Comparison of Field Behavior with Results from Numerical Analysis of a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System Subjected to Thermal Effects

When subjected to ambient daily temperature fluctuations, a 109.5 ft-long geosynthetic reinforced soil integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) was observed to undergo cyclic straining of the superstructure. The upper and lower reaches of the superstructure experienced the highest and lowest strain fluctuation, respectively. These non-uniform strains impose not only axial loading of the superstructure but also bending. Pure axial loading in a horizontal superstructure will cause the footings to slide. However, bending in the superstructure will cause the footings to rotate thereby inducing cyclic fluctuations of the vertical pressure beneath the footing and also lateral pressure behind the end walls. Measured vertical footing pressure closest to the stream experienced the greatest daily pressure fluctuation (≈ 2,500–3,000 psf), while that nearest the end wall experienced the least. The toe pressure fluctuations seem rather large. That these large vertical pressure fluctuations are observed in a tropical climate like Hawaii when no other GRS-IBS in temperate regions has reported the same (or perhaps higher fluctuation) is indeed surprising. The larger these pressures are, the greater the likelihood of inducing cyclic-induced deformations of the GRS abutment. A finite element analysis of the same GRS-IBS was performed by applying an equivalent temperature and gradient to the superstructure over the coldest and hottest periods of a day to see if the field measured values of pressures are reasonable and verifiable, which indeed they were. This methodology is novel in the sense that the effects of axial load and bending of the superstructure are simulated using measured strains rather than measured temperatures.