ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF BOX CULVERTS

A Thesis Presented to The Faculty

of College of Engineering and Technology
Ohio University

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirement for the Degree
Master of Science

-Ali H. Abdel-Haq/

OH10 UNlLJE8SITY
LIBRARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

.............................
...................................
....................................

SYMBOLS AND NOTATIONS

TABLE OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES

ii
vi

CHAPTER ONE

..........................................
INTRODUCTION
.................................
OBJECTIVES
...................................
FINITE ELEMENT MODELING
......................

ABSTRACT
1.1)
1.2)
1.3)

CHAPTER TWO

.................
.................
HYPERBOLIC VOLUMETRIC CHANGE
..............................
8-NODE ELEMENTS
3-NODE BEAM ELEMENT
..........................

2.1) NONLINEAR HYPERBOLIC OF SOIL

10

2.2)

14

2.3)
2.4)

16

22

CHAPTER THREE

...............
...................................

HYSTORICAL REVIEW OF CULVERT DESIGN

25

3.1) Axial Load

26

3.2) Bending Moment

...............................

29

........

30

3.3) Box Culverts with PCC Relieving Slabs

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1) EFFECT OF CULVERT STIFFNESS

..................

4.2) EFFECT OF SPAN VARIATION

4.3) EFFECT OF CULVERT GEOMETRY

.....................
...................

38
41

CHAPTER FIVE

.........................
For Uniform Sections
.........................
Poposed Design Procedure
.....................

MODIFYING DUNCAN EQUATION

51

5.1)

51

5.2)

.....................
...................................
Live Loads
Moment Distribution Between the Crown and
the Haunch
...................................

53

5.3) For Non-Uniform Sections

55

5.4)

57

5.5)

59

CHAPTER SIX
6.1) ANALYSIS OF CULVERTS WITH PCC

RELIEVING SLABS

..............................

78

CHAPTER SEVEN
7.1) EVALUATION STUDY OF THE VARIOUS

SOLUTION TECHNIQUES

..........................

90

7.2) Empirical Solutions Against Finite Element

....................................
A comparison Between Empirical Solutions and
Experimental Data
............................
Finite E1ement:Solutions Against Experimental
Data
.........................................
Solutions

7.3)
7.4)

91
93
94

CHAPTER EIGHT

................................

102

........................................

104

CLOSING DISCUSSION

REFERENCES

SYNBOLS AND NOTATIONS

Et
Vt
GI

bj

Ei
Pa
K
n
,E,
K,,
C

Rf
Vi

d
G

F
[J]
6Q
O

Ac
E
I
H
S

Y
T
Es
P,
LL

Mt
Mtb
CI
I

Mtl
Mcl
Mhl
KIB
KZB

tangent modulus.
tangent poissonts ratio.
major principle stress.
minor principle stress.
initial modulus.
atmospheric pressure.
modulus number.
modulus exponent.
: unloading reloading modulus.
: unloading reloading number.
: soil's cohesion.
: angle of internal friction.
: failure ratio.
: axial strain.
: radial strain.
: initial void ratio.
: constant representing the value of the poisson's
ratio with radial strain.
: value of confining pressure at one atmosphere.
: reduction in
for a ten fold increase in
: jacobian matrix.
: element displacement.
: lateral displacement of a beam.
: warping factor.
: cross-sectional area.
: elastic modulus.
: second moment of inertia per unit width.
: height of backfill over the crown level.
: span of culvert.
: soil density.
: thrust.
: soil modulus of elasticity.
: uniform soil pressure per unit area.
: line load.
: total bending moment in the crown and the haunch.
: total bending moment in the crown and the haunch due
to backfill load only.
: correction factor for the bending moment calculated
by using the Duncan equation.
: total bending moment in the crown and the haunch due
to live load only.
: bending moment in the crown due to live loads.
: bending moment in the haunch due to live loads.
: a constant (function of span).
: a consatant.

:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

KIB :
K 2 :~
Hmin:
Rp :

a constant (function of span).

a consatant.
minimum cover depth.
moment reduction factor for the slab projection over
the edges of the culvert.
:
factor which is dependent on the span of culvert.
Pp : a
angle between culvert wall and vertical at
footing.
: required slab thickness.
t
tb : basic slab thickness.
Ral : axial load correction factor.
Rc : concrete strength correction factor.
PCC : portland cement concrete relieving slab.
B,B1: constants for modifying the Duncan equation.
I, : second moment of inertia in the crown's vicinity.
Ih : second moment of inertia in the haunch's vicinity.
CL85 : clay with 85% degree of compaction.
CL90 : clay with 90% degree of compaction.
CLlOO : clay with 100% degree of compaction.
SC85 : silty clay with 85% degree of compaction.
SC90 : silty clay with 90% degree of compaction.
SClOO : silty clay with 100% degree of compaction.
CA90 : coarse aggregates with 90% degree of compactions.
CA95 : coarse aggregates with 95% degree of compaction.
SM85 : silty sand with 85% degree of compaction.
SM90 : silty sand with 90% degree of compaction.
SMlOO*: silty sand with 100% degree of compaction.
(Mtb) : total bending moment in the crown and the haunch
=130pcf, and H=3.075ft.
of culvert when
ue, ve : horizontal and vertical displacements respectively
at any point in the element with coordinates x,y
U i , V i : horizontal and vertical displacements rspectively
at node (i).
vspvm
: poissonls ratio of soil and culvert materials
respectively.

TABLE OF FIGURES

Fig(2-2)
Fig(2-3)
Fig (2-4)
Fig (3-1)
Fig(3-2)
Fig(3-3)
Fig(3-4)
Fig (4-1)
Fig(4-2)

Fig (4-4)
Fig (4-5)
Fig(4-6)
Fig (4-7)

Fig (4-9)
Fig (4-10)
Fig (4-11)
Fig (5-1)
Fig (5-2)
Fig (5-3)
Fig(5-4)
Fig(5-5)
Fig(5-6)
Fig (5-7)
Fig (5-8)
Fig (5-9)
Fig (5-10)
Fig (5-11)
Fig (5-12)
Fig (5-13)

.................
..........................
...................
...................
.............
.................
........................
...........
............
....................
.............................
......................
....................
.............................
......
..........................
............
....................

general mesh diagram

hyperbolic presentation of a stressstrain curve
: eight nodes element
: 3-node beam element
: shear curvature in a beam
: axial load in culvert
: symbol diagram
: bending moment distribution
: the coefficients P and RHB
: arching phenomenon
: total moment as a function of culvert
stiffness
total moment and culvert stiffness in
transformed axis
: total moment as a function of elastic
modulus of culvert
: a comparison between Duncan equation and
the F.E.M
: moment ratio and span variations
: relation between the total bending moment
and the span
relation between the total bending moment
and the height of backfill
: total moment as a function of culvert
span and stiffness
: a comparison between the F.E.M results
and Duncan solution for different spans
and stiffnesses of culverts
: measured and designed shape of culvert
: the constant A for CL85
: the constant A for CL90
: the constant A for CLlOO
: the constant A for SC85
: the constant A for SC90
: the constant A for SClOO
: the constant A for CA90
: the constant A for CA95
: the constant A for CA105
: the constant A for SM85
: the constant A for SM90
: the constant A for SMlOO
: modified Duncan solution to F.E.M results
for different stiffness ratios

...........
.
...............
...............
..............
...............
...............
..............
...............
...............
..............
...............
...............
..............
........

Fig(5-14) : proportional relation between the line

load and its induced moment

...........

Fig (5-15)
Fig(5-16)
Fig (6-1)
Fig (6-2)
Fig (6-3)

Fig (6-5)
Fig (7-1)
Fig (7-2)

agreement between Duncan solution and

F.E.M results in calculating moments due
to line load
moment ratio against stiffness ratio
moment reduction due to PCC slab
changes in total moment due to changes
in slab stiffness
various deflected shapes of culverts due
to various slab stiffnesses
different bending moment patterns along
culverts due to various slab stiffnesses.
a study on the rigidity of slabs
different moment distributions obtained
from CANDE, SEQ.CON, and experimental
data (backfill load only)
different moment distributions obtained
from CANDE, SEQ.CON, and experimental
data (live load only)

..........................
..
......
.....................
...........
......
.............
.................

75

76
77
84
85

86
88

90
97
98

LIST OF TABLES

..............
...............
......................

Table(3-1) : values of the factor K4

Table(5-1) : numerical values of the constant (b)
for various soil types
Table(7-1) : a comparison between the finite element
solution and the modified form of the
Duncan equation
Table(7-2) : A comparison between the moment ratio
obtained by using Duncan method, the
modified Duncan method, and the F . E . M
Table(7-3) : a comparison between the experimental
data, the Duncan and the modified
Duncan equation

......................

34
73
gg

100

CHAPTER ONE
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 doesnlt 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 transfering live loads
is analyzed and another better agreement with the finite
element method is obtained.

A sophisticated computer program called SEQCON is used

to verify the results obtained from CANDE. The results of

both programs are compared with an experimental data on a
Lane Steel Culvert.

