Research Will Lead to Reduced Bumps for Drivers at the Ends of Bridges

Posted: May 21, 2025

Drivers will be less likely to experience bumps at the ends of bridges thanks to research at the University of Utah into the settlement and heaving of soils used in bridge embankments. Laboratory tests were performed on compacted specimens of 10 embankment materials specified by the Utah Department of Transportation using both standard-size and large-scale equipment. The tests consisted of preparing each test specimen to predetermined values of density and water content and measuring the settlement or heave of the specimen when loaded to simulate the weight of the embankment material above a particular depth within the embankment, and by adding water to simulate infiltration of water into the embankment. Based on the research, it is expected that material and construction specifications for approach embankments for bridges will be revised by UDOT and other public agencies. Doing so will result in a significant reduction of settlement/heave of approach embankments for bridges, mitigating problems with bumps at the ends of newly constructed bridges. In addition, the research has greatly enhanced researchers’ understanding of the loading and wetting stress-strain characteristics of various types of soil.

Evert Lawton, Ph.D.
University of Utah

Loading and Wetting-induced Settlement of Bridge Approach Embankment Materials in Utah
MPC-24-534