Abutment construction process
There are many different construction methods for bridge abutments which utilize steel, concrete, geosynthetics, and other materials. Abutments can be integral, where the bridge and the abutment move together, or semi-integral, where the abutment and the superstructure move independently when responding to forces on the bridge. There are pros and cons to each type of bridge abutment and construction method. Review your local Department of Transportation’s guidance regarding types of bridges that are acceptable or recommended in your state.
Sheet pile abutments exhibit numerous advantages over conventional reinforced concrete abutments. In situations where an older bridge is to be replaced, the use of a sheet pile abutment may reduce or eliminate the need for costly shoring during multiple phases of construction. Sheet pile abutments have a significant cost advantage, by reducing excavation needs and construction time. In this era of emerging technologies associated with accelerated bridge construction, steel sheet pile abutments can play an important role.
Sheet pile bridge abutments are constructed by first installing the sheet piles for both the abutment face and the wing walls. Tie rods and a deadman wall are required in some high-load applications. Additional pilings behind the sheet piles can be used if insufficient bearing and skin friction capacity cannot be obtained with the sheet piles themselves. From there, soil backfills behind the sheet piles and construction of the concrete cap and bridge deck can proceed. As described, it’s clear to see that this solution eliminates a lot of construction stages, and therefore can eliminate a significant amount of time and show increased cost savings.
Sheet piling offerings
Nucor Skyline offers NZ, PZ, and SKZ sheet piles which are made in America and meet federal Buy America guidelines. This product range is suitable for any Department of Transportation (DOT) project you may have in design. To see some examples of how sheet piling is used for bridge abutments, please click here to visit our case studies.