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Studies

GRL Engineers offer a wide range of deep foundation testing and consulting services, nationwide. Most GRL Engineers have achieved Advanced Level or higher on both the PDCA/PDI Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test.

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I-4 Ultimate

GRL Engineers has been an integral force behind the I-4 Ultimate project with over 150 bridge foundations tested. GRL Engineers were instrumental in providing PDA Dynamic Testing services with associated CAPWAP Analyses to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Read more

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Seattle Center Arena

GRL Engineers performed Thermal Integrity Profiling on the Seattle Center Area, the world's first net zero certified arena. GRL tested and analyzed the collected thermal data for 21 drilled shafts. The tested shafts were either 36 or 78 inches in diameter with shaft lengths from 80 to 93 feet. Read more

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I-480 Valley View Bridge Deck Replacements

The widening of the I-480 Valley View Bridge was a design-build project for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). GRL Engineers provided Pile Driving Monitoring, Long-term Restrikes with the APPLE IV system, Static Load Tests and CAPWAP Analyses to assess resistance distributions. Read more

Charlotte Gateway Station Expansion

Thermal Integrity Profiling using thermal wire and Crosshole Sonic Logging are compared in this North Carolina case study to determine differences in project time and cost between the two methods. The study was performed on the Charlotte Gateway Station which was awarded to Blythe Construction. GRL Engineers utilized both testing methods to confirm concrete quality in various shafts.

SR23 First Coast Expressway

GRL Engineers was the SR23 project's Dynamic Testing Engineer (DTE) for the 26 bridges on 10.5 miles of new multi-lane limited access toll roadway to State Road 23, part of the First Coast Expressway. Prior to construction, a GRLWEAP Pile Driveability Study was performed for initial hammer selection. Dynamic Pile Testing and Monitoring was performed using a Pile Driving Analyzer and results were assessed with CAPWAP software to establish production pile driving criteria.

Lynch River Bridge Replacement

In Florence, South Carolina, GRL Engineers provided various testing methods for the Lynch River Bridge replacement. Prior to pouring concrete, a Drilled Shaft Base Cleanliness Assessment was performed, followed by a Drilled Shaft Verticality Assessment. Once the shaft was determined acceptable, the concrete was poured and the instrumented cage was installed. After curing, the engineers used a Bi-Directional Static Load Test to assess load capacity.

Northwest Railroad Bridge Project

In this case study, the northwest railroad project utilized GRLWEAP Wave Equation Analysis and Dynamic Load Testing on 3 indicator piles. Previous experience near the site indicated the potential for significant pile capacity increase with time. A restrike was performed in an unusual way to optimize the foundation.

Replacement Bridge Over Buffington Road and NFS Railroad

The SCDOT retained GRL Engineers to perform testing on a production shaft. Drilled shaft verticality and cleanliness were evaluated on the production shaft. Bi-Directional Static Load Testing was performed on the drilled shaft to determine the mobilized shaft resistance. Thermal Integrity Profiling to assess concrete integrity and shaft profile.

I-480 Valley View Bridge Deck Replacements

Lake Marion Greenway Trail Boardwalk

GRL Engineers provided load testing to check the foundation capacity for the Marion greenway trail boardwalk. Initially Static Load Testing was provided and the project continued with Dynamic Load Testing utilizing the APPLE VII. The switch to dynamic testing allowed for significant time savings.

I-4 Ultimate

Harris County Toll Road Authority SH 249

The Harris County Toll Road Authority brought GRL Engineers on to perform quality control testing on excavated test shafts. Drilled shaft verticality was assessed using the Shaft Area Profile Evaluator (SHAPE) device and Crosshole Sonic Logging was performed to evaluate concrete quality around the shaft cage.

Seattle Center Arena

Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal

In this case study, GRL Engineers performed Crosshole Sonic Logging and Pile Driving Monitoring on the replacement terminal for the Mukilteo Ferry in Mukilteo, Washington. This terminal replacement project included important collaboration between government and local Native American tribes.

Tri-State Tollway Mile-Long Bridge

In 2020, GRL Engineers were contracted to perform testing on the Mile-Long Bridge located in Willow Springs, Illinois. Various testing methods were performed to assess the concrete integrity including Crosshole Sonic Logging, Thermal Integrity Profiling, and Data Analyses.

North Madison Substation

GRL Engineers took on an investigative project on the North Madison Substation in Wisconsin, to analyze acceleration and stresses in non-uniform piles during vibratory driving. The test involved Dynamic Pile Monitoring using a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) and the PDI-VIB Program.

1100 Broadway Avenue in Oakland

GRL Engineers were contracted to perform Dynamic Pile Monitoring with a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) and collect high-strain dynamic measurements using APPLE Load Testing. A CAPWAP Analysis was performed using the collected test data.

Milwaukee 7Seventy7 Apartments

GRL Engineers performed testing on 10 test piles for the Milwaukee 7Seventy7 apartments. Services provided included Dynamic Pile Monitoring using a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA), CAPWAP Analysis using collected pile test data, and Static Load Testing.

Harbor River Bridge

The Harbor Bridge replacement project used GRL Engineers services for quality assurance testing. The test shafts were assessed using Drilled Shaft Verticality Evaluations, along with Drilled Shaft Cleanliness Evaluations of debris thickness at the shaft base.

New Jersey Floodwall

GRL’s services for the Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction Project included completing a multitude of Preliminary GRLWEAP Analyses which included Bearing Graph and Driveability analyses. In addition, Dynamic Pile Monitoring using a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) and CAPWAP Analysis were performed.

Cairo Bridge over the Fork Hughes River

Due to environmental factors, there was a need for foundation testing at the Cairo bridge in West Virginia. GRL Engineers performed Drilled Shaft Cleanliness Evaluations onsite to determine debris thickness at the shaft base, and Drilled Shaft Verticality Evaluations. Additionally, Crosshole Sonic Logging was performed to assess concrete quality.

SR-19 Over Little Lake Harris Bridge

The third iteration of the Little Lake Harris Bridge utilized foundation testing for quality assurance. GRL Engineers performed Dynamic Pile Monitoring on 210 piles using a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA) and CAPWAP Analyses. This level of testing was utilized to meet comprehensive design specifications.

Russell Street Bridge

The existing 2-lane Russell Street Bridge in Missoula, Montana, a major highway with high traffic volume, was in need of reconstruction. GRL was contacted to perform Bi-Directional Static Load Testing on a representative test shaft. Additionally, Thermal Integrity Profiling was performed on the test shaft to assess concrete integrity.

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Case

Studies

Featured

I-4 Ultimate

Featured

Seattle Center Arena

Featured

I-480 Valley View Bridge Deck Replacements

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