Performance of Pile-Supported Bridge Approach Slabs
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 2
Abstract
A large number of pile-supported bridge approach slabs in southeastern Louisiana were examined to identify the factors that affect their long-term performance. Design drawings and subsoil conditions at these sites as well as their traffic and maintenance records were compiled, and seven representative test sites were selected for thorough field investigation that included inspection of the approach slabs, bridge decks, bridge abutments, and roadway pavement. Field evaluation included walking profiler, falling-weight deflectometer (FWD), laser profiler, geodetic survey, soil borings, cone penetrometer, and nondestructive testing. Measurements made with the walking profiler agreed well with the geodetic survey. The FWD and nondestructive testing were effectively used to detect voids under the approach slab. Results of the study indicated that the current empirical methodology used by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for design of pile-supported approach slabs yields inconsistent field performance. It was concluded that this inconsistent performance is primarily due to the differences in roadway embankment design and construction and in subsoil conditions, which in turn affect the negative skin friction (downdrag) loads imparted on the piles. Impact of other variables such as ramp type, speed limit, traffic volume, and so on was found to be insignificant. Results of the field study were used to develop a new rating system for approach slabs (IRIS) based on International Roughness Index (IRI) measurements obtained with the laser profiler.
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Acknowledgments
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tulane University conducted this research under Grant No. 97-4GT from the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) and in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Their financial support is greatly appreciated. Tulane University and LTRC/DOTD personnel conducted fieldwork. Appreciation is expressed to other LTRC and DOTD personnel, especially to Gary Keel, Kevin Gaspard, Bill Tierney, Fred Wetekamm, Bob Roth, and Kent Doyle, for their technical support. Tulane students and personnel Xin Miao, San Hla Aung, and Sean Mclaure participated in the fieldwork and data reduction. This paper is also dedicated to the memory of Dr. S.C. Das, who passed away during the course of this study.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 10 • Issue 2 • March 2005
Pages: 228 - 237
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 5, 2003
Accepted: Jan 5, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2005
Published in print: Mar 2005
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