ABSTRACT
Abstract Joint-free 'integral ' bridge s ar e now bein g recommende d b y cost-consciou s transpor t authorities fro m aroun d the world . Avoidin g th e problem s associate d wit h corrosion and mechanical disruption o f expansion joints, by excluding them , creates a situation i n which therma l strains induced i n th e deck caus e cycli c loadin g o n th e soi l behin d th e abutments. Ther e are two aspects of soi l behaviour which ar e of concern to the design engineer - whether the soil behind th e wall wil l settle significantl y an d whether there is a buil d u p i n horizonta l stresse s whic h wil l caus e a sever e increas e i n th e bendin g moment carried by the abutment wall . Keywords: Soil-structur e interaction , Integra l bridges , Abutments , Temperatur e effects, Strai n cycling, Non-linearity , Hysteresis .
