Customer Success: Geotechnical Investigation for New Bridge Pier Foundations

The Mannik & Smith Group Inc.’s (MSG) drilling division provided geotechnical investigation and engineering services for roadway, embankment, bridge abutment, and pier design in support of determining a new river crossing over the Maumee River in Napoleon, OH.

Working with the Henry County Engineer, Henry County Transportation Improvement District, and in accordance with Ohio Department of Transportation specs, MSG collected soil borings from both land and from the riverbed for new bridge abutment and pier foundations. Because of the steep banks on both sides of the river, MSG lowered all equipment, including their 7822DT, onto a barge with a crane, and performed 20-ft. deep rock cores at each of the seven proposed foundation locations.

This was the first time MSG performed such complex drilling operations, and not only were they on schedule, they also finished under budget.

“The 78 performed exceptionally well,”  said Christopher Riharb, Project Engineer and Drilling Coordinator for MSG. “It’s the little rig that could!  In addition to 10-ft. cores for the abutments, we took 20-ft. cores for bridge piers.”

MSG cored with the 7822DT prior to this job (mainly shallow 5-ft. confirmation cores on land) but this was the first large-scale, challenging job they attempted.  “And we were successful!” Christopher reported.  “Not only was the 78’s coring capability a big one on this, but so was its compact size.  By using the 7822DT, we saved a ton on a smaller crane and barge rental versus going with a full-size ATV rig to do the work.  Overall, we’re extremely happy with what we can do with our 78 and how it performs,” he said.