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Left to Right: Example of a rotted wood pile; illustration of declining water levels resulting in air exposure and decay of wood piles; and a building made uninhabitable due to settlement. All photos courtesy of the Boston Groundwater Trust.
Wooden Pile Foundations in a Changing Environment: Preventative Strategies and Remedial Approaches
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET
Structural engineer Giuliana Zelada-Tumialan, an Associate Principal at SGH, and Director of the Boston Groundwater Trust, Christian Simonelli, explain challenges and solutions to the maintenance, monitoring, and repair of wooden pile foundation systems common to historic cities throughout the world. Boston neighborhoods containing some of the most historic and valuable real estate in the nation have served as a living laboratory to develop successful collaborative engineering, infrastructure, and policy approaches to solve structural engineering problems that threaten thousands of buildings.
This session will describe the history and nature of wood pile systems, the challenges (and causes) lowered groundwater levels bring to these foundation systems, and the development of remedial and preventive measures to avoid what were mysterious catastrophic building failures in the 1980s. Topics include monitoring, groundwater recharge, the impact of municipal utilities, and underpinning repairs.
Continuing Education Credits
1.5 LU/HSW/PDH
Learning Objectives
After attending this training course attendees will be able to:
1. Describe the history and purpose of wooden pilings.
2. Identify the possible causes of wood pile deterioration and its impact on structure performance.
3. Assess the available options for remediation of a specific structure such as underpinning.
4. Develop a strategy for more systematic preventative measures related to groundwater depression.
Registration Fees
- APT Members: $20
- Emerging Professionals: $15
- Students: $10
- Non-Members: $35
Speakers:
Giuliana Zelada-Tumialan, P.E., G.E. (CA), P.Eng, Associate Principal, SGH
Ms. Zelada-Tumialan joined Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) in 2003. She is experienced in geotechnical and construction engineering, providing planning, design, and construction support services in the areas of shallow and deep foundation systems, earth retention systems, earth embankments, dam seepage and stability issues, ground stabilization, underpinning, groundwater recharge, and permanent and temporary dewatering for industrial, commercial, residential and infrastructure projects. Ms. Zelada-Tumialan has participated in several investigations into causes of building/structure deformations, dam seepage and stability issues, retaining wall failures, earth embankment and slope failures, and adjacent construction impacts. She has been investigating and developing repairs to address timber pile deterioration for over 20 years.
Christian Simonelli, Executive Director, Boston Groundwater Trust
Since his appointment as Executive Director in October 2014, Christian Simonelli has played a pivotal role at the Boston Groundwater Trust. His journey began back in 1999 when he joined as a part-time Field Engineer and later transitioned into a full-time role as the Trust’s Technical & Recharge Coordinator from 2002 to 2014. Throughout his tenure, Christian diligently oversaw the installation and monitoring of groundwater levels across the Trust’s extensive network of 800 plus wells. Notably, under his leadership, the Trust’s website and data collection methods underwent a comprehensive transformation. In addition, he works closely with property owners citywide to safeguard groundwater levels from adverse impacts. Christian’s steadfast advocacy for groundwater recharge in areas with wood pile supported structures further showcased his unwavering commitment to the cause. With a degree in Environmental Engineering from the Wentworth Institute of Technology, Christian Simonelli continues to spearhead initiatives aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of Boston’s groundwater landscape.
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