Manifestações patológicas em contenções de terra armada: estudo de caso nas cabeceiras da ponte Sérgio Arruda

Abstract

In addition to structural safety, retaining walls must provide users with physical and visual comfort. However, the emergence of pathological manifestations can impair performance and, consequently, reduce the useful life of the construction. In view of this, this study aimed to analyze the origin of pathological problems in the accesses of reinforced earth retaining walls of a bridge that underwent a demolition process and was located in the city of Macapá-AP. To this end, the methodology used was based on Souza and Ripper and comprises the following steps: data collection, data analysis and diagnosis. Site visits were carried out, with measurements of the structure and identification of pathological symptoms, analysis of the project and modifications made over time, verification of soil surveys SPT, monitoring of the demolition and performance of characterization tests with the soil used as fill (granulometry, liquidity and plasticity limits, real density of soil grains and humidity by the stove method). The results of this study indicate the presence of non-compliance in the design stage, through the adoption of a shallow foundation for the headlands, resting on a thick layer of compressible soil, which generated settlements and allowed water to enter the massif. The excessive presence of moisture reduced the compaction of the landfill and supposedly caused a series of pathological manifestations. In addition, the tests carried out showed that the material used as landfill was a type A-2-6 soil (TRB classification), which, despite being a soil with good behavior for the subgrade, did not meet the specifications requested in the design, and was therefore a possible aggravating factor of the situation.