ARKANSAS BRIDGE FOUNDATIONS FIELD INVESTIGATION

A bridge site investigation includes a preliminary investigation and a detailed site investigation. The preliminary investigation begins with an office review of aerial photographs, soil and geologic maps, and existing boring logs and includes a visual examination and/or geophysical survey of the site. The detailed investigation includes boring and sampling, field testing, or a combination of the two. Shelby tube samples may be obtained in clays of medium to stiff consistency, and fixed piston samplers may be used in clays from soft to very stiff consistency. Very soft, sensitive clay may be tested in-situ with the field vane shear apparatus. The Denison core barrel and Pitcher sampler are used to sample hard clays, cemented sands, and soil-gravel mixtures. Samples may be obtained from auger and rotary drilled holes. Auger borings may be used in clays of medium to stiff consistency and sand deposits above the water table. Rotary drilling methods may be used in all soils and rock except deposits of coarse gravel, boulders and cobbles, or permeable fractured rock. Hard to sample deposits of sand may be tested in-situ with the Dutch cone and Standard Penetration sounding methods. Intermixed soil and rock deposits may be tested in-situ with the Menard Pressuremeter. Rock layers are cored, usually by diamond drilling methods, to determine the soundness of the rock and whether the rock is thick enough to support the bridge foundation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by Arkansas State Highway Department and conducted in cooperation with DOT, Federal Highway Administration.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

  College of Engineering
  Fayetteville, AR  United States  72701
• Authors:
  • Thornton, S I
  • Welch, R C
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Pagination: 125 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerial photography; Boring; Bridge foundations; Field studies; Field tests; Rock drilling; Rotary drilling; Sampling; Soil mapping; Soils; Topographic maps
• Uncontrolled Terms: Site investigation
• Old TRIS Terms: Field investigations; Geologic maps (Aerial); Soil maps; Soil sampling
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00158145
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-77-SO615 Intrm Rpt., FCP 40S3262
• Contract Numbers: HRP39
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 28 1977 12:00AM