Full-Scale Investigation of Differential Settlements beneath a GRS Bridge Abutment: An Overview

Geosynthetic-reinforced soil bridge abutments can be constructed rapidly, at low cost, and with relatively low environmental impact. However, like all shallow foundations, they can be vulnerable to differential settlements. A full-scale abutment was constructed, instrumented, and subjected to carefully controlled differential settlements. The abutment performed well with respect to providing support at the level of the superstructure. However, the facing blocks (concrete masonry units, or CMUs) demonstrated susceptibility to removal following settlement of the abutment, and the backfill was exposed through gaps between adjacent CMUs. Three potential measures to mitigate this risk include pinning the CMUs near the corner of the abutment, adding a protective wrap behind the CMUs to encapsulate the fill, and increasing the base width of the abutment.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413272.408
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784413272
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Kost, Andrew D
  • Filz, George M
  • Cousins, Tommy
  • Brown, Michael C
• Conference:
  • Geo-Congress 2014
  • Location: Atlanta Georgia, United States
  • Date: 2014-2-23 to 2014-2-26
• Publication Date: 2014-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 4203-4212
• Monograph Title: Geo-Congress 2014 Technical Papers: Geo-Characterization and Modeling for Sustainability

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Backfilling; Bridge abutments; Bridge superstructures; Differential settlement; Foundations; Geosynthetics; Prototype tests; Soil stabilization
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01522721
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784413272
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Apr 22 2014 4:07PM