BOX CULVERT
A Civil Engineering Project
Submitted by:
Shubham Mishra (1140431179)
Vikash Dubey (11]40431195)
Aniket Kalyan(1140431028)
Abbas Haider(1140431002)
Under the supervision of:
Miss Smriti Mishra
(Assistant Professor)
Department of Civil Engineering
BABU BANARASI DAS UNIVERSITY
Faizabad Road, Lucknow -226028Academic Session: 2017-18
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this final year project entitled "BOX CULVERT report is a
bonafide Record of work carried by
Shubham Mishra, Vikas Dubey, Aniket Kalyan, Abbas haider-final Year
students of Bachelor
of Technology in Civil Engineering, BABU BANARASI DAS UNIVERSITY
and LUCKNOW. This report is submitted to
the department of Civil Engineering in the partial fulfilment of requirement for
the award of Bachelor degree in civil engineering during year 2017-18.
During the development of the project they showed
their sincere effort in submitting their project report which
is very informative and of general use for giving easy Information on the related
topic.
PROJECT GUIDE: HEAD OF DEPARTMENT:
MISS SMRITI MISHRA MR.ANUPAM MALHOTRA
(DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENG.) (DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENG.)
BBDU. LUCKNOW BBDU. LUCKNOW
DECLARATION
We hereby declare that the project entitled BOX CULVERT submitted by
us in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Technology (Civil Engineering) of BABU BANARASI DAS
University is a record of our own work carried under the supervision and
guidance of MISS SMRITI MISHRA. To the best of our knowledge this
project has not been submitted to BABU BANARASI DAS University or any
other University or Institution for the award of any degree.
SHUBHAM MISHRA (1140431179)
VIKAS DUBEY (1140431195)
ANIKET KALYAN (1140431028)
ABBAS HAIDER (1140431002)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It offers me great pleasure to acknowledge and offer gratitude of all those who
have directly or indirectly helped through the course of this project. Indeed this
page of mention shall never be able to touch the horizon of generousness of
those who tendered their help. First of all we would like to thank all mighty
GOD for his blessings and give us this life along its opportunities and
experiences. Also some people stand out as we make a difference and we wish
to thank those many individual who made this project possible.
We profoundly thank to Prof.MR.ANUPAM MALHOTRA, Head of the
department of CIVIL ENGINEERING for his excellent guidance and also a
great source of inspiration to our work. We would like to thank our internal
guide MISS.SMRITI MISHRA for his technical guidance and for help provided
in selecting our project topic. In the context, we would like to thank all the other
staff members, both teaching and non-teaching, my friends & family members
for their cooperation and support in this project work.
SHUBHAM MISHRA (1140431179)
VIKAS DUBEY (1140431195)
ANIKET KALYAN(1140431028)
ABBAS HAIDER (1140431002)
PREFACE
As part of our Civil Engineering and in order to gain practical knowledge in the
field of construction, we SHUBHAM MISHRA, VIKASH DUBEY, ANIKET
KALYAN, and ABBAS HAIDER make a project on BOX CULVERT. The
basic objective behind doing our project on this was to get more and more
information about box culverts.
In this civil engineering project we have included the definition, calculation,
ways of constructions and kind of box culverts and also things like what to do
and what not to while constructing are basically included. We undergo many
experiences related with my topic concepts. We hope that who will study our
project will certainly find it interesting, worth reading, and useful. All the
constructive feedbacks are cordially and heartily invited.
