acres) is determined from topographic map
(Note: 1 sq. mile = 640 acres = 0.386 sq. kilometer)
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
10-4
TABLE 10.2
Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
Runoff Coefficients for Undeveloped Area Watershed Types
Soil
0.12–0.16
No effective soil cover,
either rock or thin soil
mantle of negligible
infiltration capacity
0.08–0.12
Slow to take up water,
clay or shallow loam
soils of low infiltration
capacity, imperfectly
or poorly drained
0.06–0.08
Normal, well-drained
light or mediumtextured soils, sandy
loams, silt and silt
loams
0.04–0.06
High, deep sand or
other soil that takes
up water readily, very
light well-drained
soils
Vegetal Cover
0.12–0.16
No effective plant
cover, bare or very
sparse cover
0.08–0.12
Poor to fair; clean
cultivation crops, or
poor natural cover,
less than 20% of
drainage area over
good cover
0.06–0.08
Fair to good; about
50% of area in good
grassland or
woodland, not more
than 50% of area in
cultivated crops
0.04–0.06
Good to excellent;
about 90% of
drainage area in good
grassland, woodland
or equivalent cover
Surface Storage
0.10–0.12
Negligible surface
depression few and
shallow, drainageways
steep and small, no
marshes
0.08–0.10
Low, well-defined
system of small
drainageways; no
ponds or marshes
0.06–0.08
Normal; considerable
surface depression
storage; lakes and
pond marshes
0.04–0.06
High; surface storage,
high; drainage system
not sharply defined;
large floodplain
storage or large
number of ponds or
marshes
The time of concentration for a pear-shaped drainage basin can be determined using a combined
overland and channel flow equation, the Kirpich equation:
Tc = 0.0195(L / S )
0.5 0.77
(10.3)
where
Tc = Time of concentration in minutes
L = Horizontally projected length of watershed in meters
S = H/L (H = difference in elevation between the most remote point in the basin and the outlet
in meters)
10.2.1.3.2 Statistical Gauge Analysis Methods
The following two methods are the major statistical analysis methods which are used with stream
gauge records in the hydrological analysis.
1. Log Pearson Type III method
2. Gumbel extreme value method
The use of stream gauge records is a preferred method of estimating discharge/frequencies since
they reflect actual climatology and runoff. Discharge records, if available, may be obtained from a
state department of water resources in the United States. A good record set should contain at least
25 years of continuous records.
It is important, however, to review each individual stream gauge record carefully to ensure that
the database is consistent with good statistical analysis practice. For example, a drainage basin with
a large storage facility will result in a skewed or inconsistent database since smaller basin discharges
will be influenced to a much greater extent than large discharges.
The most current published stream gauge description page should be reviewed to obtain a
complete idea of the background for that record. A note should be given to changes in basin area
over time, diversions, revisions, etc. All reliable historical data outside of the recorded period should
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Hydraulics
be included. The adjacent gauge records for supplemental information should be checked and
utilized to extend the record if it is possible. Natural runoff data should be separated from later
controlled data. It is known that high-altitude basin snowmelt discharges are not compatible with
rain flood discharges. The zero years must also be accounted for by adjusting the final plot positions,
not by inclusion as minor flows. The generalized skew number can be obtained from the chart in
Bulletin No.17 B [8].
Quite often the database requires modification for use in a Log Pearson III analysis. Occasionally,
a high outlier, but more often low outliers, will need to be removed from the
database to avoid
_
Q
Q
skewing results. This need
is
determined
for
high
outliers
by
using
=
low
H + K SH , and
_
H
_
Q
Q
S
Q
outliers
by
using
=
+
K
,
where
K
is
a
factor
determined
by
the
sample
size,
and
L
H
_
L
L
Q L are the high and low mean logarithm of systematic peaks, QH and QL are the high and low
outlier thresholds in log units, SH and SL are the high and low standard deviations of the
logarithmic distribution. Refer to FHWA HEC-19, Hydrology [16] or USGS Bulletin 17B [8] for
this method and to find the values of K.
The data to be plotted are “PEAK DISCHARGE, Q (CFS)” vs. “PROBABILITY, Pr” as shown in
the example in Figure 10.1. This plot usually results in a very flat curve with a reasonably straight
center portion. An extension of this center portion gives a line for interpolation of the various
needed discharges and frequencies.
The engineer should use an adjusted skew, which is calculated from the generalized and station
skews. Generalized skews should be developed from at least 40 stations with each station having at
least 25 years of record.
The equation for the adjusted skew is
Gw =
MSE G (GL )+ MSE G (GS )
S
L
MSE G + MSE G
S
where
Gw
GS
GL
MSEGS
MSE GL
(10.4)
L
= weighted skew coefficient
= station skew
= generalized skew
= mean square error of station skew
= mean square error of generalized skew
The entire Log Pearson type III procedure is covered by Bulletin No. 17B, “Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency” [8].
