UHPFRC Cast-in-Situ Over-Lay of Bridge Abutments

Use of UHPFRC(ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete)cast-in-situ over-lays for repairs and strengthening of bridge decks is already quite a widely used technology,while use of this method for strengthening of bridge supports is still much less often.This paper describes the first use of this technology for bridge abutments in the Czech Republic,and if we know well,also the first use of such a ribbed over-lay internationally.

A New Method on Resolving the Rotation in the Plane of Skew Bridges

The rotation of skew bridges in the plane is a common phenomenon in engineering. Traditional measure is to setup pins or limiting displacement with lateral bearings, but the result is not satisfactory. In order to solve this problem, the reason for the rotation in the plane is found by philosophy analysis and an idea regarding the application of slantleg frame skew bridges without abutment is brought forward in this paper. Theory and engineering practices indicate that slant-leg rigid frame bridges without abutment can restrain the rotation of skew bridges in the plane to the utmost extent because of its structural characteristics and can fundamentally solve the tough defect of skew bridges.

Stabilizing subgrades of transport structures by injecting solidifying solutions in cold regions

Transport structures built throughout the period from 1960 to 1980 in permafrost regions based on the principle of permafrost preservation are subject to deformations.In many cases,the reason is a gradual change in temperature and their subgrade condition within the active zone due to the structures'technogenic impact.Design solutions for the fifty-year-old structures fail to ensure in all cases their reliable operation at the present time.The greatest danger to the reliable operation of railway lines in cold regions is uneven deformations of bridges,which are barrier places.Therefore,the solution to this problem is urgent especially due to the necessity of increase carrying capacity.The purpose of this study is to increase reliability of bridge operation in cold regions through strengthening the subgrade by reinforcement with injection of solidifying solutions.The problem of uneven deformations due to permafrost degradation is considered using the example of a railway bridge located in the northern line of the Krasnoyarsk railway.Deformations of the bridge abutments began immediately after the construction was completed and the bridge was open for traffic-since 1977.Permafrost degradation was developing more actively straight under the abutments due to higher thermal conductivity of the piles concrete.Notably,thawing intensity of frozen soils under the bridge abutments is uneven due to its orientation to the cardinal points.The analysis of archive materials and results of the geodetic survey made it possible to systematize the features of augmenting deformations of each abutment over time.The engineering-geological survey with drilling wells near the abutments ensured determination of soil characteristics,both in the frozen and thawed states.Thermometric wells were arranged to measure temperatures.The analysis and systematization of the data obtained allowed us to develop geotechnical models for each abutment of the bridge.The peculiarity of these models is allowance for changes in the strength and deformation characteristics of the soil calculated layers depending on changes in temperature and the soil condition.Thus,different calculated geological elements with the corresponding strength and deformation characteristics were identified in the soil layers of the same origin.The analysis of the systematized geodetic data allowed us to confirm adequacy of the developed geotechnical models.Studies carried out using geotechnical models made it possible to predict improvement of physical and mechanical characteristics of the subgrade to prevent further growth deformations of the bridge abutments.The method of reinforcement by injection is proposed.Injecting a solution under pressure leads to strengthening of weakened thawed soils and improving their physical and mechanical properties.This research theoretically substantiates and develops the geotechnical models of the reinforced pier footing of bridge abutments by injection of solidifying solutions.The models take into account the reinforcement parameters and elements for the case in question.The influence of reinforcement on the change in physical and mechanical properties of the soil mass is determined.