Water Intrusion in Base/Subgrade Materials at Bridge Ends: Final Report

Departments of transportation spend a considerable amount of time and money repairing pavement failures that occur in the base or subgrade materials near bridge ends. Investigation of these failures often reveal saturated base/subgrade mate4rials. The objectives of this research study were to determine all possible sources for water intrusion at bridge ends, develop methods to help recognize in-the-field causes of water collection at bridge approaches, and to develop new repair methods that can be economically implemented in the field to minimize water intrusion or remove water from soils to maintain a stable foundation without settlement. Research focused on existing bridge approaches and concentrated on maintenance techniques to prevent water intrusion at bridge ends. The research study included an extensive literature review to determine all possible sources of water intrusion at bridge ends. Several state departments of transportation agencies were contacted for additional in