The Gumbel extreme value method, sometimes called the double-exponential distribution of
extreme values, has also been used to describe the distribution of hydrological variables, especially
the peak discharges. It is based on the assumption that the cumulative frequency distribution of
the largest values of samples drawn from a large population can be described by the following
equation:
f (Q) = e
where
1.281
a =
S
b = Q − 0.450 S
S = standard deviation
Q = mean annual flow
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
−e
a (Q −b )
(10.5)
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 10.1
Log Pearson type III distribution analysis, Medina River, TX.
Values of this distribution function can be computed from Eq. (10.5). Characteristics of the
Gumbel extreme value distribution are that the mean flow, Q , occurs at the return period of
Tr = 2.33 years and that it is skewed toward the high flows or extreme values as shown in the
example of Figure 10.2. Even though it does not account directly for the computed skew of the
data, it does predict the high flows reasonably well. For this method and additional techniques,
please refer to USGS Water Supply Paper 1543-A, Flood-Frequency Analysis, and Manual of
Hydrology Part 3.
The Gumbel extreme value distribution is given in “Statistics of Extremes” by E.J. Gumbel and
is also found in HEC-19, p.73. Results from this method should be plotted on special Gumbel paper
as shown in Figure 10.2.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Hydraulics
FIGURE 10.2
Gumbel extreme value frequency distribution analysis, Medina River, TX.
10.2.1.3.3 Discharge Comparison of Adjacent Basins
HEC 19, Appendix D [16] contains a list of reports for various states in the United States that have
discharges at gauges that have been determined for frequencies from 2-year through 100-year
frequencies. The discharges were determined by the Log Pearson III method. The discharge frequency at the gauges should be updated by the engineer using Log Pearson III and the Gumbel
extreme value method.
The gauge data can be used directly as equivalent if the drainage areas are about the same (within
less than 5%). Otherwise, the discharge determination can be obtained by the formula:
Qu = Qg (Au / Ag )
b
(10.6)
where
Qu = discharge at ungauged site
Qg = discharge at gauged site
Au = area of ungauged site
Ag = area of gauged site
b
= exponent of drainage area
10.2.1.3.4 Regional Flood-Frequency Equations
If no gauged site is reasonably nearby, or if the record for the gauge is too short, then the discharge
can be computed using the applicable regional flood-frequency equations. Statewide regional regression equations have been established in the United States. These equations permit peak flows to be
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
estimated for return periods varying between 2 and 100 years. The discharges were determined by
the Log Pearson III method. See HEC-19, Appendix D [16] for references to the studies that were
conducted for the various states.
10.2.1.3.5 Design Hydrographs
Design hydrographs [9] give a complete time history of the passage of a flood at a particular site.
This would include the peak flow. A runoff hydrograph is a plot of the response of a watershed to
a particular rainfall event. A unit hydrograph is defined as the direct runoff hydrograph resulting
from a rainfall event that lasts for a unit duration of time. The ordinates of the unit hydrograph
are such that the volume of direct runoff represented by the area under the hydrograph is equal to
1 in. of runoff from the drainage area. Data on low water discharges and dates should be given as
it will control methods and procedures of pier excavation and construction. The low water discharges
and dates can be found in the USGS Water Resources Data Reports published each year. One
procedure is to review the past 5 or 6 years of records to determine this.
10.2.1.4
Remarks
Before arriving at a final discharge, the existing channel capacity should be checked using the velocity
as calculated times the channel waterway area. It may be that a portion of the discharge overflows
the banks and never reaches the site.
The proposed design discharge should also be checked to see that it is reasonable and practicable.
As a rule of thumb, the unit runoff should be 300 to 600 s-ft per square mile for small basins (to
20 square miles), 100 to 300 s-ft per square mile for median areas (to 50 square miles) and 25 to
150 s-ft for large basins (above 50 square miles). The best results will depend on rational engineering
judgment.
10.2.2 Bridge Deck Drainage Design (On-Site Drainage Design)
10.2.2.1
Runoff and Capacity Analysis
The preferred on-site hydrology method is the rational method. The rational method, as discussed
in Section 10.2.1.3.1, for on-site hydrology has a minimum time of concentration of 10 min. Many
times, the time of concentration for the contributing on-site pavement runoff is less than 10 min.
The initial time of concentration can be determined using an overland flow method until the runoff
is concentrated in a curbed section. Channel flow using the roadway-curb cross section should be
used to determine velocity and subsequently the time of flow to the first inlet. The channel flow
velocity and flooded width is calculated using Manning’s formula:
V =
1.486
2 /3 1/2
A R Sf
n
(10.7)
where
V = velocity
A = cross-sectional area of flow
R = hydraulic radius
S f = slope of channel
n = Manning’s roughness value [11]
The intercepted flow is subtracted from the initial flow and the bypass is combined with runoff
from the subsequent drainage area to determine the placement of the next inlet. The placement of
inlets is determined by the allowable flooded width on the roadway.
