Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil – Integrated Bridge Systems: Successful Private Sector Case Studies over the Last 20 Years.

摘要

The recent FHWA initiative to expand the use of GRS-IBS technology offers a multitude of benefits over more traditionalrnbridge construction, including reduced construction time, 25 to 60 percent cost savings over pile foundations, and thernelimination of the “bump at the bridge” problem associated with uneven settlement of the superstructure and thernapproaching roadway. GRS technology is based on closely spaced, relatively lightweight layers geotextile reinforcementrnalternated between layers of compacted granular fill, with the bridge superstructure founded directly on the GRSrncomposite. This flexible, simple, and generic technology is a viable option for many single-span bridges, but is oftenrnperceived as a “new” technology. This paper presents case studies from 5 bridges built using GRS-IBS technology in thernprivate sector over the last 20 years including a 191-foot span bridge built in Montana, a historic bridge replacementrnproject in one of California’s highest seismic zones, and an abutment constructed on 90 feet of zero blow count soils inrnJamaica.