Integral Bridges: A fundamental approach to the time temperature loading problem

The concept of the 'integral bridge', ie without any movement joints, was introduced into the UK by Hambly more than ten years ago. Although two major reports (Card and Carder, 1993 (TRL Project Report 52, IRRD 859942); Springman et al 1996 (TRL Report 146, IRRD 882217)) have been published by the Transport Research Laboratory, regarding the temperature-induced soil-structure interaction problem, the Highways Agency design standard BA 42/96 is still regarded as being too conservative. This is because of a lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms which are responsible for the build-up of lateral earth pressure on the abutments and the deformation-settlement of the backfill soil. This book presents the findings of research commissioned by the Highways Agency to examine these issues. The book is in two parts: Integral bridge: Part 1 (Chapters 107 and Appendix 1). This part covers the concepts, findings conclusions and recommendations for the soil-structure interaction problem. This part will be of particular interest to practising engineers and integral bridge designers. Detailed results of model tests and numerical simulations are reported; Granular soil: Part 2 (Chapters 8-12 and Appendix 2). In this part fundamental mechanics are used to describe the behaviour of granular soil subjected to cyclic loading. A description is given of the numerical soil model and the model retaining wall developed within this research project. This part will be of more interest to researchers and those keen to understand the fundamental logic of the interaction problem. (A)