Pile Driving and Pile Driving and BarotraumaBarotrauma

EffectsEffects

AASHTO AASHTO –– SOC SOC

Louisville, KY Louisville, KY

Jeff Lewis, Field Operations EngineerJeff Lewis, Field Operations Engineer

Federal Highway AdministrationFederal Highway Administration

California DivisionCalifornia Division

Transportation NeedsTransportation Needs

��CapacityCapacity

��StrengthStrength

��ConstructabilityConstructability

ConstructabilityConstructability

�� ““BiddableBiddable”” & & ““BuildableBuildable””

�� 100% Complete PS&E100% Complete PS&E

�� Defined Scope of WorkDefined Scope of Work

�� Defined Work Area Defined Work Area

��ESAESA’’ss--Environmental Sensitive AreaEnvironmental Sensitive Area’’ss

�� Avoid Dictating Contractors OperationsAvoid Dictating Contractors Operations

��Allow Contractors Innovation to Meet Allow Contractors Innovation to Meet Specs/PlansSpecs/Plans

��Minimize Change Orders & ClaimsMinimize Change Orders & Claims

��May Effect Dollars and/or TimeMay Effect Dollars and/or Time

Pile TypesPile Types

Large Diameter SteelLarge Diameter Steel

Small Diameter Small Diameter ØØ& & ““HH”” PilesPiles

Timber PilesTimber Piles

Concrete PilesConcrete Piles

Hammer TypesHammer Types

Hydraulic HammerHydraulic Hammer Diesel HammerDiesel Hammer

Drop HammerDrop Hammer Vibratory HammerVibratory Hammer

Project DeveloperProject Developer’’s Reality?s Reality?

Project Project

DeveloperDeveloper

Environmental RequirementsEnvironmental Requirements

Scope, Schedule, BudgetScope, Schedule, Budget

““ Impact Assessment and

I mpact Assessment and

Mi ti gat ion M

ethodology

Mi ti gat ion M

ethodology

Project by Project by

ProjectProject

Consistent Consistent

ProgrammaticProgrammatic

ResponsibleResponsible ProtectiveProtective

EconomicalEconomical

TimelyTimely

QualityQuality

BiddableBiddable BuildableBuildable PredictablePredictable

RegulatorRegulator’’s Realitys Reality??

RegulatorRegulator

Project ProponentsProject Proponents(History/Agendas)(History/Agendas)

WatchWatch--Dog GroupsDog Groups(3(3rdrd Party Law Suites)Party Law Suites)

““Best Available DataBest Available Data””

UncertaintyUncertainty

ResponsibleResponsibleProtectiveProtectiveConservativeConservative

ConcernConcern

Comfort LevelComfort Level

Continued ExistenceContinued Existence

Regulatory RequirementsRegulatory Requirements

��Endangered Species Act (Section 7)Endangered Species Act (Section 7)

��Other Federal and State LawsOther Federal and State Laws

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act

��TakeTake

��HarmHarm

��HarassmentHarassment

New Benicia Bridge New Benicia Bridge ––

ConstructionConstruction

62’

71’Pier Wall

8’ Diameter CIDH Piling with Steel

Casing

Footing Plan

Benicia

Carquinez Strait

Photo by Bud AbbottPhoto by Bud Abbott

The Birds DescendThe Birds Descend

Construction Halted Immediately!!!!Construction Halted Immediately!!!!

Case Studies Case Studies -- BridgesBridges

��SFOBB SFOBB –– CACA

��RichmondRichmond--San Rafael San Rafael –– CACA

��Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson –– MDMD

San FranciscoSan Francisco--Oakland Bay Oakland Bay

Bridge East Span (SFOBB)Bridge East Span (SFOBB)

��Mitigation Plan in DesignMitigation Plan in Design

��Noise Target Value Noise Target Value

��180 dB re1180 dB re1µµPa peak at 10 mPa peak at 10 m

RichmondRichmond--San Rafael San Rafael

BridgeBridge��Seismic RetrofitSeismic Retrofit

��Most of Piles Driven Prior to Issue Most of Piles Driven Prior to Issue

IdentificationIdentification

��Some Delay and Cost IncreaseSome Delay and Cost Increase

��Differing Site ConditionsDiffering Site Conditions

Woodrow Wilson BridgeWoodrow Wilson Bridge

�� Identified During ConstructionIdentified During Construction

��Noise Level Noise Level -- 208 dB re 1208 dB re 1µµPa peak Pa peak

DEPTH

0

-335

-90

-30

HAMMER

Majority of Energy Dissipation Through

Soil Resistance

Young Bay Mud

Merritt/Posey Sands

Dense To Very Dense Sand

With Clay Layers

Water

Very Stiff Clays With Dense Sand Layers

Pile Tip Elevation

Airborne Noise

Compression Waves

High Damping

-260

Air

Typical Underwater SoundsTypical Underwater SoundsSound Level dB Sound Level dB

(re 1 (re 1 µµPa)Pa)

