<p><p><h2>Commentary</h2>The costs of Geotextile Encased Columns (GECs) on a highway project should be captured in a contract bid item which is measured by the lineal foot (LF). Included in this bid item are the material, equipment, labor, and incidentals to construct a GEC. Mobilization, quality control, and load testing associated with the installation of GECs may be measured and paid for separately.<br><h2>Cost Information Summary</h2>The following table lists construction cost items that are associated with GECs, along with approximate cost ranges. Cost ranges are based on a single report from 2004 documenting the only known GEC project in the U.S. Readers should carefully examine the project characteristics and constraints and determine to what degree if any these factors may influence the actual cost associated with constructing GECs. For many GEC applications a working platform will be required. This cost should be included when comparing this technology with others. The cost of the geosynthetic for the working platform is provided in the geosynthetic reinforced embankment <em>Cost Information</em> document.</p><p><table class='tablepress' id='tablepress-98'><thead><th>Pay Item Description</th><th>Quantity</th><th>Unit</th><th>Low Unit Price</th><th>High Unit Price</th><th>Factors Which May Potentially Impact Costs</th></thead><tbody><tr><td >Geosynthetic Encased Column</td><td >Greater Than 1,000</td><td >LF</td><td >$20.00</td><td >$40.00</td><td >2004 U.S. project data reports an approximate cost of $18.00 per LF for 30” GECs
Unit cost increases as GEC diameter increases
Cost of granular materials is sensitive to material specifications and haul distance
Unit costs will decrease as depth increases
</td></tr><tr><td >Mobilization</td><td >1</td><td >LUMP SUM</td><td >$20,000</td><td >$40,000</td><td >Mobilization cost increases for distances greater than 500 miles
Phased projects may require multiple mobilizations
</td></tr><tr><td >Embankment</td><td >Greater Than
5,000
</td><td >CY</td><td >$-</td><td >$-</td><td >Use historical costs that are representative of the project quantity, project conditions and project location</td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Historical Cost Information</h2>Research efforts did not yield any GEC bid tabulation data from state highway agencies.<br><h2>Conceptual Cost Estimating Tool</h2>The conceptual cost estimating tool is intended to be used to develop a preliminary project scoping cost estimate. This preliminary estimate can be based on the typical construction cost item values as contained in the Cost Information product or from user specified cost values when such are known. Users should read and understand the information in Cost Information product prior to using the cost estimating tool. You can download the Cost Estimating Tool to open a cost estimating spreadsheet for producing a preliminary project scoping estimate.</p><p><a class="arrow-link" href="https://www.geoinstitute.org/sites/default/files/geotech-tools-uploads/… the Cost Estimating Too</a>l</p></p>