Three Deep Foundations Institute’s (DFI) technical committees have released new publications, now available as complimentary downloads from the DFI Publication Store at dfi.org. Each report addresses a design or construction challenge and translates current research into clear, practical guidance for the field.
The Seismic and Lateral Loads Committee supported the research report titled “Design Guidelines for Characterizing the Residual Strength of p-y Curves for Rock” by Arash Khosravifar, Ph.D., P.E., of Portland State University. Funded through the DFI Committee Project Fund, the report provides a framework for modelling brittle and post-peak behaviour in rock-socketed drilled shafts under extreme loading.
“The industry relies on sophisticated computer models to analyze complex soil-structure interaction,” said committee chair Jon Sinnreich, P.E., GRL Engineers. “Accurately capturing post-peak rock behaviour is essential for both safety and economy. Khosravifar’s report demonstrates the way forward to model the behaviour of rock-socketed drilled shafts accurately. The Seismic and Lateral Loads Committee is proud to support this vital research.”
From the Ground Improvement Committee comes “Polymer Grouting: An Alternative to Cementitious Materials” by Jie Huang, Ph.D., P.E., The University of Texas at San Antonio – also funded through the Committee Project Fund program.
“The DFI Ground Improvement Committee has sponsored several valuable research projects over the years,” said committee chair Miriam Smith, Ph.D., P.E. “This research report provides application guidance for water activated polymer as an alternative to cementitious grouts in soils with high fines content. The report is an excellent resource for practitioners looking for techniques to expand the groutable spectrum of soils for ground improvement applications.”
The Subsurface Characterization for Deep Foundations Committee has issued a “Position Statement on Geotechnical Baseline Reports” (GBRs) to help owners and project teams better understand when and how GBRs add value.
“GBRs are a proven tool for identifying, communicating and managing geotechnical project risks, yet they remain underused in our industry,” said committee chair Scott Walker, P.E., G.E., Langan. “This position statement outlines key considerations for GBR implementation and strongly endorses their use on geotechnical and geostructural projects.”