REVIEW OF THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF LONG-SPAN, CORRUGATED-METAL, BURIED CONDUITS

Long-span corrugated-metal buried structures are generally defined as conduits constructed of structural-plate with spans exceeding 15 to 25 feet (5 to 8 m) or radii of curvature exceeding 8 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 m). The principal applications for long-span structures are culverts and grade separations, with many installations serving as alternatives for small bridges. Over 600 structures of this form have been installed in North America since 1960, and six major companies are involved in their production. This report is a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art of the design and construction of long-span structures. Among the aspects treated in detail are the design concepts, construction procedures, economic considerations, experimental investigations, failures, and analytical modeling requirements for these conduits. The report concludes with recommendations regarding new design concepts, analytical developments and experimental investigations. These recommendations are all directed toward a better understanding of the behavior and modeling of long-span structures to improve further the design, construction and performance of these installations. /Author/

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Subcontracts were given to the State University of New York, Buffalo and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
• Corporate Authors:

  Naval Construction Battalion Center

  Civil Engineering Laboratory, Point Mugu
  Port Hueneme, CA  United States  93043
• Authors:
  • Selig, E T
  • Abel, J F
  • Kulhawy, F H
  • Falby, W E
• Publication Date: 1977-8

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 88 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Corrugated metals; Culverts; Economics; Failure; Grade separations; Long span; Performance; Plates (Engineering); State of the art studies
• Uncontrolled Terms: Plates
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Economics; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00174418
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-77-131 Intrm Rpt., FCP 35I3211
• Contract Numbers: FHWA P.O. 6-3-0105
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 14 1978 12:00AM