Field monitoring of vertical stress distribution in GRS-IBS with full-height rigid facings

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the first geosynthetic reinforced soil-integrated bridge system (GRS-IBS) with full-height rigid facings in China. Open graded gravel and biaxial geogrid were used for the GRS-IBS. Steel frames and three-dimensional (3D) vegetation nets were used as temporary facing support during construction of the GRS abutments. Full-height rigid facings were cast in place on strip foundations. Field monitoring results of vertical stress distribution for different construction stages and loading conditions are presented and discussed. For both bridge dead load and truck loads, measured incremental vertical stresses under the beam seat increase significantly with increasing elevation, especially for higher applied vertical stress. The calculated incremental vertical soil stresses using the Boussinesq solution are in reasonable agreement with the measured values, while the 2 : 1 stress distribution method overestimates the incremental stresses in the lower section of the abutment. The transferred vertical stresses from bridge load application for the GRS abutment with full-height rigid facing are larger than those for the GRS abutment with modular block facing near the top of the abutment, but are smaller near the bottom.