Characterization of Bridge Foundations Workshop Report

SUMMARY OF THE FINAL PLENARY SESSION: RECOMMENDATONS

Based on the one and a half days of presentations and discussions, the following summary and recommendations are made:

1. A key issue with unknown foundations is their characterization.
2. There is much good work being done in the States with the reuse of foundations. States have their own procedure; there is no ready means of assessing the present practice.
3. The main issues for foundation reuse are their condition assessment, their load carrying capacity, remaining service life, and how the reuse of foundations interacts with new codes.
4. Research and development on foundation reuse will also benefit unknown foundations.

In support of foundation characterization and reuse, the following specific recommendations are made:

1. Research is needed for load testing of existing foundations and better methodologies for condition assessment.
2. Research is needed for instrumenting new (“smart piles”) or existing foundations for
   on-demand assessment of condition.
3. A synthesis of common practice on foundation reuse should be developed as soon as possible.
4. Guidelines for field evaluation of unknown and known foundations should be developed to include site investigation, destructive and non-destructive testing or monitoring, numerical modeling, and load testing.
5. Guidance for the reuse of foundations is needed that includes consideration of structural, hydraulic and geotechnical issues in a holistic manner.

In closing, FHWA plans to capitalize on the knowledge shared during this workshop to develop a multiyear research plan and a roadmap and initiate a new CBF program. In support of the workshop recommendations, an open workshop and a separate session on foundation reuse are planned at the 2014 TRB annual meeting.