Title: | Thermal Behavior of IDOT Integral Abutment Bridges and Proposed Design Modifications |
Author(s): | Olson, Scott M.; Holloway, Kurt P.; Buenker, Jason M.; Long, James H.; LaFave, James M. |
Subject(s): | integral abutment bridges, jointless bridges, design length, design skew, thermal bridge design, pile foundations |
Abstract: | The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has increasingly constructed integral abutment bridges (IABs)
over the past few decades, similar to those in many other states. Because the length and skew limitations
currently employed by IDOT have not necessarily been based on rigorous engineering analyses, an extensive 3-
D parametric study has been performed, complemented by installation of field monitoring equipment on two
recently constructed bridges, to potentially expand the use of IABs in Illinois. Some notable findings from this
study include: (1) IAB configuration with extreme skew (> 60°) can perform well with proper detailing; (2) H-pile
webs oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bridge, regardless of skew, substantially reduces weak-axis
bending; (3) compacted backfill reduces pile stresses; (4) live loads affect thermally induced pile stresses; (5)
longer intermediate spans tend to increase pile stresses; and (6) time-dependent behaviors, such as concrete
shrinkage, may significantly influence maximum pile stresses. Based on these findings, a more rigorously
developed set of recommendations for maximum IAB lengths and skews in Illinois are proposed. |
Issue Date: | 2013-05 |
Series/Report: | FHWA-ICT-12-022 |
Genre: | Technical Report |
Type: | Text |
Language: | English |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2142/45760 |
ISSN: | 0197-9191 |
Publication Status: | published or submitted for publication |
Peer Reviewed: | not peer reviewed |
Sponsor: | Illinois Department of Transportation R27-55 |
Rights Information: | No restrictions. This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161 |
Date Available in IDEALS: | 2013-09-18 |