摘要: |
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. Throughout the United States, IABs are preferred over conventional bridge construction because they are generally cheaper and easier to construct; have lower maintenance costs because of reduced damage to bearings, expansion joints, and other conventional appurtenances; and will correspondingly enjoy longer service life spans. However, limitations on overall length and skew of IABs, as well as typical design details, vary considerably from state to state. Because the length and skew limitations currently employed by IDOT have not necessarily been based on rigorous engineering analyses, the project team has conducted an extensive 3-D parametric study, targeting typical IDOT IAB construction details and complemented by installation of field monitoring equipment on two recently constructed bridges, to potentially expand the use of IABs in Illinois. In conjunction with the parametric study, we performed an extensive literature review and corresponded with researchers and DOT officials from other states in the region for insight into other states design and construction practices for IABs. The 3-D parametric study focuses on identifying key interactions between the bridge superstructure, the abutment-foundation system, and the soil under thermally induced movements. |