Abutment Repairs

ABUTMENT REPAIRS - The following table lists recommended repair procedures for typical bridge abutments.

TYPICAL DEFECTS	CAUSES	RECOMMENDED REPAIRS	INITIAL COST	EXPECTED LIFE
INTEGRAL/SEMI-INTEGRAL TYPE
Cracking	Unusual movement or settlement of bridge	1/4" or less - Epoxy Injections	$20.00/LF	∞
Cracking	Unusual movement or settlement of bridge	1/4" or greater	$35.00/LF	∞

Deterioriated Concrete	Leakage through abutment Poor quality concrete	Place underdrains behind abutments	$100/LF	∞
Deterioriated Concrete	Leakage through abutment Poor quality concrete	Remove and patch concrete as per item 519	$45/SF	15 years
STUB TYPE
Leaning/Tilting	Abutment probably not on the piling Embankment settlement	Do nothing
		Make beam ends integral with abutment (bridge holds abutment up)	$25,000	15 years
		Replace	$50,000	∞

Settlement	Embankment Settlement	Do nothing
		Raise abutment seat with shims or concrete	$10,000	15 years
		Make abutment integral	$25,000	25 years
		Replace	$50,000	∞

Deteriorated Concrete	Leaking expansion joints Poor quality concrete	Seal expansion joints	$150/LF	15 years
Deteriorated Concrete	Leaking expansion joints Poor quality concrete	Remove and patch concrete as per Item 519	$45/SF	15 years
WALL TYPE
Footers Exposed	Streambed Scour Stream Migration	If not on piling: This is a very serious problem; underpin with concrete and armor footer with rock	$200/FT	15 years
Footers Exposed	Streambed Scour Stream Migration	If on piling: Not as serious; armor the footer with rock	$20/FT	15 years

Vertical Cracking	Possible settlement problems	If 3/8" wide or greater: Fill with mortar or quick setting epoxy material	$35/LF	∞
Vertical Cracking	Possible settlement problems	If less than 3/8" wide: Epoxy insert	$20/LF	∞

Deteriorated Concrete	Leakage onto abutment from leaking expansion joints or scuppers Poor quality concrete	Seal leaking joints, divert scuppers, remove unsound concrete and patch as per spec book item 519	$45/SF	20 years

Abutment Leaning	Excessive earth pressure behind abutment Abutment undermined by scour	Do nothing	-	-
		Remove trees from embankment	-	-
		Underpin as noted above	see above