Field Data and FEM Modeling of the Orange-Wendell Bridge

The response of a three-span (270 ft total length) integral abutment bridge located in Orange, Massachusetts was evaluated through field monitoring and extensive two and three dimensional finite element modeling. This research project is being performed at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and is funded by the Executive Office of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Design assumptions and integral abutment bridge behavior are discussed by comparing measured field data with results from analytical models. The Orange-Wendell Bridge is instrumented with 85 gages for assessing bridge behavior. Thermal seasonal effects on the bridge were of primary interest. Over three years of data have been collected including abutment pressures, rotations and deflections as well as temperatures, pile strain and inclinometer readings. Only abutment deflection, rotation, backfill pressure and their interactions are discussed in this paper. It is shown that measured abutment rotations can constitute a significant component of the total longitudinal displacement of the superstructure. Behavioral differences in the soil-abutment interaction at the North and South abutments have been observed. The effects of rapid temperature changes occurring primarily in the spring on backfill pressures behind the abutments are also discussed.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.cemr.wvu.edu/cfc/conference/Proceeding.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  West Virginia University, Morgantown

  Constructed Facilities Center
  Morgantown, WV  United States  26506-6101

  West Virginia Department of Transportation

  1900 Kanawha Boulevard East
  Charleston, WV  United States  25305-0440

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Bonczar, Christine
  • Brena, Sergio F
  • Civjan, Scott A
  • DeJong, Jason
  • Crellin, Benjamin J
  • Crovo, Daniel
• Conference:
  • Integral Abutment and Jointless Bridges (IAJB 2005)
  • Location: Baltimore Maryland, United States
  • Date: 2005-3-16 to 2005-3-18
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 163-173
• Monograph Title: Integral Abutment and Jointless Bridges (IAJB 2005), March 16-18, 2005, Baltimore, Maryland

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Deflection; Field studies; Finite element method; Jointless bridges; Mathematical models; Monitoring; Pressure; Rotation; Soil structure interaction; Thermal stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Field data; Seasonal variations
• Geographic Terms: Orange (Massachusetts)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01090097
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 20 2008 8:55AM