Oftentimes, bridges are in sump areas, or the lowest spot on the roadway profile. This necessitates
the interception of most of the flow before reaching the bridge deck. Two overland flow equations
are as follows.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Hydraulics
1. Kinematic Wave Equation:
6.92 L n0. 6
i 0.4 S0 .3
(10.8)
3.3(1.1− C)(L)1/2
(100 S)1/3
(10.9)
0 .6
to =
2. Overland Equation:
to =
where
t o = overland flow travel time in minutes
L = length of overland flow path in meters
S = slope of overland flow in meters
n = Manning’s roughness coefficient [12]
i = design storm rainfall intensity in mm/h
C = runoff coefficient (Tables 10.1 and 10.2)
10.2.2.2
Select and Size Drainage Facilities
The selection of inlets is based upon the allowable flooded width. The allowable flooded width is
usually outside the traveled way. The type of inlet leading up to the bridge deck can vary depending
upon the flooded width and the velocity. Grate inlets are very common and, in areas with curbs,
curb opening inlets are another alternative. There are various monographs associated with the type
of grate and curb opening inlet. These monographs are used to determine interception and therefore
the bypass [5].
10.2.3 Stage Hydraulics
High water (HW) stage is a very important item in the control of the bridge design. All available
information should be obtained from the field and the Bridge Hydrology Report regarding HW
marks, HW on upstream and downstream sides of the existing bridges, high drift profiles, and
possible backwater due to existing or proposed construction.
Remember, observed high drift and HW marks are not always what they seem. Drift in trees and
brush that could have been bent down by the flow of the water will be extremely higher than the
actual conditions. In addition, drift may be pushed up on objects or slopes above actual HW
elevation by the velocity of the water or wave action. Painted HW marks on the bridge should be
searched carefully. Some flood insurance rate maps and flood insurance study reports may show
stages for various discharges. Backwater stages caused by other structures should be included or
streams should be noted.
Duration of high stages should be given, along with the base flood stage and HW for the design
discharge. It should be calculated for existing and proposed conditions that may restrict the channel
producing a higher stage. Elevation and season of low water should be given, as this may control
design of tremie seals for foundations and other possible methods of construction. Elevation of
overtopping flow and its location should be given. Normally, overtopping occurs at the bridge site,
but overtopping may occur at a low sag in the roadway away from the bridge site.
10.2.3.1
Waterway Analysis
When determining the required waterway at the proposed bridge, the engineers must consider all
adjacent bridges if these bridges are reasonably close. The waterway section of these bridges should
be tied into the stream profile of the proposed structure. Structures that are upstream or downstream
of the proposed bridge may have an impact on the water surface profile. When calculating the
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
effective waterway area, adjustments must be made for the skew and piers and bents. The required
waterway should be below the 50-year design HW stage.
If stream velocities, scour, and erosive forces are high, then abutments with wingwall construction
may be necessary. Drift will affect the horizontal clearance and the minimum vertical clearance line
of the proposed structure. Field surveys should note the size and type of drift found in the channel.
Designs based on the 50-year design discharge will require drift clearance. On major streams and
rivers, drift clearance of 2 to 5 m above the 50-year discharge is needed. On smaller streams 0.3 to
1 m may be adequate. A formula for calculating freeboard is
Freeboard = 0.1 Q
0. 3
+ 0.008V
2
(10.10)
where
Q = discharge
V = velocity
10.2.3.2
Water Surface Profile Calculation
There are three prominent water surface profile calculation programs available [1,2]. The first
one is HEC-2 which takes stream cross sections perpendicular to the flow. WSPRO is similar to
HEC-2 with some improvements. SMS is a new program that uses finite-element analysis for its
calculations. SMS can utilize digital elevation models to represent the streambeds.
10.2.2.3
Flow Velocity and Distribution
Mean channel, overflow velocities at peak stage, and localized velocity at obstructions such as piers
should be calculated or estimated for anticipated high stages. Mean velocities may be calculated
from known stream discharges at known channel section areas or known waterway areas of bridge,
using the correct high water stage.
Surface water velocities should be measured roughly, by use of floats, during field surveys for
sites where the stream is flowing. Stream velocities may be calculated along a uniform section of
the channel using Manning’s formula Eq. (10.7) if the slope, channel section (area and wetted
perimeter), and roughness coefficient (n) are known.
At least three profiles should be obtained, when surveying for the channel slope, if possible. These
three slopes are bottom of the channel, the existing water surface, and the HW surface based on
drift or HW marks. The top of low bank, if overflow is allowed, should also be obtained. In addition,
note some tops of high banks to prove flows fall within the channel. These profiles should be plotted
showing existing and proposed bridges or other obstructions in the channel, the change of HW
slope due to these obstructions, and possible backwater slopes.
The channel section used in calculating stream velocities should be typical for a relatively long
section of uniform channel. Since this theoretical condition is not always available, however, the
nearest to uniform conditions should be used with any necessary adjustments made for irregularities.
