GEOFISICA

Center for Accelerating Innovation
Bring Your A-GaME* to ABC

Adding Project Value Using Newer Geotechnical Tools
*Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration
Derrick Dasenbrock, P.E. and Benjamin S. Rivers, P.E.

FHWA- Resource Center
ABC-UTC Monthly Webinar | June 17th, 2021
1
Outline
• How newer geotechnical tools
provide value to ABC projects
• What geotechnical risk reduction
looks like and what it means for
you: a geotechnology overview Modern methods of site characterization can
provide more accurate and representative design
• Featured A-GaME investigation values, favoring efficient construction
methods Improved geotechnical characterization reduced

pile lengths at an abutment and two pier locations.
• Three brief case histories
• Applications and benefits for
project delivery
• Q&A Session
2
Photos by MnDOT
Motivation
Newer geotechnical site
investigation methods can
help accelerate project
delivery
• Techniques provide fast, Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) minimizes lane closure time
high-quality, digital data

• Geophysical techniques
are well suited to areas
with difficult site access
• All are cost effective
Geophysical methods can be used in tight spaces
3
Photos by MnDOT
Benefits: Risk reduction. Building projects more efficiently.
In addition to cost, time, quality-

Improved geotechnical data leads to right-
sized foundations
• Less conservatism leads to reduced
construction material and time to construct
• Less material delivery/removal
• Appropriate means, methods, and bids
Reduced potential for work stoppages,
changes in plans, contract amendments, and
delay impacting other progress of the work.
CPT operations
4
Photos by MnDOT
Foundation Selection Example
US 10 in Rice, MN Subsurface
Visualization
• Compare traditional SPT
information to CPT and
exploration geophysical
digital data
• A-GaME techniques offer
greater accuracy, data
density, BIM importability,
and superior visualization
5
Photos courtesy MnDOT
Depiction of Subsurface Information
6
Plan sheet by MnDOT
Risk
Examples
“Unforeseen
Conditions”
Are Often
Avoidable
Source: Florida DOT

Highly Variable Rock
Void Under & Pile Refusal
Footing Depths in Karst
Location
Source: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
7
Common Sources of Delays and Cost Escalations:

• Pile overruns
• Higher than expected groundwater
• Other problems with seepage, including those requiring
dewatering, which were identified as notably more costly than
other types of changes
• Misclassified or mischaracterized subgrade, resulting in often
significant quantity revisions related to pavements, earthwork,
and removal and replacement requirements for foundations
• Unanticipated rock during foundation construction
• Mischaracterized rock for drilled shaft construction
Source: NCHRP Synthesis 484 - Influence of Geotechnical
8
Investigation and Subsurface Conditions on Claims, Change
Orders, and Overruns
The A-GaME’s Mission
Mitigate risks to project schedule and budget, and

improve reliability by optimizing geotechnical site
characterization using proven, effective exploration
methods and practices.
9
Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

CPT - Cone Penetration Test TDEM - Time-Domain Electromagnetic
SCPT - Seismic Cone Penetration Test FDEM - Frequency-Domain Electromagnetic
ER - Electrical Resistivity VLFEM - Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic
IP - Induced Polarization OTV - Optical Televiewers
SP - Self Potential ACT - Acoustic Televiewers
MWD - Measurement While Drilling GPR - Ground Penetrating Radar
Seismic: Refraction MicroGravity
Seismic: Reflection PMT - Pressuremeter Test
Seismic: FWI - Full Waveform Inversion DMT - Flat Plate Dilatometer Test
Seismic: SASW - Spectral Analysis of Surface Rock Discontinuities from Photogrammetry
Waves Pore-water pressure from Field Piezometers
Seismic: Tomography Suspension Logging
Seismic: Downhole
Seismic: Crosshole
10

Electrical Methods (Electrical Resistivity, Induced Polarization, Self Potential)
• Discern contrasting materials and groundwater conditions over large
areas
• Clay, Silts, Sands/Gravel, Voids, Groundwater, geologic features
Source: FHWA-CFL
11
Geophysics for final design

Applying geophysics to pile design/layout
Sheet Pile Start Sheet Pile End
DRILLED PILES
DRIVEN PILE SHEET PILE EXTENT
769 770 771 772 773
Depth and location of sheeting & king piles
Source: MnDOT
12

Seismic Methods (Surface Waves, Refraction, FWI, Downhole,
Reflection)
• Indicates stratigraphic changes and boundaries over large areas
• Load-displacement behavior
• Seismic hazard susceptibility
Courtesy of Jeff Reid,

Hager-Richter Assoc.
13
Seismic Refraction – Top of Bedrock
Source: Jeff Reid, Hager-Richter

14

Cone Penetration Testing
(CPTu/SCPTu)
• More reliable
parameters than from
conventional SPT
• Small strata changes
easily discernable
• Pore-water pressure
measurements
• Shear-wave
measurements with
SCPTu
• 3-10 times faster than
conventional drilling
Source: FHWA
15

