BEHAVIOR OF A CORRUGATED-METAL BOX CULVERT. FINAL REPORT

Strain and deflection were determined for a 22-ft 3-in aluminum box culvert during backfilling and under static live load. The structure was instrumented at the crown and haunches with electrical-resistance strain gages on the structural plates and stiffening ribs, and curvature meters on the plates. This instrumentation permitted determination of average bending on five corrugations (each 9-in. wide) across a 54-in. wide structural plate. In addition, crown displacement was monitored at five locations with potentiometers. The structure was assembled and loaded in the laboratory to permit calibration of measured response with bending moment and thrust. The laboratory testing showed that the structural plates and stiffening ribs were not fully composite in resisting applied loads, with the amount of composite action being less at the haunches than the crown. The structure's response was determined at 18 increments of backfill from the footing to 22 in. over the crown. Response under the final asphalt paving was also measured. For the live-load test, a 32-kip dual-tire truck axle was staticaly positioned at a number of locations over the crown. These tests were performed on the subgrade and with the finished paving in place. Measured response of the structure is compared with estimates from finite-element analysis and design equations.

• Corporate Authors:

  New York State Department of Transportation

  Engineering Research and Development Bureau, 1220 Washington Avenue
  Albany, NY  United States  12232

  Federal Highway Administration

  Research, Development and Technology
  6300 Georgetown Pike
  McLean, VA  United States  22101
• Authors:
  • Beal, D B
• Publication Date: 1986-11

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aluminum culverts; Backfilling; Box culverts; Deflection; Dislocation (Geology); Live loads; Static tests; Strain (Mechanics)
• Old TRIS Terms: Response; Strains
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; I20: Design and Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00463145
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/NY/RR-86/133
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1987 12:00AM