Shubham Mishra (1140431179)
Vikash Dubey (1140431195)
Aniket Kalyan (1140431028)
Abbas Haider (1140431002)
Department of Civil Engineering
B.B.D.U. LUCKNOW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.ABSTRACT
2.INTRODUCTION
3.OBJECTIVES FINITE ELEMENT MODELING
CHAPTER 2
1.NONLINEAR HYPERBOLIC OF SOIL
2.HYPERBOLIC VOLUMETRIC CHANGE
3.8-NODE ELEMENTS 3-NODE BEAM ELEMENT
CHAPTER 3
1.HYSTORICAL REVIEW OF CULVERT DESIGN
2.Axial Load
3.Bending Moment
4.Box Culverts with PCC Relieving Slabs
CHAPTER 4
1. EFFECT OF CULVERT STIFFNESS4
2.EFFECT OF SPAN VARIATION
3.EFFECT OF CULVERT GEOMETRY
CHAPTER 5
1.MODIFYING DUNCAN EQUATION
2.For Uniform Sections
3.Poposed Design Procedure
4.For Non-Uniform Sections
5.Live Loads
6.Moment Distribution Between the Crown and the Haunch
CHAPTER 6
1.EVALUATION STUDY OF THE VARIOUS SOLUTION TECHNIQUES
2.Empirical Solutions Against Finite Element Solutions
3.A comparison Between Empirical Solutions and Experimental Data 4.Finite
E1ement:Solutions Against Experimental
CHAPTER 7
CLOSING DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
ABSTRACT:
Box culvert problems are a complicated example of soil structure interaction
where the relative stiffness between the backfill soil and the culvert materials is
a critical factor in the load carrying capacity of culverts.
Duncan et a1 proposed an equation for the design of this class of structures.
This equation does not take into consideration the soil structure interaction
phenomena.
A modified form of the above equation, which is presented here, with an
allowance for the soil properties and culvert stiffness provides a better
agreement with the finite element solution. Furthermore, the presence of PCC
relieving slabs and their action in transferring live loads is analyzed and another
better agreement with the finite element method is obtained.A computer
program called SEQCON is used to verify the results obtained from CANDE.
The results of both programs are compared with an experimental data.
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
In the last decade, metal culverts were extensively used in waterways or as a
replacement of highway bridges. These culverts have different shapes and their
design procedure is, largely, based on field tests and experience. In some cases
when a limited vertical clearance is available and a large cross-sectional area
isrequired, like in water conveyance, attention is focussed on large span culverts
such as aluminum box culverts. A proliferation in the use of aluminum box
culverts has made it quite necessary to develop a rational basis for the design of
these structures. To accomplish this goal, an extensive program was
undertaken at the University Of California at Berkley. An important outcome
from this study is attributed to Duncan et all who proposed a design formula to
calculate the bending moment in the crown and the haunch of aluminum box
culverts. This design formula is applicable to a wide range of culvert spans and
is based on the lowest permissible backfill material. The effect of soil structure
interaction is not included in this equation and its use is, primarily, intended for
aluminum box culverts.
In their work, Duncan et a1 used the finite elementmethod to analyse culverts
and compare its predicted solution with the experimental data obtained from
the field. The four nodes (quadratic) or three nodes (triangular) soil elements are
usually utilized in the finite element formulation .
No attempts were made to use a more sophisticated elements like eight nodes
quadratic elements for soil, or three nodes beam elements for culverts. These
higher order elements are expected to give a more accurate prediction of the
true behavior Of culverts, and ultimately, a better agreement between the field
data and the finite element solution.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study is to achieve the following goals: -
1) To attempt to evaluate the Duncan equation by studying the effects of its
parameters ( span and height of backfill ) on the bending moment with regard
to the cases of dead load (backfill) and live load (line load over the crown
level) .
2) To perform a parametric study on the effects of culverts stiffness and soil
type and properties on the bending moment with the hope that an extra
variable,
whichprovides an allowance for culvert stiffness and soil type and properties,
will be introduced to Duncan equation.3) To extend the analysis of box culverts
to include those with non-uniform cross-sectional properties, (e.g. second
moment of area), which would require an evaluation of the moment distribution
in culverts for different stiffness ratios (Ic/Ih).
4) To analyze and study the influence of PCC (Portland Cement Concrete)
relieving slabs on the induced bending moment when live loads are applied,
paying particularattention to the live load transfer mechanism through PCC
relieving slabs onto culverts, with any deviation from the available design form
to be proposed when necessary.
