Handbook for Bridge Inspections - TSP2

9.2 CONCRETE ELEMENTS
Conditions which trigger Maintenance
Action must be taken immediate ly whenever settlement has lead to too Iowa carrying capac ity. For
settl ement which can result in 100 Iowa carrying capacity action must be taken before this happens.
Action should also be taken in cases where settlement can be of importance for maintenance costs
Procedures
. Replacement of infil l wit h a lighter material in order to reduce vertical loads and the pressure
exerted by the ground .
. Constructi ng new foundations usi ng, for example, pi les.
Example 9.2-1
Severe settlement of an abutment which is built on
infill. The infi ll material's sensitivity to subsidence has
been underestimated. The abutment has nol been subjected
to any damage whi ch requires repair in the short
term. The superstructure is of the continuous type, and
it has become necessary to temporarily build up the
bearings in order to reduce deformation.
Type of Damage:
Dcgrce of DamagcJ
Consequence:
Cause of Damage:
Procedures:
20 I Settlement (abutment)
203 Deformation of concrete
element (Superstructure)
I C for the abutment
4C for the superstructure
before the temporary
support
13 Poor design so lutions
No action is required for the abutment , but the settlement
should be fo llowed up by us ing levell ing
The deformation of the superstructure was so severe
that the bridge had to be closed to heavy traffic until it
had been jac ked up and the bearings had been bui lt up.
Handbook fo r Bridge Inspections 147