COST-EFFECTIVE CONCRETE BOX CULVERT DESIGN. FINAL REPORT

This investigation critically examined the provisions of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 1983 Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges, relative to design of reinforced concrete box culverts (RCB). Three major areas were studied: (1) soil pressures, (2) live loads, and (3) design methods. The soil pressure analysis was performed by computer finite element modeling, taking into account soil-structure interactions. Equations were developed for approximate estimation of soil loads. It was found that the resulting pressures were considerably higher than AASHTO-specified values. This confirms results of earlier investigations by others. The AASHTO provisions for wheel loads, or live loading, were analyzed using Boussinesq's theory and influence surface techniques. Load distribution through roadway pavement, if any, and through soil fill were considered. AASHTO recommendation for distribution through soil were found to be rational, except that sudden changes between various soil fill depth zones were causing irrational designs near zone limits. Recommendations were developed to eliminate these discrepancies. Finally, it was found that the ultimate strength design approach was superior to the working stress design method. In addition to providing a uniform safety margin against failure throughout the culvert, it can result in significant material savings.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Nebraska, Omaha

  Department of Civil Engineering, 6001 Dodge Street
  Omaha, NE  United States  68182-0178

  Nebraska Department of Roads

  1500 Highway 2, P.O. Box 94759
  Lincoln, NE  United States  68509

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Tadros, M K
• Publication Date: 1986-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 224 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boussinesq equation; Design methods; Earth pressure; Finite element method; Live loads; Load transfer; Reinforced concrete culverts; Soil structure interaction; Ultimate load design
• Old TRIS Terms: Boussinesq formula; Influence surfaces; Ultimate strength design
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00472127
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: NE-DOR-R 86-3
• Contract Numbers: 83-3
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1988 12:00AM