Preliminary Results for a GRS Integrated Bridge System Supporting a Large Single Span Bridge

Abstract

In order to refine Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System technology (developed by the FHWA), girders from a 42.7 m single span bridge were instrumented with strain gages, end pressures were measured using horizontal pressure cells, and the abutments were instrumented with vertical pressure cells and survey targets to measure girder footing and abutment wall movements. After a six month monitoring period, vertical deflections are within tolerable limits (ranging from 1.1 to 4.6 cm) and there are no visible cracks at the bridge-approach interface. The strain gages and earth pressure cells continue to collect meaningful data in terms of magnitude and trend. A change in ambient temperature causes a temperature induced strain in the steel, which affects the lateral pressure measured behind the steel girders as expected. Vertical pressures in the abutment are also affected by the thermal cycle. This paper will display the preliminary results from this project.