Discussion and Application of Substructure Replacement Technique for Bridges–A Case Study of Shi-chou Bridge

Due to steep slopes, most rivers in Taiwan are rapid and rushing. Moreover, Taiwan is located in an area frequently stricken by typhoons during summer time. The serious scour brought by heavy rain and excessive quarrying has resulted in continuous lowering of riverbeds and severe exposure of bridge foundations. All of these decrease the bearing capacity and stability of bridges, thereby jeopardizing their safety. The authorities concerned have taken many conventional protection measures to improve this situation, including use of riverbed stabilization structures, such as gabions and keystone block, and the use of foundation protection techniques, such as concrete encasement or enlarged bases for piers. However, few of these measures work satisfactorily, and the scour is still endangering the bridge foundation. Hence, to determine another alternative rehabilitation and protection technique for naked foundations becomes an urgent issue. In this paper, an innovative Substructure Replacement Technique, which serves to be an appealing solution to this issue, is introduced. Using a case project of the Shi-chou Bridge as an example, the considerations during design and construction stages, detailed construction procedure and applicability of this technique are thoroughly discussed. The most important feature of this technique is that the original flow of traffic can be maintained during construction, which includes the replacement of damaged foundations with new ones built below riverbeds and the construction of new columns to smoothly connect with the original pier caps. The rebuilt foundations and piers not only strengthen the seismic capacity of bridges but also enhance the flood conveyance ability of rivers.

• Corporate Authors:

  Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research

  State University of New York, 107 Red Jacket Quadrangle, P.O. Box 610025
  Buffalo, NY  United States  14261-0025
• Authors:
  • Kao, Ben
• Conference:
  • The Second US-Taiwan Bridge Engineering Workshop
  • Location: San Mateo CA, United States
  • Date: 2006-9-21 to 2006-9-22
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 10p
• Monograph Title: Proceedings of the Second US-Taiwan Bridge Engineering Workshop

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridge foundations; Bridge piers; Earthquake resistant structures; Foundation engineering; Piers (Supports); Scour; Structural deterioration and defects
• Identifier Terms: Shi-chou Bridge (Taiwan)
• Uncontrolled Terms: Steep slopes
• Geographic Terms: Taiwan
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079589
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:15AM