The Behavior of Integral Abutment Bridges 7. Author(s)

14. Sponsoring Agency Code This report presents findings of a literature review, a field trip, and a finite element analysis pertaining to integral bridges. The purpose of the report is to identify problems'and uncertainties, and to gain insight into the interactions between the foundation piles, the integral abutment, and the surrounding ground. The field trip included visits to six bridges arranged by Mr. Park Thompson from the Staunton district. Pertinent literature is reviewed and findings are presented. Important factors identified on the basis of this review are settlement of the approach fill, loads on the abutment piles, the nature of the abutment displacements and the associated earth pressure distribution, secondary loads on the superstructure, and soil structure interaction effects. The causes of approach fill settlement and possible mitigation techniques are discussed. Recommendations for improving the performance of integral bridges are included, and actions for improvement of integral bridge behavior are suggested. 17 Key Words Integral abutment, integral bridge, finite element analysi