Constructability analysis of bridge pier foundations in waterways

Abstract

Constructibility has been defined as "the optimum use of construction knowledge and experience in planning, engineering, procurement, and field operations to achieve overall project objectives.'' ("Constructability: a Primer'' 1986). This thesis focuses on constructibility issues for construction of bridge foundations in waterways. Four major types of foundation are typically used for bridges: spread footings, driven piles, drilled shafts, and auger piles. Each type of foundation has specific characteristics, described in this thesis, along with the methods of construction. Once the decision of which foundation should be used has been determined by structural and geotechnical engineers, the project is turned over to project management. At this point, a constructibility analysis should begin. For this purpose, a constructibility diagram has been developed to encompass issues that need to be considered before construction starts in order to enhance job site operations. A questionnaire, sent to a set of experts in bridge foundation construction in the United States and France, revealed that construction in waterways involves particular issues that are essentially known by experienced project managers only. For this reason, a framework for a decision support tool for constructibility analysis of bridge foundation in waterways has been developed to keep this knowledge available for future projects. The concept on which the framework is based consists of a computerized constructibility database using an expert system type of queries, with hypermedia and hypertext for usability. The aim of this decision tool would be to retrieve any past experience relevant to a particular project, in the specific area of interest of the user.