Finite Element Analysis of Concrete Approach Slab on Soil Embankment

Soil embankment settlement causes concrete approach slabs of bridges to lose their contacts and supports from the soil, which results in the deterioration of rideability of the bridge approach slab. To investigate the effect of embankment settlements on the performance of the approach slab, a 3-D finite element analysis was conducted in the present study, considering the interaction between the approach slab and the embankment soil, and consequently the separation of the slab and soil. The predicted internal moments of the approach slab provide design engineers with a scientific basis to properly design the approach slab considering different levels of embankment settlements. Current American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) code specifications do not provide clear guidelines to design approach slabs considering the embankment settlements.