Excessive Approach Pavement Pressure against Conventional Bridges
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 38, Issue 1
Abstract
Thermally induced stresses can build up in rigid pavements without pressure relief joints. The pressure created becomes a problem for adjacent structures such as bridges. The pressure can cause the pavement to push on the bridge and close the bridge expansion joints. This sets the stage for additional distress if not repaired quickly. This paper presents a case study where excessive pavement pressure damaged a two-span conventional bridge spanning Interstate 35 in Moore, Oklahoma. The bridge was instrumented with vibrating wire sensors to gather information on the behavior of the bridge before and after the repairs. There is a dearth of sensor verified observations of excessive pavement pressure acting on conventional bridges. The sensor data provided in-depth information on the response of the distressed bridge before and after repairs to thermal loading. Prior to the repairs the approach pavement was pushing on the bridge deck and causing the abutment backwalls to tilt toward the bridge. Following the repairs, the approach pavement is no longer pushing on the bridge deck. However, the abutment backwall is now moving in response to thermal changes in the bridge deck, likely due to excessive friction between the deck and the abutment backwall. U-shaped shaped cracking and spalling, previously observed in integral abutment bridges, was observed at this conventional abutment bridge, and the mechanisms causing these cracks and spalling are discussed. Through this study it was found that placement of pavement pressure relief joints relative to the bridge is crucial for reducing the magnitude of stress acting on the bridge. It was also found that the pavement stress acting on a bridge deck can be estimated with vibrating wire strain gauges given a baseline strain response for the approach pavement.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The research reported herein was supported by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the FHWA under State Planning and Research item No. 2228, and this support is gratefully acknowledged. The contents of this research reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the ODOT or the FHWA. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. While trade names may be used or displayed in this paper, it is not intended as an endorsement of any machine, contractor, process, or product.
References
AASHTO. 2008. Mechanistic—Empirical pavement design guide: A manual of practice. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2020. LRFD specifications for highway bridges. 9th ed. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
Aktan, A. E., F. N. Catbas, K. A. Grimmelsman, and M. Pervizpour. 2002. “Development of a model health monitoring guide for major bridges report.” In Drexel intelligent infrastructure and transportation safety institute, 183–230. Philadelphia: Drexel Univ.
Ayers, M., T. Cackler, G. Fick, D. Harrington, D. Schwartz, K. Smith, M. B. Snyder, and T. Van Dam. 2018. Guide for concrete pavement distress assessments and solutions: Identification, causes, prevention, and repair. Ames, IA: National Concrete Pavement Technology Center.
Burgueño, R., and Z. Li. 2008. Identification of causes and development of strategies for relieving structural distress in bridge abutments. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State Univ.
Burke, M. 2009. Integral and semi-integral bridges. New York: Wiley.
Burke, M. P. 1987. “Bridge approach pavements, integral bridges, and cycle-control joints.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1113 (1): 54–65.
Burke, M. P., and J. W. Bugler. 2002. “The long-term performance of unsealed.” In Proc., Transportation Research Board’s 81st Annual Meeting, 2. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Chase, S. B. 2003. “Long term bridge monitoring to support bridge technology innovations.” In Proc., 19th US-Japan Bridge Engineering Workshop. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.
EMSEAL. 2021. EMSEAL bridge expansion joint product data sheet. Westborough, MA: EMSEAL Joint Systems.
Engineering News-Record. 1925. “Repair of concrete blowups in delaware.” New York 95 (11): 432–433.
Friberg, B. 1954. “Frictional resistance under concrete pavements and restraint stresses in long reinforced slabs.” Proc. Highway Res. Board 33 (Jun): 167–184.
Geokon. 2019. Concrete embedment strain gauges data sheet. Lebanon, NH: Geokon.
Hall, K. T., C. E. Correa, S. H. Carpenter, and R. P. Elliott. 2001. Rehabilitation strategies for highway pavements. Washington, DC: NCHRP Project.
James, R. W., H. Zhang, and D. G. Zollinger. 1991. “Observations of severe abutment backwall damage.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1319 (1): 55–61.
Jeong, J. H., J. Y. Park, J. S. Lim, and S. H. Kim. 2014. “Testing and modelling of friction characteristics between concrete slab and subbase layers.” Road Mater. Pavement Des. 15 (1): 114–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2013.863161.
McGhee, K. H. 1976. Evaluation of the effectiveness of pressure relief joints in reinforced concrete pavements. Charlottesville, VA: Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council.
Muraleetharan, K. K., A. Taghavi, T. D. Bounds, G. A. Miller, B. Zhang, W. L. Peters, and R. W. Floyd. 2022. “Influence of lateral movements of approach embankments on bridges: A case study.” J. Perform. Constr. Facil. 36 (4): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0001742.
Naik, T. R., R. N. Kraus, and R. Kumar. 2011. “Influence of types of coarse aggregates on the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete.” J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 23 (4): 467–472. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000198.
Rao, S., H. Abdualla, H. Lee, and M. Darter. 2022. Evaluation of concrete pavement buckling in Wisconsin. Madison, WI: Wisconsin DOT.
Rogers, C. E., and P. Schiefer. 2012. Alleviating the effects of pavement growth on structures. Lansing MI: Michigan DOT.
Smith, K. D., M. B. Snyder, M. I. Darter, M. J. Reiter, and K. T. Hall. 1987. Pressure relief and other joint rehabilitation techniques. Washington, DC: Federal Highway Administration.
Snyder, M. B., K. D. Smith, and M. I. Darter. 1989. “Evaluation of pressure relief joint installations.” Transp. Res. Rec. 1215 (1): 258–267.
Timms, A. G. 1964. “Evaluating subgrade friction-reducing mediums for rigid pavements.” Highway Res. Rec. 60 (Jun): 28–38.
William, G., S. Shourkry, and M. Riad. 2005. “Thermal stresses in steel girder bridges with integral abutments.” Bridge Struct. 1 (2): 103–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732480500125593.
Xin, D., D. G. Zollinger, A. Member, and R. W. James. 1992. “One-dimensional model for analysis of CRC pavement growth.” J. Transp. Eng. 118 (4): 557–575. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-947X(1992)118:4(557).
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 10, 2023
Accepted: Sep 26, 2023
Published online: Nov 27, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 27, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Bridge abutments
- Bridge components
- Bridge decks
- Bridge engineering
- Bridge management
- Bridges
- Building management
- Decks
- Engineering fundamentals
- Equipment and machinery
- Infrastructure
- Maintenance and operation
- Pavements
- Probe instruments
- Stress (by type)
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Structural systems
- Thermal loads
- Transportation engineering
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.