Geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) bridge abutments can offer a relatively inexpensive and practical solution for bridge foundations in a wide range of applications including low volume roads, highways, or trails applications. The use of geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) systems for bridge abutments and piers is receiving increased attention and interest because of low cost, speed, and ease of construction. Considerable experience has been gained on GRS abutment supported bridges constructed in California, Colorado, and Alaska on Forest Service trail and road bridge projects. The Federal Highway Administration and various US Departments of Transportation (DOTs) have also used this technology, as well as in Europe, Australia, and Japan. The soil mass of the abutment system is typically reinforced with layers of a polymeric geosynthetic material. Various flexible facing materials have been used, including timbers, concrete block, or welded wire, or rigid facing materials can be used. This adaptation of reinforced soil technology to bridge structures and their approach fills offers an excellent opportunity to simplify construction, and reduce time and cost on structures where this technology is appropriate. Also the actual bridge superstructure rests upon the GRS abutment wall, minimizing differential settlement and eliminating the problematic bridge bump found on many structures. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217099.
Abstract