Innovation Description and Benefit:

The girder on pile construction method places the steel girder directly on top of the steel pile before the abutment is formed. The girders are then welded to the pile to hold them in place while the abutment is formed. After the abutment and diaphragm are formed, they are poured with concrete simultaneously, prior to pouring the deck. Placing the girders directly on the piles allows the abutment and diaphragm to be formed and poured together and eliminates the bearing pads and foam filler. This makes forming the two more efficient and eliminates an entire concrete pour.