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APPENDIX 2F
MODEL SPECIFICATIONS
Chapter 2
Helical Foundation Systems
13.2.2 A hydraulic cylinder and gauge calibrated as a unit shall be used to apply the test
load. The pressure gauge shall be graduated in 100 psi increments or less and used to
measure the applied load.
13.2.3 A reaction frame shall be used to distribute the load to the wall or slope facing without
causing excessive deformation to the testing equipment or cracking in the facing.
13.3 Apply and measure the test load with the hydraulic cylinder and pressure gauge. The stroke of
the hydraulic cylinder shall have sufficient travel to allow the test to be done without resetting
the equipment. Measure the soil nail head movement with the dial gauge. The dial gauge shall
have sufficient travel to allow the test to be done without having to reset the gauge. Support the
gauge independently from the hydraulic cylinder, wall, or reaction frame.
13.4 Pre-production verification testing of sacrificial test helical soil nails shall be performed prior to
installation of production helical nails to verify the Installing Contractor’s installation methods
and nail pullout resistance. The verification testing shall consist of:
13.4.1 Install sacrificial test helical nails as per Helical Soil Nail Installation Section 11.9.
13.4.2 Perform a minimum of two verification tests for each significantly different soil strata
within the bearing zones of the proposed helical soil nails.
13.4.3 Sacrificial helical test nails shall have lengths of shaft without helix plates (smooth shaft)
in addition to the test nail with helix plates. The length of smooth shaft is to be located
nearest to the wall or slope face and shall be at least three feet long. The quantity of
helix plates along the test nail shaft shall be determined based on the diameter of the
helix plates used and the soil nail shaft torsional rating such that the torque rating of
the shaft and the helical nail structural capacity is not exceeded during installation and
testing.
13.4.4 Isolate the test nail from the shotcrete facing and/or reaction frame used during testing.
13.4.5 Submit the proposed location and length of shaft sections with and without helix plates
prior to testing to the Owner for review and approval in accordance with the Pre-
Construction Submittals Section 9.
13.4.6 The Design Test Load (DTL) shall be determined by the Owner taking into consideration
the required ultimate soil nail capacity in the test region, or the helical soil nail with the
highest load as determined by the internal and external stability analysis.
