Case study on foundation aberration of a river-crossing bridge in Taiwan

Abstract

A field investigation reported progressively severe scour around a bridge river-crossing PC bridge in southern Taiwan after a series of typhoons and storms. Layout misalignment was found on caissons up to 1.7 meters from their designate positions. A retrofit project was executed with concrete to integrate substructures and caissons as one structural element. Unfortunately, embedded caissons were exposed their upper portion on 6 piers in different severities. Failure retrofitting developed as structural discontinuities on 3 piers. Such a deficiency could impinge on the toppling issue of superstructure in case of occurrence of critical flooding or earthquake. A substructural stability analysis indicated its structural stability lying on the unsafe side on the most severe structural detrimental pier for the pier bottom was partially attached atop a caisson without any protection or repair. Finally, temporary substructural retrofitting was suggested to improve the weak linking between pier and caisson.

MEMS Vibrational Power Generator for Bridge Slab and Pier Health Monitoring

“…On the other hand, substructure, which consists of piers and abutments, etc., supports the 2 of 13 entire bridge structure and loads on the underground footings. Their long-term deterioration due to external loadings in the service environment is vastly reported as regards fatigue damage with crack propagation in concrete slabs and pier scours due to heavy rains and floods [2,3]. Damage in slabs is mostly found in highway (motorway) superstructures, while pier scouring is naturally recognized as the main cause of damage and failure of bridges over waterways.…”