PLASTIC PROTECTS PILES IN ACID SOILS

CONSTRUCTION OF A TWIN BRIDGE OVER THE CHRISTINA RIVER HAS TO DEAL WITH TWO PROBLEMS; ACID SOILS, AND DEEP SILT UNDERNEATH IT. THE ACID PROBLEM IS BEING DEALT WITH BY CONCRETE FILLED, HEAVY WALL PIPE PILES PROTECTED FROM THE ACID BY AN INTERIOR LINING OF PVC (POLYVINYLCHLORIDE) PLASTIC TUBING. THESE TUBES REACH BELOW THE ACID AREA AND EXTEND FAR ENOUTH ABOVE THE PIPE THAT THEY CAN BE TURNED AROUND IT. THE CONCRETE INSIDE THE PVC LINER IS REINFORCED AND DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE STRUCTURE EVEN IF THE SEAMLESS PIPE IS EATEN AWAY BY ACID. THE PROBLEM OF THE DEPTH OF THE DEPTH TO BEARING STRATA REQUIRES THE USE OF LONG PILE IN TWO PARTS, SLICED TOGETHER. PREFABRICATED SPLICES HELPED SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR BOTH PIPE AND H PILES. A SPECIAL SPLICER WAS DESIGNED. THE BRIDGE WILL BECOME PART OF I-495 AROUND THE CITY OF WILMINGTON.

• Publication Date: 1972-10

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 78-80
• Serial:
  • Roads and Streets
  • Volume: 115
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Donnelley (Reuben H) Corporation

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acid soils; Bridge design; Bridge foundations; Bridges; Concrete bridges; Pile foundations; Plastics; Splicing; Structural design; Support piles; Tubing
• Old TRIS Terms: Concrete bridge structures; Plastic tubing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00217334
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 3 1974 12:00AM