ABOUT HISTORICAL REVIEW:
A historical review on the design of box culverts is summarized in chapter
three. This includes the work of Duncan et al. which resulted in the Duncan
equation for calculating the bending moment due to backfill load and live load
with and without the presence of PCC relieving slabs. A detailed study on the
influence of the culvert parameters on the bending moment carrying capacity is
provided in chapter four. The effect of culvert stiffness and soil type and
properties is included in this chapter.
Chapter five introduced a modified form of the Duncan equation which has an
extra factor to allow for the soil type and culvert stiffness.
It also includes the total moment distribution between the crown and the haunch
of culverts which is revised and modified from what was proposed by Duncan.
A study on the PCC relieving slabs and their action in transferring live loads is
done in chapter six. An alternative procedure for calculating the bending
moment in culverts in the presence of these slabs is proposed in the same
chapter.
In chapter seven, an overall evaluation study, in a form of a comparison
between various solutions, is carriedout. This includes finite element ,
empirical, and experimental solutions of culvert problems.
THE MODELLING OF A CULVERT
This investigation will be based on finite element analysis. The program
CANDE (Culvert Analysis and Design) is basically used in this study. A more
sophisticated program called SEQ.CON (Sequential Construction) which
utilizes 8-node soil elements and 3-nodes beam elements will be used and the
results of this program will be compared to that of CANDE. In order to best
simulate the appropriate conditions in the field, the following assumptions and
models are considered :
1) Linear elastic model for culvert materials (steel and aluminum).
2) Duncan hyperbolic model for the analysis of the backfill soil materials. The
properties of some of the backfill materials used in this analysis are included in
CANDE. Other soil properties are interpolated from what is reported in the
literature. A general mesh with soil and beam elements is shown in figure. In
this mesh, its assumed that the culvert geometry and construction sequence are
symmetrical. The boundary conditions are believed to be as shown on the
same figure, but it may vary at point A when necessary. A 15v-10vv x 5v-0vv
culvert with 36.9 inches cover over the crown level is' used for the study of the
effects of culvert and soil stiffness. Different span box culverts are used for the
study of span variation on the bending moment. Steel and aluminium culverts
are used, the above investigations are combined and employed to modify
theDuncan eqn.
CHAPTER 2
CONSTITUTIVE EQUATIONS
In this chapter, some of the constitutive equations that are used in finite element
formulations are discussed. The hyperbolic nonlinear model of soil is used in
both, CANDE and SEQ.CON. The stiffness matrix of higher order elements (8-
node soil element and 3-node beam element) which are used in the SEQ.CON
are discussed. An allowance for the bending moment due to the shear in beam
element is also provided. The soil and beam elements used in CANDE are
discussed somewhere else [12] .
HYPERBOLIC NONLINEAR STRESS STRAIN CURVE:-
The hyperbolic model was developed to account for the nonlinear strain-stress
relation of soil. In the finite element analysis, generalized Hook's law is used to
relate the stress strain relation for each load increment. It was shown by
Kondent et a1 that the stress strain relation could be approximated, with a
reasonable accuracy, by a hyperbola like the one shown in fig(1-2) [4]. The
equation of the hyperbola can be written in the following form
s1-s2 =e/(1/E1+E/s1-s2)
For all soils (except for the fully saturated ones) tested under unconsolidated
undrained conditions, a steeper stress-strain and a higher strength will be
obtained due to an increase in the confining pressure and consequently, the
value of Ei and (al-~3),w~o~u ld also increase. The variation of Eiwith a3 is
represented by the following equation after Janbu :-
K : the modulus number (dimensionless)
n : the modulus exponent (dimensionless)
Pa: atmospheric pressure For the unloading conditions, the modulus EUris used
for both, the unloading and reloading conditions. The value of E u ris related to
03by the equation.
3-NODE BEAM ELEMENTS
A 3-node element is another example of higher order element which may be
used in finite element analysis in order to improve accuracy. Athree node
element has three nodes, one at each end and the third is somewhere in between.