Televiewers – Optical and
Acoustic (OTV/ATV)
• High-resolution, 360o, GIS,
spatially oriented rock drillhole
images
• Continuous
• In-place rock structure and
condition
• Eliminates difficult oriented
coring
• Independent of core quality
Courtesy of Jeff Reid,
Hager-Richter Assoc.
16
WFL – Manning Crevice Bridge Idaho

Replacement of 1930s, 250’ long
suspension bridge with asymmetrical,
300’ long suspension Bridge.
17
Source: FHWA-WFL
18
Source: FHWA-WFL

Measurement While
Drilling (MWD)
• Continuous
profile
• Discernable
stratigraphic and
material changes
• Rock or Soil
• Standardized in
Europe ISO 22476-
15
19
Source: FHWA
MWD Equipment Requirements

• Drilling equipment requirements
• Measuring system requirements
20
(modified after Jean Lutz S.A., 2020) Slide Courtesy of Anahita Modiriasari, 2020
Most Basically, MWD provides…

• Continuous quantitative
drilling record
• Means to assess site
variability
• QC/QA value
Source: Harry Moore

(Retired TN DOT)
Courtesy of Liz Smith, Terracon

21
Immediate Applications
• Karst Features
• Detecting Boulders, Lenses, Bedrock
Interfaces
• Characterization of Piedmont
Residuum and PWR
• Stratification and material
identification (contrasting)
Source: FHWA
(Gui et al., 2002)
22
Case Histories
Real Project Benefits
• A-GaME technologies
are fast
• For a bridge
replacement a Littlefork River bridge replacement project.
boring may take a

week to advance
and a week to
process in the lab
• Several CPT
soundings can be
pushed each day.
23
Photo, layout, CPT and Boring Logs by MnDOT
Whitewater State Park Bridge Replacement
Accelerating Project Delivery

• An unusually heavy rain in
a valley resulted in a flash
flood which completely
removed a bridge in
southeast MN in 2007.
• There was interest in getting
an emergency contract let
quickly to replace the
structure in-kind. Money Creek, MN bridge washout due to flood event.
24
Photo by MnDOT
Money Creek, MN. August 27, 2007
25
Photo and diagram courtesy MnDOT
CPT soundings were

completed in 1-Day
• The CPT crew used the
1-hour detour route to
access the other side
• Four soundings were
advanced and sent
electronically to the
MnDOT Foundations Unit
• A report was issued
before the crew was
back from the field.
26
Photo by MnDOT
J. Cooke Park Bridge Construction

J. Cooke State Park, MN. Summer, 2012
27
Photos by MnDOT
J. Cooke Park Bridge Fast site characterization with CPT
Construction
CPT Soundings helped

speed the geotechnical
investigation
• The location of top of
rock was important for
bridge design and scour
considerations
Emergency Bridge Construction
28
Photos by MnDOT
Miller Creek Bridge Construction (MnDOT BR 69656)
A new bridge was being

designed to span a trout stream
• Minimally invasive methods
were desired
• Rock outcrops were present Electrical Resistivity
• Electrical resistivity was used

to characterize the bedrock
location
• No borings were advanced
29
Photos by MnDOT
Miller Creek Bridge Construction
Weak Bedrock
Or
Gravelly soil Gabbro
Gabbro
Bedrock Bedrock
30
Photos and diagrams by MnDOT
Miller Creek
Bridge Design
• While a provision for
Gabbro
drilled piles was included Bedrock
in the plans for
unforeseen conditions,
this technique was not
used- saving time and $
• The bridge is supported
on spread footings
Finished bridge on spread footings
31
Photos by MnDOT
Workflow Efficiency within the Digital Era
https://www.geoinstitute
.org/special-
projects/diggs
32
Workflow Efficiency - Costs
• CPT rig costs are similar to • Geophysical methods are

SPT rig costs $250k-$750k. especially cost effective
• CPT is operationally faster • Small, portable, minimally
and more efficient (smaller invasive, relatively fast for
crews; less time at sites). data acquisition.
• MWD can be added to • Methods can be
geotechnical drilling systems conducted in-house (with
for about $30k; relatively investment + training)or by
new to US practice consultants across the US.
33
Visualization
Improved Communication and Stakeholder Understanding

• Helps convey information quickly
34
Composite image by FHWA using MnDOT electrical resistivity output and site photo.
Foundation Selection Example
US 10 in Rice, MN
• SCPTu - Seismic Cone
Penetration Testing
(soil stiffness)
• Bridges were designed
using spread footings
using a soil subcut with
a geosynthetic front
facing wrap.
35
Photos courtesy MnDOT
Visualization
Information can be used

by many functional areas
• Scoping/Planning
• Pre-Design
• Geotechnical
• Structural Looking at the Rice, MN project through a Hololens at a FHWA event.
• Final Design
• Project Managers
• Construction Managers
• Decision Makers
• Bidders (3D BIM design)
36
Photo by FHWA; diagram by MnDOT
Applications for Alternative Delivery

Design Build & CMGC/CMAR
• Improved data quality allows for
improved design predictions
• Provides support for design concept
alternates and Alternative Technical
Concepts (ATCs)
• Technologies provide fast digital
data with greater coverage and Shallow foundations on MN 610 design build project.
data density
• Digital data is BIM ready
• Allows more favorable LRFD
resistance factors
• Allows evaluation with appropriate
conservatism
• Less $ and time: project acceleration
37
Photos by MnDOT
Conclusions for ABC

