ISEC 08


NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF CONTROLLED LOW STRENGTH MATERIAL BRIDGE ABUTMENTS: STEADY STATE ELASTODYNAMIC ANALYSIS

LI-JENG HUANG, YEONG-NAIN SHEEN, DUC-HIEN LE


Abstract

This paper presents the steady-steady elasto-dynamic analysis of bridge abutment constructed using sustainable material, a controlled low-strength material (CLSM), using finite element (FE) and boundary element (BE) methods. The structure is constructed using full-height precast concrete panels that are attached to a CLSM backfill via steel anchors and can be employed as a replacement of traditional piling support systems. The Young’s moduli of CLSM are obtained from laboratory tests. Two-dimensional planar strain is employed in the FE and BE formulation of elasto-dynamic analyses. Typical examples will be employed for comparison study of backfill material using CLSM abutment and traditional piling support system with compacted soil. Emphasis is put on the comparison of different numerically computed natural frequencies and mode shapes of the conventional and CLSM abutment. Results show that CLSM abutment depicts higher natural frequencies as compared with conventional abutment and can be a suitable sustainable material employed for bridge abutment design and construction in highway and geotechnical engineering.

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