Field Evaluation of Alternative and Cost-Efficient Bridge Approach Slabs

Recently Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in collaboration with Missouri Transportation Institute (MTI) and the National University Transportation Center (NUTC) funded a study to develop cost efficient alternative bridge approach slab (BAS) designs (Thiagarajan et al. 2010). After surveying the cost and performance of different bridge approach slabs being used by Departments of Transportation (DOT) around the country, performing numerical modeling and simulations, and analyzing cost data, the study has recommended three new BAS designs for possible adoption and implementation by MoDOT. These include: a) 20 feet cast in place (CIP) slab with sleeper slab - for new construction on major roads; b) 25 feet precast prestressed slab with sleeper slab - for replacement and new construction applications on major and minor roads; and c) 25 feet modified BAS without a sleeper slab for new CIP construction on minor roads. Additionally, the use of Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM), aka flowable fill, as a backfill material behind bridge abutments under the BAS was suggested as a possibility to solve problematic bridge approach slab issues, such as excessive settlement, loss of support due to erosion, and others. A preliminary short study was performed to evaluate feasibility of producing low cost CLSM mixtures suitable for this application. In this project, researchers propose to collaborate with MoDOT engineers to evaluate the field performance of the BAS designs, recommended by the earlier study, through their implementation on a series of pilot projects. Field performance of the new designs and their impact on construction duration and cost will be evaluated using a variety of methods including visual evaluation, profilograph studies, surveying, field instrumentation, collection of actual cost and duration data from the field engineers, and project close out interviews with the field engineers.

• Record URL:
  http://utc.mst.edu/research/R272.html
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Additional Secondary Number: 00034506 Additional Project URL: http://utc.mst.edu/research/R273.html

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $191230.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT06-G-0014

  00034054

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Missouri Department of Transportation

  1617 Missouri Boulevard
  P.O. Box 270
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65102
• Principal Investigators:

  Thiagarajan, Ganesh

  Myers, John

• Start Date: 20110101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20121231
• Source Data: RiP Project 28358

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Benefit cost analysis; Bridge approaches; Bridge design; Evaluation and assessment; Flowable fill
• Identifier Terms: Missouri Department of Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge approach slabs
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Finance; Safety and Human Factors; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01517418
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies
• Contract Numbers: DTRT06-G-0014, 00034054
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Mar 7 2014 1:01AM