Deep Foundations Journal Spring 1985-Journal Issue

Journal Issue

Pdf Summary

The Spring 1985 <em>Deep Foundations Journal</em> presents five articles on foundation engineering, construction methods, contract law, and project collaboration.

David Lewin reviews foundations in downtown Cleveland, where glacial soils and shale geology shape design choices. Buildings use shallow footings and reinforced-concrete mats when soil capacity and settlement allow, or piles and caissons where loads, site constraints, or settlement concerns require deep support. The article also describes construction challenges, including water and squeezing soils, and damage caused by pyrite-bearing shale.

Marc Dondelinger explains an interlocking H-section system for cofferdams and waterfront walls exposed to high earth and water pressures. Deep, rigid H-sections provide primary strength, while shorter sheet piles fill the spaces between them. Careful alignment, templates, and appropriate driving methods are essential.

James Tansey and Debbie Kessler discuss differing site conditions and contractors’ potential rights to compensation. They distinguish conditions that contradict contract representations from unusual, unforeseeable conditions, and emphasize notice requirements, reasonable site investigation, contract wording, and the government’s duty to disclose superior knowledge.

E. D’Appolonia argues that projects succeed when owners, engineers, and contractors work cooperatively rather than defensively. The article calls for clear allocation of risk, better communication, continuity across project phases, and mediation to resolve disputes and reduce delays and costs.

Roy Peratrovich and William Swigart describe construction of a 1,100-foot bulkhead at Nenana, Alaska. A flexible design using locally available surplus materials, local labor, and on-site fabrication enabled rapid construction in severe winter conditions. The project finished ahead of schedule and below its reduced budget, demonstrating the value of adaptable design and close coordination.

Keywords

foundation engineering

downtown Cleveland

glacial soils

shale geology

cofferdams

H-section system

differing site conditions

contract law

project collaboration

bulkhead construction