This paper focuses on the preliminary results of static load tests that were conducted on a geosynthetic-reinforced, soil-integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) in Louisiana. Sixteen loading tests that used two fully loaded trucks were conducted on the instrumented GRS-IBS bridge. The bridge was surcharge loaded to stress levels well in excess of working load conditions. To evaluate the performance of the GRS-IBS abutment under different load tests, various types of instrumentation were installed; these included shape accelerated arrays, pressure cells, strain gauges, piezometers, and thermocouples. The primary measurements were the horizontal deformations near the front wall, vertical deformation of the GRS abutment, distribution of stresses in the GRS abutments and below the reinforced soil foundation, and distribution of strains along the geosynthetic reinforcements. Measurements from the instrumentation provided information needed to verify design factors and parameters for the GRS-IBS abutment. The bridge settlement and lateral movement of the facing wall were within the serviceability level; this result demonstrated excellent load-carrying capacity of the GRS abutment. The locus of maximum strains in the abutment varied by the surcharge load and did not correspond to the (45 + ϕ/2) line, especially when the surcharge load was placed at the bridge. The results of the load test revealed that the GRS-IBS bridge responses to the load tests were well within the serviceability limits, and the overall performance of the GRS-IBS was within acceptable tolerance in terms of measured strains, stresses, settlements, and deformations.


    Access

    Download

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Full-Scale Testing of Geosynthetic-Reinforced, Soil-Integrated Bridge System


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2017-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutments

    Keller, Gordon R. / Devin, Steven C. | Transportation Research Record | 2003


    Full-Scale Investigation of Differential Settlements beneath a Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutment

    Kost, Andrew D. / Filz, George M. / Cousins, Tommy et al. | Transportation Research Record | 2014


    Long-Term Behavior of a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System in Hawaii

    Ooi, Phillip S. K. / Adams, Michael T. / Lawrence, Joseph B. | Transportation Research Record | 2019