We here consider a special case where the third node is in the middle of the
beam.
CHAPTER 3
HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CULVERT DESIGN
Since the early part of history, underground structures like sewers, drains,
culverts and others have been in use. In the past, several decades ago, it has
been possible to design culverts on a rational basis with a degree of precision
comparable with that obtained in the design of other underground structures.
Although culverts can be built up from various materials ( concrete , steel and
aluminum ) and in various shapes (pipes, box culverts, arch culverts and long
span box culverts), the response of these structures to loading is governed by an
interaction between a flexible membrane and a relatively compressible
surrounding medium (compacted soil fill). Analysis of such systems is difficult
due to the complex interaction mechanism involved. No closed form solution
can adequately approximate the true behavior. Most manufacturers use design
methods based on formulas that assume a grossly simplified system, but at the
same time have the backing of considerable experience. Others have developed
empirical methods based on small-scale model studies. "The finite element
method has now developed to the extent where models for soil structure
interactions problems may be formulated to provide an adequate means for
analysis of these structures under working load. A number of various types of
metal culverts have been individually analyzed by this method and the results
appear to show an acceptable correlation with field measurements It. We mainly
interested in calculating the axial load, bending moments and the deflections of
the culvert's members.
Axial Load :-
The axial load in the culvertts members can be approximated from the ring
compression theory (afterThe ring compression theory assumes that there will
be no overburden stress redistribution and it neglects all interface friction and
bending stiffness. Basically, the theory states that the thrust per unit length in
the culvert wall is constant and is equal to the overburden stress applied at the
crown of the culvert which is multiplied by one-half of the span of the structure
Duncan found that the finite element analysis gives 30%-40% larger value of
axial load than the value obtained from the above equation. He proposed that
the ring compression forces in arches and closed shape culvert structures are
approximated as [9] :-
P = kpl*Y*s + kp2*Y*~*s+ kp3*LL in which
P : axial force .
kpl : a coefficient for axial load due to backfill up to the crown level .
kp2 : a coefficient for axial load due to backfill over the crown level .
kp3 : a coefficient for axial load due to rise/span ratio.
For aluminum corrugated plates , typical values of the constants are
kpl=0.2 , kp2=1.3 and kp3= Ac/1.6H where Ac : cross-sectional area
H :cover depth Other researchers proposed charts to calculate the axial force
and deflection in arch culverts . They proposed that the two key response
parameters for these structures, the relative crown deflection and the spring line
thrust (T) are some function of the input parameters .
Bending Moment:
The bending moment is the most important criterion for the design of aluminum
box culverts. In these structures, and according to Duncan et a1 , two maximum
points of bending moments can take place in the crown and in the
haunch of culverts.
A third point of large bending moment may appear in the foundation of the
culvert as seen in fig(3-3). Sometimes a failure may take place due to the hinge
formation at these points. The design of the aluminum box culvert is proposed
by Duncan et a1.
BOX CULVERTS WITH PCC RELIEVING SLABS
Relieving PCC slabs are usually used over the backfill materials when culverts
are used in highways and roads. These slabs can be considered as one of the
backfill materials which possesses a relatively very high stiffness. This could
have a very large effect on the transmission of live loads to the crown of
culverts. loads by distributing them over a large area.
CHAPTER 4
EFFECT OF CULVERT STIFFNESS
In structures like culverts, which are built from certain materials and surrounded
by a backfill of different materials, the relative stiffness of the two adjacent
materials play a major role in the load transfer mechanism to the culvert through
the surrounding materials. In fact, the phenomenon of positive and negative
archingis due tothis relative stiffness. Though much research and manystudies
have shown the effect of soil stiffness andculvert stiffness on the bending
moment in culverts very few proposed designs considered these effects.
Here is an extensive study of the effects of culvert's stiffness and backfill
stiffness on the bending moment in the haunch and the crown of the culvert.
