A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Field investigation and performance of bridge approach slabs
Bridge approach slabs are designed to function as a transitional roadway to the bridge deck, spanning the distance between the abutment and the road pavement. However, the number of rough riding approaches with heavy maintenance requirements is sufficient to convince highway agencies that a serious problem exists. The complaints usually describe a ‘bump’ that motorists feel when they approach or leave bridges. This bump results in reduction of steering response, distraction to the driver, amplified truck impact and dynamic response in bridge decks, and expense to maintenance operations. Approach slabs can lose their contact supports due to various reasons, including the settlement of soil and the bulging of embankments. The objective of this paper is to present results from a study to evaluate the analytical behaviour and the field performance of new design alternatives that could reduce or eliminate this problem. The new designs were analysed using comprehensive finite element (FE) models and were also built and instrumented at the Doremus Avenue Bridge in Newark, New Jersey, for testing and long-term monitoring. Various truck load tests were performed prior to opening the bridge to traffic. The results show that the FE models are accurate and that the new design alternatives have higher load carrying capacities than those of the existing design. In addition, results also show that long-term field monitoring using various sensors can lead to quantitative measurements of various factors that can lead to the cracking of the approach slabs.
Field investigation and performance of bridge approach slabs
Bridge approach slabs are designed to function as a transitional roadway to the bridge deck, spanning the distance between the abutment and the road pavement. However, the number of rough riding approaches with heavy maintenance requirements is sufficient to convince highway agencies that a serious problem exists. The complaints usually describe a ‘bump’ that motorists feel when they approach or leave bridges. This bump results in reduction of steering response, distraction to the driver, amplified truck impact and dynamic response in bridge decks, and expense to maintenance operations. Approach slabs can lose their contact supports due to various reasons, including the settlement of soil and the bulging of embankments. The objective of this paper is to present results from a study to evaluate the analytical behaviour and the field performance of new design alternatives that could reduce or eliminate this problem. The new designs were analysed using comprehensive finite element (FE) models and were also built and instrumented at the Doremus Avenue Bridge in Newark, New Jersey, for testing and long-term monitoring. Various truck load tests were performed prior to opening the bridge to traffic. The results show that the FE models are accurate and that the new design alternatives have higher load carrying capacities than those of the existing design. In addition, results also show that long-term field monitoring using various sensors can lead to quantitative measurements of various factors that can lead to the cracking of the approach slabs.
Field investigation and performance of bridge approach slabs
Nassif, H. H. (author) / Abu-Amra, T. (author) / Suksawang, N. (author) / Khodair, Y. (author) / Shah, N. (author)
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering ; 5 ; 105-121
2009-04-01
17 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
Unknown