MnDOT LRFD Integral & SemiIntegral Abutments

LRFD Bridge Design Workshop June 12, 2007 David Conkel, P.E. State Aid Bridge Engineer

Presentation Overview
The Jointless Bridge Integral Abutment Semi-Integral Abutment Typical Design Details

Presentation Overview
The Jointless Bridge Integral Abutment Semi-Integral Abutment Typical Design Details

The Jointless Bridge Construction of Choice

Why a Jointless Bridge?

Superstructures with deck joints still predominate, but the trend Nationally is for a jointless bridge. Eliminates the inherent problems associated with installing, maintaining, and repairing deck joints and bearings Fewer construction joints and simple concrete forming, which results in rapid construction, and reduced initial costs

Why a Jointless Bridge?

The FHWA promotes the usage of jointless bridges where appropriate Our sister states, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin all design jointless bridges whenever possible MnDOTs experience, field observations, and years of successful service have demonstrated that jointless bridges do perform well.

Presentation Overview
The Jointless Bridge Integral Abutment Semi-Integral Abutment Typical Design Details

Integral Abutments
The integral abutment bridge is characterized by:
Abutment type that eliminates expansion joints in the deck Beams cast into a concrete end diaphragm which is rigidly connected to a concrete pile cap Pile cap is supported by a single row of piles Pile stiffness and flexibility accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of superstructure

MnDOT Integral Abutment Limits

Max. bridge length w/ H-pile: 300 feet Max. bridge length w/ C.I.P. pile: 150 feet Max. beam depth: No limit Max. wingwall length: 12 feet Typical abutment depth (Bridge seat to bottom of footing): 3-0 below grade, 2-0 exposed Max. skew angle: skew permitted will vary linearly from 45 degrees for a 100 foot bridge to 20 degrees for a 300 foot bridge.

Integral Abutment Skew Limits

Maximum Skew of Integral Abutments
50 45 Skew, degrees 40 35 30 25 20 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Overall Length of Bridge, feet Skew = 45 Skew = -0.125*(Length) + 57.5

Integral Abutment Limits Nationally

Steel Girders
Bridge Length: up to 650 feet Skew: up to 70 degrees

Prestressed Concrete Girders

Bridge Length: up to 1175 feet Skew: up to 70 degrees

Note : MnDOT use limits are occasionally exceeded

Successful experience will drive future changes in the limits

Integral Abutment Pile Design/Analysis

Typically orient H-piling such that the weak axis bending occurs longitudinal to the bridge. Pile penetration into abutment wall is 2-6 for a fixed head condition Piles are designed to carry vertical loads equally and there currently is no explicit requirement to consider bending moment in piles.

Integral Abutment Pile Design/Analysis

WEAK AXIS

2-6

Pile Design/Analysis
A bridge with a total length in excess of 300 feet will have larger movement demands and may require the need for special design considerations, for example:
Bridge abutments with anticipated movements in excess of 1 inch may require strong axis orientation to prevent a plastic hinge under weak axis bending Bridge abutments with movements in excess of 1 to 1.5 may require the pile analysis to consider all applicable forces including thermal, skew effects and deflections of the superstructure.

Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Tpullout

3375 4 = = 13.5 kips 1000

Back Face Vertical Bar and Longitudinal Deck Bar Design

Integral Abut. Design/Analysis

Integral Design/Analysis
Note, the decision was made to delete the design requirement for the longitudinal deck and back face vertical reinforcement at the abutment to withstand 1/2 the fixed-end moment due to live load.

Integral Design/Analysis
Change was based on:
Feedback from MnDOT bridge designers
The requirement was too conservative, and required an excessive amount of longitudinal deck reinforcement.

Comparison to pile stiffness

Research indicates that weak axis pile bending will decrease the top tensile stress in the slab caused by dead load and live load.

Integral Design/Analysis
Change was based on:
Requirements from other states
Based on our discussions at the North Central States Consortium Bridge Design Committee, a majority of the states do not calculate fixed end moments or provide any special design for the superstructure-abutment joint. Based on experience and design, I/DOT simply uses #5@12 placed in the top mat to account for the fixed end moment due to live load.

Presentation Overview
The Jointless Bridge Integral Abutment Semi-Integral Abutment Typical Design Details

Semi-Integral Abutments

Semi-Integral Abutments
The semi-integral abutment bridge is characterized by: Abutment type that eliminates expansion joints in the deck Similar to the integral abutment except concrete end diaphragm is not connected to concrete pile cap Thermal movement is accommodated by expansion bearings and a small vertical gap between the end diaphragm and pile cap Pile cap is typically supported on multiple rows of piles or spread footings

Use of Semi-Integral Abutment

Semi-integral abutments are commonly used on designs that require:
Jointless bridge Skews less than 30 degrees Medium height abutment walls Spread foundations Supported on drilled shafts Require multiple rows of piles

MnDOT Semi-Integral Abutment Limits

MnDOT, semi-integral abutment limits have not been entirely established. Limits on max bridge length and max grade of bridge will be determined Max. skew angle permitted will be 30 degrees to prevent the possibility of damage to wingwall from non eccentric passive pressure which can force deck into wingwall As we gain more confidence with the semi-Integral abutment style, the limits will be determined.