Velocities may be calculated from PC programs, or calculator programs, if the hydraulic radius,
roughness factor, and slope of the channel are known for a section of channel, either natural or
artificial, where uniform stream flow conditions exist. The hydraulic radius is the waterway area
divided by the wetted perimeter of an average section of the uniform channel. A section under a
bridge whose piers, abutments, or approach fills obstruct the uniformity of the channel cannot be
used as there will not be uniform flow under the structure. If no part of the bridge structure seriously
obstructs or restricts the channel, however, the section at the bridge could be used in the above
uniform flow calculations.
The roughness coefficient n for the channel will vary along the length of the channel for various
locations and conditions. Various values for n can be found in the References [1,5,12,17].
At the time of a field survey the party chief should estimate the value of n to be used for the
channel section under consideration. Experience is required for field determination of a relatively
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Bridge Hydraulics
10-11
close to actual n value. In general, values for natural streams will vary between 0.030 and 0.070.
Consider both low and HW n value. The water surface slope should be used in this plot and the
slope should be adjusted for obstructions such as bridges, check dams, falls, turbulence, etc.
The results as obtained from this plot may be inaccurate unless considerable thought is given to
the various values of slope, hydraulic radius, and n. High velocities between 15 and 20 ft/s (4.57)
and 6.10 m/s through a bridge opening may be undesirable and may require special design considerations. Velocities over 20/ 6.10 m/s should not be used unless special design features are incorporated or if the stream is mostly confined in rock or an artificial channel.
10.3 Bridge Scour
10.3.1 Bridge Scour Analysis
10.3.1.1
Basic Scour Concepts
Scour is the result of the erosive action of flowing water, excavating and carrying away material
from the bed and banks of streams. Determining the magnitude of scour is complicated by the
cyclic nature of the scour process. Designers and inspectors need to study site-specific subsurface
information carefully in evaluating scour potential at bridges. In this section, we present bridge
engineers with the basic procedures and methods to analyze scour at bridges.
Scour should be investigated closely in the field when designing a bridge. The designer usually
places the top of footings at or below the total potential scour depth; therefore, determining the
depth of scour is very important. The total potential scour at a highway crossing usually comprises
the following components [11]: aggradation and degradation, stream contraction scour, local scour,
and sometimes with lateral stream migration.
10.3.1.1.1 Long-Term Aggradation and Degradation
When natural or human activities cause streambed elevation changes over a long period of time,
aggradation or degradation occurs. Aggradation involves the deposition of material eroded from
the channel or watershed upstream of the bridge, whereas degradation involves the lowering or
scouring of the streambed due to a deficit in sediment supply from upstream.
Long-term streambed elevation changes may be caused by the changing natural trend of the
stream or may be the result of some anthropogenic modification to the stream or watershed. Factors
that affect long-term bed elevation changes are dams and reservoirs up- or downstream of the
bridge, changes in watershed land use, channelization, cutoffs of meandering river bends, changes
in the downstream channel base level, gravel mining from the streambed, diversion of water into
or out of the stream, natural lowering of the fluvial system, movement of a bend, bridge location
with respect to stream planform, and stream movement in relation to the crossing. Tidal ebb and
flood may degrade a coastal stream, whereas littoral drift may cause aggradation. The problem for
the bridge engineer is to estimate the long-term bed elevation changes that will occur during the
lifetime of the bridge.
10.3.1.1.2 Stream Contraction Scour
Contraction scour usually occurs when the flow area of a stream at flood stage is reduced, either
by a natural contraction or an anthropogenic contraction (like a bridge). It can also be caused by
the overbank flow which is forced back by structural embankments at the approaches to a bridge.
There are some other causes that can lead to a contraction scour at a bridge crossing [11]. The
decreased flow area causes an increase in average velocity in the stream and bed shear stress through
the contraction reach. This in turn triggers an increase in erosive forces in the contraction. Hence,
more bed material is removed from the contracted reach than is transported into the reach. The
natural streambed elevation is lowered by this contraction phenomenon until relative equilibrium
is reached in the contracted stream reach.
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 10.3
Illustrative pier scour depth in a sand-bed stream as a function of time.
FIGURE 10.4
Schematic representation of local scour at a cylindrical pier.
There are two forms of contraction scour: live-bed and clear-water scours. Live-bed scour occurs
when there is sediment being transported into the contracted reach from upstream. In this case,
the equilibrium state is reached when the transported bed material out of the scour hole is equal
to that transported into the scour hole from upstream. Clear-water scour occurs when the bed
sediment transport in the uncontracted approach flow is negligible or the material being transported
in the upstream reach is transported through the downstream at less than the capacity of the flow.
The equilibrium state of the scour is reached when the average bed shear stress is less than that
required for incipient motion of the bed material in this case (Figure 10.3).
