1. GENERAL
This Technical Note provides guidelines for the warrants and use of approach slabs on VicRoads
structures.
2. SCOPE
This Technical Note explains the purpose of approach slabs, and covers criteria for use, standard
dimensions, design and AS 5100 references to the use of approach slabs.
3. DEFINITION
Approach slab is the term used by VicRoads for the reinforced concrete slab located between a
roadway and bridge abutments or culverts or behind a retaining wall to permit a smooth transit of
traffic. Other commonly used terms are relieving or run-on slabs, and the terminology used by
AASHTO is transition slabs.
4. DISCUSSION
4.1 Purpose
Approach slabs provide a transition between road and structural surfaces and reduce the step
caused by settlement of approach embankments to bridges/culverts or behind retaining walls.
Settlements occur due to consolidation of embankment material or the underlying foundation
material. Consolidation of filling adjacent to bridge abutments, culverts, or adjacent to retaining
walls is partially due to the difficulty, during construction, of compacting material close to a wall.
It has been shown that approach slabs reduce vehicle impact on bridges by providing a smooth
transition of road surface level.
VicRoads practice is to use approach slabs on culverts where the above criteria apply, and there is
insufficient depth over the culvert for the road pavement. This situation may occur when culverts
are located on a floodway.
VicRoads practice is to use approach slabs on retaining walls where traffic lanes are close to the
retaining wall to prevent loss of road profile. This situation may occur at interchanges where
retaining walls are required because of restrictions on the location of ramps.
4.3 Length
Approach slabs should be provided for the full width of roadway (and footway where necessary)
and the length should be 4.0 metres minimum measured square to the abutment centreline.
Designers should provide longer approach slabs where large settlements are expected.
One side of the bridge deck joints is usually fixed to the approach slab, and the type of deck joint
should have capacity for rotation and vertical movement (uplift) compatible with expected
settlement of the approach slab.
Designers should provide adequate lateral clearances from other parts of the structure (e.g. from
wing walls) to allow settlement of approach slabs. The gaps between approach slabs and wing
walls should be sealed to prevent entry of drainage water.
Where approach slabs have 2-way crossfall, designers should detail the support to allow the slab to
rotate about a single hinge line.
A bedding layer consisting of 100 mm of compacted crushed rock is used under approach slabs,
and an edge beam or additional reinforcement is used on the transverse free edge.
Alternatives to VicRoads normal design standards for approach slab designs are acceptable
provided they meet equivalent or higher performance standards.
4.6 Drainage
Pavement settlement is a common problem at the end of approach slabs due to the entry of water in
the interface between the pavement and approach slab. A sub-surface drain should be installed at
this location unless specified otherwise.
5 REFERENCES
MIKE VEREY
PRINCIPAL BRIDGE ENGINEER