1.1) 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
experience.

is,

largely,
In

based

on

some cases when

field
a

tests

and

limited vertical

clearance is available and a large cross-sectional area is

required,

like

in water

conveyence,

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. [l]

In their work, Duncan et a1 used the finite element

method

to

analyze 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,
culverts.

or three nodes beam elements for

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.

1.2 ) 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, which

provides 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 particular

attention to the live load transfer mechanism through PCC

relieving slabs onto culverts,
the

available

design

form

[2]

with any deviation from

to

be

proposed

when

necessary.

5) To attempt, in the final analysis,

to compare an

experimental data obtained from field tests on a 15'-1" x

5' - 8 "

Lane culvert [3] against other

from

1) Duncan equation,

equation, and

solutions obtained

2) The modified form of Duncan

3) Finite element analysis with both

CANDE

and SEQ.CON.

In chapter two, the formulation of the stiffness matrix

for a higher order elements (8-node soil element and 3 node beam

element)

background

on

is derived.

brief theoretical

the hyperbolic nonlinear model

of soil

(Duncan model) is also given.

A historical review on the design of box culverts is

summerized 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.

detailed

study on the influence of the culvert

parameters on the bending moment carrying capacity is

provided in chapter four.

The results of the study on 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

transfering 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 carried

out.

This

includes finite element

, empirical, and

experimental solutions of culvert problems.

1.3)

F I N I T E ELEMENT MODELING

This investigation will be based on finite element

analysis.

The program CANDE (Culvert Analysis and Design)

is basically used in this study.

program called SEQ.CON

A more sophisticated

(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

backfill soil materials.

for the analysis of the

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

[4].

A general mesh with soil and beam elements is shown in

figure(1-1).

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 1 5 v - 1 0 v vx 5 v - 0 v v 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 aluminum culverts are used, the above

investigations are combined and employed to modify the

Duncan equation.

CHAPTER

2.1)

TWO

CONSTITUTIVE EQUATIONS

I n t h i s chapter,
some o f t h e constitutive
equations
that
are
used
in
finite
element
formulations are disscussed. 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 t o 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 t o account for

the nonlinear strain-stress relation of soil. In the
finite element analysis,
generalized Hook's law is
used t o 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

11

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 ( a l - ~ 3 ) ,would
~~
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 E U r i s used for

both, the unloading and reloading conditions. The value of

Eu r

is related to 03by the equation

The

compressive

strength

((r

,- a

3)

at failure may be

given by the Mohr-Columb strength equation :-

REAL

TRANSFORMED

Fig(2-1)

A hyperbolic presentation of a
stress-strain curve. [ 4 ]

The compressive strength at failure ( al

- 0 3)

may be

related to the ultimate compressive strength by the failure

ratio Rf where :-

Differentiating equation (2-1) and substituting (2-2),

(2-3),(2-4)and (2-5) in the resulting expression gives an

expression for Et. That is

The above expression enables us to determine the value of

Et for any stress increment since the parameter K,n,c,+ and

R r a r e p r o p e r t i e s of the soil and may be determined
experimentally.

13

2.2)

HYPERBOLIC VOLUMETRIC CHANGE:-

The v a l u e o f u t c a n b e determined from t h e v o l u m e t r i c change

a n a l y s i s i n t h e t r i a x i a l t e s t . The r a d i a l

strain,^,, d u r i n g

t h e test i s c a l c u l a t e d from t h e r e l a t i o n : -

,and

, a r e t h e v o l u m e t r i c and a x i a l s t r a i n s r e s p e c t i v e l y .

A plot

o f E, a g a i n s t E , c a n b e r e a s o n a b l y a c c u r a t e l y

r e p r e s e n t e d by a h y p e r b o l i c e q u a t i o n o f t h e form [4] :-

rearrange

V, is t h e i n i t i a l v o i d r a t i o ( a t z e r o s t r a i n ) a n d

d is a

p a r a m e t e r r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e change i n t h e v a l u e o f P o i s s o n ' s
r a t i o w i t h radial s t r a i n .

For most of t h e s o i l

Vi decreases w i t h c o n f i n i n g

s a t u r a t e d and

pressure

t e s t e d under undrained

, t h e v a l u e of

(unless t h e s o i l is
c o n d i t i o n where vi=1/2

f o r any c o n f i n i n g p r e s s u r e ) by t h e equation:-

In this equation, G i s the value of confining pressure at

oneatmosphere and F i s the reduction in vi for a ten fold
increase in a3.Differentiating equation (2-7a) with respect
to c,,substitutingequation (2-8) and eliminating the strain
using equation (2-1)

(2-2), (2-4) and (2-5)

the tangent

value of poisson's ratio may be expressed as follows [4]:-

Vt

'
-

d(O1

Rf

O3

I-sin@

2 C cos @

)( 0,-03 )

+ 2 0, s i n @

(2-9)

11

Alternatively, the tangent poisson's ratio can be found if

the tangent bulk modulus is known.

