Modified sheet pile abutments for low-volume road bridges
By: by Ryan Evans, David White, and Wayne Klaiber
Contributors: White, David J., Ph. D.; Klaiber, Wayne; Iowa State University. Center for Earthworks Engineering Research; Iowa State University. Bridge Engineering Center; Iowa. Highway Research Board; Iowa. Department of Transportation
Publisher: Iowa State University
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Ames, Iowa
Language: eng
Number of pages: 278
Subjects: Bridges; Abutments; Low-volume roads; Bridge abutments; Sheet piling
Description: To date there have been few investigations of the substructures in low-volume road (LVR) bridges. Steel sheet piling has the potential to provide an economical alternative to concrete bridge abutments, but it needs investigation with regard to vertical and lateral load resistance, construction methods, and performance monitoring. The objectives of this project were to develop a design approach for sheet pile bridge abutments for short-span low-volume bridges, formulate an instrumentation and monitoring plan to evaluate performance of sheet pile abutment systems, and understand the cost and construction effort associated with building the sheet pile bridge abutment demonstration project. Three demonstration projects (Boone, Blackhawk, and Tama Counties) were selected for the design, construction, and monitoring of sheet pile abutments bridges. Each site was unique and required site-specific design and instrumentation monitoring. The key findings from this study include the following: (1) sheet pile abutment bridges provide an effective solution for LVR bridges, (2) the measured stresses and deflection were different from the assumed where the differences reflect conservatisms in the design and the complex field conditions, and (3) additional research is needed to optimize the design.
Notes: "January 2012."

"A report from Center for Earthworks Engineering Research and the Bridge Engineering Center, Iowa State University."

Includes bibliographical references: (p. 191-193).

Final report.

Sponsored by the Iowa Highway Research Board and the Iowa Dept. of Transportation. IHRB project TR-568 InTrans project 07-283