Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil – Integrated Bridge Systems (GRS-IBS) is a fast, cost-effective method of bridge support that blends the roadway into the superstructure. GRS-IBS includes a reinforced soil foundation, a GRS abutment and a GRS integrated approach. The application of IBS has several advantages. The system is easy to design and economical to construct. It can be built in variable weather conditions with readily available labor, materials and equipment and can be easily modified in the field. This method has significant value when employed for small, single span structures. This course presents the concepts and design guidelines for a GRS-IBS abutment.
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Composite Behavior
Terminology
Design Methods
External Stability
Internal Stability
Case Histories
At the conclusion of this course, the user will:
Understand the concept of using GRS-IBS for bridge abutments
Understand how reinforcement spacing, reinforcement strength and reinforcement length all impact the structure
Understand how to evaluate the external stability of a GRS-IBS abutment
Understand how to evaluate the internal stability of a GRS-IBS abutment
Understand the advantages of using a GRS-IBS abutment for single span bridges.
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
This course is intended as an introduction to GRS-IBS bridge abutments. While equations are provided in the course, understanding the equations is not necessary to understanding the principles of GRS-IBS. As such the intended audience includes engineers responsible for design of bridge abutment design and decision makers responsible for bridge replacements.
COURSE SUMMARY:
This course provides an overview of the concepts and design methods for GRS-IBS bridge abutments. It includes a description of the various components of GRS-IBS abutments along with a description of how these components are used. This course is based on the Federal Highway Administration document FHWA-HRT-11-027, “Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System Synthesis Report.”