These studies are based on 15.87ft span and 5.0ft rise Lane culvert with
36.075ft cover over the crown level of the culvert. Duncan's model is used to
simulate the stress-strain relation in the backfill materials. Uniform cross
sectional properties nbased on the equivalent uniform cross-sectional
properties1' are assumed for the culvert's beam elements that the total bending
moment in the culvert is dependent on the culvert stiffness .Furthermore, the
nature of the relation between (EI) and
Mt seems to be hyperbolic. Fig (4-3) confirms the hyperbolic nature of this
relation which appears to have the form :
EI/Mt = B + Bl*(EI) where B and B1 are constants In the second part of this
study, a thorough investigation will BE TAKEN OFF.
A more detailed: study of the effect of (EI) on the total bending moment is seen
in fig(4-4). Here, the same culvert configuration is used, but with varying value
of culvert stiffness (EI) which covers a wide range of materials including steel
and aluminum. No slippage is assumed to take place between the culvert plates
and their stiffners.
The early portion of the curve is dominantly aluminum, while the upper portion
of the curve is typically steel. The total beam bending moment value which, is
obtained by using Duncan's equation, is larger than the finite element solution
for aluminum culverts, and hence justifies its use for the design purposes. A
10% to 20% larger value of total bending moment (Mt) could be obtained from
the finite element solutions on steel culverts than those obtained by the Duncan
equation for the span under consideration. This variation between the finite
element solution and other solutions, which are based on Duncan equation, is
not typical. As we will see later, the Duncan equation tends to give a
conservative estimation of the bending moment, especially due to the backfill
load, whether is used for steel or aluminum and particularly for large span
culverts.
EFFECT OF SPAN VARIATIONS:-
The effect of culvert stiffness has, by far, been studied, more, for various soil
types, but, also, for the same culvert span and height of backfill. Naturally, one
would predict that the bending moment will increase due to an increase in the
culvertls span. According to Duncan's equation, the increase in the total bending
moment should be proportional to the cubic value of the
span.) clearly shows that the relationship between the span and the total bending
moment for culverts with a span larger than 20ft is not exactly parabolic of the
third degree. In fact, .the total bending moment is slightly increasing with span
increment, but not as sharply as predicted by Duncan. Perhaps, this could be
the reason why an upper limit for the applicability of this equation was
established. A detailed study of the finite element solution indicated that a less
rapid increase, and sometimes a decrease in the bending moment at the crown of
the culvert is obtained when the span is increased . This is due to the fact that a
large upward deflection might occur in long span culverts at the early stage of
backfilling and before reaching the crown level. This upward deflection and its
induced moment will decrease the bending effect due to further backfill over the
crown level. This may be the explanation why the Duncan equation
overestimates the bending moment in larger span culverts.
The ratio of the crown bending moment to the total bending moment was
proposed by Duncan to be a function of the span of the culvert. shows that this
ratio is somewhat similar to what was produced by Duncan. This issue will be
discussed and analyzed in more details in the next chapter.
The change in the total bending moment due to the culvert span variation is
studied for various heights of backfill over the crown level. The three curves do
have a similar pattern to what was produced by Duncan. Another similar
agreement with Duncan's work is obvious in Fig(4-
8) where a linear relationship is obtained between the applied height of fill and
its induced bending moment. This linear relation is proved to be valid for
various spans as the curves indicate. In fact, curves similar to what is obtained
in Fig(4-7) constitute the basis for the Duncan equation. To combine the effect
of relative stiffness and culvert s span, a plot of the total bending moment
against (EI~/~*si~s )s hown in Fig(4-9). The obtained points are best fitted by
two straight lines which intersect at a point that may reasonably be represented
by a span of 21ft and 1=0.65. A more general form of representing this relation
is to put it in a nondimensional form by dividing the F.E.M results by its
corresponding Duncan solution. This is done in Fig(4-lo). In this figure, a
family of curves is obtained where each curve represents a certain culvert span.
