Bloodworth, Alan G., Xu, Ming, Banks, James R and Clayton, Chris R. I. (2011) Predicting the earth pressure on integral bridge abutments. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 17 (2). pp. 371-381.

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Abstract

The soil adjacent to integral bridge abutments experiences daily and annual temperature-induced cyclic loading due to expansion and contraction of the bridge deck. This causes a particular soil response and complicated soil-structure interaction problem, with considerable uncertainties in design. This paper describes a method of calculating the effects of thermal cycling by using the results of laboratory cyclic stress path testing within a numerical model. Samples of stiff clay and sand were tested in the triaxial apparatus under stress paths typical for behind an integral abutment. Distinct behavior was observed for the two soils, with stiff clay showing relatively little buildup of lateral stress with cycles, whereas for sand stresses continued to increase, exceeding at-rest and approaching full passive pressures. To explore the implications of these findings on the soil-abutment interaction and to estimate the lateral stresses acting on the abutment as a whole, a numerical (finite difference) model was developed with a soil model reproducing the sand behavior at element level. The numerical model gave good agreement with published centrifuge and field data, and indicated that the stress profile specified in some current standards is conservative. Influence of abutment stiffness and wall friction is also quantified.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TG Bridge engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > Engineering
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Bridges -- Abutments, Settlement of structures, Numerical analysis, Soil, Sand, Clay
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Bridge Engineering
Publisher:	American Society of Civil Engineers
ISSN:	1084-0702
Official Date:	25 April 2011
Dates:	Date Event 25 April 2011 Published
Volume:	17
Number:	2
Page Range:	pp. 371-381
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Mott MacDonald International Ltd., People's Republic of China/Hong Kong Postgraduate Scholarship (PRC/HK) , Universities UK. Overseas Research Studentship
Related URLs:	Other Repository

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