Seismic-Induced Deformations of a Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutment Subjected to Longitudinal Shaking

Wenyong Rong, Yewei Zheng, John S. McCartney, Patrick J. Fox

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) bridge abutments have been used widely in highway infrastructure projects, understanding their response during earthquake loading is a remaining issue that is affecting their implementation throughout the U.S. In particular, the three-dimensional (3D) seismic response of GRS bridge abutments is critical to consider as the direction of shaking in the field may be uncertain and because experimental work has shown that it is possible to have horizontal deformations in directions other than the primary direction of shaking. Further, any horizontal deformations of the GRS bridge abutment may be linked with settlements of the bridge seat, so 3D deformations are important to understand. This study involves 3D numerical simulations of the seismic response of a hypothetical GRS bridge abutment experiencing one-dimensional horizontal shaking in the longitudinal direction of the bridge beam, focusing on the lateral deformations of the GRS bridge abutment in the longitudinal and the transverse directions. Time histories of the horizontal deformations in both directions are presented and synthesized with settlements of the bridge seat to evaluate the applicability of using the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design method linking vertical and lateral static deformations by assuming zero-volume change in the GRS mass to seismic loading.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)147-157
Number of pages11
JournalGeotechnical Special Publication
Volume2018-March
Issue numberGSP 297
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
Event3rd International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo 2018: Developments in Earth Retention, Support Systems, and Tunneling, IFCEE 2018 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Mar 5 2018Mar 10 2018

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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