Infrastructure Challenges, Geofoam Solutions

CHALLENGE:  In a fairly remote area of unincorported King county in Washington State, an existing bridge was only 20 feet long which barely spanned the creek at high floodwater.  The existing bridge was founded on creosote treated wooden piles and needed to be replaced.  The new bridge which is 60 feet long and required new footings and abutment walls; however, over fairly soft soils.  How do you create a structure designed to hold up a bridge AND retain soil?

SOLUTION:  Insulfoam Geofoam was used to reduce differential settlement of the bridge approach fill AND was used to reduce the cost of the wall based on the reduction/elimination of the lateral pressures. You can view construction photos here.

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Project:  Patterson Creek Bridge Approach

Location:  Sammamish WA

Client:  King County DOT

Product Used:  Geofoam, 10-15 truckloads