Structural Evaluation of New Concepts for Long-Span Culverts and Culvert Installations

摘要

Analytical structural evaluations of long-span and conventional culvert installations are made using a finite element soil-structure model. Included in the evaluation are the relative merits of conventional soil-structure design parameters of soil quality and compaction, footing width (for arches), metal liner thickness, metal liner shape, scale of structure, and special manufacturing features, such as thrust beam, rib stiffeners, and soil bin. Results indicate that soil stiffness is the most significant parameter related to deformations in the structure. Maximum thrust force is generally insensitive to all conventional design parameters. Further analytical evaluations are made of new concepts, including reinforced earth, stabilized soil zones, selective placement of soft inclusions, and controlled joint slippage. Results suggest that soil reinforcement used in conjunction with long-span culverts may be a cost-effective technique to limit structural deformations and enhance structural capacity. It also appears that controlled joint slippage may be the most cost-effective method to reduce thrust. Other parameters investigated included selective placement of stabilized soil, V-notch void, and fluid jackets for concrete pipe, all of which appeared to improve the structural performance of culverts.