PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-12-0004
Project Name:	Abutment Interface Experiments for Integrated Approaches
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Nicks First Name: Jennifer E Telephone: 202-493-3075 E-mail: jennifer.nicks@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
Team:	Bridge and Foundation Engineering Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Not Applicable
Project Description:	The in-service performance of many bridges built on the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) Integrated Bridge System (IBS) indicate the superstructure and approach fill coexist to maintain a smooth bump-free transition without the need to include a traditional approach slab or special pavement system. This project will investigate the interaction between the end of the bridge and a GRS integrated approach. The project will involve a series of laboratory experiments and computer modeling to simulate thermal bridge cycles and measure the resulting passive earth pressure against the GRS integrated approach in an attempt to understand the mechanics of the IBS. In addition, the results of this research can be applied beyond an IBS to integral abutments.
Laboratories:	Geotechnical Laboratory
Start Date:	January 7, 2013
End Date:	September 30, 2016
Funding Amount:	$0.00
FHWA Program Name:	Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
Goals:	The key project objectives are: (1) Define the mechanics of passive earth pressure against a geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) integrated approach. (2) Define the friction between the superstructure and a GRS abutment. (3) Determine how the thermally induced force affects the superstructure. (4) Develop a computer model to simulate the GRS integrated approach. (5) Apply the result of this work to the design of bridges on integral abutments.
Project Type:	Onsite and Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	Laboratory experiments, field tests, and computer modeling
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Federal Highway Administration: Office of Research, Development, and Technology - Office of Infrastructure Research and Development; Role(s): Advisory, Technical Utah Department of Transportation; Role(s): Technical, Advisory
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	The expected benefit is an increased application of a geosynthetic reinforced soil integrated approach system.
Deliverables:	1. Name: TPF research report Product Type(s): Research report Description: A research report will be drafted to outline the results of the field testing and provide design guidance if necessary. Audiences: Bridge owners, Bridge design professionals, Academics, City and county agencies, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Implementers, Hydraulic and geotechnical engineers, Local bridge owners, Metropolitan planning organizations, Other highway agencies, Researchers, State departments of transportation, State highway agencies, U.S. Department of Transportation: Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) Secondary Audiences: 2. Name: Research report Product Type(s): Research report Description: A full research report will be developed outlining the entire project, including the results of the TPF study, along with laboratory and computer simulation results. Audiences: Academics, Bridge design professionals, Bridge owners, City and county agencies, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Hydraulic and geotechnical engineers, Implementers, Local bridge owners, Long Term Bridge Performance Stakeholders, Other highway agencies, Researchers, State departments of transportation, State highway agencies Secondary Audiences:
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Roads and Bridges--Geotechnical
TRT Terms:	Construction Infrastructure Bridges Research Transportation State of the Art Innovation Bridge Abutments
FHWA Disciplines:	Geotechnical Structures
Subject Areas:	Bridges and other structures Geotechnology Research