S56_Innovative Bridge Applications in Louisiana Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS IBS)_LTC2013

7/29/2019 S56_Innovative Bridge Applications in Louisiana Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS IBS)_LTC2013

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2013 Louisiana Transportation Conference

GRS-IBSGeosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS)Integrated Bridge System (IBS)

Technology

Stephen M. Meunier, P.E.

AdministratorLA DOTD Pavement & Geotechnical Engineering Section
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts/


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Every Day Counts (EDC)

InitiativeWhat is it?

EDC is an FHWA initiative designedaround three pillars:

Make FHWA a greener Agency & reduce

carbon footprintAccelerating Technology & Innovation

Deployment

Shortening Project Delivery



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Accelerating Technology &

Innovation Deployment:

Warm Mix Asphalt

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil

Prefabricated Bridge Elements & Systems Safety Edge

Adaptive Signal Control Technology



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Shortening Project Delivery Toolkit:

Planning & Environmental Linkages Legal Sufficiency Enhancements

Expanding Use of Programmatic

Agreements

Use of In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Banking

Clarifying Scope of Preliminary Design



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Shortening Project Delivery Toolkit:

(continued)

Flexibilities in Utility Accommodation &Relocation

Enhanced Technical Assistance on

Delayed EISs Design Build

Construction Manager/General

Contractor



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Accelerating Technology &

Innovation Deployment

My Presentation will be discussing:

GRS-IBD Technology



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What is GRS-IBS Technology?

A form of accelerated bridge construction

that:Lowers cost

Slashes construction time

Improves durability Increases safetyall at the same time

For budget-challenged states & parishes,

this is a life-saver



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What is GRS-IBS Technology?

Uses alternating layers of compactedgranular fill material and fabric sheets of

geotextile reinforcement for the bridge

Provides a smooth transition betweenbridge & roadwayremoves the bump

at the end of the bridge



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What are GRS-IBS Advantages?

Reduced construction time Reduced costs of 25-60 %

Smaller construction equipment

Flexible design thats easily modified toaccommodate changed field conditions



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What sites are feasible for GRS?

Over 80% of US bridges are 140-ft or lessin length

Single spans can be used for this solution,

removing piles and pile bents 30-ft max abutment height

Grade separation

Low velocity stream crossings



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How does GRS work?

In lieu of deepfoundation system, Reinf.

Soil system builds fdn. in

a simpler way

First facing blocks, then

layer of fill, then fabric



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How does GRS work?

Laborer laying row of facing blocks



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Three Main GRS Components:

Reinforced Soil Foundation



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GRS Abutment



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GRS Approach



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Typical Cross-Section of GRS System:



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Typical Cross-Section of GRS System:



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Typical Project



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Typical Project Pics



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Helpful Website Info:


www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts/

A full brochure and a detailed multi-media

presentation is available on this website
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/everydaycounts/


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GRS TECHNOLOGY IN LOUISIANA



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UPPER OUACHITA NWR


Cost 40% less than pile-supported bridges

Bridges instrumented with inclinometers and extensometers

Total settlement was less than 1.5 with 0.5 of differential

Spread Footing on Abutment (From FHWA pres.) New Bridge (Taken from FHWA-HRT-11-027)

Three new 76-foot concrete box bridges Built to replace old rail car bridges

Bridge Sites are submerged 6 months out of the year

New GRS Design:

Cutoff Creek, Cecil Creek, Big Lake 2Union Parish


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YSCLOSKEY BRIDGE


Near-surface soils generally consisted of soft silty

clay Span was designed for 270-kip loads at each end

LADOTD considered piles and geogrid reinforced

footing

Reinforced footing option is not exactly GRS, but a

similar application

Recommendation included supporting the bridge

ends on timber mats placed on a 48 thicklimestone pad

Reinforcing (BX1200 geogrid or equivalent) was

placed every 8 to 10 within the reinforced stone

footing

Detour Bridge Plan Layout

Temporary Acrow bridge to handle additional BP spill traffic 110 span constructed adjacent to existing pile-supported bridge

New Footing Design:

LA 625 St. Bernard Parish


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CREEK BRIDGE


Subgrade soils consist of medium to stiff clay

Live load @ beam seat: 237 kips, dead load: 190 kips

Scour depth approximately 5 below channel bottom 10 wall height (from top of RSF, not from mudline)

10.6 RSF width

GRS Abutment & Bridge Plan

New 30-foot slab span bridge Replacing 24.1 x 20 treated timber trestle bridge

New GRS Design:

Route LA 91 Vermilion Parish

Existing Bridge


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MAREE MICHEL BRIDGE


Subgrade soils consist of stiff to very stiff clay

Live load @ beam seat: 320 kips, dead load: 282 kips

Scour depth approximately 5 below channel bottom

13.3 wall height (from top of RSF, not from mudline), 8.1 RSF width

GRS Abutment & Bridge Plan

New 65-foot steel girder span bridge Replacing 23.9 x 59 treated timber trestle bridge

New GRS Design:

Route LA 91 Vermilion Parish


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QUESTIONS?....

COMMENTS?....

2013 L i i T t ti C f

Documents

S56_Innovative Bridge Applications in Louisiana Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System (GRS IBS)_LTC2013