First permanent geosynthetic reinforced bridge abutments for Motorway spanning in Germany

The constant increase in traffic volume and the dilapidated condition of many existing infrastructure requires constant maintenance, modernisation, and reconstruction. Bridge structures play a particularly important role in this context. The use of geosynthetics can help to overcome this challenge in a more cost-effective and sustainable way compared to established technologies. Due to this reason the regional road administration of North Rhine-Westphalia (Straßen NRW) decided to allow for the construction of a “Pilot Bridge” with geogrid reinforced soil (GRS) abutment structures. Although comparable structures had been built in neighbouring countries for several years already this technology was considered too risky for a permanent structure in Germany. This contribution shows how bridge designers as well federal administration entirely focused on classical construction methods could be convinced that geogrid reinforced soil can be a serious alternative even for permanent bridge abutments.