Advancing Implementation of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge Systems (GRS-IBS)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has developed and promoted geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) technology to deliver accelerated bridge construction economically, primarily for relatively small bridges. The technology harnesses the stiffness of GRS to eliminate the need for piling or other conventional foundation systems. Eliminating piling typically results in cost and schedule benefits. Despite the cost and time savings and performance benefits associated with GRS-IBS technology, it has not experienced widespread implementation. Use of the technology is likely becoming more common and widespread, particularly with several agencies deploying GRS-IBS on numerous occasions. However, other agencies have likely not implemented GRS-IBS because of a lack of familiarity with the technology and its implementation benefits. To help overcome this lack of familiarity, the research team documented recent implementations focusing on technical performance and practical lessons from agency experiences in contracting and constructing these types of bridges. These GRS-IBS experiences were culled from a literature review, interviews with agency and contractor personnel, and the research team’s experience with construction and performance observations of the Rustic Road GRS-IBS project in Boone County, Missouri. The final report, tech transfer summary, and implementation aid that were developed as a result of this work are for two Midwest Transportation Center research projects: Advancing Implementation of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge Systems (GRS-IBS) and Implementation Evaluation of the Rustic Road Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil-Integrated Bridge System.

• Record URL:
  http://intrans.iastate.edu/mtc/index.cfm/research/project/project/-1746474987
• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/research/projects/detail/?projectID=-1746474987
• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/publications/_documents/t2summaries/GRS-IBS_implementation_advancements_t2.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/research/documents/research-reports/GRS-IBS_implementation_advancements_w_cvr.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/publications/_documents/t2summaries/GRS-IBS_advancements_implementation_aid.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Midwest Transportation Center University of Missouri - Columbia ($44,999.00) USDOT/OST-R ($71,349.00)

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $116348.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC37

• Sponsor Organizations:

  University of Missouri, Columbia

  Columbia, MO  United States  65211

  Department of Transportation

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  Midwest Transportation Center

  Iowa State University
  2711 S Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Managing Organizations:

  Midwest Transportation Center

  Iowa State University
  2711 S Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Missouri, Columbia

  Columbia, MO  United States  65211
• Principal Investigators:

  Bowders, John

  Boeckmann, Andrew

• Start Date: 20140201
• Expected Completion Date: 20171030
• Actual Completion Date: 20171101
• Source Data: RiP Project 39615

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Geosynthetics; Implementation; Integrated systems; Reinforcement (Engineering); Soil mechanics; Technological innovations
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01562689
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Midwest Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC37
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: May 2 2015 1:01AM