Form ProjStat

(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)

Research Project Statement 18-60

FY 2018 Annual Program

Title: Strut-and-Tie Modeling and Design of Drilled Shaft Footings

The Problem: Drilled shaft foundations are commonly used to support bridge structures. When a group of drilled
shafts are used to support a bridge column, a deep footing is required to distribute the loads from the
column to the shafts. These footings behave as D-regions, in which plane sections not do not remain
plane after deformation. As such, their behavior is better represented by strut-and-tie models (STM)
than by sectional analysis. AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications encourage using STM to
design drilled shaft footings and other deep members. Furthermore, they place an increased
emphasis on design by STM in their 8th edition to be published in mid-2017. The STM design
provisions in the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications were originally developed and validated
for planar two-dimensional (2D) elements, such as bent caps. The application of these provisions to
three-dimensional (3D) elements like shaft footings presents some difficulties related to the definition
of the distribution of forces in the model and the strength limits for concrete. For example, current
provisions do not account for the increase of strength in the concrete struts and nodes due to
confinement effects resulting from the 3D loading conditions. There are also ambiguities in the
reinforcement details required by the STM method for drilled shaft footings, such as the required
embedment length of column and shaft reinforcing bars in the footing. Research is needed to extend
STM provisions to 3D members.
Technical This research will develop and validate STM procedures and detailing recommendations for drilled
Objectives: shaft footings. The researchers will conduct the following tasks:
1. Laboratory testing of large-scale drilled shaft footing specimens subjected to 3D loading
conditions. Several tests will be conducted to evaluate the effects of different geometries,
loading conditions and reinforcing details.
2. Finite element modeling of drilled shaft footings to complement the experimental study. The
numerical models will be validated with test results and will be used to investigate the flow of
forces in the footing.
3. Development of improved STM procedures for 3D members based on the experimental and
analytical results.
Desired 1. Technical memorandum for each task completed.
Deliverables: 2. Monthly progress reports.
3. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
4. Research report documenting the results of the experimental testing and analytical modeling..
5. Project Summary Report.
6. Guidelines for strut-and-tie modeling and design of drilled shaft footings, including a set of
examples.
Proposal 1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University
Requirements: Handbook)
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if
they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University
Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include
project name and university abbreviation.

Project Statement 18-60

 Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)

Pre-Proposal Monday, March 27, 2017 1:00 – 3:00PM

Meeting
Information: Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor

Webex Information:
1. Go to https://txdot.webex.com/txdot/j.php?MTID=m18a41d58c349f4a7137855fdd8353de8
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: RwUc6FNR
4. Click "Join".

Teleconference information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can
call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-855-437-3563 (US)
Conference Code: 732 576 156
Notifying RTI of In order to be notified if additional project information is distributed by TxDOT, you must contact RTI,
Intent to at (512) 416-4730 or rtimain@txdot.gov by April 3, 2017, if you plan to propose.
Propose:
Proposal Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. Central Time, May 11, 2017. Email submissions should be sent
Deadline: to rtimain@txdot.gov.

Project Statement 18-60