• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.30 no.4A
• /
• pp.361-373
• /
• 2010

Bridges constructed without any expansion joint or bridge bearing are called integral abutment bridges. They integrate the substructure and the superstructure. Possible deformation of the superstructure, due to changes in temperature for example, is prevented by the bending of the piles placed at the lower part of the abutment. This study examines the behavior of integral abutment bridges through soil-pile interaction modeling method and proposes an appropriate modeling method. Also, it assesses the behavior characteristics of the superstructure and piles of integral abutment bridges through parametric study. Soil condition around the pile, abutment height, and pile length were selected as parameters to be analyzed. Structural analysis was conducted while considering the interactions of soil-pile and temperature change-earth pressure on the abutment. Comparative behavior analysis through soil-pile interaction modeling showed that elastic soil spring method is more appropriate in evaluating the behavior of integral abutment bridges. The parametric study showed the tendency that as the soil stiffness around the pile increases, the moment imposed on the superstructure increases, and the displacement of the piles decreases. In addition, it was observed that as the bridge height increases, the earth pressure on the abutment increases and that in turn affects the behavior of the superstructure and piles. Also, as the length of the pile increased, the integral bridge showed more flexible behavior.