A behaviour study of geosynthetic reinforced soil wall type bridge abutment: a case study of Wangyen bridge, Dan Makham Tia District, Kanchanaburi province

Abstract

Failure of bridge abutment becomes increasingly frequent nowadays. The major cause is related to the torrential river flow with high erosive force, the high moisture content and seepage force in the earth structure, as well as the deterioration of the old abutment. In order to retrofit these abutments, proper investigation and design are needed to pinpoint the cause of problem for worthwhile use of budget. The geographical, geotechnical survey of the site and the information moisture and pore-water pressure are of great importance. This study involved site investigation, analysis and design of a geosynthetic reinforced soil wall type bridge abutment with of Wangyen bridge, Dan Makham Tia District, Kanchanaburi province. Instrumentations were also installed at the wall including pore-water pressure, soil moisture as well as tilting of the wall face using KU in-placed inclinometer. The monitoring results can be obtained real-time through a telemetering system. According to the results, the change in moisture and inclination of wall face were within the safe limit.