Numerical modelling of helical culverts during backfilling

This paper presents the findings from numerical modelling of a sinusoidal culvert and ribbed profile helical steel culvert during backfilling with low overburden fill. Deformation, hoop forces and bending moment in the culvert and stress in the backfill are obtained. A detailed understanding of the culvert throughout the backfilling operation has been developed. The deformed shape of the culvert during backfilling is consistent with the high bending moments. The actual response of an instrumented test culvert is shown to be similar to the predictions from the numerical modelling. The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (2000) considers bending during backfilling. The methods of design in other current world design standards ignore bending effects, assuming hoop compression force is dominant. This assumption does not accurately represent the real behaviour of a helical culvert. It may lead to unacceptably high bending stresses and yielding during backfilling. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214936.

• Record URL:
  http://arrbknowledge.com
• Authors:
  • PRITCHARD, R
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11P
• Serial:
  • AUSTROADS BRIDGE CONFERENCE, 6TH, 2006, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • Publisher: AUSTROADS

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridges; Conferences; Culverts; Deflection; Design; Embankments; Field tests; Mathematical models; Steel; Stresses; Trench backfill
• ITRD Terms: 3455: Bridge; 8525: Conference; 3360: Culvert; 5586: Deflection; 9011: Design (overall design); 2801: Embankment; 6226: In situ; 6473: Mathematical model; 4542: Steel; 5575: Stress (in material)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01051043
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 11 2007 1:12PM