---
title: Keeping it Clean in Washington D.C. With STELCOR - IDEAL Foundation Systems
description: Discover how STELCOR overcame logistical challenges to support the Clean Rivers Project, enhancing the wastewater system in D.C. Learn more here.
image: https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DC-SEWER-2-150x150-1-1.jpg
---

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# Keeping it Clean in Washington D.C. With STELCOR

 February 11th, 2021

 1 min read

 By [Bruce Stroyer](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/blog/author/bruce-stroyer)

![](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DC-SEWER-2-150x150-1-1.jpg?width=150&height=150&name=DC-SEWER-2-150x150-1-1.jpg)

**OVERVIEW:**

The Clean Rivers Project is DC Water’s ongoing program to reduce combined sewer overflows into the District’s waterways. The Project is a massive infrastructure and support program designed to capture and clean wastewater during rainfalls before it ever reaches the rivers. The project is comprised of a system of deep tunnels, sewers, and diversion facilities to capture combined sewer overflows and deliver them to a wastewater treatment plant.

![](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DC-SEWER-2-1024x576-1.jpg?width=1024&height=576&name=DC-SEWER-2-1024x576-1.jpg "DC-SEWER-2-1024x576")

**CHALLENGE:**   
This particular section of tunnel runs down the center of a busy road, so scheduling was restrictive and keeping install time to a minimum was a priority. There was also limited access for installation equipment and staging materials. In addition, the installation of piles was weather dependent, and therefore subject to change without notice.

![](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/DC-SEWER-768x1365-1-1.jpg?width=768&height=1365&name=DC-SEWER-768x1365-1-1.jpg "DC-SEWER-768x1365")

**SOLUTION:**

[Creative Concepts Group, Inc.](http://www.ccgicorp.com/) presented STELCOR Drilled-In Displacement Micropiles (DDM) to the D.C. Water & Sewer Department as an alternate. Engineers believed that a helical pulldown pile was substandard and would have failed in torsion at less than 20,000 ***ft⋅***lbf. A STELCOR pile was tested and exceeded the requirements. STELCOR had a resistance of 30,000 to 40,000*** ft⋅***lbf in the top 10 feet and had a torque capacity of over 50,000 ***ft⋅***lbf. With limited access and a tight schedule, a total of 46 STELCOR piles were installed for this thrust block reinforcement foundation. The STELCOR piles were able to bear higher loads at lesser depths, saving time and money.

**INSTALLER:**  
Creative Concepts Group, Inc.

**GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER:  
**D.C. Clean Rivers Project

**STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:**  
Bryant Blake P.E.

**ARCHITECT:**  
Reitan Architects LLC

**LOADS:**  
Anticipated – 200 kips factored (compression and tension)  
Actual – 102 Kips (Compression) 114 Kips Tension  
Piles met refusal at less than half of the anticipated depth

**PILE DETAIL:**  
STELCOR 1200  
18” tip or drive plate  
16” corrugated grout column  
13” solid grout column  
8” reverse auger  
5.5” O.D. X 0.361″ W.T. – 80 ksi central shaft

**SOILS + EMBEDMENT DEPTH:**  
Soils consisted of clayey sands, silty sand, and silty gravel with sand. ([SEE SOILS REPORT](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DC-WATER-SEWER-CLEAN-RIVERS-FULL-CASE-STUDY.pdf))  
Piles were intended to go 62’ but all piles met refusal at approximately 30’.

[DC WATER & SEWER – CLEAN RIVERS – FULL CASE STUDY](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/DC-WATER-SEWER-CLEAN-RIVERS-FULL-CASE-STUDY.pdf)

 Topics:

[ Case Study ](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/blog/topic/case-study)

[ Drilled-In Displacement Piles (DDM) ](https://www.idealfoundationsystems.com/blog/topic/drilled-in-displacement-piles-ddm)

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