1 of 21

Foundation Reuse��State of Practice and�DFI Activities

Andy Boeckmann, Ph.D., P.E.

Dan Brown & Associates

2 of 21

Motivations for Foundation Reuse

  • Lifespan of foundation generally exceeds lifespan of overlying structure
  • Reduce project costs (save money)
  • Reduce project duration (save time)
  • Minimize mobility impacts (transportation)
  • Sustainability
  • Historic preservation
  • Ground congestion

3 of 21

NCHRP Synthesis 505 Survey (2017)

CA

AZ

CO

NM

TX

OK

AR

LA

MO

KY

AL

GA

FL

VA

OH

MI

VT

AK

MT

NV

ME

​

WA

OR

UT

KS

ID

WY

ND

SD

MN

NE

WI

IA

IL

IN

MS

TN

SC

NC

WV

PA

NY

CT

NJ

DE

MD

MA

NH

PR

HI

RI

LEGEND

Foundation Reuse Experience

No Foundation Reuse Experience Indicated

No Response

4 of 21

5 of 21

Summary of State of Practice: US DOTs

Survey says…

  • Virtually every agency has reused foundations in at least some circumstances
  • A handful of agencies reuse frequently; most relatively infrequently
  • Often driven by necessity

Anecdotal…

  • Often discussed, studied…then cold feet
  • Mix of technical and administrative reasons

​

6 of 21

DFI Foundation Reuse Task Force

  • Concurrent discussions within Subsurface Characterization and Testing and Evaluation Committees (Sustainability too)
  • Task force formed with mission to “promote foundation reuse by leveraging experience among DFI members and collaborating across pertinent committees.”
  • First meeting was March 4, 2021

​

7 of 21

DFI Foundation Reuse Task Force

  • Facilitate discussions among experts and stakeholders
  • Educate owners
  • Support research efforts
  • Meets monthly
  • Gladly accepting new members!
    • Especially academic members

8 of 21

Completed Task Force Activities

  • Case history database
    • About 20 case histories so far
    • Working to develop 2-page summary documents
    • Target audience is decision makers
  • Help identify IT$Money webinar topics
  • Host panel session at DFI annual conference (10/2021)
    • Five panelists from variety of industries and locations
    • Available on DFI Subsurface Characterization Committee webpage and YouTube…plus DFI mag.

​

9 of 21

State of the Practice: UK Private

10 of 21

11 of 21

12 of 21

13 of 21

14 of 21

Claridge’s Hotel

  • Favorite of the Queen; $1000s/night
  • Added five levels of basement and rooftop penthouse
  • Hotel remained fully open throughout
  • Single window and single 6’x6’ hole in slab for access
  • IT$Money presentation

15 of 21

16 of 21

17 of 21

18 of 21

Ongoing Activities

  • Develop guidance for foundation reuse
    • Collaborate with European agencies?
    • Series of white papers?
  • Research, active but early efforts (funding would help!):
    • Remaining service life; investigation techniques (University of Ottawa; Ministry of Transportation of Ontario)
    • Environmental considerations, e.g. carbon cost comparisons
    • Develop resistance factors for reuse

​

19 of 21

Other Research Needs

  • Decision methods
  • Methods to promote future reuse
  • Investigation methods: scoping recommendations
  • Improved geophysical and electrochemical methods
  • Methods for estimating load capacity
    • Existing information, updated analysis
    • Documented loading and performance information
    • Field methods
    • Build on European RuFUS guidance

20 of 21

Other Research Needs

  • Reliability aspects of reuse
  • Use of innovative materials and technologies for reuse
  • Methods to predict remaining service life
    • Smart foundations
    • Deflection monitoring
    • Measure load on existing foundations

21 of 21

Join the Task Force!

Andy Boeckmann

aboeckmann@dba.world

573-424-0017

​