EFFECT OF CULVERT GEOMETRY:-
The culvertls geometry appears to be a crucial factor in the deflection and the
bending moment of the crowns of culverts. As a matter of fact, the measured
culvert shape or dimension might slightly differ from their corresponding design
value. This slight variation in the culvertls geometry has been shown to be
responsible for a difference of more than 30% in the deflection or bending
moment. These results were concluded from analysis on some Kaiser aluminum
culverts. In several cases studied, the obtained crown's moments and deflections
when the design shape of the culvert was used, didn't matched those results
obtained when the measured shape of culvert was used even though the
difference in shape was hardly noticeable, Fig(4-11). This surprising finding
was confirmed by both CANDE and SEQ.CON. Itls recommended that further
investigation should be undertaken to quantitatively predict the effect of this
variation and perhaps, to explain why it is so influential on the culvert's reaction
CHAPTER 5
ANALYSIS OF CULVERTS WITH PCC RELIEVING SLABS
It has been indicated in chapter three that one of the major reasons for using
PCC relieving slabs is their abilities to effectively reduce the severe effects of
the live loads that are applied on, or near, the crown level by distributing those
loads over a large area. Although Duncan, Seed and Draw sky treated the
presence of PCC slabs as a reduction factor in the distribution of live loads,
they recognized that its quite unrealistic to merely treat the live load as a line
load in the presence of these slabs. In this chapter , the effect of PCC slabs, as a
function of their stiffness, in distributing live load over culverts is studied. It
could be argued that the rigidity of the slab is a dominant factor in transferring
the live load to culverts. If the stiffness of the slab is increased, a general
tendency toward uniformly distributing the line load is observed. When the
stiffness becomes very high, the slab is said to be rigid. That is, it transfers the
line load into a uniformly distributing load. The rigidity of one foot of concrete
slab is examined for different cases of culvert spans and heights of backfill.
In fig (6-l), the effect of replacing the last layer of soil backfill by a concrete
slab of one foot thickness and a projection of one foot over the edge of the
culvert, is quite noticeable. A reduction factor of more than 45% in the total
moment is obtained when these slabs are introduced. Furthermore, this
reduction factor seems to be, relatively, independent of the span of the culvert
since different span culverts tend to have similar reduction factors. In road
design, a PCC relieving slab is not the only finishing layer used over the
backfill materials. In many cases a less stiff finishing layer, like pavement, is
frequently used. The variation in the material stiffness of the relieving slab is
expected to be critically important in transferring the live load onto culverts. To
account for these variations, hypothetical values of slab modulus (Eslab) are
used. Those moduli have a range of values between an extremely rigid materials
on one hand, and an ordinary backfill soil layer on the other. A summary of the
results is presented in fig(6-2) which depicts a considerable reduction in the
total bending moment, both in the crown and the haunch of the culvert as result
of increasing the slab stiffness. This increase in (Mt) is not indifinite, but
actually, it approaches a certain value after which it becomes quite independent
of the slab stiffness. This value of the constant bending moment is achieved
when the relieving slab becomes so rigid that it can act as a rigid body.
That is because of the small relative deflection between various points within
the slab. Such a case would imply that the line load applied over the slab is
transmitted into a uniformly distributed load underneath it. If the above
argument is true, then a line load applied on a very rigid slab and its equivalent
uniformly distriuted load should be expected to yield the same deflection and
bending moment pattern along the culvert plate. A plot of these patterns for
slabs, with various elastic moduli, is shown . It is clearly seen that the deflection
pattern and the moment distribution along culvert plate is identical for both
cases, the case of a line load over a rigid slab and the case of its equivalent
uniformly distributed load. For the above conclusion to be practically
applicable, it should be valid for a practical range of backfill height and culvert
spans. The same loading conditions are applied on a 141-10u culvert, but with
different backfill materials between the crown of the culvert and the slab. Fig
(6-5) shows that a concrete slab would behave as a rigid body provided that the
height of the backfill under these slabs is greater than the minimum which is
1.4ft. Similar results are obtained from a 25'- 3" span culvert with different
heights of backfill.
