Performance of Pier-to-Pier Cap Connections of Integral Bridges under Thermal and Seismic Loads

In general, most highway bridges are constructed using prestressed concrete or steel girders. Mechanical joints are provided at the end of each span, to allow for the expansion of the bridge deck due to shrinkage of concrete, thermal effects, and deflections, among others. Smooth riding ability, low noise, wear resistance, and water tightness should be provided by expansion joints. In recent times, the increased traffic volume, along with heavier vehicle movements, adversely affects the performance of expansion joints in the bridge girder, causing a possible failure in one of the above-mentioned mechanisms. The deterioration of the expansion joint may result in leakage of water, concrete cracking, and potential problems in the underlying substructure. In this paper, we study the pier-pier cap connections in integral bridges subjected to thermal and seismic loads using analytical methods and experimental tests.

Geotechnical Design Practices and Soil–Structure Interaction Effects of an Integral Bridge System: A Review

Integral bridges are a class of bridges with integral or semi-integral abutments, designed without expansion joints in the bridge deck of the superstructure. The significance of an integral bridge design is that it avoids durability and recurring maintenance issues with bridge joints, and maybe bearings, which are prevalent in traditional bridges. Integral bridges are less costly to construct. They require less maintenance and therefore cause less traffic disruptions that incur socio-economic costs. As a consequence, integral bridges are becoming the first choice of bridge design for short-to-medium length bridges in many countries, including the UK, USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and many other Asian countries. However, integral bridge designs are not without challenges: issues that concern concrete creep, shrinkage, temperature effects, bridge skew, structural constraints, as well as soil–structure interactions are amplified in integral bridges. The increased cyclic soil–structure interactions between the bridge structure and soil will lead to adverse soil ratcheting and settlement bump at the bridge approach. If movements from bridge superstructures were also transferred to pile-supported substructures, there is a risk that the pile–soil interactions may lead to pile fatigue failure. These issues complicate the geotechnical aspects of integral bridges. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of current geotechnical design practices and the amelioration of soil–structure interactions of integral bridges.

Structural Design Issues For Integral Abutment Bridges

In recent years, integral abutment bridges have been increasingly used in Canada due to their low maintenance costs. Whereas a rational guideline to determine the maximum length and skew angle limits for integral bridges due to temperature variations do not exist in bridge codes. As such, structural behavior of integral bridges subjected to temperature variation was investigated through a numerical modeling. First, detailed 3D finite-element models were developed. The accuracy of finite-element models was validated against data collected from filed testing available in the literature on integral bridges subjected to the seasonal temperature variations and truck loading. Then, a parametric study was carried out to study the effects of key parameters on the performance of integral bridges when subjected to temperature variations. The numerical results indicated that number of design lanes, bridge length, abutment height, abutment-pile connection, pile size and skew angle had a significant impact on the behavior of integral bridges. Based on the data generated from the parametric study, new limits for the maximum length and skew angle of integral bridges based on displacement-ductility limit state of piles were established. Literature review revealed that live load distribution among girders in integral bridges due to truck loading conditions is as yet unavailable. This study is extended to develop new equations to estimate girder live load distribution factors for integral bridges. First, 2D and 3D finite-element models (FEMs) of integral bridges were developed. Then, a parametric study was performed to study the effects of parameters such as abutment height, abutment thickness, wingwall length, wingwall orientation, number of design lanes, span length, girder spacing and number of intermediate diaphragms. The results indicated that the live load distribution factors obtained from the FEMs were lower than those obtained from current CHBDC equations. Consequently, sets of empirical expressions were developed in the form of reduction factors that can be applied to CHBDC live load distribution factors to accurately calculate the girder distribution factors. Also, other set of equations for the live load distribution factors were developed in a similar form as that specified in CHBDC for possible inclusion in the bridge code.

Structural Design Issues For Integral Abutment Bridges

In recent years, integral abutment bridges have been increasingly used in Canada due to their low maintenance costs. Whereas a rational guideline to determine the maximum length and skew angle limits for integral bridges due to temperature variations do not exist in bridge codes. As such, structural behavior of integral bridges subjected to temperature variation was investigated through a numerical modeling. First, detailed 3D finite-element models were developed. The accuracy of finite-element models was validated against data collected from filed testing available in the literature on integral bridges subjected to the seasonal temperature variations and truck loading. Then, a parametric study was carried out to study the effects of key parameters on the performance of integral bridges when subjected to temperature variations. The numerical results indicated that number of design lanes, bridge length, abutment height, abutment-pile connection, pile size and skew angle had a significant impact on the behavior of integral bridges. Based on the data generated from the parametric study, new limits for the maximum length and skew angle of integral bridges based on displacement-ductility limit state of piles were established. Literature review revealed that live load distribution among girders in integral bridges due to truck loading conditions is as yet unavailable. This study is extended to develop new equations to estimate girder live load distribution factors for integral bridges. First, 2D and 3D finite-element models (FEMs) of integral bridges were developed. Then, a parametric study was performed to study the effects of parameters such as abutment height, abutment thickness, wingwall length, wingwall orientation, number of design lanes, span length, girder spacing and number of intermediate diaphragms. The results indicated that the live load distribution factors obtained from the FEMs were lower than those obtained from current CHBDC equations. Consequently, sets of empirical expressions were developed in the form of reduction factors that can be applied to CHBDC live load distribution factors to accurately calculate the girder distribution factors. Also, other set of equations for the live load distribution factors were developed in a similar form as that specified in CHBDC for possible inclusion in the bridge code.

Integral bridge and culvert design, Designer’s experience

This paper describes a small single-span integral bridge made of in-situ concrete. The bridge was designed by the author and built on the M9 motorway between the towns of Waterford and Kilcullen in Ireland. Selected parts of the bridge design are presented. First the principles of modelling and designing integral bridges and culverts are explained. Then the considered bridge’s design is described. The advantages and disadvantages of such structures are discussed. The focus is on the design, construction, cost and in-service behaviour of small integral bridges and culverts. In Conclusions the author shares his knowledge and experience relating to the design of small integral bridges and culverts and puts forward recommendations as to further research on this type of structures in Poland.