Evaluation and Recommendations for Flowfill and Mechanically Stabilized Earth Bridge Approaches

To alleviate the common bridge bump problem, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has employed three new alternatives for bridge abutment backfill since 1992: flowfill, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) using well-graded granular Class 1 backfill (reinforced soil mass as in MSE walls), and MSE using free-draining Class B filter material. However, the occurrence of bridge bump problems is still reported. A study evaluated CDOT current practice for design and construction of bridge approaches and then developed recommendations to improve this practice (improve performance and reduce costs) on the basis of the results of the following: (a) best practices for bridge approaches collected from CDOT staff and reported in the literature, (b) evaluation of the performance and cost-effectiveness of Colorado's MSE and flowfill bridge approaches, and (c) identification of the causes of significant bridge approach settlement problems observed in some of Colorado's MSE and flowfill bridge approaches. Evaluation procedures and forensic investigations were developed and applied to obtain the information needed for the first two items. Flowfill should remain a viable alternative for certain field and construction scenarios that justify its higher costs. MSE approaches with both Class B and Class 1 backfill materials should be routinely used in future CDOT projects with documentation of their performance and cost (construction and repair costs) for a future evaluation. Comprehensive recommendations are presented to mitigate the observed bridge approach settlement problem; the most important recommendations are for improved support and drainage systems for the sleeper slab where the settlement problem occurs.