4040

2 kg high explosive (100m)2 kg high explosive (100m)

Beluga Whale Echolocation call (1m)Beluga Whale Echolocation call (1m)

Airgun Array (100mAirgun Array (100m))

Large Ship (100m)Large Ship (100m)

Fin Whale Call (100m)Fin Whale Call (100m)

Beluga Whale Threshold (1 kHz)Beluga Whale Threshold (1 kHz)

Ambient, Moderate WavesAmbient, Moderate Waves

Seal Threshold (1kHz)Seal Threshold (1kHz)

Ambient, Glassy & CalmAmbient, Glassy & Calm

Beluga Whale Threshold (30kHz)Beluga Whale Threshold (30kHz)

240240

220220

200200

180180

160160

140140

120120

100100

8080

6060

2020

00

Range of Pile Range of Pile

Driving Sound Driving Sound

Pressure LevelsPressure Levels

Sound Pressure Wave FormsSound Pressure Wave Forms

& Impacts to Fish& Impacts to Fish(Not To Scale)(Not To Scale)

ExplosionsExplosions Pile DrivingPile Driving ContinuousContinuous

++

--Pressure

Pressure

TimeTime

Blast (225 dB Peak)Blast (225 dB Peak)

400 Hz Pure Tone (190 dB Peak)400 Hz Pure Tone (190 dB Peak)

-2.00E+11

-1.50E+11

-1.00E+11

-5.00E+10

0.00E+00

5.00E+10

1.00E+11

1.50E+11

2.00E+ 11

0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08

Time, sec.Time, sec.

Sound Pressure Amplitude,

Sound Pressure Amplitude, uPa

uPa

Pile Drive Impulse (203 dB Peak)Pile Drive Impulse (203 dB Peak)

Wave Form ComparisonWave Form Comparison

BoyleBoyle’’s Laws Law

Under conditions of constant temperature Under conditions of constant temperature and quantity, there is an inverse and quantity, there is an inverse

relationship between the volume and relationship between the volume and pressure for an ideal gas.pressure for an ideal gas.

Time

p+

P +

P -

pp11vv11 = p= p22vv22

SwimbladderSwimbladder

HeartHeart

Organ Systems Affected by BarotraumaOrgan Systems Affected by Barotrauma

BaroeffectsBaroeffects

��BarotraumaBarotrauma

��Physical Injury Physical Injury

��Swim Bladder RuptureSwim Bladder Rupture

��Rectified Diffusion Rectified Diffusion

�� BaroeffectsBaroeffects

��Behavior Altered Behavior Altered

��Swim Patterns Affected Swim Patterns Affected

Gill & Vent BleedingGill & Vent Bleeding

Gill & Vent BleedingGill & Vent Bleeding

Ruptured Swim BladderRuptured Swim Bladder

Assumed Fisheries Bioacoustic Impact ZonesAssumed Fisheries Bioacoustic Impact Zones

Pile

New BeniciaNew Benicia--Martinez Bridge ProjectMartinez Bridge Project

Harmful Sound LevelsHarmful Sound Levels

��Noise Thresholds:Noise Thresholds:

��Benicia and SFOBB: 180 dB re 1Benicia and SFOBB: 180 dB re 1µµPa Pa

��Woodrow Wilson Bridge: 208 dB re 1Woodrow Wilson Bridge: 208 dB re 1µµPa Pa

��Yakima Bridge: 218 dB re 1Yakima Bridge: 218 dB re 1µµPa Pa

��Comparable Sound Levels:Comparable Sound Levels:

��Ambient/Calm: 60 dB re 1Ambient/Calm: 60 dB re 1µµPaPa

��Large Ship @ 100m: 100 dB re 1Large Ship @ 100m: 100 dB re 1µµPaPaTime Traces - 8ft Pile at 54m Distance, 6m/7m Deep

Benicia Bridge Site, June 24 & July 12, 2002 (Time Zeroed)

-4.00E+10

-3.00E+10

-2.00E+10

-1.00E+10

0.00E+00

1.00E+10

2.00E+10

3.00E+10

4.00E+10

0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08

Time, sec.

