On-board with the GRS Bridge-building System

December 9, 2011 | Ron Bygness

Yesterday’s Part 1 of a three-part webinar series, “Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil/Integrated Bridge System (GRS–IBS),” was a great start to inform and educate regarding this innovative bridge-building technology.

Organized and presented by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Part 1 focused on the step-by-step construction process, presented by Daniel Alzamora and Mike Adams from FHWA and county engineer Toby Bogart from St. Lawrence County (N.Y.).

Part 2, with an emphasis on GRS bridge design components, is Jan. 5; Part 3 is Feb. 2, which will look at a number of GRS–IBS case histories.

To participate (They’re all free!), go to: www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov

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Accelerated bridge construction techniques also were among the innovations state highway agencies plan to use in the latest round of Highways for Life demonstration projects, another FHWA initiative.

In 2011, the agency awarded nearly $20 million for 17 new projects in as many states.

For example, the Utah DOT will try the GRS–IBS technology on a project to replace twin bridges that carry I-84 traffic over a road in Salt Lake City.

The technology—as described thoroughly in the construction webinar above—uses alternating layers of compacted granular fill material and geotextile fabric sheets of reinforcement that provide support for the bridge. The materials and systematic methods reduce construction time and costs; and contribute to the durability and quality of the bridge.

Ron Bygness is the editor of Geosynthetics magazine.

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