OBSERVATIONS OF SEVERE ABUTMENT BACKWALL DAMAGE

Field studies of highway bridge performance have led to repeated observations of severe cracking and dislocation of the backwalls of reinforced-concrete abutments. The observed distress is correlated with the presence of adjacent reinforced-concrete pavements, and the cause is attributed to the longitudinal growth of the concrete pavements. Field observations are presented and discussed. A finite element model of a representative abutment is used to study the expected stress distributions caused by several hypothesized mechanisms that might contribute to the observed damage. Methods to prevent future damage are discussed.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1991/1319/1319-007.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=OBSERVATIONS+OF+SEVERE+ABUTMENT+BACKWALL+DAMAGE&author=R.+James&author=H.+Zhang&author=D.+Zollinger&publication_year=1991
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1319, Bridge and Hydrology Research 1991. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • James, Ray W
  • Zhang, Heping
  • Zollinger, Dan G
• Publication Date: 1991

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 55-61
• Monograph Title: Bridge and hydrology research 1991
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1319
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge abutments; Deformation curve; Dislocations; Field studies; Finite element method; Fracture mechanics; Highway bridges; Loss and damage; Machines; Prevention; Reinforced concrete pavements
• Old TRIS Terms: Backwalls; Field observation; Mechanisms
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Security and Emergencies; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00621489
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309051576
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 30 1992 12:00AM