Analytical study for allowable bearing pressures of CLSM bridge abutments

Controlled low strength materials (CLSMs) are increasingly gaining importance in the construction industry. Among many applications, CLSMs can be used for rapid and sustainable construction of bridge abutments. A study was undertaken to investigate the allowable bearing pressures of bridge sills over an abutment backfilled with CLSMs referred to as a "CLSM bridge abutment." The study was conducted by the finite element method of analysis. The capability of the finite element computer code for analyzing the performance of a CLSM bridge abutment has been evaluated prior to this study. A series of finite element analyses were carried out to examine the effect of facing type, sill width, CLSM stiffness/strength, and foundation stiffness/strength on the load-carrying capacity of CLSM abutments. The allowable bearing pressures of CLSM abutments were determined based on results of the analytical study and two performance criteria: a limiting displacement criterion and a limiting linear strain criterion. In addition, a recommended procedure for determining the allowable bearing pressure is provided.