Numerical Investigation of the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil–Integrated Bridge System under Static Loading
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 6
Abstract
This paper presents numerical simulations of the performance of the Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil–Integrated Bridge System (GRS-IBS) under static loading conditions. Simulations were conducted using a finite-difference program and realistic conditions for system geometry, backfill soil, geosynthetic reinforcement, and applied loads. Simulation results, including lateral facing displacements, settlements, lateral and vertical earth pressures, and reinforcement tensile strains and forces, indicate good performance of GRS-IBS during construction and under traffic loads. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the effects of backfill soil compaction, reinforcement length, reinforcement stiffness, bearing bed reinforcement, bridge seat setback distance, bridge load, and abutment height on the performance of GRS-IBS. Results indicate that reinforcement stiffness, bridge load, and abutment height have the most significant influences on lateral facing displacements and bridge seat settlements. Differential settlements between the bridge and approach roadway were small for all conditions.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this investigation was provided by Caltrans and is gratefully acknowledged. The authors thank Dr. Charles S. Sikorsky of the Caltrans Office of Earthquake Engineering for his support and assistance with the project and Dr. P. Benson Shing, Professor and Chair of the Department of Structural Engineering at University of California, San Diego, for several helpful discussions on the design of bridge systems.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 6 • June 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 14, 2015
Accepted: Oct 25, 2016
Published ahead of print: Feb 6, 2017
Published online: Feb 7, 2017
Published in print: Jun 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Jul 7, 2017
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