Title: Back to the Future for Abutment Design

Author(s): James C. Porter, Mark J. Morvant, and Ricky J. Moon

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 14

Issue: 6

Appears on pages(s): 29-35

Keywords: bridge abutment; bridge decks; highway bridges; pavements; railroad bridges; settlement (structural); structural design; superstructures; walls; Design

DOI:

Date: 6/1/1992

Abstract:
The abutment is one of the most expensive elements constructed in modern girder supported highway bridges. A bridge inspection and evaluation program in Louisiana revealed that abutments had become increasingly complex without becoming more serviceable. The authors propose returning to a simple and effective design based on railroad bridge abutments built at the turn of the century. A prototype abutment is built.