Rapid-Construction Technique for Bridge Abutments Using Controlled Low-Strength Materials

Abstract

The time required for building bridge abutments is one of the main obstacles facing rapid bridge construction. For typical span bridges, this can be remedied by using controlled low-strength materials (CLSM) as backfill materials placed behind full-height, precast concrete panels that are integrated with the CLSM backfill via steel anchors. The CLSM bridge abutments can be constructed in a short time as they require neither heavy machinery for excavation and compaction nor piling equipment. In addition to the speedy construction, the ability to use by-product material, such as fly ash and foundry sand, in CLSM backfill translates into greater economy and the potential for a sustainable design. This paper describes the behavior of an instrumented laboratory, large-scale CLSM bridge abutment with full-height, precast concrete panels that was subjected to a monotonically increasing sill pressure. The experiment showed that the CLSM bridge abutment is capable of carrying typical bridge loads with a large safety margin and with negligible deformations.