Seismic design requirements for an open-bottom box culvert were evaluated using simplified, pseudo-static, and numerical analysis methods. The open-bottom box culvert has features that resemble both a restrained-top soldier pile wall and a box culvert but without the bottom slab that normally provides a base to the box. Therefore, the analytical design procedures included: (1) modified version of the generalized limit equilibrium (GLE) method used for seismic design of above-ground retaining walls and (2) simplified racking analysis (SRA), which is commonly used for below-grade box structures with both base and lid. Seismic demands and deformations based on these two design methods are compared to results of dynamic finite element analyses. The study results indicate that estimated structure deflections and moment demand/capacity ratios are similar for the GLE and SRA design methods, but that neither the GLE nor SRA procedures capture the deformation mode observed from dynamic finite element analyses. The observed difference in response illustrates the limitations of simplified force- and displacement-based methods when applied to certain soil-structure interaction problems.
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