This page covers one of the 2025 innovation winners.
O-Cell Bi-Directional Load Testing
Submitted by: Tom Brummett (Vincennes); Mir Zaheer, Athar Khan, & Kurt Pelz (Central Office)
This INDOT innovation uses O‑Cell Bi‑Directional Load Testing to verify geotechnical designs for drilled shafts and certain pile foundations before construction begins. The test measures load capacity, evaluates soil and rock behavior, and confirms design assumptions early in the process. It offers high test capacity, minimal setup space, and improved safety because no ground‑level reaction system is required. The method provides fast, accurate data that can reduce foundation costs and improve design efficiency. This testing approach has already saved millions of dollars on past bridge projects by identifying opportunities to reduce the number of required piers.
