Results are reported from full-scale testing of a buried, deep-corrugated, large-span box culvert with a 2.4 m rise and 10.0 m span under controlled laboratory conditions. A total of twenty-one experiments were conducted on the structure, measuring its response without backfill, during backfilling, under a loaded tandem axle dump truck, and under simulated vehicle loading with force applied by an actuator. Surface strain measurements were used to calculate bending moments and thrusts, while deflections were monitored using an electronic theodolite. Tests conducted to a maximum force of truck loading specified by the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code multiplied by a dynamic load allowance factor were performed at three cover depths. The maximum moment increased from 6 to 41 kNm/m as the cover was reduced from 1.5 to 0.45 m. This was attributed to less load distribution and decreased soil-structure system stiffness at shallower cover. The maximum bending moments were consistently observed directly beneath the applied force. Tests were also conducted at forces larger than the design values to identify the ultimate limit state(s) of the structure. An ultimate limit state was encountered at approximately 800 kN where the geotechnical resistance beneath the loading pads was exceeded. A subsequent test with the loading pad force spread over larger areas permitted larger forces to be applied. An ultimate limit state of the structure involving the formation of three plastic hinges occurred at 1100 kN. The plastic hinge initially formed at the crown, followed by hinges located at each shoulder. Post-test observations showed evidence of local buckling of the conduit wall, gaps between the plates at the seams, the tilting of bolts along the longitudinal seams, and surface cracks in the soil. Applying the material resistance factor of 0.9 to the ultimate load limit of 1100 kN measured for the structure yields a reserve capacity of 1.7 when compared to the fully factored load including dynamic load allowance and live load factors. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-12-23 11:56:12.314

No description available.

No description available.

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Civil. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 2012

No description available.

Reinforced Concrete Box Culverts (RCBCs) are an integral part of the national and international transportation infrastructure. The National Bridge Inventory Standards (NBIS) requires that all bridges, which include culverts with spans ≥ 20 ft. (6.1 m), be load rated for safe load carrying capacity in accordance with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation (MBE). In Kentucky, the Transportation Cabinet manages more than 15,500 bridges, of which almost 1,400 are bridge size culverts. Of the 1241 bridge size RCBCs that were being evaluated in Kentucky between 2015 and 2018, 846 were 2-cell culverts (or 68%). The objective in this study is to evaluate 2-cell RCBCs using the finite element (FE) method and to propose dead load and live load demand equations that can be used to determine the capacity demand ratio (C/D) and the load rating. The results indicate that the maximum dead load forces (positive and negative moments, and shear) vary linearly with respect to an increase in fill height, while the variation is bi-linear for the maximum live load forces. The proposed equations are derived in terms of the clear span and fill height. The results also indicated that, for fill heights greater than 10 ft (3 m), the maximum live load positive bending moments are less than 10% of their dead load counterparts. The primary advantage of the proposed equations lies in their simple formulation when analyzing and designing 2-cell culverts, which in turn alleviates the need to conduct a detailed finite element analysis to determine the maximum forces in 2-cell RCBCs.

As galerias enterradas são amplamente utilizadas em obras de arte corrente (OAC) na infraestrutura de rodovias e ferrovias. Visando disponibilizar mais alternativas na produção de galerias de concreto pré-moldado, a pesquisa apresenta uma análise comparativa de custos para seções transversais não usuais, direcionado a grandes profundidades de instalação. A primeira seção proposta é denominada modificada e é composta por uma base retangular com uma cobertura em arco e a segunda seção proposta é definida por três arcos com uma base plana. Essas seções além de possuir formato de geometria favorável à distribuição dos esforços solicitantes, mantêm o benefício de possibilitar uma compactação adequada do solo na lateral da galeria, como acontece em galerias retangulares convencionais, e isso garante o confinamento do solo e a redistribuição de pressões, graças à mobilização do efeito de arqueamento. Para considerar a interação solo-estrutura foram realizadas análises via elementos finitos com o pacote computacional GeoStudio® próprio para análises geotécnicas. Os resultados comprovaram a interferência do formato das geometrias no comportamento da interação solo-galeria e também evidenciaram que a redução da espessura das paredes da galeria mobiliza em maior intensidade a capacidade resistente do solo e isso reduz os esforços na estrutura. Quanto à análise dos dimensionamentos, com base na comparação dos custos evidenciou-se que, para as galerias modificadas a redução das taxas de armadura está relacionada com flecha do arco da cobertura, sendo que a economia verificada no custo total de materiais das seções estudadas variou de 4 a 29% comparado à galeria retangular. Para a galeria definida por três arcos, confirmou-se que quanto mais alongado for o seu formato, melhor é o comportamento à grandes profundidades de instalação, sendo que a economia verificada no custo total da galeria mais elíptica (DTA I-b) chegou a 50% em relação à galeria retangular e demais geometrias estudadas tiveram economia entre 17 e 42%. / Box culverts are often used in current drainage in the infrastructure of highways and railways. In order to provide more production\'s alternatives of precast concrete culvert, the research presents the comparative cost analysis for unusual cross sections, directed to large depths of installation. The first proposed cross section called modified culvert is composed of a rectangular base with an arc roof. The second is defined by three arcs with a flat base. These cross sections have geometric shapes favorable to the distribution of bending moment and shear forces. It maintains the benefit of adequate compaction of the backfill at the side of the culvert, as well as in conventional box culvert, which ensures ground confinement and pressure redistribution due to the mobilization of the arching effect. In order to consider the soil-structure interaction, finite element analyzes were performed using GeoStudio® software, which is a computational package specific for geotechnical analysis. The results showed that the geometries have influence on the behavior of the soil-culvert interaction, and that the reduction of the thickness of the culvert walls mobilizes the soil resistant capacity, reducing the stresses in the structure. Regarding the structural design, considering the comparison of costs, it was evidenced a reduction of steel reinforcements for the modified culvert, which is related to the arrow of the arc of the cover. The materials saving verified in the total cost of the studied sections ranged from 4% to 29% compared to the box culvert. For the culvert defined by three arches, it was evidenced that the more elongated its geometry, better the behavior for the great depths of installation. The highest materials saving was verified in the total cost of the most elliptical culvert (DTA I-b), which reached a value of 50%. Compared to the box culvert, the others geometries studied had savings between 17-42%.