The important conclusion from the above argument is that for a practical range
of the culvert's spans and the heights of backfill, a one foot PCC with one foot
projection over the edge of the culvert is rigid enough to transmit live loads into
uniformly distributed loads. In design procedures, itls only required to calculate
the equivalent uniformly distributed load for the applied live load and carry on
calculations as for backfill materials. This could be done by treating the applied
line load as an increase in the density of the bacfill layers over the crown's level.
In such a case, the method described in the last chapter may be used to calculate
the bending moment without any reference to live load. If a slab of less than one
foot thickness or is made from other materials, other than concrete, a correction
factor depending on the geometrical and the material stiffness (EI) slab may be
obtained from Fgi (6-6) and applied to the calculated bending moment. Under
severe loading conditions like small height of backfill or very poor soil, the
Duncan, Seed, and Drawsky approach may safely be used to predict the bending
moment due to line loads.
CHAPTER 6
EVALUATION STUDY OF THE VARIOUS SOLUTIONS
TECHNIQUES:-
This study is intended to carry out some comparison investigation on solutions
to culvert problems obtained from empirical equations (the Duncan equation
and the modified Duncan equation.), finite element solutions (CANDE and
SEQ.CON), and an experimental data (Lane Steel Culvert). It is well admitted
that a comparison of only one field test with theoretical solutions doesn't
provide, by any means, enough facts to ascertain the suitability of a particular
solution. Relying, though, on the facts of what was reported in the literature
about the behavior of culverts in the, field, a general judgment on the different
theoretical methods (whether finite element method or empirical equations)
could be obtained.
Empirical Solution Against Finite Element Solutions:-
A comparison between the finite element solution, the Duncan equation and the
modified form of Duncan equation for various culvert parameters and live loads
has been carried out. Some of the obtained results are included in Table. For all
culvert parameters and line loads used, the modified form of the Duncan
equation showed a better agreement with the finite element solutions more than
the original form. In fact, the modified form of the Duncan equation is more
powerful in predicting the bending moment due to backfill loads or other forms
of dead loads. The bending moment due to live loads is calculated according to
the Duncan equation, without any modifications, since it was decided that no
correction should be applied.
Another good prediction of the bending moment is obtained when a concrete
relieving slab of one foot in thickness is applied over a 14'-1011 span culvert as
shown in the table (7-1). The PCC relieving slab did, successfully, transfer the
line load into a uniformly distributed load.
Satisfactory prediction of the moment ratio was also obtained. The predicted
values of the moment ratio are in better agreement with the finite element
solution, and they provide a better basis for design than the Duncan method.
A Comparison Between Empirical Solution And Experimental Data:-
Experimental results obtained from tests on lane steel culverts [3] were used to
compare the total bending moment in culverts with those obtained by using the
modified and the original form of the Duncan equation. Standard methods for
converting the measured stresses into bending moments were used [ll]. It was
decided to compare data obtained from the September test (with good soil) only,
this was because of the presence of some erroneous data points in the crown
area that were reported from the May test (with the poor quality soil). Table
summerizes the results of this comparison and shows that the modified form of
the Duncan equation provided an underestimation of the total bending moment.
On the other hand, the Duncan equation provided a slightly more conservative
value of the bending moment. This shortcome in the modified form of the
Duncan equation was due to the unexpected high experimental value of the
bending moment in the haunch of the culvert. In the crown of culverts, a general
agreement was obtained between the experimental values and the predicted
values of the bending moment. Actually, the modified form of Duncan equation
was based on the finite element solution obtained from the CANDE. As we will
see soon, CANDE was unable to anticipate thehigh moment value in the
haunch.
Finite Element Solutions Against Experimental.Solution:-
The finite element analysis is carried out by using both programs, CANDE and
SEQ.CON, which basically differ in the order of their elements. The backfilling
process is simulated by assigning different construction sequences numbers for
the soil elements in CANDE, and by using the embankment option in
SEQ.CON. The dense liquid process used in SEC.CON to simulate the
backfilling operation is quite representative of the actual conditions in the field.
