Abstract:
As part of the construction of the I-395 Signature Bridge in Miami, Florida inclined large diameter cast in-situ piles were used as part of the main pier foundations for the first time on a Florida Department of Transportation Project. As part of the quality control aspect of this work, Applied Foundation Testing performed over 100 high strain dynamic tests on both vertical and inclined cast in-situ piles using a specially designed drop hammer capable of dropping over 40 kips at inclines of up to 4 vertical to 1 horizontal and drop heights of up to 10 feet.In addition to the unique inclined cast in-situ piles, Embedded Data Collectors (EDC) were successfully installed in some vertical piles to assess the load transfer at the tip of pile during the drop hammer tests.This paper will discuss the unique aspects of the drop hammer equipment, the data analysis challenges associated with performing high strain dynamic testing on inclined and vertical cast in-situ piles, insights gained with regard to the use of EDC's in cast in-situ piles, and other testing challenges faced on this signature project.