Integral Bridges - Length Limitation, Transition Slabs, Examples

Abstract

Integral abutment bridges are becoming popular in Europe, mainly due to long term reduced maintenance costs. The lack of bearings and expansion joints means that the consumables are eliminated ensuring a longer life span of the structure and minimizing the need of human intervention. Most integral bridges usually have small or middle lengths, but in the last years longer bridges are being built. Special attention should be given to the soil-abutment interaction, as the bridge lengthens and shortens during the day and during the year, due to temperature differences and loading. Therefore the soil structure should accommodate the cyclic movements of the abutment and avoid settlements and cracks. Transition slabs are also key elements and targeted design can improve the behavior of the bridge. In the past years several integral bridges were built in Romania. The paper presents examples with bridges from the Romanian Motorway system, addressing the specific needs and adopted solutions in regard to their lengths.

Comparative analysis of concrete integral overpass with variable soil characteristic

“…Koncept integralnih mostova nastao je iz potrebe da se eliminiše upotreba ležišta na krajevima mosta iz razloga uštede novčanih sredstava, kao i zbog eliminisanja osetljivih tačaka mosta. Postojanje dilatacije uz prisustvo vode, prljavštine i drugih štetnih agensa dovodi do ubrzanog propadanja ležišta i opreme na kraju mosta što iziskuje veće troškove za održavanje mosta [1], [2].…”

“…Ukupna dužina integralnih mostova u većini slučajeva ne premašuje 50-60 metara [2]. Nedostaci integralnih mostova su pre geotehničke nego konstruktivne prirode.…”