Function
The primary function of Pavement and Geotechnical
Design is to design pavement structures, foundations for
bridges, retaining walls, embankments, and dams for the statewide
transportation system. This section also monitors the construction
of these facilities as related to pavement performance, pile
driving, settlement monitoring, and embankment stability problems.
Goals / Objectives
- Provide a safe and cost effective deep foundation & pavement design.
- Aid in the construction of roadway embankments and new bridge structures
- Strive to develop and improve Geotechnical design & construction practices.
- Maintain existing roadway embankments and bridge structures.
For further assistance please contact Pavement & Geotechnical Design at (225) 379-1312.
Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
Where can I find the Pile Driving & Equipment Data Form?
Contact our office at 1-225-379-1822 or click Data Form.
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What is the purpose of failing a test pile?
A test pile will be considered to have failed when the failure
criteria given in Section 804.11 has been achieved.
After meeting these criteria, the ultimate strength of the
soil down to the test pile tip elevation may be used to help
develop production pile lengths for a bridge site.
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What is needed for pavement design/review?
- Subgrade Soil Survey
- Cores of Existing Roadway
- Traffic Data Provided By Data Collection and Analysis Section (Thirteen different vehicle type classifications as specified by 1993
AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures)
- Preliminary Typical Sections if Available
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What is the Pile Driving AnalyzerTM (PDA)?
The Pile Driving Analyzer
TM is a computerized data acquisition system
that records the Force and Velocity waves in the pile during
a hammer blow. These measurements are obtained by attaching
two strain gauges and two accelerometers below the top of
the pile. This system is used to measure the pile driving
hammer performance, pile driving stresses, pile capacity,
and soil parameters during the installation of the pile.
The field data is evaluated to develop efficient pile driving
criteria for field personnel.
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What is the proper loading procedure for a test pile?
The ultimate pile capacity is the pile capacity that has
been determined from the static load test. Refer to
- LA DOTD 2000 STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS, Section 804.11
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What are the design & construction requirements for a Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall (MSEW)?
The MSEW should be designed and constructed following the
guidelines in the GEDG No. 8 Manual
& FHWA publication NHI-00-043
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What are the construction requirements for a drilled shaft foundation?
A drilled shaft foundation should be constructed using the
Drilled Shaft Foundation
Construction Manual and Section 914.
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How does boring elevations affect the construction and/or Design of a structure?
Without proper elevations the following can occur:
- Pile cutoff
- Pile failure
- Over designed piles
- Stability issues
- Ineffective embankment settlement estimations
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How do I determine the pile bearing capacity in the field?
The pile bearing capacity is the pile capacity obtained during
the end-of-driving or pile restrike. The pile bearing
capacity determination shall be made by use of either the
Dynamic Formula or the Wave Equation as specified in the plans.
If the method of pile capacity is not shown on the plans the
Dynamic Formula shall be used. (See Section 804.10)
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How do I determine the static capacity of a pile?
Follow the design procedures specified by the Pile Capacity Guide.
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How do I determine the static capacity of a drilled shaft foundation?
The drilled shaft design criteria specified in chapter 6,
LADOTD Bridge Design Manual, and the design procedures specified
in FHWA Publication No. FHWA-IF-99-025 should be used for
the design of a drilled shaft foundation.
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Which HITEC approved MSEW systems may be used for LADOTD projects?
Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc. - Keystem I (Modular block/Steel Reinforcement)
Tensar Earth Technologies, Inc. - MESA (Modular block/Geosynthetic Reinforcement)
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Vendor Information
