FHWA Update The following remarks provide an annual update of FHWA’s geotechnical program. Some updates were provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to the AFS30 Committee on Foundations of Bridges and Other Structures at the 2018 Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting. This year marks the 50 anniversary of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Geotechnical Program. There will be various activities throughout the year reminiscing about i ts history and celebrat ing the achievements and developments of the program. During the International Foundations Congress and Equipment Expo (IFCEE), March 5-10, 2018, in Orlando, Fla., a panel session was held to discuss the impact of FHWA on geotechnical engineering and construction during the last half century. The invited panelists addressed significant innovations and developments, and advances in practice that are the result of research and implementation programs sponsored by and undertaken at FHWA. Th e Re s e a r c h a n d th Program offices execute multiyear strategic roadmaps that reflect trends and oppor- tunities impacting and influ- encing the geotechnical program at FHWA. The plans are informed with input from the FHWA National Geo- technical Team, and with f e e d b a c k f r om s t a t e Departments of Transpor- tat ion (DOTs ) , FHWA Division offices, industry and academia. Information that follows summarizes work completed during 2017, as well as work currently funded for development from the roadmap. The most significant impacts to the geotechnical program in 2017 were the ending of the agency initiatives supporting GRS-IBS (Through Every Day Counts), Calibration (through the 2 Strategic Highway Research Program [SHRP2]). GeoTechTools and Service Limit State nd While the agency implemen- tation efforts have been com- pleted, both the Program and Research offices continue to work on research and implementation activities. With regard to service limit state In support of the future geotechnical policy directives, significant efforts are underway to develop and/or up- date FHWA Geotech- nical Engineering Circulars... calibration, draft specifications have been developed by the AASHTO Committee on Bridges and Structures, Technical Committee T-15 on Substructures and Retaining Walls. There are still some issues to be resolved, but the specifications are expected to go to ballot in June 2018. In addition, FHWA has contracted to develop an implementation report for common foundation settlement methods from available load-deformation data measured at bridge locations, and it is expected that the report will be published by mid-2018. In support of the future geotechnical policy direc- tives, significant efforts are underway to develop and/or update FHWA Geotechnical Engineering Circulars (GECs). Three GECs were recently published: GEC 5 Geotech- nical Site Characterization (FHWA-NHI -16-072) , GEC 13 Ground Modification Methods (FHWA-NHI-16-027 and FHWA-NHI-16-028) and GEC 14 Assuring Quality in Geotechnical Reporting Documents (FHWA-HIF-17- 016). There are three GECs currently in development: GEC 9 Design Lateral Load on Deep Foundations, GEC 10 Drilled Shafts and GEC 11 Design and Construction of MSE Walls. In support of the various research, development and implementation initia- tives, recently completed work on guidance documents include: Evaluation and AUTHOR: Silas C. Nichols, P.E. Federal Highway Administration Guidance Development for Post- Grouted Drilled Shafts for High- ways (FHWA-HIF-017-024), Protocols for the Assessment and Repair of Bridge Foundations (FHWA-HIF-17-044), Selection of Spread Footings on Soils to Support Highway Bridge Structures (FHWA - RC/TD-10-001), and Liquefaction-Induced Downdrag on Continuous Flight Auger Piles from Full-Scale Tests Using Blast Liquefaction (FHWA-HRT-17-060). There are numerous efforts currently in development, including: • Evaluation of Limit Equilibrium Analysis Methods for Design of Soil Nail Walls (FHWA-NHI-17-068) • Strength Characterization of Geotech- nical Materials, Bearing Resistance of Large Diameter Open Ended Piles • High Performance Concrete for Geo- technical Applications • Development of Geohazards Program Framework • Assessment of Corrosion for Buried Metallic Foundations and Elements (collaboration with National Academies of Science). Lastly, the National Highway Institute (NHI), which is the training arm of the FHWA, is actively developing and delivering training to support the geo- technical program. Recently completed training courses include: Ground Modi- fication Methods (NHI 132034) and Soil Nail Walls (NHI 132085). Training courses currently in development include: Design and Construction of Driven Piles (NHI 132021) and Geotechnical Site Charac- terization (NHI 132031). DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2018 • 99