10.3.1.1.3 Local Scour
When upstream flow is obstructed by obstruction such as piers, abutments, spurs, and embankments, flow vortices are formed at their base as shown in Figure 10.4 (known as horseshoe vortex).
This vortex action removes bed material from around the base of the obstruction. A scour hole
eventually develops around the base. Local scour can also be either clear-water or live-bed scour.
In considering local scour, a bridge engineer needs to look into the following factors: flow velocity,
flow depth, flow attack angle to the obstruction, obstruction width and shape, projected length of
the obstruction, bed material characteristics, bed configuration of the stream channel, and also
potential ice and debris effects [11, 13].
10.3.1.1.4 Lateral Stream Migration
Streams are dynamic. The lateral migration of the main channel within a floodplain may increase
pier scour, embankment or approach road erosion, or change the total scour depth by altering the
© 2003 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Bridge Hydraulics
10-13
flow angle of attack at piers. Lateral stream movements are affected mainly by the geomorphology
of the stream, location of the crossing on the stream, flood characteristics, and the characteristics
of the bed and bank materials [11,13].
10.3.1.2
Designing Bridges to Resist Scour
It is obvious that all scour problems cannot be covered in this special topic section of bridge scour.
A more-detailed study can be found in HEC-18, “Evaluating Scour at Bridges” and HEC-20,
“Stream Stability at Highway Structures” [11,18]. As described above, the three most important
components of bridge scour are long-term aggradation or degradation, contraction scour, and
local scour. The total potential scour is a combination of the three components. To design a bridge
to resist scour, a bridge engineer needs to follow the following observation and investigation steps
in the design process.
1. Field Observation — Main purposes of field observation are as follows:
• Observe conditions around piers, columns, and abutments (Is the hydraulic skew correct?),
• Observe scour holes at bends in the stream,
• Determine streambed material,
• Estimate depth of scour, and
• Complete geomorphic factor analysis.
There is usually no fail-safe method to protect bridges from scour except possibly keeping
piers and abutments out of the HW area; however, proper hydraulic bridge design can
minimize bridge scour and its potential negative impacts.
2. Historic Scour Investigation — Structures that have experienced scour in the past are likely
to continue displaying scour problems in the future. The bridges that we are most concerned
with include those currently experiencing scour problems and exhibiting a history of local
scour problems.
3. Problem Location Investigation — Problem locations include “unsteady stream” locations,
such as near the confluence of two streams, at the crossing of stream bends, and at alluvial
fan deposits.
4. Problem Stream Investigation — Problem streams are those that have the following characteristics of aggressive tendencies: indication of active degradation or aggradation; migration
of the stream or lateral channel movement; streams with a steep lateral slope and/or high
velocity; current, past, or potential in-stream aggregate mining operations; and loss of bank
protection in the areas adjacent to the structure.
5. Design Feature Considerations — The following features, which increase the susceptibility
to local scour, should be considered:
• Inadequate waterway opening leads to inadequate clearance to pass large drift during heavy
runoff.
• Debris/drift problem: Light drift or debris may cause significant scour problems, moderate
drift or debris may cause significant scour but will not create severe lateral forces on the
structure, and heavy drift can cause strong lateral forces or impact damage as well as severe
scour.
• Lack of overtopping relief: Water may rise above deck level. This may not cause scour
problems but does increase vulnerability to severe damage from impact by heavy drift.
• Incorrect pier skew: When the bridge pier does not match the channel alignment, it may
cause scour at bridge piers and abutments.
6. Traffic Considerations — The amount of traffic such as average daily traffic (ADT), type of
traffic, the length of detour, the importance of crossings, and availability of other crossings
should be taken into consideration.
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
7. Potential for Unacceptable Damage — Potential for collapse during flood, safety of traveling
public and neighbors, effect on regional transportation system, and safety of other facilities
(other bridges, properties) need to be evaluated.
8. Susceptibility of Combined Hazard of Scour and Seismic — The earthquake prioritization
list and the scour-critical list are usually combined for bridge design use.
10.3.1.3
Scour Rating
In the engineering practice of the California Department of Transportation, the rating of each
structure is based upon the following:
1. Letter grading — The letter grade is related to the potential for scour-related problems at
this location.
2. Numerical grading — The numerical rating associated with each structure is a determination
of the severity for the potential scour:
A-1
A-2
A-3
B-1
B-2
B-3
C-1
C-2
C-3
No problem anticipated
No problem anticipated/new bridge — no history
Very remote possibility of problems
Slight possibility of problems
Moderate possibility of problems
Strong possibility of problems
Some probability of problems
Moderate probability of problems
Very strong probability of problems
Scour effect of storms is usually greater than design frequency, say, 500-year frequency. FHWA
specifies 500-year frequency as 1.7 times 100-year frequency. Most calculations indicate 500-year
frequency is 1.25 to 1.33 times greater than the 100-year frequency [3,8]; the 1.7 multiplier should
be a maximum. Consider the amount of scour that would occur at overtopping stages and also
pressure flows. Be aware that storms of lesser frequency may cause larger scour stress on the bridge.