Semi-Integral Abutment Limits Nationally

Nationally, semi-integral abutment use is limited to:
Max. skew concrete beams: 45 degrees Max. skew steel beams: 40 degrees Max. span concrete beams: 200 feet Max. span steel beams: 200 feet Max. bridge length: 500 feet

MnDOT Semi-Integral Abutment

Note, MnDOTs new semi-integral abutment is very similar to I/DOTs semi-integral abutment. Superstructure expands and contracts over a fixed abutment.

Expansion Detail

(1) - 24 WIDE WATERPROOF MEMBRANE SYSTEM. MEMBER PLACEMENT SHALL 1

BE SUCH THAT A 1 WRINKLE IN THE MEMBRANE WILL BE FORMED OVER THE JOINT OPENING TO ALLOW MOVEMENT

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE

ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE

2 LIVELOAD SURCHARGE

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Requirements:
Approach panel length (20 foot min.) to be greater than wingwall length
To minimize approach panel length, keep the abutment stem height to a maximum of approximately 15 feet

B910 to be used for all abutments Wingwall outside of barrier and approach panel Traffic barrier placed on approach panel Backwall designed for full passive earth pressure

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Requirements:
Maximum expansion length has not been established (MnDOT has recently designed a bridge with a 250 length, currently not under construction) Skew up to 30 degrees, shear lug required Single span, one abutment to be fixed

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE

Diaphragm Backwall

ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE

2 LIVELOAD SURCHARGE

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Diaphragm backwall:
Design for passive soil pressure, which results from bridge expansion Consider the backwall to be a continuous beam spanning between girders to determine horizontal reinforcement

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE

Diaphragm Shear Lug

ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE

2 LIVELOAD SURCHARGE

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Diaphragm Shear Lug:
Design for passive soil pressure, which results from bridge expansion Consider the shear lug to be a cantilever beam to determine vertical reinforcement and shear reinforcement requirements Special design consideration should be given to bridges on steep profile grades where the bridge may have a tendency to migrate downhill bringing lug into contact with abutment stem.

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

PASSIVE EARTH PRESSURE

ACTIVE EARTH PRESSURE

2 LIVELOAD SURCHARGE

Abutment Stem

Semi-Integral Abutment Design/Analysis

Abutment Stem:
Design for active earth pressure and a 2 live load surcharge Consider the abutment stem as a cantilever beam to determine vertical reinforcing Horizontal reinforcement in the abutment stem will be for temperature & shrinkage only

Integral vs Semi-Integral Abutments

Abutment type preference:
1st choice: Integral Abutments 2nd choice: Semi-Integral Abutments Last choice: Conventional tall or short parapet abutments with deck joint

Presentation Overview
The Jointless Bridge Integral Abutment Semi-Integral Abutment Typical Design Details

Railing Inside of Wingwall

Elevation/Section

Approach Slab Support

No longer specified, slab connection was accomplished with top horizontal tie bars. With settlement, the slab panel behaved like a cantilever allowing tension cracks to develop at the ends of the tie bars.

Approach Slab Support

To alleviate this problem, a bar configuration that facilitates flexible rotation is opted for. This design provides a more positive connection allowing inevitable rotation to occur.

x 2 Bit. Felt

Approach Panel Joints for Jointless Bridges

Joints for integral or semi-integral abutments are placed at the end of the approach panels Typically use an E8S Joint Detail, but for longer bridges, an expansion joint device may be needed

Bridge Approach Treatment for Jointless Bridges

A well graded backfill material should be used behind the abutments. A granular backfill offers two benefits: Easily compacted in close spaces Aids in carrying water away from abutments MnDOT has developed a new standard for approach treatment for integral abutments. Details similar to those of the South Dakota DOT Standard should be available very soon

Bridge Approach Treatment for Integral Abutments

(1) NATURAL GROUND OR SUITABLE GRADING MATERIAL (2) SELECT GRANULAR MATERIAL MODIFIED SHALL COMPLY WITH SPEC. 3149.2B2, MODIFIED TO 10% OR LESS PASSING THE NUMBER 200 SIEVE. (3) SUBSURFACE PIPE DRAIN (4) - SUBSURFACE PIPE DRAIN. SEE BRIDGE STANDARD DETAIL B910 FOR DETAILS.
1 4 2 3

Note: The designer is encouraged to coordinate with road design to assure they are providing the correct backfill treatment for integral abutments.

Summary
If all the requirements/limitations are met on your proposed bridge project, integral abutments should be utilized More information on the semi-integral abutment bridge is coming. We anticipate their common use on both trunk highway and local roads As we become more comfortable in use of the jointless bridges, current limits set on span length, bridge length, skew, abutment height, and etc will be adjusted accordingly.

Summary
Methods of analysis, details, construction, and policy on jointless bridges will continue to evolve. Additional guidelines will be incorporated as additional research and experience is brought forward. Some other possible opportunities:
integral abutments with curved bridges spread footings on MSE fills retrofitting existing bridges to eliminate joints

Questions