RAPID REPLACEMENT

摘要

As the number of bridges in need of repair or re- placement continues to grow, the search for a cost- effective solution becomes increasingly important. In the field of retaining walls, the use of structures employing mechanically stabilized earth or geosyn- thetic reinforced soil (GRS) approaches has helped to decrease costs. As it happens, concepts from these technologies can also be applied to bridges, saving money and reducing construction time. In the first such project in the state of Delaware, a two-lane bridge nearing the end of its design life was replaced with what is known as a GRS integrated bridge system (IBS). Developed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this system yields a composite bridge structure featuring GRS abutments and prefabricated bridge superstructure elements.