Ground Engineering
Rehabilitate failing bridge abutments without full deconstruction — faster delivery, significantly lower cost, and minimal disruption to bridge operations.
When a bridge abutment begins to fail (through settlement, scour, corrosion, or inadequate load capacity) the default response from most contractors is full deconstruction and reconstruction. For the client, that means extended bridge closure, a lengthy consenting process, and a cost that is often difficult to justify for a structure that was otherwise performing adequately.
GSI NZ offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative through our GSIAbutments™ system, reinforcing and rehabilitating the existing abutment in place using SuperNails™, micropiles and anchor systems installed through the existing structure without demolition. This avoids full deconstruction, significantly reduces cost, and returns the bridge to service in a fraction of the time.
REPAIR APPROACHES
GSI NZ CAPABILITY
THE GSI DIFFERENCE
Step 1
We assess the condition of the existing abutments, characterise the failure mode, and evaluate whether in-place rehabilitation is appropriate. For most structures, GCS rehabilitation is faster, cheaper, and less disruptive than full reconstruction.
Step 2
New abutment elements are designed using Geosynthetically Confined Soil technology, a geosynthetically reinforced soil system that provides the required bearing capacity and structural performance without the cost and complexity of conventional concrete or piled foundations.
Step 3
Construction is carried out rapidly with minimal heavy plant. In most cases, the existing bridge deck is retained and reused, and the bridge is returned to service significantly faster than would be possible with full reconstruction. Full structural QA documentation is provided on completion.
CAPABILITY
GSI NZ's GCS abutment technology allows failing bridge abutments of timber, concrete, steel, gabion, or stone construction to be rehabilitated in place rather than demolished and rebuilt. The approach eliminates the cost and delay of conventional reconstruction, avoids complex permitting for new structure construction, and returns the bridge to service faster, making it particularly valuable for rural bridges, low-volume roads, and structures where extended closure would significantly impact access.
For bridges requiring a complete abutment replacement rather than rehabilitation, our GSIBRIDGE™ service delivers rapid new abutment construction using GCS® technology, from the same integrated engineering and construction team.
GSIAbutments™ Overview →GROUND ENGINEERING
Ground improvement and geotechnical works for the AMETI Eastern Busway transport corridor.
View Project →GROUND ENGINEERING
Infrastructure ground works for the Clevedon–Kawakawa road corridor.
View Project →GROUND ENGINEERING
CFA piling and GCS wall on a constrained coastal site in Napier.
View Project →Get in Touch
Bridge abutment failure is a safety issue that escalates quickly. Our engineers will assess the failure mechanism and design a repair that restores structural integrity.
Get an Assessment