Soil Nail Performance Data Is Sought

The Tieback and Soil Nailing Committee of the Deep Foundations Institute has concluded that a shortage of current and complete performance data exists to guide engineers, specialty geotechnical contractors and owners. As a result, the committee is undertaking a national effort to collect, categorize and begin analysis of soil nail wall performance data in 2008.

The data types being sought are typical project, geotechnical and wall geometry information, design and analysis methods and software, construction and monitoring duration, settlement and lateral deformation data, and nail strain gauge data. The committee would like the opportunity to review all documented case histories of soil nail walls that performed well or poorly, both for temporary and permanent applications. The primary goal of this collection and analysis process is to confirm or adjust the soil nail wall movement envelopes stated in current literature, and to compare measured soil nail loads and stresses to those predicted by the available methods of analysis. Future teaming with academia will be sought in order to facilitate a complete review, extract and analyze the desired performance data, and possibly synthesize updated prediction methodologies.

A request for information has been generated by the Committee. Click here to complete the form to the best of your ability, and return it by July 1.

Industry Icon Osterberg Passes

LOADTEST's Jorj Osterberg died peacefully in his sleep June 1. Osterberg is best known as the inventor of the O-Cell.

One of the true pioneers of geotechnical engineering, he is recognized for his innovations in soil sampling and testing (including his invention of the Osterberg Sampler). Following a long and distinguished career as a teacher and consultant, Osterberg is professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering, Northwestern University. Other honors and associations: Honorary Member - American Society of Civil Engineers, Member - National Academy of Engineering, 1985 Terzaghi Lecturer, 1988 Distinguished Service Award - Deep Foundations Institute, and recipient of the Royal Swedish Medal.

In 1983, the International Association of Foundation Drilling concluded, "One of the most needed advances in the drilled shaft industry was the development of a relatively low cost, mobile, fairly simple to evaluate load test system." Osterberg responded to this challenge, and developed the deep foundation load testing system that would meet the construction industry's needs. Osterberg's invention, the Osterberg Cell, or O-Cell, has radically changed the way deep foundation load tests are designed, performed and interpreted. In recognition or this achievement, he won the NOVA, which has been referred to as the "Nobel Prize" for construction.

Summer Meeting in Quebec
For Foundation Association

ADSC, the International Association of Foundation Drilling, will hold its annual summer meeting at the beautiful Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in even-more-beautiful Quebec City. Lots of committee meetings and product presentations will fill up the business portion of the proceedings, and there will be ample time for networking and social events. For all the details, visit www.adsc-iafd.com.

New California Warehouse for Con-Tech Systems

Con-Tech Systems Ltd., has opened a new warehouse in Shafter, Calif. The warehouse is equipped with two-strand production lines, and boasts an inventory of all strand accessories, and selected sizes of TITAN BAR. The facility's address is 800 E. Ash Ave., Shafter, Calif., 93263; the telephone number is 619-659-9931.

Headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, Con-Tech supplies geo-support, seismic retrofit, retaining and form tie systems and instrumentation.

DFI Educational Trust's Chicago Golf Outing

The Deep Foundations Institute's Educational Trust Golf Outing takes place Tuesday, July 29, at the Harborside International Golf Course, which is a short drive from downtown. Get all the details by clicking here.

Featured Product of the Month

Max Sealing Capacity

The Unigrout from Atlas Copco is an automated mobile grouting plant, which offers high capacity with up to 10 cubic meters of grout being produced per hour. The advanced control system provides high flexibility and high efficiency in grouting operations, to enable onsite mixing of a range of grouts to match the conditions dictated by the formation and project at each section. As rock conditions alter, the mixture can be changed by the press of a button, and the time of the operation is substantially reduced. Typical applications onclude foundations, dams, tunnels and a variety of construction work. To learn more, visit www.atlascopco.us.

Check out Site Prep, a sister publication of The Foundations Report. Site Prep focuses on the challenges and opportunities of site preparation, including site clearing, earth moving, utilities and environmental activities. Go to www.siteprepmag.com, where you can subscribe to the magazine as well as its monthly newsletter, Industry Dirt.

AEC Store Corner: NEWEST ADDITION!
Siting, Drilling, and Construction of Water Supply Wells

You get professional and expert guidance in all aspects of water-well siting and drilling. A wealth of engineering data for design and construction, plus dozens of photographs and drawings, are included. The book describes and illustrates all common drilling methods, geophysical logging, and field testing. Well development is covered in detail.

The book is designed to be a practical reference. Well operation and maintenance, including pump and motor maintenance, record-keeping, water quality monitoring, and common operational problems, are explained thoroughly. 

Retail Price: $ 187.00 USD  CLICK HERE to purchase!
To view all of our drilling resources, visit AECstore.com. Call Stephanie at 248-244-1275.