Load-carrying geosynthetic-reinforced soil bridge abutments

This paper presents the summary of a comprehensive survey conducted to synthesize global information on bridges supported by “Load-carrying Geosynthetic Reinforced” (LC-GR) abutments that have been constructed so far. An evaluation was conducted to assess the different abutment characteristics, geosynthetic types, and facing systems adopted worldwide in these systems. Evaluation of the over 500 structures incorporated into the database of worldwide LC-GR bridge abutments compiled as part of this study reveals that a particularly wide range of geosynthetic materials and facing types have been successfully used in LC-GR abutments for bridges with a wide range of heights, span lengths, and subsurface conditions.