System and method for repair of bridge abutment and culvert constructions

摘要

A system and method provides for repair/reconstruction of bridge and culvert constructions. Geosynthetically confined soils are used in combination with soil nails. The soil nails provide additional tensile strength below the areas reinforced with the geosynthetically confined soils. The soil nails may include both horizontal and vertical soil nails. Various forms of vertical tensioning support can be provided to include soil nails, micro-piles, sheet piling, and the like. The confined soils are installed at locations under and adjacent to the man made constructions, and can be provided in both symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations. For bridge constructions, the confined soils may be installed at a desired depth under the bridge girders, and under other primary support members of the bridge. Horizontal nails may be installed under and adjacent to the confined soils. According to the method, incremental excavation can take place so that the manmade construction being repaired may remain partially open to accommodate public travel or other intended uses, thereby limiting the impact of the repair/reconstruction effort.

主权项

1. A system for repair or reconstruction of a subsurface support of an overlying manmade construction, said subsurface support including an abutment with at least one wall, said system comprising:
geosynthetically confined soils installed within an excavated area adjacent to the subsurface support; a plurality of first soil nails emplaced through the at least one wall, and below the geosynthetically confined soils, said soil nails being employed at an angle, including a horizontal component; said geosynthetically confined soils include at least two sections, each section having a different density defined by selected aggregate and/or soil that fills the gaps between the layers of sheet material, a first section of said at least two sections is located beneath said manmade construction, and a second section of said at least two sections is located adjacent to the first section, said geosynthetically confined soils having a lateral extension that extends at least a ratio of 0.70 with respect to a height of the subsurface support; and a plurality of second soil nails emplaced substantially vertically through a base of the abutment.