Flexible bridge abutment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for construction of a flexible bridge abutment. In a first aspect of the disclosed technology, there is provided a flexible bridge abutment, comprising: a retaining wall operable to support an embankment; and a column operable to support a deck, fixed to a diaphragm beam; wherein the retaining wall and the column are fixed to a common foundation element, and the diaphragm beam is free to move with respect to the retaining wall.

1 . A flexible bridge abutment, comprising:
 a retaining wall operable to support an embankment; and   a column operable to support a deck, fixed to a diaphragm beam; wherein   the retaining wall and the column are fixed to a common foundation element, and   the diaphragm beam is free to move with respect to the retaining wall.   
     
     
         2 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm beam is operable to support a portion of an embankment. 
     
     
         3 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm beam and the retaining wall are vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         4 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm beam and the retaining wall are substantially aligned on at least one side. 
     
     
         5 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining wall is an open or closed section, the column being located within the section. 
     
     
         6 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining wall and the column are rigidly fixed to the common foundation element. 
     
     
         7 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the column comprises concrete with at least one protruding rebar. 
     
     
         8 . The abutment of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining wall comprises a one or more units aligned to form a substantially flat face with protrusions not exceeding 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The abutment of  claim 1 , further comprising a capping panel adjacent the retaining wall. 
     
     
         10 . The abutment of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of retaining walls and/or columns. 
     
     
         11 . A method of constructing a flexible bridge abutment, the method comprising:
 fixing at least one column element and at least one retaining wall element to a foundation element; and   fixing a diaphragm beam to the one or more column elements, such that the diaphragm beam is free to move with respect to the one or more retaining wall elements.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the process of fixing the at least one column element and at least one retaining wall element to the foundation element comprises:
 placing at least a portion of the at least one column element and at least a portion of at least one retaining wall element within a foundation cage; and   filling at least a portion of the foundation cage with concrete.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising casting at least one column element operable to support a deck. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising casting at least one retaining wall element operable to support a deck, optionally wherein the casting of the at least one retaining wall element is remote from the bridge abutment. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one column element and at least one retaining wall element are a single interconnected element. 
     
     
         16 . The abutment of  claim 9 , wherein the capping panel is separated from the retaining wall by an elastically compressible seal. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the casting of the at least one column element is remote from the bridge abutment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the casting of the at least one retaining wall element is remote from the bridge abutment.