Embankment fills are commonly used to meet the vertical grade requirements of a facility. Fills placed to accommodate the vertical profile as the roadway approaches a bridge are often referred to as “approach embankment fills” or “approach roadway fills.”  Embankment fills are also needed for many other infrastructure projects. Deformation and instability (local or global), both vertical and lateral, of embankment fills are common problems. Consideration of the effects of such fills on structures founded on fills, adjacent structures, and subsurface utilities is important to avoid costly post-construction maintenance and potential legal issues; e.g., approach embankment fill deformation near a bridge structure leads to the ubiquitous “bump at the end of the bridge.”  This workshop discusses the mechanisms of internal and external deformation in embankment fills. Evaluation of subsurface stresses and slope stability aspects related to embankment fills is also discussed. Estimation of the ground compaction factor is discussed, which is a key element for the determination of final earthwork quantities.  Good practices for ensuring the stability and performance of a bridge structure’s approach elements are discussed.  Practical design solutions to mitigate the embankment stability problems will be discussed.

Using a collaborative and interactive learning approach, this virtual workshop will help you understand: (a) design elements for embankment fills, and (b) the effect of embankment fills on structures in fills, adjacent structures, and subsurface utilities. The workshop will help you assimilate these crucial considerations through active participation, frequent interactions, and real-time expert feedback. These interactions will help you better understand the nuances of design and construction procedures, so you can avoid costly errors in real-world projects. Between the two live sessions, attendees will work independently on an application (e.g., exercises) or a reflection (e.g., reading) assignment.

SESSION 1

• Introductions
• Configuration of embankment fills
• General concepts of stress and strain
• Estimating stress distribution in foundation geomaterials
• Narrow versus wide embankment fills
• Concepts of lateral squeeze
• Slope stability considerations
• Estimation of internal and external deformations
• Review of Session 1
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Assignemnt of classwork

SESSION 2

• Review of classwork
• Bridge abutment configurations (e.g., stub, open, integral, MSE, etc.)
• Effects of fills on bridge abutments
• Effects of fills on approach slabs
• Effects on subsurface utilities
• Selection of embankment fill materials
• Compaction procedures and induced stresses
• Suggestions for geotechnical investigations
• Suggestions for mitigation of embankment stability problems
• Review of Session 2 and full workshop
• Interactive Question and Answer (Q&A) session
• Adjourn