I-895 Connector Project, James River Bridge
Location
Chesterfield and Henrico Counties, Virginia
Client
McLean Contracting Company
Services Provided
Geotechnical engineering construction inspection and testing
Project Overview
The project includes a major bridge structure spanning the James River, an interchange connecting I-95, Chippenham Parkway, and the I-895 Connector, and about three miles of roadway. All approaches and ramps are bridge structures with 17 bridges along the roadway construction. The bridges are all supported on steel H-piles and steel pipe piles with over 5,000 piles being used at capacities ranging from 70 to 100 tons.
East of the river, piles are supported in dense sand and gravel alluvium and into hard clay marine sediments that are sensitive to disturbance, presenting special challenges for pile testing.
Schnabel provided Wave Equation (WEAP) analyses to evaluate suitability of hammer systems, and potential for overstressing piles during installation. Schnabel also provided field monitoring of test piles using the Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA). Over 100 piles were tested, both during initial driving and restrike. Using the PDA, Schnabel monitored the stresses in the pile during driving and developed estimates of the pile capacity.
Schnabel analyzed the data using the Case Pile Wave Analysis Program (CAPWAP), and provided estimates of the distribution of capacity between shaft friction and end bearing.
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