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Construction Engineering Process and Knowledge Requirements for Fostering

Creative Design Solutions on Infrastructure Projects

Robert B. Bittner, Bittner-Shen Consulting EngineersRobert L. Schmitt, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Presentation Outline

• Need for Creative Solutions

• Process for Attaining Optimal Solutions

• Case Histories

• Knowledge, Skill, & Experience Requirements

• Conclusions

Need for Creative Solutions in Technical Construction Problems

Young engineers seek a challenge and to use theirand to use their creativity, imagination, andinnovative skills.

Every construction project has unique technical challenges.

Few major projects can be consideredbe considered routine, each must be uniquely engineered.

Technical Solutions

must work and

Need for Creative Solutions in Technical Construction Problems

must work andbe efficient and cost competitive.

Process and Sequence for Attaining Optimal Construction Solutions

• Team effort requiring construction personnel with a wide range of talent and experience.

Beneficial for individuals with a wide• Beneficial for individuals with a wide range of experience to participate.

• 10-step process Developed from successful project execution on multiple projects by Ben C. Gerwick, Inc. & Bittner-Shen Consulting Engineers, Inc.

10-step process 1. Identify key technical problems

2. Collect and review relevant information

3 D fi i th bl l l3. Defining the problem clearly

4. Identify available feasible solutions that have worked successfully in the past

5. Conceive or create new solutions

6. Confirm the viability of the new solutions

7. Evaluate the solution options

10-step process

p

8. Select the optimum solutions

9. Detailed design and confirmation testing

10. Implement and monitor

Case Histories

• Bridge Foundations for the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Washington

• Launching the Oresund Immersed Tube Tunnel Connecting Denmark and SwedenTunnel Connecting Denmark and Sweden

• Braddock Dam on the Monongahela River, Pennsylvania

• Piers for the Bath-Woolwich Bridge, Maine

Bridge Foundations for the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Washington

Source: skyscrapercity.com

160-ft water depth

Rapid 7-knot tidal

Bridge Foundations for the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Washington

pcurrents

4-month period

Two main pier caissons required 64 anchors with a safe working capacity of 500 tons each

Step Action Taken

Identify problem Build main span foundations

Collect & review data Hydrologic studies, loads

Define problem Deep water & fast current

Identify solutions Dead weight & drag anchors

10-Step Construction Engineering Process

y g g

Create solutions Driven plate anchor system

Confirm solutions Test-driven plate anchors

Evaluate options Significant cost differences

Select solutions Anchors with 500-ton capacity

Design & confirm Calculate working stresses

Implement & monitor Measure anchor line tension

Launching of the Oresund Immersed Tube Tunnel Connecting Denmark and Sweden

Source: roadtraffic-technology.com

Oresund Immersed Tube Tunnel

Match-casting 20 concrete tunnel elements - 55,000 tons each

Oresund Immersed Tube TunnelCasting a 22-m long tunnel segment on a fixed casting bed, then skidding forward to clear the bed for the next casting.

Oresund Immersed Tube Tunnel

Skidding process repeated 8 times to complete a single 176-m

Challenge - how to skid a very rigid 55,000-tn tunnel element (28 hours after casting the prior segment) without cracking exterior.

long tunnel element.

Oresund Immersed

Tube Tunnel

6 pile-supported skid beams aligned under p pp geach of the 6 tunnel walls.

288 hydraulic jacks (300-tn capacity each) provided a 3-point support system.

6 hydraulic rams (600-tn capacity each) travelled on top of and reacted against the skid beams.


Step Action Taken

Identify problem Skid 55,000 ton segment in place

Collect & review data Loads, tunnel dimensions

Define problem Skid without cracking exterior

Identify solutions Pile supports hydraulic jacksIdentify solutions Pile supports, hydraulic jacks

Create solutions Three-component system

Confirm solutions Calculations & model testing

Evaluate options Significant assembly activity

Select solutions Skid beams react with jacks

Design and confirm Calculate forces & stresses

Implement & monitor Measure loads during skidding

Braddock Dam on Monongahela River, PA

Source: port.pittsburgh.pa.us


Float-in techniques rather than river diversion with circular cells andcircular cells and site dewatering.

Final solution consisted of two precast dam shells (333-ft and 265-ft long, 125-ft wide and 40-ft high) constructed off site at a downstream dry dock location.


Two dam segments were launched and towed 22 miles upstream to the dam site for placement on the drilled shaft foundations.

After landing and leveling the segments, were locked to the drilled shafts with tremieconcrete.


Step Action Taken

Identify problem Construct using alternate means

Collect & review data Cast-in-place or precast

Define problem Avoid river diversion/dewatering

Identify solutions Precast segmentsIdentify solutions Precast segments

Create solutions Fabricate off site and float in

Confirm solutions Confirm precast shell size

Evaluate options Cost, schedule, & risk advantage

Select solutions Off-site fabrication

Design and confirm Calculate installation stresses

Implement & monitor Verify in-place dimension

Bridge Piers for Bath-Woolwich Bridge, ME

Source: flatironcorp.com


Concept based on precastingbridge pier shells onshells on shore, while the drilled shafts were installed and cut-off under water.


Innovative float-in cofferdam system for 6 piers. Steel cofferdam was then attached to the top of the precast shells.

Positioned over the top and lowered on to the drilled shafts.


Step Action Taken

Identify problem Float-in cofferdam for piers

Collect & review data River depth, bridge dimensions

Define problem Sequence pier assembly

Identify solutions Precast bridge pier shellsIdentify solutions Precast bridge pier shells

Create solutions Float in shells and attach to shafts

Confirm solutions Dimension shaft connection

Evaluate options Shell float-in is significant act.

Select solutions Position, level, lock connection

Design and confirm Calculate lock connection

Implement & monitor Measuring during installation

Key Knowledge, Skill, and Experience Requirements for Providing Creative Solutions to Technical Challenges of

Construction

Knowledge, Skill, & Experience Requirements

#1 An understanding of the forces of nature:

10 to consider

WindCurrentHydrostaticSeismicImpactFrictionEarth pressure

#2 An ability to clearly see and define the problem

#3 A sound basis in engineering fundamentals


fundamentals


#4 A facility with analytical tools for structural analysis

#5 Ability to communicate ideas #6 Ability to work within a team and

lead



#7 An understanding of construction costs

#8 An understanding of construction scheduling

#9 An ability to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential risks


#10 An ability to identify and evaluate potential environmental impacts


Conclusions

Construction engineering is an exciting field with a lifetime of challenges and creative endeavour opportunities. One of the most challenging

activities within this discipline is creating and developing innovative optimized solutions for the many technical problems.

Conclusions

A 10-step procedure for creating and developing these optimum technical solutions leads to success.

Four case studies illustrated the Four case studies illustrated the process steps.

The team effort requires a wide ranging mix of skills, talent, knowledge and experience.

This mix covers not only estimating, scheduling, cost control, and project planning, but structural and hydrodynamic

Conclusions

structural and hydrodynamic analysis, risk evaluation, analysis, and mitigation, and an understanding of environmental impacts of construction and how to minimize them.

Questions and Discussion

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