Integral bridge abutment - approach embankment interaction

Abstract

<p>The study deals with the development of long jointless bridges with a focus on soil–structure interaction. The instrumentation of Haavistonjoki Bridge was completed in the autumn of 2003. The data were collected by monitoring altogether 191 gauges installed in the bridge structures during construction. The instrumentation was used to measure, for instance, the abutment's horizontal displacement, abutment rotation, abutment pile strains, earth pressures behind abutments, superstructure displacements, frost depth, and air temperature. Haavistonjoki Bridge is a 56 m long continuous 3-span slab bridge. The measured earth pressures were compared with calculated pressures. The bridge over Leduån is a single span composite bridge. The cast-in-place concrete deck acts together with two steel beams. The 40 m span bridge is very slender with the height of superstructure 1.7 m. Totally 34 measurements were constantly recorded and stored in a period of at least 18 months. The bridge over Edslan has a 19.8 m span and a 7.65 m wide concrete slab. The test results are verified with calculations.</p>