10.3.2 Bridge Scour Calculation
All the equations for estimating contraction and local scour are based on laboratory experiments
with limited field verification [11]. However, the equations recommended in this section are considered to be the most applicable for estimating scour depths. Designers also need to give different
considerations to clear-water scour and live-bed scour at highway crossings and encroachments.
Prior to applying the bridge scour estimating methods, it is necessary to (1) obtain the fixed-bed
channel hydraulics, (2) determine the long-term impact of degradation or aggradation on the bed
profile, (3) adjust the fixed-bed hydraulics to reflect either degradation or aggradation impact, and
(4) compute the bridge hydraulics accordingly.
10.3.2.1
Specific Design Approach
Following are the recommended steps for determining scour depth at bridges:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Analyze long-term bed elevation change.
Compute the magnitude of contraction scour.
Compute the magnitude of local scour at abutments.
Compute the magnitude of local scour at piers.
Estimate and evaluate the total potential scour depths.
The bridge engineers should evaluate if the individual estimates of contraction and local scour
depths from Step 2 to 4 are reasonable and evaluate the total scour derived from Step 5.
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Bridge Hydraulics
10.3.2.2
Detailed Procedures
1. Analyze Long-Term Bed Elevation Change — The face of bridge sections showing bed
elevation are available in the maintenance bridge books, old preliminary reports, and sometimes in FEMA studies and U.S. Corps of Engineers studies. Use this information to estimate
aggradation or degradation.
2. Compute the Magnitude of Contraction Scour — It is best to keep the bridge out of the
normal channel width. However, if any of the following conditions are present, calculate
contraction scour.
a. Structure over channel in floodplain where the flows are forced through the structure due
to bridge approaches
b. Structure over channel where river width becomes narrow
c. Relief structure in overbank area with little or no bed material transport
d. Relief structure in overbank area with bed material transport
The general equation for determining contraction scour is
ys = y2 - y1
(10.11)
where
ys = depth of scour
y1 = average water depth in the main channel
y2 = average water depth in the contracted section
Other contraction scour formulas are given in the November 1995 HEC-18 publication —
also refer to the workbook or HEC-18 for the various conditions listed above [11]. The
detailed scour calculation procedures can be referenced from this circular for either live-bed
or clear-water contraction scour.
3. Compute the Magnitude of Local Scour at Abutments — Again, it is best to keep the
abutments out of the main channel flow. Refer to publication HEC-18 from FHWA [13]. The
scour formulas in the publication tend to give excessive scour depths.
4. Compute the Magnitude of Local Scour at Piers — The pier alignment is the most critical
factor in determining scour depth. Piers should align with stream flow. When flow direction
changes with stages, cylindrical piers or some variation may be the best alternative. Be
cautious, since large-diameter cylindrical piers can cause considerable scour. Pier width and
pier nose are also critical elements in causing excessive scour depth.
Assuming a sand bed channel, an acceptable method to determine the maximum possible scour
depth for both live-bed and clear-water channel proposed by the Colorado State University [11] is
as follows:
Ê aˆ
ys
= 2.0 K1K2 K3 Á ˜
y1
Ë y1 ¯
0.65
Fr 0.43l
where
ys = scour depth
y1 = flow depth just upstream of the pier
K1 = correction for pier shape from Figure 10.5 and Table 10.3
K2 = correction for angle of attack of flow from Table 10.4
K3 = correction for bed condition from Table 10.5
a = pier width
l = pier length
V
(just upstream from bridge)
Fr = Froude number =
( gy)
Drift retention should be considered when calculating pier width/type.
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(10.12)
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
FIGURE 10.5
Common pier shapes.
TABLE 10.3 Correction Factor, K ,
for Pier Nose Shape
1
Shape of Pier Nose
K
Square nose
Round nose
Circular cylinder
Sharp nose
Group of cylinders
1.1
1.0
1.0
0.9
l.0
1
TABLE 10.4 Correction Factor, K ,
for Flow Angle of Attack
2
Angle
0
15
30
45
90
L/a = 4
L/a = 8
L/a = 12
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.3
2.5
1.0
2.0
2.75
3.3
3.9
1.0
2.5
3.5
4.3
5
TABLE 10.5 Increase in Equilibrium Pier Scour Depths K3
for Bed Conditions
Bed Conditions
Clear-water scour
Plane bed and antidune flow
Small dunes
Medium dunes
Large dunes
10.3.2.3
Dune Height H, ft
K3
N/A
N/A
10 > H > 2
30 > H > 10
H > 30
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1–1.2
1.3
Estimate and Evaluate Total Potential Scour Depths
Total potential scour depths is usually the sum of long-term bed elevation change (only degradation
is usually considered in scour computation), contraction scour, and local scour. Historical scour
depths and depths of scourable material are determined by geology. When estimated depths from
the above methods are in conflict with geology, the conflict should be resolved by the hydraulic
engineer and the geotechnical engineer; based on economics and experience, it is best to provide
for maximum anticipated problems.
