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13
Geotextile Reinforced Abutments
on Soft Foundation
Ennio M. Palmeira and Andr´ R. S. Fahel
University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
Luiz E. P. Campos
Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
ABSTRACT
This paper describes the use of geosynthetic reinforced structures in bridge
abutments on soft foundation soils. The characteristics of five geotextile
reinforced walls constructed on compressible subsoil are presented and
discussed. Four of these walls were built on concrete piles with caps, and one
was built directly on a sand layer overlaying a soft clay deposit. The designers
seem to have aimed for a stiff reinforced mass to distribute stresses to the
foundation soil or to minimize differential settlements. Despite rather large
vertical or horizontal displacements having been observed in some cases, in
general the reinforced structures behaved well. Even in one of the cases where a
flood caused severe damage to the reinforced mass, the structure was still able to
keep the highway in good operational conditions. These performances enhance
the advantages of using flexible retaining structures in problems where severe
differential settlements can occur.
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