Geotextile reinforced bridge approach embankment : Lake River Bridge : Malin Highway , Klamath County, Oregon : construction report.

PDFTech ReportOregon Experimental Feature Project #OR90-05GeotextilesEmbankmentsBridge decksSlabsFabricsOregonOregon. Dept. of TransportationGroom, Kevin M.Oregon. Dept. of TransportationUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThe transition from the roadway to the deck of a rigidly supported bridge is of concern to engineers and the travelling public. It is a common occurrence to feel a discontinuity between the roadway and bridge structure. Bridge engineers have tried to overcome this discontinuity by the use of transition slabs. However, embankment materials under the slabs continues to settle and/or consolidate, and the discontinuity at the roadway to bridge transition is simply transferred to the end of the transition slabs. This results in a bump felt by the motorist, which is not only uncomfortable, but may be hazardous. Additionally, when heavy vehicles impact the bump, they may contribute to accelerated damage to the approach slabs and the bridge deck. Studies have shown that the use of geotextiles in combination with specific fill soil gradation and compaction requirements have resulted in approach fills that settle less than fills built using standard construction procedures. This project provides an opportunity to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of geotextiles in approach fill construction.Settlement of the approach fill is a result of settlement of the newly constructed embankment, settlement of the underlying foundation material beneath the new fill, or a combination of both. This study considers the first type of settlement problem, and the use of geotextile reinforcement to reduce or eliminate its contribution to the total embankment settlement.Unless otherwise stated, the term "fill settlement" refers to the settlement and/or consolidation of the newly constructed fill, excluding any contributions from the settlement and/or consolidation of the foundation materials