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Bridge Hydraulics
10-17
10.3.3 Bridge Scour Investigation and Prevention
10.3.3.1
Steps to Evaluate Bridge Scour
It is recommended that an interdisciplinary team of hydraulic, geotechnical, and bridge engineers
should conduct the evaluation of bridge scour. The following approach is recommended for evaluating the vulnerability of existing bridges to scour [11]:
Step 1. Screen all bridges over waterways into five categories: (1) low risk, (2) scour-susceptible,
(3) scour-critical, (4) unknown foundations, or (5) tidal. Bridges that are particularly vulnerable
to scour failure should be identified immediately and the associated scour problem addressed. These
particularly vulnerable bridges are:
1. Bridges currently experiencing scour or that have a history of scour problems during past
floods as identified from maintenance records, experience, and bridge inspection records
2. Bridges over erodible streambeds with design features that make them vulnerable to scour
3. Bridges on aggressive streams and waterways
4. Bridges located on stream reaches with adverse flow characteristics
Step 2. Prioritize the scour-susceptible bridges and bridges with unknown foundations by conducting a preliminary office and field examination of the list of structures compiled in Step 1 using
the following factors as a guide:
1. The potential for bridge collapse or for damage to the bridge in the event of a major flood
2. The functional classification of the highway on which the bridge is located
3. The effect of a bridge collapse on the safety of the traveling public and on the operation of
the overall transportation system for the area or region
Step 3. Conduct office and field scour evaluations of the bridges on the prioritized list in Step 2
using an interdisciplinary team of hydraulic, geotechnical, and bridge engineers:
1. In the United States, FHWA recommends using 500-year flood or a flow 1.7 times the 100-year
flood where the 500-year flood is unknown to estimate scour [3,6]. Then analyze the foundations for vertical and lateral stability for this condition of scour. The maximum scour
depths that the existing foundation can withstand are compared with the total scour depth
estimated. An engineering assessment must be then made whether the bridge should be
classified as a scour-critical bridge.
2. Enter the results of the evaluation study in the inventory in accordance with the instructions
in the FHWA “Bridge Recording and Coding Guide” [7].
Step 4. For bridges identified as scour critical from the office and field review in Steps 2 and 3,
determine a plan of action for correcting the scour problem (see Section 10.3.3.3).
10.3.3.2
Introduction to Bridge Scour Inspection
The bridge scour inspection is one of the most important parts of preventing bridge scour from
endangering bridges. Two main objectives to be accomplished in inspecting bridges for scour are:
1. To record the present condition of the bridge and the stream accurately; and
2. To identify conditions that are indicative of potential problems with scour and stream stability
for further review and evaluation by other experts.
In this section, the bridge inspection practice recommended by U.S. FHWA [6,10] is presented
for engineers to follow as guidance.
10.3.3.2.1 Office Review
It is highly recommended that an office review of bridge plans and previous inspection reports be
conducted prior to making the bridge inspection. Information obtained from the office review
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
provides a better foundation for inspecting the bridge and the stream. The following questions
should be answered in the office review:
• Has an engineering scour evaluation been conducted? If so, is the bridge scour critical?
• If the bridge is scour-critical, has a plan of action been made for monitoring the bridge and/or
installing scour prevention measures?
• What do comparisons of stream-bed cross sections taken during successive inspections reveal
about the stream bed? Is it stable? Degrading? Aggrading? Moving laterally? Are there scour
holes around piers and abutments?
• What equipment is needed to obtain stream-bed cross sections?
• Are there sketches and aerial photographs to indicate the planform locations of the stream
and whether the main channel is changing direction at the bridge?
• What type of bridge foundation was constructed? Do the foundations appear to be vulnerable
to scour?
• Do special conditions exist requiring particular methods and equipment for underwater
inspections?
• Are there special items that should be looked at including damaged riprap, stream channel
at adverse angle of flow, problems with debris, etc.?
10.3.3.2.2 Bridge Scour Inspection Guidance
The condition of the bridge waterway opening, substructure, channel protection, and scour prevention measures should be evaluated along with the condition of the stream during the bridge
inspection. The following approaches are presented for inspecting and evaluating the present condition of the bridge foundation for scour and the overall scour potential at the bridge.
Substructure is the key item for rating the bridge foundations for vulnerability to scour damage.
Both existing and potential problems with scour should be reported so that an interdisciplinary
team can make a scour evaluation when a bridge inspection finds that a scour problem has already
occurred. If the bridge is determined to be scour critical, the rating of the substructures should be
evaluated to ensure that existing scour problems have been considered. The following items should
be considered in inspecting the present condition of bridge foundations:
• Evidence of movement of piers and abutments such as rotational movement and settlement;
• Damage to scour countermeasures protecting the foundations such as riprap, guide banks,
sheet piling, sills, etc.;
• Changes in streambed elevation at foundations, such as undermining of footings, exposure
of piles; and
• Changes in streambed cross section at the bridge, including location and depth of scour holes.
