Forces in Wingwalls of Skewed Semi-Integral Bridges

In theory, semi-integral bridges with skewed approaches have a tendency to rotate toward the acute corners due to thermal expansion. This movement causes force to be transferred into the wingwalls that are often designed only as retaining walls. The wingwall/diaphragm joint of two semi-integral bridges were instrumented and monitored in the state of Ohio. Information pertaining to the thermal expansion was successfully compiled during the extent of this research and showed wingwalls’ forces can reach magnitudes of $159\mathrm{kN}$ $\left(35.7\mathrm{kip}\right)$. The maximum longitudinal movement measured $16.36\mathrm{mm}$ $\left(0.6442\mathrm{in}\text{.}\right)$ and the maximum movement into the wingwall measured as $3.289\mathrm{mm}$ $\left(0.1295\mathrm{in}\text{.}\right)$. The effects of skew and span on the wingwall forces were also modeled and presented.