• A-GaME techniques accelerate design and
construction
• Involving the geotechnical discipline early in
the ABC project process is important; using
newer technologies can aid with scoping and
provide time-of-construction advantages in
the pre-design and final design phases.
• A-GaME tools are fast, and provide digital
data which is especially useful for data
exchange and inclusion in BIM, digital twins,
and digital as-builts, adding value to all
project stakeholders. MnDOT has been using CPT to
add project value to large
bridge projects since 2001.
38
Photos by MnDOT
Conclusions for ABC

• CPT, MWD, geophysical methods, and ATV/OTV televiewers are
examples of proven techniques that add value and should be
incorporated into ABC projects for improved foundation selection,
design quality, and risk reduction.
• The methods are advantageous in both DBB and alternatively delivery
procurement processes, especially where performance specifications
are used.
• Many DOTs are using these techniques now, to great advantage.
Bridge pile capacity was based on CPT design analysis (Victoria, MN; construction June 2012)
39
Photo by MnDOT
A-GaME ABC Implementation
• Provide support to your

geoprofessional community
• Include language in manuals of
practice, guides, and DB/CMGG
documents
• Ensure requirements and
specifications allow and encourage
the use of current A-GaME practices
• NCHRP Web-Only Doc. 258 Manual on
Subsurface Investigations
• New FHWA GEC information and
AASHTO Manuals are in process
40
Photos by MnDOT
Questions
Derrick Dasenbrock, P.E., D. GE, F. ASCE Benjamin S. Rivers, P.E.

Geotechnical Engineer Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering Team Geotechnical & Hydraulics Technical Services Team
Federal Highway Administration Resource Federal Highway Administration Resource Center
Center Phone: (404) 562-3926
Phone: 202.923.0972 Cell: (678) 613-2807
derrick.dasenbrock@dot.gov benjamin.rivers@dot.gov
www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter
41
42
Benefit of Upfront Investment in Site Investigation
Source: NCHRP Synthesis 484 - Influence of Geotechnical

Investigation and Subsurface Conditions on Claims, Change
Orders, and Overruns (After Figure 1)
43
MODOT Approach for Relating Design Reliability to

Variability. 1.0Example Shown: Tip resistance – shafts in clay
Bridges on Minor Roads
0.9 Bridges on Major Roads
Major Bridges (<$100 million)
0.8
Resistance Factor for End Bearing, ϕ qp

Major Bridges (>$100 million)
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0.0
0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
COV of Mean Undrained Shear Strength, COVsu
Source: Missouri DOT 44

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Center for Accelerating Innovation

Bring Your A-GaME* to ABC

*Advanced Geotechnical Methods in Exploration

Derrick Dasenbrock, P.E. and Benjamin S. Rivers, P.E.

• Featured A-GaME investigation values, favoring efficient construction

methods Improved geotechnical characterization reduced

high-quality, digital data

Benefits: Risk reduction. Building projects more efficiently.

In addition to cost, time, quality-

Foundation Selection Example

Depiction of Subsurface Information

Source: Florida DOT

Common Sources of Delays and Cost Escalations:

The A-GaME’s Mission

Mitigate risks to project schedule and budget, and

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

Geophysics for final design

Sheet Pile Start Sheet Pile End

769 770 771 772 773

Depth and location of sheeting & king piles

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

Courtesy of Jeff Reid,

Seismic Refraction – Top of Bedrock

Source: Jeff Reid, Hager-Richter

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

WFL – Manning Crevice Bridge Idaho

Mainstream Effective Underutilized Investigation Methods

MWD Equipment Requirements

Most Basically, MWD provides…

Source: Harry Moore

Courtesy of Liz Smith, Terracon

boring may take a

Whitewater State Park Bridge Replacement

Accelerating Project Delivery

Whitewater State Park Bridge Replacement

Money Creek, MN. August 27, 2007

Whitewater State Park Bridge Replacement

CPT soundings were

J. Cooke Park Bridge Construction

J. Cooke Park Bridge Fast site characterization with CPT

CPT Soundings helped

Emergency Bridge Construction

Miller Creek Bridge Construction (MnDOT BR 69656)

A new bridge was being

• Electrical resistivity was used

Miller Creek Bridge Construction

Workflow Efficiency within the Digital Era

Workflow Efficiency - Costs

• CPT rig costs are similar to • Geophysical methods are

Improved Communication and Stakeholder Understanding

Foundation Selection Example

Information can be used

Applications for Alternative Delivery

Conclusions for ABC

Conclusions for ABC

A-GaME ABC Implementation

• Provide support to your

Derrick Dasenbrock, P.E., D. GE, F. ASCE Benjamin S. Rivers, P.E.

Benefit of Upfront Investment in Site Investigation

Source: NCHRP Synthesis 484 - Influence of Geotechnical

MODOT Approach for Relating Design Reliability to

Resistance Factor for End Bearing, ϕ qp