In this process, the modulus of the newly added element is reduced by a factor
of one hundred so to simulate the looss backfill layer (befor compaction) which
possesses weight but not stiffness. A normal value of this modulus is assigned
to the backfill element before the addition of subsequent layers. The nodal
forces resulted from the addition of a new layer is calculated from the eqation.
CANDE adopts the incremental costruction techniques where the stiffness.
matrix for the first soil increment and associated loads is computed and
consequently, displacements, stresses, and strains are calculated. When the
second increment is added, the combined stiffness matrix for the first and
second increment is computed. However, the slight variation in the simulation
of the backfilling process, mentioned above, is not expected to yield much
difference in the computed bending moment which is our main concern. In both
computer programs, and when using a nonlinear model of soil, the state of stress
is calculted for each soil increment while soil modulus and poissonls ratio are
updated acordingly. A hyperbolic nonlinear model for soil (Duncan model) is
provided in CANDE and SEQ.CON, but it was noticed that SEQ.CON uses
different techniques to calculte the poissonls ratio. this required the subroutin in
SEQmCON, which is responsible for calculating the soil parameters for the
hyperbolic model, to be modified to a form similar to that of CANDE. In this
case, any difference in solution which could be attributed to the soil model is
avoided and a better basis for comparison will be provided.
Finite element solutions obtained from both, CANDE and SEQ.CON., were
compared with the experimental data on the Lane Steel Culvert. compare the
bending moment due to CANDE solution, SEQ.CON. solution, and
experimental data obtained from the application.
CHAPTER 7
CLOSING DISCUSSION
Throughout this study the following points are believed to be particularly
important in the analysis and design of culverts:-
1) Introducing a new variable to the Duncan equation would provide a better
agreement with the finte element solution. Generally speaking, the finite
element solution provides a conservative basis for culvert design
espicially in the haunch of culverts. The modified form of the Duncan
equation should be checked against some experimental data to assess its
applicability to predict the culvert moment. However, it's believed that
the modified Duncan equation provides a more realistic approach to
culvert design for the case of backfill, particularly when large span
culverts are considered. The bending moment due to the live load is
believed to be adequately covered by the Duncan equation.
2) A fairly rigid concrete slab has a substantial usagedue to its influence on
the loading mode. A live load could be transmitted through those slabs
into a uniformly distributed load. This finding, if ascertained
experimentally, would lead to a practical approach to encounter the
severe effects of live loads on culverts.
3) The finite element provides a rational conservative ground for the design
of box culverts. A very good prediction of the bending moment in the
crown's area is usually obtained from the finite element method. In the
haunch area, a fairly conservative values are obtained from the that
method. However, a more sophisticated finite element formulation, which
utilizes higher order elements like eight node elements and three node
beam elements with more realistic techniques (like SEQ.CON), is
expected to yield more accurate prediction of the bending moments and
the deflections of culverts.
REFERENCES
1- www.facultyjournal.com
2- J.M.Duncan, R,B.Seed, and R.H.Drawsky, IfDesign of Corrugated Metal
Box culvert. Transportation Research Record.
3- www.questia.com
4- Kai S. Wong, and J.M.Duncan, "Hyperbolic Stress Strain Parameters for
Non-Linear Finite Element Stress Movement in Soil Masses, Report No.
TE-74-3, University Of California-Berkley, July 1974.
5- www.acedemia.edu
6- www.quora.com
7- E.Hinton, and D.R.J.Owens, "Finite Element Programingt1. Academic
Press Inc. (London) LTD 1977.
8- sciedu.caljournal/index.phlijba
9- structural book of BHAVIKATTI
10- Wei-Wen Yu, "Cold Form Steel Designtt, A Willey-Interscience
Publications, 1985.
11- www.google.com
12- www.wikipedia.com
13- www.chainstoreage.com
14- www.epicstreame.com
15- J .M. Duncan, It behaviour and Design of Long-Span Metal Culvert,
Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering, March 1985.
