High-capacity driven pipe piles have recently been shown to be a viable alternative to pile groups in terms of economy and strength. A complication has emerged for the construction of bridge foundations with large-diameter pipe piles, however–-the injury and mortality of fish from sound pressure waves produced from pile driving, otherwise known as barotrauma. Even though this issue has been prevalent in California, regulators have started to restrict other states. This has caused confusion as to how to avoid unexpected increases in construction costs while following environmental laws. After several trials, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) engineers have implemented solutions to this problem, including driving windows, cofferdams, and a few different versions of air bubble curtains. This paper presents an accumulation of knowledge from engineers, biologists, and sound experts. It is to serve as an avenue for informing those who may soon be affected with pile-driving and fish barotrauma issues to minimize harmful effects and costs in the future.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
HastingsM.Clarification of the Meaning of Sound Pressure Levels and the Known Effects of Sound on Fish.Ohio State University,Columbus, Aug. 27, 2002.
2.
ReyffJ.Underwater Sound Levels Associated with Seismic Retrofit Construction of the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc.,Petaluma, Calif., Jan. 31, 2003.
Biological Assessment for the Benicia Martinez New Bridge Project for NOAA Fisheries.Caltrans and FHWA, Jan. 2003.
7.
ReyffJ.Underwater Sound Levels Associated with Construction of the Benicia–Martinez Bridge—Acoustical Evaluation of Unconfined Air-Bubble System at Pier 13.Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc.,Petaluma, Calif., April 8, 2003.
National Marine Fisheries Service Application Instructions for Permits for the Incidental Take of Endangered or Threatened Species Under the Endangered Species Act.NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, Md.www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR3/Permits/App_inst/esa2.ins.pdf. Accessed July 11, 2001.
JonesK.Bio-Acoustic Effects of Marine Pile Driving.Caltrans Presentation, Sacramento, Calif., April 28, 2003.
15.
CodutoD. P.Foundation Design: Principles and Practices.Prentice Hall,Upper Saddle River, N.J.,2001.
16.
Noise and Vibration Levels Associated with the Pile Installation Demonstration Project for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge East Span.California Department of Transportation Environmental Program, Illingworth and Rodkin, Inc.Sacramento, Calif., June 30, 2001.
Reinitiation of Formal Endangered Species Consultation and Amendment to the Biological Opinion for the Benicia-Martinez Bridge Project, Contra Costa and Solano Counties, California.U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2003.
19.
VorderbrueggenL.“Bubble Tree” Aids Backlog at Benicia Bridge.Contra Costa Times, Feb. 15, 2003.
20.
GreenC. R.Jr.Proposed Construction Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Measures.Greenridge Sciences Inc.,Goleta, Calif., Sept. 30, 2001.
21.
New Berth and Passenger Capacity at Canada Place Open One Year Ahead of Schedule.Canada Place, Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. www.portvancouver.com/media/news_2002_4_28.html. April 2002.
22.
LongmuirC., and LivelyT.. Bubble Curtain Systems for Use During Marine Pile Driving.Frasier River Pile and Dredge, New Westminster,British Columbia, Canada,2001.
VorderbrueggenL.Benicia Bridge Rising.Contra Costa Times. Sept. 17, 2002.
29.
GuR. X., KomorniczakB., PokrywkaT., AmbuehlD., and BaskervilleA.. Deep Foundation Construction Challenges at the New Benicia–Martinez Toll Bridge.Proc., 29th Southwest Geotechnical Conference, Sacramento, Calif., May 2004.
30.
CabanatuanM.Pact Lets Pile Driving Resume at New Benicia–Martinez Bridge.San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 15, 2003.