So

un

d P

res

su

re A

mp

litu

de

, u

Pa

Normal

with Sleeve

with Bubbles & Sleeve

Project ImpactsProject Impacts��DelaysDelays

��Benicia Benicia -- 6 months6 months

��Extra Project RequirementsExtra Project Requirements

��CostsCosts

��Benicia Benicia -- $135 Million$135 Million

��Average = $10,000/pileAverage = $10,000/pile

Considered Mitigation MeasuresConsidered Mitigation Measures

��Avoidance of Migration TimesAvoidance of Migration Times

��Scare ChargesScare Charges

��StrobesStrobes��Electric SeineElectric Seine

Preferred Mitigation Preferred Mitigation

MeasuresMeasures

��Driving During Slack CurrentDriving During Slack Current

��CofferdamsCofferdams

��Air Bubble Curtains (ABC)Air Bubble Curtains (ABC)

Why Steel Shell PilesWhy Steel Shell Piles??

�Superior Structural Properties Max Effect/Min Material …Cost Effective Solution�Material Properties (Tough, Predictable Behavior)

�Minimum Footprint

�Ease of Construction (Drive-ability)

�Scour Protection

�Armor (Fendering, Corrosion Protection)

No Structural Alternative!No Structural Alternative!

Driving WindowsDriving Windows

��Species PresentSpecies Present

��CurrentsCurrents

CofferdamsCofferdams

��Use Air for Attenuation Use Air for Attenuation

��Most Effective Most Effective –– 1515--35+ dB Reduction35+ dB Reduction

��Depth LimitationsDepth Limitations

��CostsCosts

Air Bubble Curtains (ABCs)Air Bubble Curtains (ABCs)

��ConfinedConfined

��Isolation CasingIsolation Casing

��2525--30 dB Reduction30 dB Reduction

��GunderboomGunderboom®®

Air Bubble Curtains (ABCs)Air Bubble Curtains (ABCs)

��UnUn--ConfinedConfined

��Bubble RingsBubble Rings

��Single and MultiSingle and Multi--levellevel

��Bubble TreeBubble Tree

��55--30 dB Reduction30 dB Reduction

Keys to Successful Keys to Successful

OperationOperation��Proper Installation Proper Installation

��Warm Up Warm Up –– 10 minutes10 minutes

��Monitor Air Pressure DeliveryMonitor Air Pressure Delivery

��Monitor Sound Levels Monitor Sound Levels

ConclusionsConclusions

�� Identify Impact to FishIdentify Impact to Fish

��Define Sound Pressure LimitsDefine Sound Pressure Limits

�� Improve Mitigation MeasuresImprove Mitigation Measures

��Share Information Between States, Share Information Between States,

Contractors, and CountriesContractors, and Countries

Lessons Learned:Lessons Learned:

�� Understand Ramifications of Permit Understand Ramifications of Permit

Terms & ConditionsTerms & Conditions

�� Meaningful and Measurable ValuesMeaningful and Measurable Values

�� Develop and Follow Monitoring Protocol with Develop and Follow Monitoring Protocol with

Specific Objectives and Controls Specific Objectives and Controls

�� Obtain Incidental Take Authorization to AvoidObtain Incidental Take Authorization to Avoid

Unanticipated Work Unanticipated Work StopagesStopages

�� Avoid Jeopardy; Avoid and Minimize Avoid Jeopardy; Avoid and Minimize

Incidental Take to the Extent PracticableIncidental Take to the Extent Practicable

Plaque_72dpi.jpg

Special ThanksSpecial ThanksJames James ReyffReyff, Illingworth and , Illingworth and RodkinRodkinKeith Jones, Keith Jones, CaltransCaltransBogdanBogdan KomorniczakKomorniczak, , CaltransCaltransStephanie Stephanie StoermerStoermer, FHWA, FHWAMara Mara MelandryMelandry, , CaltransCaltransChuck Morton, Chuck Morton, CaltransCaltransBruce Bruce HardyniecHardyniec, Acoustics Engineer, Chrysler Corp., Acoustics Engineer, Chrysler Corp.JuergenJuergen Baumann, Vancouver Port AuthorityBaumann, Vancouver Port AuthorityBrian Brian LiebichLiebich, , CaltransCaltransMary Mary HuieHuie, WWB Project Coordinator, WWB Project CoordinatorSara Sara HardyneicHardyneic, FHWA, FHWASarah Skeen, FHWA Sarah Skeen, FHWA

""Plan for the future, because Plan for the future, because

that is where you are going to that is where you are going to

spend the rest of your life."spend the rest of your life."

Friendly Highway Friendly Highway

Administration Administration -- FHWAFHWA

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?