As galerias enterradas são amplamente utilizadas em obras de arte corrente (OAC) na infraestrutura de rodovias e ferrovias. Visando disponibilizar mais alternativas na produção de galerias de concreto pré-moldado, a pesquisa apresenta uma análise comparativa de custos para seções transversais não usuais, direcionado a grandes profundidades de instalação. A primeira seção proposta é denominada modificada e é composta por uma base retangular com uma cobertura em arco e a segunda seção proposta é definida por três arcos com uma base plana. Essas seções além de possuir formato de geometria favorável à distribuição dos esforços solicitantes, mantêm o benefício de possibilitar uma compactação adequada do solo na lateral da galeria, como acontece em galerias retangulares convencionais, e isso garante o confinamento do solo e a redistribuição de pressões, graças à mobilização do efeito de arqueamento. Para considerar a interação solo-estrutura foram realizadas análises via elementos finitos com o pacote computacional GeoStudio® próprio para análises geotécnicas. Os resultados comprovaram a interferência do formato das geometrias no comportamento da interação solo-galeria e também evidenciaram que a redução da espessura das paredes da galeria mobiliza em maior intensidade a capacidade resistente do solo e isso reduz os esforços na estrutura. Quanto à análise dos dimensionamentos, com base na comparação dos custos evidenciou-se que, para as galerias modificadas a redução das taxas de armadura está relacionada com flecha do arco da cobertura, sendo que a economia verificada no custo total de materiais das seções estudadas variou de 4 a 29% comparado à galeria retangular. Para a galeria definida por três arcos, confirmou-se que quanto mais alongado for o seu formato, melhor é o comportamento à grandes profundidades de instalação, sendo que a economia verificada no custo total da galeria mais elíptica (DTA I-b) chegou a 50% em relação à galeria retangular e demais geometrias estudadas tiveram economia entre 17 e 42%. / Box culverts are often used in current drainage in the infrastructure of highways and railways. In order to provide more production\'s alternatives of precast concrete culvert, the research presents the comparative cost analysis for unusual cross sections, directed to large depths of installation. The first proposed cross section called modified culvert is composed of a rectangular base with an arc roof. The second is defined by three arcs with a flat base. These cross sections have geometric shapes favorable to the distribution of bending moment and shear forces. It maintains the benefit of adequate compaction of the backfill at the side of the culvert, as well as in conventional box culvert, which ensures ground confinement and pressure redistribution due to the mobilization of the arching effect. In order to consider the soil-structure interaction, finite element analyzes were performed using GeoStudio® software, which is a computational package specific for geotechnical analysis. The results showed that the geometries have influence on the behavior of the soil-culvert interaction, and that the reduction of the thickness of the culvert walls mobilizes the soil resistant capacity, reducing the stresses in the structure. Regarding the structural design, considering the comparison of costs, it was evidenced a reduction of steel reinforcements for the modified culvert, which is related to the arrow of the arc of the cover. The materials saving verified in the total cost of the studied sections ranged from 4% to 29% compared to the box culvert. For the culvert defined by three arches, it was evidenced that the more elongated its geometry, better the behavior for the great depths of installation. The highest materials saving was verified in the total cost of the most elliptical culvert (DTA I-b), which reached a value of 50%. Compared to the box culvert, the others geometries studied had savings between 17-42%.