Dry laid granite bridge abutments 1

[71corvette]

Hi,

Does anyone have some good online references for old dry laid granite bridge abutments? Specifically I’m looking for typical construction techniques and recommended approaches for inspection, assessment and load rating.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[bridgebuster]

If you go to books.google.com, you can find old books dealing with design & construction of masonry abutments.

As far as assessing the condition, you have to look for the same things as any other abutment: displacement, settlement, cracks, drainage, etc. Keep in mind, you also need to look for deterioration of the stones, bulging.

Analyzing a stone wall can be a bit tricky. Stability is stability but you also need to check stability course by course. It's not always easy. Some walls are built with uniform courses of cut stone; others are not.

I've looked at a lot of these walls and one thing that's common is the uncommon way of providing for drainage. Some walls have weeps; others allow water to drain through the joints.

I hope this helps; sorry if it's a bit vague I'm in a hurry to get somewhere.

I have some calculations for stability; I'll post them if you think they'll help.

 

[bridgebuster]

I can't post the calculations I have because there's too much information that would have to be whited out (to maintain client & designer confidentiality.)

If you look at a manual for gabion design, it's the same principle.

 

[71corvette]

Thanks for the help. I've had a tough time finding references on their construction so I appreciate the input. I'll give the Google books thing a shot.

 

[bridgebuster]

Here are two links for books that I download some time ago. They're not bad. Enter the words "masonry bridge abutments" and you'll find 100's of books

http://books.google.com/books?id=5h...e+masonry+bridge+abutments&as_brr=1#PPA536,M1

http://books.google.com/books?id=-Z...tructural+engineers+handbook+ketchum&as_brr=1