Settlement characteristics of bridge approach embankment based on scale model test

Abstract

In order to analyze the effects of backfill materials, geometries and slab setting on the settlement of bridge approach embankment, scale model was built based on the structural characteristics of bridge approach embankment, and scale model tests were carried out under different conditions. The results show that when graded gravels were selected as the backfill materials, the effect of setting approach slab to reduce the differential settlement is more prominent. When lime soils were selected as the backfill material, approach slab can moderate the longitudinal settlement slope. When using different backfill materials, the ultimate settlement of the positive trapezoidal backfill geometries is less than that of the inverted trapezoid, and the backfill geometries have little effect on the settlement slope.

Keywords

bridge approach / embankment / scale model / settlement / backfill

References

[1] LacoK, BorzoviäV. Reliability of approach slabs and modelling of transition zones of bridges [J]. Applied Mechanics & Materials, 2016, 821: 741-746

[2] NiuF-j, LinZ-j, LuJ-h, LiuH, XuZ-ying. Characteristics of roadbed settlement in embankment-bridge transition section along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in permafrost regions [J]. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 2011, 65(3): 437-445

[3] ZhouJ-l, ZhengM-l, WangC-t, JingW, MengJ-d, ChenJ-xing. Dynamic response analysis of road-bridge transition section without slab [J]. International Journal of Pavement Research and Technology, 2017, 10(6): 526-535

[4] IkemotoH, TakasakiH. Experimental study on method for controlling settlement of backfill of abutment [J]. Japanese Geotechnical Society Special Publication, 2016, 2(61): 2096-2100

[5] MuhoE V, BeskouN D. Dynamic response of an infinite beam resting on a Winkler foundation to a load moving on its surface with variable speed [J]. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 2018, 109: 150-153

[6] YuY-h, XieY-l, YangX-h, LiX-wei. Three-dimensional numerical analysis of geocell flexible approach slab for treating differential settlement at bridgesubgrade transition section [J]. China Journal of Highway & Transport, 2006, 20(4): 12-18(in Chinese)

[7] ZhangJ-h, PengJ-h, ZengL, LiJ, LiF. Rapid estimation of resilient modulus of subgrade soils using performance-related soil properties [J]. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 2019, 1: 1-8

[8] JAYAWICKRAMA P, NASH P, LEAVERTON M, MISHRA D. Water intrusion in base/subgrade materials at bridge ends [R]. Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Transportation, 2004. DOI: hdl.handle.net/2346/22808.

[9] MousaviS E, KaramvandA. Assessment of strength development in stabilized soil with GBR PLUS and silica sand [J]. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering (English Edition), 2017, 4(4): 412-421

[10] WhiteD J, MekkawyM M, SritharanS, SuleimanM T. “Underlying” causes for settlement of bridge approach pavement systems [J]. Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities, 2007, 21(4): 273-282

[11] ZhangJ-h, PengJ-h, ZhengJ-l, DaiL-l, YaoY-sheng. Prediction of resilient modulus of compacted cohesive soils in south China [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 19(7): 04019068

[12] BaiT, HuX-d, GuF. Practice of searching a noncircular critical slip surface in a slope with soil variability [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 19304018199

[13] REZAEI M, BINDIGANAVILE V. Application of cement-based foams for narrow-trench backfilling [J]. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 2020(11): 1–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2020.1722206.

[14] ZhouN, OuyangS-y, ChengQ-q, JuF. Experimental study on mechanical behavior of a new backfilling material: Cement-treated marine clay [J]. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2019, 2019: 1-8

[15] ZhangK-p, JiangL-m, WangZ-de. Research of the settlement of bridge approach slab’s impact on bump at bridgehead [C]. 2011 International Conference on Electric Technology and Civil Engineering (ICETCE), 2011, Lushan, IEEE, 589-592

[16] ParksS, YangM, GajanS, PeiQ. Strength-based differential tolerable settlement limits of bridges [J]. Advances in Structural Engineering, 2018, 21(1): 46-58

[17] WAHLS H E. Tolerable deformations [C]// Vertical & Horizontal Deformations of Foundations & Embankments. ASCE, 2015.

[18] PecníkM, BorzoviV, LacoK. Non-linear FEM analysis of integral bridges transition area [J]. Solid State Phenomena, 2017, 259: 152-157

[19] RamalakshmiM, DodagoudarG R. Passive force-displacement behaviour of GRS bridge abutments [J]. International Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Engineering, 2018, 4(4): 28-38

[20] LI Xi-an, WANG Li, HONG Bo, LI Lin-cui, LIU Jia, LEI Hao-nan. Erosion characteristics of loess tunnels on the Loess Plateau: A field investigation and experimental study [J]. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4857.

[21] RAJA P S K, THYAGARAJ T. Effect of compaction time delay on compaction and strength behavior of lime-treated expansive soil contacted with sulfate [J]. Innovative Infrastructure Solution, 2020, 5(14). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-020-0268-2.

[22] CaiC S, ShiX M, VoyiadjisG Z, ZhangZ J. Structural performance of bridge approach slabs under given embankment settlement [J]. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 2005, 10(4): 482-489

[23] ChenD-h, YiW. Performance of settled bridge-approach slabs with polyurethane-foam injection [J]. Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 2015, 43(6): 20140431

[24] WangZ-y, ZhangH, WangY-jun. Method of determining the length of approach slab for highway bridge [J]. Advanced Materials Research, 2014, 953–954: 1657-1662

[25] SUN Wen-bin, HE Wei-zhong, JIANG Yang, CHEN Bao-hai. Distresses and countermeasures of the abutment displacsments on the soft clay ground [C]// 2012 2nd International Conference on Consumer Electronics, Communications and Networks (CECNet). Yichang, 2012: 288–291. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CECNet.2012.6201379.

[26] JinX-q, ShaoX-d, YanB-f, PengW-hu. New technologies in China’s first jointless integral-abutment bridge [J]. IABSE Symposium Report, 2004, 88(6): 84-89

[27] TafreshiS N M, NorouziA. Application of waste rubber to reduce the settlement of road embankment [J]. Geomechanics & Engineering, 2015, 9(2): 219-241

[28] ZhangJ-h, GuF, ZhangY-qing. Use of building-related construction and demolition wastes in highway embankment: Laboratory and field evaluations [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 2301051-1060

[29] ZhangJ-h, DingL, LiF, PengJ-hui. Recycled aggregates from construction and demolition wastes as alternative filling materials for highway subgrades in China [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2020, 255120223

[30] ZHANG Jun-hui, PENG Jun-hui, LIU Wei-zheng, LU Wei-hua. Predicting resilient modulus of fine-grained subgrade soils considering relative compaction and matric suction [J]. Road Materials and Pavement Design, 2019: 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2019.1651756.

[31] ZhangJ-p, TanH-q, PeiJ-z, QuT, LiuW-long. Evaluating crack resistance of asphalt mixture based on essential fracture energy and fracture toughness [J]. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2019, 19(4): 06019005

[32] GB 506666–2011Code for construction of concrete structures [S], 2012, Beijing, China Architecture & Building Press(in Chinese

[33] LvS-t, LiuC-c, YaoH, ZhengJ-long. Comparisons of synchronous measurement methods on various moduli of asphalt mixtures [J]. Construction and Building Materials, 2018, 1581035-1045

[34] PengJ-h, ZhangJ-h, LiJ, YaoY-s, ZhangA-shun. Modeling humidity and stress-dependent subgrade soils in flexible pavements [J]. Computers and Geotechnics, 2020, 120103413