Abstract:
With more complicated building designs, site limitations, and unforeseen conditions, innovative techniques are necessary to successfully complete projects. A project located in at Buzzard Point in SW, Washington DC is used as a case study on innovative construction methods within the temporary support of excavation (SOE) industry.
The SOE system utilized online steel sheet piles along three-quarters of the project and traditional soldier piles and timber lagging for the remainder. Located at the intersection of the Anacostia River and Washington Canal, this project utilized 55-to-80-foot sheet piles to decrease groundwater seepage and to limit deformations of a 90†diameter combined sewer overflow RCP. However, this project also needed to be constructed in an accelerated schedule to meet the owner’s requirements for overall project completion date.
Due to these ground conditions and site limitations, the contractor utilized different technologies for sheet pile installation including two suspended vibratory hammers, impact diesel hammers, an RG 21T with a vibratory hammer attachment, a Dawson Piling Trestle, and Sheet Threader. The combination of these methods allowed for increased production and flexibility. This proved to be beneficial when an underground structure with two tunnels intersecting the pile line was discovered. These tunnels required a shift in the sheet pile line as well as additional bracing. In addition, the site also had piles on both sides of an existing, active electric line made of terracotta. These piles needed to be carefully installed given the fragility and safety concerns. Â
Overall, although there were challenges and unknowns, the implementation of these innovative techniques allowed for the project to finish successfully with no damage to the critical infrastructure or direct schedule delay.
With more complicated building designs, site limitations, and unforeseen conditions, innovative techniques are necessary to successfully complete projects. A project located in at Buzzard Point in SW, Washington DC is used as a case study on innovative construction methods within the temporary support of excavation (SOE) industry.
The SOE system utilized online steel sheet piles along three-quarters of the project and traditional soldier piles and timber lagging for the remainder. Located at the intersection of the Anacostia River and Washington Canal, this project utilized 55-to-80-foot sheet piles to decrease groundwater seepage and to limit deformations of a 90†diameter combined sewer overflow RCP. However, this project also needed to be constructed in an accelerated schedule to meet the owner’s requirements for overall project completion date.
Due to these ground conditions and site limitations, the contractor utilized different technologies for sheet pile installation including two suspended vibratory hammers, impact diesel hammers, an RG 21T with a vibratory hammer attachment, a Dawson Piling Trestle, and Sheet Threader. The combination of these methods allowed for increased production and flexibility. This proved to be beneficial when an underground structure with two tunnels intersecting the pile line was discovered. These tunnels required a shift in the sheet pile line as well as additional bracing. In addition, the site also had piles on both sides of an existing, active electric line made of terracotta. These piles needed to be carefully installed given the fragility and safety concerns. Â
Overall, although there were challenges and unknowns, the implementation of these innovative techniques allowed for the project to finish successfully with no damage to the critical infrastructure or direct schedule delay.