Geosynthetics cited in ‘accelerated bridge construction’

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System

Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) technologies allow transportation agencies to replace bridges faster and more safely, according to recent Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publications. The accelerated project times can reduce traffic delays and road closures and can also reduce project costs.

Under the FHWA’s second stage of its Every Day Counts program, three ABC technologies are currently being promoted:

The Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System uses closely spaced geosynthetic reinforcement and granular soils as a composite material to build enhanced abutments and approach embankments.

• Using prefabricated bridge elements and systems (PBES), bridge components and even entire bridges can be manufactured and assembled off site and then moved into place in hours.
• Slide-in bridge construction is a PBES technique where a bridge is built adjacent to an existing structure and then slid into place once the old bridge is removed.

Source: FHWA