Foundation system for bridges and other structures

A method of constructing a combination precast and cast-in-place concrete foundation structure, comprising:

• utilizing a precast concrete foundation unit having a first elongated upright wall member and a second elongated upright wall member spaced apart from the first elongated upright wall member to define a channel therebetween, and at least one upright support extending laterally across the channel and interconnecting the first elongated upright wall member and the second elongated upright wall member, wherein an inner side of the first elongated upright wall member includes a first recess facing the channel and extending only partially through a lateral thickness of the first elongated upright wall member, and an inner side of the second elongated upright wall member includes a second recess facing the channel and extending only partially through a lateral thickness of the second elongated upright wall member, where the first recess is elongated in a lengthwise direction parallel to a lengthwise axis of the precast foundation unit and is bounded by upper and lower edges for reinforcement retention, where the second recess is elongated in the lengthwise direction and is bounded by upper and lower edges for reinforcement retention;
• subsequent to casting of the precast concrete foundation unit, inserting at least a first elongated metal reinforcement member into the channel such that the first elongated metal reinforcement member extends laterally between the first recess and the second recess;
• delivering concrete into the channel of the precast concrete foundation unit;
• and
• allowing the concrete to cure such that the first elongated metal reinforcement member becomes embedded in the concrete.

A method of constructing a combination precast and cast-in-place concrete foundation structure, comprising:

• utilizing a precast concrete foundation unit having a lengthwise axis defining a lengthwise direction of the precast concrete foundation unit, wherein the precast concrete foundation unit includes a first elongated upright wall member and a second elongated upright wall member spaced apart from the first elongated upright wall member to define a channel therebetween, and at least two upright supports extending laterally across the channel and interconnecting the first elongated upright wall member and the second elongated upright wall member and forming at least one open cell in the channel, wherein an inner side of the first elongated upright wall member includes a first lengthwise recess facing the open cell and extending only partially through a lateral thickness of the first elongated upright wall member and an inner side of the second upright wall member includes a second lengthwise recess facing the open cell and extending only partially through a lateral thickness of the first elongated upright wall member, the second lengthwise recess in opposed and aligned relationship with the first lengthwise recess, where the first lengthwise recess is bounded by upper and lower edges for reinforcement retention, where the second lengthwise recess is bounded by upper and lower edges for reinforcement retention, wherein the upright support includes a plurality of through openings;
• subsequent to casting of the precast concrete foundation unit, inserting a first plurality of elongated metal reinforcement members into the open cell such that each elongated metal reinforcement member extends laterally between the first lengthwise recess and the second lengthwise recess with a first end of the elongated metal reinforcement member positioned in the first lengthwise recess and a second end of the elongated metal reinforcement member positioned in the second lengthwise recess;
• subsequent to casting of the precast concrete foundation unit, inserting a second plurality of elongated metal reinforcement members through the through openings such that each elongated metal reinforcement member of the second plurality extends transverse to the first plurality of elongated metal reinforcement members;
• subsequent to casting of the precast concrete foundation unit, placing the precast concrete foundation unit at a desired use location of the construction site;
• delivering concrete into the open cell of the precast concrete foundation unit while the precast concrete foundation unit remains at the desired use location;
• and
• allowing the concrete within the open cell to cure-in-place such that the first plurality of elongated metal reinforcement members and the second plurality of elongated reinforcement members become embedded in the cured-in-place concrete.