Category: Uncategorized

POSTER 21-02: STRATEGIC PRIORITIZATION IN BRIDGE ASSET MAINTENANCE THROUGH DATA DRIVEN LONG-TERM ASSET VALUATION WITH ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS ON PROMOTING GDOT’S PARTNERSHIPS WITH COUNTIES

STRATEGIC PRIORITIZATION IN BRIDGE ASSET MAINTENANCE THROUGH DATA DRIVEN LONG-TERM ASSET VALUATION WITH ADDITIONAL EMPHASIS ON PROMOTING GDOT’S PARTNERSHIPS WITH COUNTIES

PI: Mi G. Chorzepa

Co-PI(s): Stephan Durham

Institution(s): University of Georgia

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to find ways to optimize bridge and transportation asset management and maintenance in the state of Georgia. This will be accomplished in a multitude of ways, but this project looks to bridge the gap in resources and knowledge between not only GDOT and local counties, but also among the counties themselves. To do this, this team will be developing an inspection guide, a resource guide, and an asset life-cycle analysis plan. Bridging the resource and knowledge gap between GDOT and local governments, as well as county to county, will go a long way towards fixing the divide between the conditions of state-owned transportation assets and local transportation assets.

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POSTER 19-06: LRFD PROCEDURE FOR PILES WITH PILOT HOLE IN ROCK

LRFD PROCEDURE FOR PILES WITH PILOT HOLE IN ROCK

PI: Soonkie Nam

Co-PI(s): Xiaoming Yang

Institution(s): Georgia Southern University

Abstract

In Georgia, when a hard/dense layer exists in the pile length or the vibration/noise during the driving causes secondary issues, a pilot hole is often adopted as a pile-driving assistance method to aid driving displacement piles through, especially if a competent hard rock layer exists in a reasonable depth. The use of a pilot hole reduces construction time and uncertainties related to driving through the problematic layers. However, the pilot hole is considered different from a pre-drilled hole in terms of construction method and design assumption. This process also complicates the prediction of long-term pile capacity with a predrilled hole. An objective of this study was to identify and document the current guidelines available and adopted by different states, and investigate the relationship between the load capacity of piles installed in rock and their design parameters with respect to the pilot hole, rock conditions, and installation method. Another objective was to identify a reliable design procedure that incorporates proper LRFD resistance factors, and a field verification method for quality assurance of rock. It is found that pile driving analyzer (PDA) can be applied to the piles with a pilot hole on rock and verify the structural capacity of the pile if not the geotechnical capacity due to the higher bearing capacity on rock. It also can check the internal stress to avoid the damage during striking. Thus, the study recommends the use of PDA tests and the AASHTO resistance factor for driven piles with dynamic testing, while collecting the strength properties of the rock mass. The driving refusal criterion can be used when the rock condition is evident. However, it is still recommended that the correlations between the refusal guidelines and rock properties are verified with PDA.

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POSTER 19-10: FLASH TRACKING IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES COMPLEMENTING EXISTING DESIGN-BUILD MANUAL

FLASH TRACKING IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES COMPLEMENTING EXISTING DESIGN-BUILD MANUAL

PI: Pardis Pishdad-Bozorgi

Co-PI(s): Jesus M. de la Garza

Institution(s): Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract

The overarching objective of this research is to develop Flash Tracking implementation guidelines that would complement the existing Design-Build Manual. These standardized implementation guidelines are captured in an appendix to the DesignBuild Manual. The research methodology comprised three phases. In the first phase, the research team studied and analyzed the effectiveness of flash track best practices implementation on three GDOT projects—namely, improvements to the I-16/I-95 interchange, the I-85 Widening, and SR 400 EL. In the second phase, the team reviewed and analyzed the GDOT DesignBuild Manual to identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (i.e., a SWOT analysis) in terms of its treatment of flash track best practices. This involved cross-referencing the D-B manual against the 83 flash track best practices, to determine the presence or absence of each flash track best practice in the manual. In the third phase, an appendix to the D-B manual was developed to serve as an official source on implementing flash track best practices on D-B projects. Furthermore, modified RFQ and RFP templates were developed to incorporate flash track practices on projects and specific recommendations were made for the RFQ and RFP for the Houlihan Bridge P.I. No. 0013741/0013742 – SR 25 at Savannah & Middle River Bridges.

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CEE’S SIDEWALK INVENTORY TEAM RECOGNIZED BY LOCAL GROUP

Congratulations go out to Dr. Randall Guensler and his research team whose Sidewalk Quality and Safety Assessment  was recognized by the Atlanta-based Pedestrians Educating Drivers for Safety (PEDS) on October 29 during the group’s annual Golden Shoe Awards.

                       Dr. Randall Guensler                                                                        Alexandra Frackelton                                                                 Alice Grossman

Funded by STRIDE (Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center) and GDOT(Georgia Department of Transportation), the sidewalk project is producing a precedent-setting database of sidewalk condition information that the Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) officials will be able to use to evaluate and prioritize repairs in a city that boasts 2,100 miles of sidewalks.

Recognized during the evening reception were Guensler and two graduate students, Alexandra Frackelton and Alice Grossman, who have worked together on the $400,000 project. This is not the first award that the team has garnered for its work; in September, the Colorado-based Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professions (APBP) recognized Frackelton and Grossman with a Ken Cross Scholarship for a poster the duo produced on the same project.