Effectiveness of Geosynthetics in Alleviating Bridge Approach Settlement through Numerical Study
摘要
Bridge approach settlement is a common problem that can significantly damage the bridge structure and pose safety hazards for motorists. This bridge approach settlement results from the differential settlement between the approach slab and bridge deck (A/D) or approach slab and pavement (A/P). Various mitigation techniques are available to alleviate the bridge approach settlement depending on the site condition and level of settlement that is expected to occur. One of the mitigation techniques is the provision of geosynthetics in bridge approaches, which offer lateral restraint, membrane, and load redistribution effects. This paper investigates the efficacy of geogrid reinforcement in reducing differential settlement at the A/P ends. A case study of a real Road Over Bridge is modeled numerically using a finite element (FE) tool in Plaxis 3D. Thereafter the settlement profile of the A/P ends with and without geosynthetics have been observed in the vicinity of vehicular loading as per IRC 6. Further, a parametric study has been carried out to assess the impact of geosynthetics in various scenarios, taking into account factors such as void formation beneath the approach slab, and breakage of the approach slab. Optimization of the adequate number of geogrid reinforcement (N) to obtain the minimum bump formation at the ends has been done. The numerical analysis shows that an increase in the number of geogrid layers leads to a reduction in the vertical settlement at the A/P ends. The results obtained are promising, however further study is required based on the various parameters of geogrids for site-specific settlement mitigation.