DEVELOPEMT AND CHRACTERISITCS OF GRS INTEGRAL BRIDGE

Abstract

“Geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) Integral Bridge” comprises “Integral Bridge” and “Bridge with GRS Retaining Walls as Abutments”, improving the structural and soil components, respectively, of conventional type bridges. GRS Integral Bridge is characterised by; 1) the use of a continuous girder connected to the top of RC facing, without using bearings, which reduces the cost for construction and maintenance; 2) reinforcing the backfill with geosynthetic reinforcement (e.g., a geogrid) connected to the back of the facing; and 3) the staged construction of a full-height rigid facing by casting-in-place concrete on the wrapped-around wall face of the reinforced backfill after the deformation of the backfill and supporting ground by the backfill weight is over, which makes possible high compaction of the backfill immediately behind the facing and prevents the damage to the connection between the reinforcement and the facing while making the structure of the facing simple and the need for pile foundations lighter. As the facing is a continuous beam supported at many levels with a small vertical span (i.e., 30 cm), damage by annual cyclic thermal deformation of the girder and seismic load is minimised.