Mitigation of Differential Settlement at Highway Bridge Approaches
Differential settlement in the transition zone between the bridge structure and the approach embankment often creates a "bump" which is a potential safety hazard and comfort issue for drivers. Studies conducted by DOTs around the country suggest that about 25 percent of the 600,000 bridges in the US are affected by bridge approach settlement or the "bump at the end of the bridge." The settlements can result in unsafe driving conditions, rider discomfort, structural deterioration of bridges and long-term maintenance costs. Identifying additional geotechnical or structural means to mitigate this issue, which might be employed in conjunction with preloading, is of benefit to many State DOTs. These benefits might be achieved by providing the project team with the advantages and detriments of supplemental options in terms of their efficacy, cost, schedule, and ease-of-construction. This research focuses on identifying innovative means to mitigate this issue during design and construction, whether through initial cost savings or by providing superior long-term performance, will provide value. This might be gained either through savings from initial capital investment or through life-cycle cost reductions, hence assisting in the preservation of key infrastructure.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $144368
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Contract Numbers:
69A3551747108
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Sponsor Organizations:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
University Transportation Centers Program
Department of Transportation
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
North Dakota State University
Fargo, ND United States 58108 -
Project Managers:
Tolliver, Denver
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Performing Organizations:
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
110 Central Campus Drive Suite 2000
Salt Lake City, UT United States 84112 -
Principal Investigators:
Bartlett, Steven
- Start Date: 20190112
- Expected Completion Date: 20240731
- Actual Completion Date: 0
- USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers Program
- Source Data: MPC-586
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge approaches; Geotechnical engineering; Highway bridges; Safety; Settlement (Structures); State departments of transportation
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01691231
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Mountain-Plains Consortium
- Contract Numbers: 69A3551747108
- Files: UTC, RIP
- Created Date: Jan 24 2019 9:00AM