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The FHWA
National Geotechnical Program
Silas Nichols
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Office of Bridges and Structures
Policy &
Guidance
ResearchTraining &
Technical
Deployment
Who Are We?• The National Geotechnical Team (NGT) is comprised of:
– 29 Full-Time Engineers in Federal Aid and Federal Lands
– 9 in Federal Aid
• 2 in Headquarters Program Office
• 2 in Research
• 5 in Office of Technical Services (Resource Centers)
– 20 in Federal Lands in 3 offices
• Eastern (Sterling VA)
• Central (Lakewood CO)
• Western (Vancouver WA)
– 30 Part-Time Engineers in Headquarters and Divisions
Resources
• Geotechnical Program Office Information
– www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/Geotech/
• Geotechnical Research Office Information
– https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/research/tfhrc/labs/geotechnical/index.cfm
• National Highway Institute Training Courses
– www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov
• GeoTechTools
– www.geotechtools.org
• Geotechnical Publications
– www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/library_listing.cfm
• Policy and Guidance Center
– https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pgc/
Ge
ote
ch
nic
al
Pro
gra
m
Web
sit
e
Ge
oTech
To
ols
0-5
Construction over
Unstable Soils
Geotechnical Pavement Components (Base, Subbase, and Subgrade)
Construction over
Stable/Stabilized Soils
EMBANKMENT
SOLUTIONS ABOVE GRADE
STABLE SOILS
EMBANKMENT
UNSTABLE SOILS
SOLUTIONS ABOVE OR BELOW GRADE
Working Platforms
SUBGRADE SOILS
GEOTECHNICAL PAVEMENT COMPONENTS (SOLUTIONS FOR BASE, SUBBASE, AND SUBGRADE)
PAVEMENT SURFACE
BASE
SUBBASE
STABLESOILS
WORKING PLATFORM SOLUTIONS
UNSTABLE SOILS
GROUND SURFACE
UNSTABLESOILS
OR
Application Areas
www.GeoTechTools.org
Technology
Fact Sheets
Technical
Bibliography
Design
Procedures
Specifications Cost
Estimating
Tools
QC/QA
Procedures
Photographs
Case
Histories
>50
Technologies
Example Guide Illustration:
Project Management
After: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/ProjectMgmt/PMOG.htm
Initiate and Align
Plan the Work
Endorse the Plan
Work the Plan
Transition and
Closure
Manage Change
General
• Schedule/Time
• Cost/Budget
• ROW Limits
• Traffic Flow
• Weather
• Environmental
Typical Constraints
Geotech-Related
• Subsurface Conditions
• Time of settlement
• Vibrations
• Noise
• Proprietary
Po
lic
y a
nd
Gu
idan
ce
Ce
nte
r
0-10
About the PGC
FHWA Directive on Geotechnical Policy:
• Internal agency statement of general applicability
and future effect
• Not a regulatory action
• Will assist us with implementing programs
• Comes with an expectation of compliance in with
deviation
Strategic Planning/Roadmap
• Roadmap informs the annual Geotechnical Spending
Plan
• Roadmap is reviewed on an annual basis and will be due
no later than September 1st each year
• Roadmap reviewed by entire FedAid team with input and
representation from FLH
• 2017 Review is scheduled for August 1-3 in Boston MA
How We Advance The Program
Geotechnical Focus Areas
• Extreme Events, Geohazards and Sustainable Geotechnics
• Performance Management
• Reliability Based Design and Construction
• Advanced Geotechnical Modeling
• Alternative Delivery Methods
• Design and Construction Optimization
• Site Characterization
• Quality Assurance
Funded Geotechnical Topics
• Geotechnical Asset/Performance Management
• Geohazards
• Calibration at the Service Limit State
• Post-Grouted Drilled Shafts
• Design of Large Diameter Open Ended Piles
• DIGGS/Communication of Geotechnical Data
Funded Geotechnical Topics
• MSE Wall Design Methods
• I.D.E.A
• GeoTechTools – Improved Decision Making
• Probabilistic Design – Geotechnical Site Characterization
• Scour Evaluation
• Corrosion of Buried Steel Elements
Thanks!
Silas Nichols, P.E.
Principal Geotechnical Engineer
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Infrastructure
Phone: 202-366-1554
Email: [email protected]
