May/June 2023 - 16

The specifications presented additional
risks beyond the typical geotechnical
risks to installation quantity
and schedule. Pre-augering, a supplemental
activity that loosens the soil
at the wick drain location using a
continuous flight auger, was considered
incidental to the wick drain installation.
Based on previous experiences at the
site, as well as from other port projects, it
can be common for the fill material
placed above the water line using
mechanical means (i.e., dump trucks
and bulldozers) to require pre-augering
Another anticipated risk
was the requirement to
make up to two reattempts
at wick drain installation
if the drains hit an
obstruction or a dense
layer prior to the designed
termination elevation.
to meet typical production rates. Another
anticipated risk was the requirement to
make up to two reattempts at wick drain
installation if the drains hit an obstruction
or a dense layer prior to the
designed termination elevation.
Ultimately, an installation plan was
developed to attempt all wick drains
without pre-augering, and, if needed,
would return to an area with shallow
obstructions/dense layers with a preauger
and only make one installation
attempt on pre-augered locations.
The contract was awarded in the fall
of 2018 and Menard mobilized to the
site in January 2019.
Wick Drain Installation
The impact of the l imi ted s i te
characterization, in particular the
unknown behavior of the material
being placed, became apparent as soon
16 * DEEP FOUNDATIONS * MAY/JUNE 2023
Finishing wick installation in pre-augered holes
Cone Penetration Testing Results
Location
CPT-2
CPT-3
CPT-6
CPT-7
CPT-8
CPT-9
CPT-10
CPT-14
CPT-15
CPT-16
CPT-17
CPT-18
CPT-19
CPT-20
CPT-27
CPT-28
CPT-29
CPT-30
CPT-31
CPT-32
CPT-MCJV44
CPT-MCJV45
CPT-MCJV47
CPT-MCJV50
CPT -Z
CPT Depth
in ft (m)
33 (10)
25 (7.6)
29 (8.8)
30 (9)
50 (15)
29 (8.8)
50 (15)
28 (8.5)
26 (8)
26 (8)
32 (9.7)
43 (13)
45 (13.7)
42 (13)
27 (8)
33 (10)
52 (16)
47 (14)
43 (13)
42 (13)
57 (17)
41 (12.5)
60 (18)
34 (10)
36 (11)
Comments
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
Refusal
The impact of the limited
site characterization, in
particular the unknown
behavior of the material
being placed, became
apparent as soon as they
had mobilized to the site.
as the team had mobilized to the site.
Based on past experiences and the
approach of meeting the letter of the
specification, it was hoped that any
challenges could be overcome or
resolved with the project team. The
project started with the equipment
being verified to have met the project
specifications, and production began.
The challenges faced with recently
placed soil became apparent quickly. A
majority of the wick drains were met
with shallow refusals and reattempts at
nearly every location. Whereas the
potential for shallow refusals and
May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/June 2023
