BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - ALTERNATE DESIGN

A money and time saving innovative design was used to convert two old slab bridges into multipipe culverts on an FM 18 widening project in District 8 (Abilene). Hydraulic analysis indicated that the existing structures had been overdesigned and that conversion to culverts would still meet design specifications for a hundred-year flood. Increased bearing and higher load capacity yielded by the design could easily handle the predicted future AADT. The conversion was made by placing pipes under the bridge. The pipes were the length the proposed widening was to be. Special head and wingwall forms were designed and constructed to enclose the exposed pipe ends. Flowable fill, a freely flowing grout mix containing fly ash, was used to fill up the spaces between the existing bridge and the inserted pipes. This design enabled the district to stay within program funds, carry existing traffic on the roadway without a detour, and produce a sound hydraulically effective structure.

• Corporate Authors:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  Abilene District, P.O. Box 150
  Abilene, TX  United States  79604-0150
• Authors:
  • Lindley, B R
• Publication Date: 1992

Media Info

• Features: Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridge decks; Bridge design; Bridges; Cost effectiveness; Fills; Flowable fill; Fly ash; Grout; Innovation; Pavement widening; Pipe culverts; Structural design; Vehicle capacity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Conversion; Load capacity; Slab bridges; Widening
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00622336
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DHT-27
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1992 12:00AM