SPR 14-473: Exploring Geosynthetically Confined Soil and Integrated End Bent

The Geosynthetically Confined Soil (GCS) Integrated End Bent (IEB) will provide an economical solution to accelerated bridge construction. Federally funded research shows that generic GCS structures can have bearing capacities and safety factors more than 10 times those of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls. NCHRP research demonstrated that GCS walls and abutments can withstand any credible earthquake. State of the art GCS technology translates into better, safer, quicker, easier and cheaper bridge end bent. GCS structures behave as GeoMonoliths or Unique Composites. Unique Composite behavior exceeds the sum of its components. Several issues remain unclear, including effect from surrounding soil settlement in embankments; end bent displacements under varied loads such as earth load, superstructure load, and traffic load; and end bent movements under temperature effect coming from jointless design. This investigation will have an in-depth review on current specifications and usage guidelines for Geosynthetically Confined Soil (GCS) and Integrated End Bent (IEB) used by other Departments of Transportation nationwide. It will provide in-situ data to assist design engineers, specification writers, construction inspectors and maintenance personnel with the selection, design and construction of GCS and IEB interacted with soil and bridge superstructure without expansion joints. It is expected that the results will help to understand interaction behavior between soil and integral end bent, and will provide health report for integral end bent. The anticipated benefits are expected to include promoting integral end bent usage in bridge project; preserving resources by eliminating expansion joints, reducing construction costs, reducing future maintenance costs; and strengthen structure to accommodate seismic forces.