Project Summary

The overall objective of this research is to improve the guidelines for the modeling, design, and construction of integral abutment bridges (IABs). Based on import from the DOTs the following topics were considered for the study: (1) a study of the effect of skew angle and other factors on the distribution of forces between superstructure and substructure; (2) a study of the effect of the roadway profile grade on the substructure; and (3) a study of the constructability of HP piles supported on a site with shallow bedrock. Year 3 The focus of the third year of this ongoing research has been: (a)To verify the findings of the analytical study in Years 1 and 2 of skew IABs. This is being done by means of a parametric study using a full three dimensional finite element model of a sample single span skew IAB, varying parameters such as the skew angle, the ratio of the length to the width of the bridge, and the
stiffness parameters of substructure; (b) To provide enhanced guidelines for the finite-element modeling and the assessment of the impact of modeling techniques on the accuracy of the analysis results for skew and non-skew IABs. Input from the DOTs and from industry will be taken into consideration in the developing of these guidelines.