Culvert footing design resources?

[ACtrafficengr]

I'm the project engineer on a highway project that will be replacing an 18' span 3-sided concrete box culvert. The stream bottom is bedrock.

I'm looking for a resource on designing the footings. Our state DOT's design manuals cover pretty much everything else, but they just say talk to the regional geotechnical engineer for footing design.

The problem is, the county I work for doesn't have a geotech. I want to make sure it's well out of my area of expertise before I start asking if we can pay for a geotech consultant, and if we do hire one, I want to know enough to make sure we're getting what we need.


"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[cvg]

if you have never designed a bridge footing, it would seem obvious that it is out of your area of expertise. don't you have a geotech on-call?

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Nope, and it would take at least 6 months and two acts of the county legislature to get one. I'm not kidding.

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Looking through some old plans, I found this note:

The design of the precast concrete structure, wingwalls, headwalls and footings shall be included in the lump sum price bid.

If I add a clause requiring the proper PE stamp, does anyone have any objections to this? I'd be a lot more comfortable with that ... and a reference so I could check the shop drawings.

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[wiktor]

I'm assuming that you will be replacing 3 x 6'x6' box culvert?Just reverse your top slab reiforcement, and use it for the bottom slab. It will be slightly overdesigned, but safe.

Also, if the culvert was designed for running water, increase the cover for the rebars, and provide extra concrete for expected erosion.

 

[cvg]

design-build is certainly an option if your county contracting regulations allow it. However, I would give a minimum scope for geotechnical investigation and engineering

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Nope, wiktor, its an 18x12 floorless box with footings founded on bedrock.

cvg, I's specifying state DOT design procedure for the culvert itself, but as I said, it's less than helpful regarding geotech. Is there anything in particular you'd recommend?

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

 

[bridgebuster]

I assume you're in NY, if so the HDM does allow you to have the contractor design the culvert. However, without soil data a contractor will include it in his bid.

Do you still have any contacts at the regional office or GEB?

Do you have any soil data for a nearby project; sometimes it's a help?