Proof Testing of a Structural Plate Pipe with Varying Bedding and Backfill Parameters. Section 7. (Volume 3): Finite Element Analysis

摘要

The finite element code, CANDE, is used to evaluate the behavior of a 120-in.- (3048-mm-) diameter, 12-gauge, steel, structural, plate culvert under a 188-ft overfill. CANDE is judged to be superior for predicting performance of buried flexible pipes. CANDE results from an asymmetric mesh are compared with results from a CANDE extended, automatic-generated, symmetric mesh for possible economic savings without loss of accuracy of solutions. The results of a CANDE analysis including nonlinear constitutive models for characterizing pipe and soil, incremental construction, allowance of relative movement between soil-pipe and free vertical movement with a symmetric mesh are established, and compared to results of a field experimental study. Lastly, CANDE designs are compared with the California Department of Transportation's design solutions for corrugated steel pipe.