In order to evaluate the conditions of the foundations, the inspectors should take cross sections
of the stream and measure scour holes at piers and abutments. If equipment or conditions do not
permit measurement of the stream bottom, it should be noted for further investigation.
To take and plot measurement of stream bottom elevations in relation to the bridge foundations
is considered the single most important aspect of inspecting the bridge for actual or potential
damage from scour. When the stream bottom cannot be accurately measured by conventional means,
there are other special measures that need to be taken to determine the condition of the substructures
or foundations such as using divers and using electronic scour detection equipment. For the
purposes of evaluating resistance to scour of the substructures, the questions remain essentially the
same for foundations in deep water as for foundations in shallow water [7] as follows:
• How does the stream cross section look at the bridge?
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Bridge Hydraulics
10-19
• Have there been any changes as compared with previous cross section measurements? If so,
does this indicate that (1) the stream is aggrading or degrading or (2) is local or contraction
scour occurring around piers and abutments?
• What are the shapes and depths of scour holes?
• Is the foundation footing, pile cap, or the piling exposed to the stream flow, and, if so, what
is the extent and probable consequences of this condition?
• Has riprap around a pier been moved or removed?
Any condition that a bridge inspector considers to be an emergency or of a potentially hazardous
nature should be reported immediately. This information as well as other conditions, which do not
pose an immediate hazard but still warrant further investigation, should be conveyed to the interdisciplinary team for further review.
10.3.3.3
Introduction to Bridge Scour Prevention
Scour prevention measures are generally incorporated after the initial construction of a bridge to
make it less vulnerable to damage or failure from scour. A plan of preventive action usually has
three major components [11]:
1. Timely installation of temporary scour prevention measures;
2. Development and implementation of a monitoring program;
3. A schedule for timely design and construction of permanent scour prevention measures.
For new bridges [11], the following is a summary of the best solutions for minimizing scour
damage:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Locating the bridge to avoid adverse flood flow patterns;
Streamlining bridge elements to minimize obstructions to the flow;
Designing foundations safe from scour;
Founding bridge pier foundations sufficiently deep to not require riprap or other prevention
measures; and
5. Founding abutment foundations above the estimated local scour depth when the abutment
is protected by well-designed riprap or other suitable measures.
For existing bridges, the available scour prevention alternatives are summarized as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Monitoring scour depths and closing the bridge if excessive bridge scour exists;
Providing riprap at piers and/or abutments and monitoring the scour conditions;
Constructing guide banks or spur dikes;
Constructing channel improvements;
Strengthening the bridge foundations;
Constructing sills or drop structures; and
Constructing relief bridges or lengthening existing bridges.
These scour prevention measures should be evaluated using sound hydraulic engineering practice.
For detailed bridge scour prevention measures and types of prevention measures, refer to “Evaluating
Scour at Bridges” from FHWA. [10,11,18,19]
References
1. AASHTO, Model Drainage Manual, American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials, Washington, D.C., 1991.
2. AASHTO, Highway Drainage Guidelines, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington, D.C., 1992.
3. California State Department of Transportation, Bridge Hydraulics Guidelines, Caltrans, Sacramento.
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Bridge Engineering: Substructure Design
4. California State Department of Transportation, Highway Design Manual, Caltrans, Sacramento.
5. Kings, Handbook of Hydraulics, Chapter 7 (n factors).
6. U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey (USGS), Magnitude and Frequency of Floods
in California, Water-Resources Investigation 77–21.
7. U.S. Department of Transportation, Recording and Coding Guide for the Structure Inventory and
Appraisal of the Nation’s Bridges, FHWA, Washington D.C., 1988.
8. U.S. Geological Survey, Bulletin No. 17B, Guidelines for Determining Flood Flow Frequency.
9. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Debris-Control Structures, Hydraulic Engineering Circular
No. 9, 1971.
10. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Design of Riprap Revetments, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 11, 1989.
11. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Evaluating Scour at Bridges, Hydraulic Engineering Circular
No. 18, Nov. 1995.
12. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Guide for Selecting Manning’s Roughness Coefficient
(n factors) for Natural Channels and Flood Plains, Implementation Report, 1984.
13. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Highways in the River Environment, Hydraulic and Environmental Design Considerations, Training & Design Manual, May 1975.
14. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulics in the River Environment, Spur Dikes, Sect. VI13, May 1975.
15. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulics of Bridge Waterways, Highway Design Series No.
1, 1978.
16. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Hydrology, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 19, 1984.
17. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Local Design Storm, Vol. I–IV (n factor) by Yen and Chow.
18. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Stream Stability at Highway Structures, Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 20, Nov. 1990.
19. U.S. Federal Highway Administration, Use of Riprap for Bank Protection, Implementation Report,
1986.
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