Rapid-Construction Technique for Bridge Abutments Using Controlled Low-Strength Materials
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 28, Issue 1
Abstract
The time required for building bridge abutments is one of the main obstacles facing rapid bridge construction. For typical span bridges, this can be remedied by using controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) as backfill materials placed behind full-height, precast concrete panels that are integrated with the CLSM backfill via steel anchors. The CLSM bridge abutments can be constructed in a short time as they require neither heavy machinery for excavation and compaction nor piling equipment. In addition to the speedy construction, the ability to use by-product material, such as fly ash and foundry sand, in CLSM backfill translates into greater economy and the potential for a sustainable design. This paper describes the behavior of an instrumented laboratory, large-scale CLSM bridge abutment with full-height, precast concrete panels that was subjected to a monotonically increasing sill pressure. The experiment showed that the CLSM bridge abutment is capable of carrying typical bridge loads with a large safety margin and with negligible deformations.
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Acknowledgments
The research group thanks the National Center for Freight & Infrastructure Research & Education (CFIRE) for the financial support.
References
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© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 16, 2012
Accepted: Oct 9, 2012
Published online: Oct 12, 2012
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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