Use the following design practice for standard type “stub” abutments with backwalls:

Position the backwall, wing wall lengths, wing wall support, and various other standardized items as shown in the
Bridge Detailing Guide
, or applicable bridge standard drawings. In unique cases requiring additional bearing area, the primary backwall may be positioned at the back of the abutment cap.
Minimum requirements for cap, backwall, and wing wall reinforcement are shown in the
Bridge Detailing Guide
. Structural analysis is generally not required for abutments within the geometric constraints noted in the
Bridge Detailing Guide
. Exceptions include cases where abutment has significant likelihood of acting as a bent due to scour and stream migration or known future expansion plans that would result in lengthening the bridge.
Provisions of Article 5.6.7 need not be satisfied for abutment caps not requiring analysis as noted above. Limit spacing of primary flexural reinforcing bars to no more than 18 in.
Calculate the horizontal forces using 40 pcf equivalent fluid pressure at the bottom of the cap. If no approach slab is used, include a surcharge of $\Delta p=k{ɣ}_s{h}_{eq}$
, where k = 0.25, ${ɣ}_s$
= 120 pcf. For abutments with
d
< 5 ft. take $h_{eq}$
= 4.0 ft. For all other abutments see Table 3.11.6.4-1. Retaining type abutments in questionable soils may justify a more rigorous analysis.

For pile foundations, use battered pairs of piling for all abutments that are not otherwise restrained from horizontal movement or otherwise consistent with standard abutment designs/details shown on standard drawings. Examples of sufficient restraint are slab spans and pan form spans that are doweled into the abutment. If analysis determines adequate resistance to lateral loads, vertical pile abutments in MSE wall backfill are permitted for deeper girders than the standard abutment designs/details shown on standard drawings. Avoid battered piling in areas immediately adjacent to MSE walls because of the difficulty of installing the backfill. If sufficient room is provided for MSE wall straps and compaction, battered piles may be used.

Maximum spacing of drilled shafts or pile groups:

TxGirders less than or equal to 40 in. in depth - 13.50 ft.
TxGirders greater than 40 in. in depth - 11.00 ft.
Steel girders greater than 70 in. in depth - 11.00 ft. unless lesser spacing is required by analysis
All other beam types less than or equal to 40 in. in depth - 16.00 ft.
All other beam types greater than 40 in. in depth - 12.50 ft.

Drilled shaft loads may be calculated as the total vertical load on the cap divided equally among the cap shafts. Wing wall shaft or pile load is usually taken as 10 tons per shaft or pile, unless calculated vertical loads are higher.

Calculate pile loads as the total vertical load on the cap divided equally among the cap pilings. For abutments with battered piling, add the horizontal force specified above to the vertical load. The back pile is not allowed to go into tension due to the lateral load, considering dead load and soil pressure only unless the addition of further foundation elements or other mitigation efforts fail to eliminate the presence of tension.