July/August 2024 - 103

service load of about 1,200 kN or 300 kN
per pile (270 or 67 kip) could be derived.
For the ultimate limit state, a characteristic
external load-bearing
capacity of 750 kN (169 kip), both in
compression and in tension, for a single
25 m (82 m) long pile could be defined.
The results of the load test and the
available local experience were also
used to predict the time dependent
load-displacement behavior of the
piles, based on their interaction with
the local lacustrine clays. The lacustrine
clays showed a slight creep behavior in
the load transfer area, where almost
80% of the registered settlement for
each load stage occurred over a time
period between two and three days after
applying the load increments.
Taking into account the above mentioned
considerations, the required pile
reinforcement could be defined for the
project. A summary of the pile reinforcement
is presented in Tables 1 and 2.
The racked piles were designed to
counter act the large horizontal forces
acting on the piers and abutments. The
permanent piles were designed for a
service life of 100 years.
Table 1. Pile requirements on the Hard side of the bridge
Substructure
Pile Type
Abutment (Axis 1) TRM 170 | 9.0
Pier (Axis 2)
TRM 170 | 9.0
*Measured from the vertical
Table 2. Pile requirements on the Fussach side of the bridge
Substructure
Pier (Axis 4)
Pier (Axis 3)
Abutment (Axis 5)
Pile Type
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
*Measured from the vertical
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * JULY/AUG 2024 * 103
Number of Piles
0 vertical
264 racked
0 vertical
24 vertical
128
168
racked
racked
Length (m)
-
25
-
18
25
18-25
0.32
0.32
Diameter (m)
0.32
Inclination* (°)
0.0
0.80-9.4
0.0
0.0
1.4
1.8
-
-
9.6
45.0
Design Load
Compression (kN)
-
550
-
550
550
550
Design Load
Tension (kN)
-
550
-
550
0-290
Number of Piles
21 vertical
168 racked
0 vertical
264 racked
Length (m)
20
20
-
20
Diameter (m)
0.3
0.3
Inclination* (°)
0.0
3.2-26.1
0.0
1.0-11.7
Design Load
Compression (kN)
550
550
-
550
Design Load
Tension (kN)
350
170-550
-
Execution
Due to the high flood risk, the construction
of the substructure could only
be carried out during a period of low
water discharge (winter), resulting in a
very tight construction schedule
(winter half-year 2020/2021).
The ample availability of equipment
offered the required flexibility for
the execution of piles with different
inclinations (Tables 2 and 3), enabling
the contractor to carry out interventions
even in areas with restricted space (i.e.,
excavation pits), causing only a small
impact to the surrounding work environment.
The piling works for the
Substructure
Abutment (Axis 5)
Pier (Axis 4)
Pier (Axis 1)
Pier (Axis 3)
Pier (Axis 2)
Pile Type
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
TRM 170 | 9.0
Number
of Piles
192
128
189
264
264
bridge were carried out between the
beginning of September 2020 and the
beginning of March 2021. Table 3 presents
a summary of the installed piles.
A further 13,500 m (44,300 ft) of
ductile iron piles were installed for the
ancillary structures (retaining walls,
underpass, etc.) until the end of March
2022, making a total amount of approximately
36,260 m (119,000 ft) of installed
piles.
The concrete used for the piles corresponds
to the resistance class C25/30
(characteristic cylinder compressive
strength of 25 MPa [3,625 Psi]). The
concrete mixture was provided with a
Table 3. Summary of the installed piles for the new Rhine Bridge Fussach - Hard
Pile
Length (m)
3,888
3,200
3,780
6,600
5,280
Concrete
(m3)
261
218
443
263
360
Average Production
Rate (m/day)
194
213
253
145
251
July/August 2024

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