Identification of the Best Practices for the Design, Construction, and Repair of Bridge Approach Sections (TR-481)

Project status

Completed

Start date: 08/15/02
End date: 12/31/04

Researcher(s)

Principal investigators:

• David White | 515-294-1463 | djwhite@iastate.edu (project list)

Co-principal investigators:

• Sivalingam Sritharan | 515-294-5238 | sri@iastate.edu (project list)

Other authors: Muhannad Suleiman, Mohamed Mekkawy, and Sudhar Chetlur

Student researchers:

• Mohamed Mekkawy
• Sudharshan Chetlur

About the research

Bridge approach settlement and the formation of the bump is a common problem in Iowa that draws upon considerable resources for maintenance and creates a negative perception in the minds of transportation users. This research study was undertaken to investigate bridge approach problems and develop new concepts for design, construction, and maintenance that will reduce this costly problem.

As a result of the research described in this report, the following changes are suggested for implementation on a pilot test basis:

• Use porous backfill behind the abutment and/or geocomposite drainage systems to improve drainage capacity and reduce erosion around the abutment.
• On a pilot basis, connect the approach slab to the bridge abutment. Change the expansion joint at the bridge to a construction joint of 2 inch. Use a more effective joint sealing system at the CF joint. Change the abutment wall rebar from #5 to #7 for non-integral abutments.
• For bridges with soft foundation or embankment soils, implement practices of better compaction, preloading, ground improvement, soil removal and replacement, or soil reinforcement that reduce time-dependent post construction settlements.

Publications

Report: Final Report: Identification of the Best Practices for the Design, Construction, and Repair of Bridge Approach Sections (TR-481) (9.7 mb pdf) January 2005

Related publications:

• Geosynthetics International Paper: Performance of collapsible bridge approach backfill with geosynthetic drainage and reinforcement (off site), Oct 2011
• MCT 2005 Paper: Simple design alternatives to improve drainage and reduce erosion at bridge abutments (off site), Oct 2011
• ASCE Paper: Underlying causes for settlement of bridge approach pavement systems (off site), Oct 2011
• Technology News: Identifying bridge approach problems, causes, and possible solutions pdf (Technology News) Sep 2005
• Tech Transfer Summary: Best Practices for Bridge Approaches pdf (Tech transfer summary) Jan 2005

Sponsor(s)/partner(s)

Sponsor(s): Iowa Highway Research Board