Bump at the End of the Bridge: Enhanced Remediation Decision Making via 3D Measurement and Advanced 3D Dynamic Analysis

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and transportation departments across the country have long recognized that approach slabs and pavements at bridges are prone to both settlement and cracking, which have been widely recognized as the "bump at the end of the bridge" (BEB). This study seeks to provide guidance and aid TDOT officials in their decision-making process regarding potential BEB remediation strategies using non-destructive 3D subsurface measurements and advanced 3D dynamic analyses. An innovative strategy was utilized that combines survey data from multi-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR) and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) to develop accurate 3D subsurface soil maps of bridge approach slabs and foundations. PLAXIS 3D was used to developed sophisticated dynamic finite element (FE) models of the soil-structure system subjected to moving truckloads were developed for the bridge approach from the developed subsurface maps. The FE models were used as a framework for evaluating different remediation actions to address various types of BEB problems. For example, using these techniques, a PLAXIS 3D model was developed for the Horn Lake Creek Bridge to examine the effects of reinforcing the approach foundation. In this case, the foundation under the approach pavement was reinforced with geogrids as defined by TDOT in STD-10-2. Compared to an unreinforced foundation, the predicted pavement displacements at the soil-structure interface using geogrid reinforcement were reduced by more than 40%.

• Record URL:
  https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/long-range-planning/research/final-reports/res2019-final-reports/RES2019-21_Final_Report_Approved.pdf
• 
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57542
• Corporate Authors:

  The University of Memphis

  ,    

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk State Office Building, 505 Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243
• Authors:
  • Camp, Charles V
  • Pezeshk, Shahram
• Publication Date: 2021-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 58p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Decision making; Ground penetrating radar; Pavement cracking; Rayleigh waves
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01781887
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: RES2019-21
• Contract Numbers: Grant RES2019-21
• Files: NTL, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 20 2021 2:52PM