Numerical analysis of the embedded abutments of integral bridges

A numerical case study is presented, which investigates the performance of embedded integral bridge abutments and the maximum magnitude and distribution of earth pressure within the retained soil. The Three Surface Kinematic Hardening model is adopted in the numerical analysis, which successfully reproduced key features of soil behaviour under small strain cyclic loading. The results show that the earth pressures behind the abutment change in a complicated way, while the largest bending moments in the abutment wall increase with cycles at a decreasing rate, with a final value far less than the one derived from current design standards. A number of factors have been investigated and the influences of the wall flexure and soil stiffness are highlighted. The research results will lead to safe and economic design of such structures