Limitations for Semi-Integral Abutment Bridges
Semi-integral abutments are known to help reduce various serviceability issues in bridges while also allowing for construction in various situations where integral abutments would be prohibited. The reduction in serviceability issues is because when compared to stub abutments, semi-integral abutments have fewer joints that are likely to leak. Compared to integral abutments, semi-integral abutments generally have less restraint in the longitudinal direction, resulting in less severe concrete cracks due to thermal expansion and contraction (Phares et al., 2015). Semi-integral abutments with less cracking results in less deterioration because of the minimized penetration of water and deicing salts. Even more, there are some instances where integral abutments simply will not work well and semi-integral abutments offer an opportunity to achieve a high level of performance. This research project will pursue three main research objectives: (1) Perform a literature search with respect to state department of transportation (DOT) limits (e.g., bridge length, skew, etc.) for semi-integral abutments. Include summary of semi-integral abutment details used by state DOTs. (2) Inspect and report on Iowa bridges which include semi-integral abutments and tied approach details. (3) Establish a field monitoring program for at least two semi-integral abutment bridges for a period of 2 years. Selected bridges with semi-integral abutment should include one or more of the following attributes: Skews equal to or greater than 45 degrees; Total bridge expansion length equals or exceeds the DOTs integral abutment limits. Numbers 1 and 2 are being performed as part of the original IHRB-16-15 "Increase Service Life at Bridge Ends through Improved Abutment and Approach Slab Details and Water Management Practices. This research project should be able to summarize the relevant findings from that research project. To achieve the objectives of this project, six tasks are proposed. The tasks will be performed in very close communication with a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) throughout the duration of the project. To this end, the research team plans to hold quarterly meetings with the TAC to update them on progress and to ensure that the research direction is as desired. Task 1. Perform literature search; Task 2. Conduct a survey of state DOTs; Task 3. Inspect a selected set of Iowa bridges; Task 4. Field monitoring of semi-integral abutment bridges; Task 5. Develop design guidelines and details; and Task 6. Final Report.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $89990
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Contract Numbers:
TR-739
Add 637
ISU proposal number 140968
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Sponsor Organizations:
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA United States 50010 -
Managing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research and Education
2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
Ames, IA United States 50010-8664 -
Project Managers:
Abu-Hawash, Ahmad
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Performing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research and Education
2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
Ames, IA United States 50010-8664 -
Principal Investigators:
Shafei, Behrouz
- Start Date: 20171115
- Expected Completion Date: 20201031
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Abutments; Bridge design; Field studies; Highway bridges; State departments of transportation
- Geographic Terms: Iowa
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01651533
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Iowa Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: TR-739, Add 637, ISU proposal number 140968
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Nov 27 2017 11:10AM