The tangent bulk modulus

expression is a function of minimum compressive stress given

by:-

Bt =

% Pa

( cf3/P,)m

I$,: bulk modulus number, dimensionless.

m : bulk modulus exponent, typical range 0.0 to 1.0

But

Et = 3Bt (1-2ut)

Therefore

u, = 1/2 (1-Et/3Bt)

(2-10)

2.3) 8-NODE SOIL ELEMENTS

Higer order elements are usefull since they utilize higher

order interpolation function.
elements produce a

Generally, the high order

more accurate solution to the differential

equations. Consider an 8-node element with 2 degrees of

freedom at each node,

that is u and v displacements. The

displacement function can be written as :

At the nodes, we have :-

F o r i = 1,2

.........,8

a)

Global coordinate s y s t e m

x
b) Local coordinate s y s t e m

Equation (2-13) may be w r i t t e n i n t h e l o c a l coordinates

( r , ~ ) with r replacing Xand

S replacing

y. Writing Equation

(2-13) i n terms o f the shape functions and rearranging g i v e s : -

Where :

N = I /4(1 -r)(l -s)(-1 -r-s)

N2=

The chain r u l e i s used t o t r n s f e r

coordinates i n t o l o c a l coordinates:-

1/4(1 +r)(1 -s)(-1 +r-s)

derivatives i n t h e global

17

and in matrix form :

Where the matrix

[J]

is the Jacobian matrix :

For an 8-node element, the Jacobian matrix

written in the form :

[J]

can be

Differentiating equation (2-15) with respect to Xand )/ and

substituting the appropriate terms yield:

=[Dlm[ul

with

[ D

The same procedure can be used for S.

derivative matrix.
[ 5 , 6 ] :-

= [J

1-Im[F

[Dl is called the

The stiffness matrix can be obtained from

[c] i s

t h e c o n s t i t u t i v e m a t r i x which, f o r a plane s t r a i n

problem, has the form :

, 2.4)

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.

A t h r e e 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 [ 7 ] .

F i g (2-3)

Each node

(i) has two displacement degrees of freedom

associated with it, They are:u : axial displacement.

o : t h e lateral displacement of the beam.

@i

(%)i +

@r

[ t h e r o t a t ion o f t h e n o r ~ a Il

Thus, the element displacement may be listed inthhe vector

form:-

6 e = [u, w l e l

U* o 2 O 2

u3 w 3

Fig(2-4)

Beam c u r v a t u r e
Assumed d e f o
Actual deformatio

e3 ]

The shape functions in local coordinates are:

Thus,

the field displacement and rotation can be defined

in terms of the shape function and the associated nodal

displacement by simple interpolation:-

The Jacobian Matrix [J] for the beam shown in fig (2-3) can
easily be shown to equal

L/2 where L is the length of the

element. The strains are defined in terms of the nodal

displacement and shape functions derivatives by the following
expression :

where&/axis

a Pseudo-curvature a n d a i s t h e e f f e c t i v e

shear r o t a t i o n .

Again, t h e element s t i f f n e s s matrix [Ke] may

becalculated from t h e r e l a t i o n :

o r i n l o c a l coordinate, a t y p i c a l submatrix l i n k i n g

nodes

( j ) may be given by :

(i) and

0 -

det ( J)ds
O

Nj

El : flexuval r i g i d i t y

S:

-aA-

Shear r i g i d i t y

S h e a r m o d u l u s X C r o s s - s e c t i onal area
factor t o allow f o r warping

CHAPTER THREE
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,

been possible to design

several decades ago,

culverts

with a degree of precision

it has

on a rational basis

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

relatively

(compacted soil
difficult
involved.

due

compressible

fill).
to

No

the

closed

Analysis
complex
form

approximate the true behavior.

surrounding
of

such systems is

interaction

solution

medium

can

mechanism
adequately

Most manufacturers use

design methods based on formulas that assume a grossly

simplified system,
of

considerable

but at the same time have the backing

experience.

empirical methods based on

Others

have

developed

small-scale model studies.

26

"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.
number of various types of metal
individually analyzed by
appear to show an

culverts have been

this method

and the results

acceptable correlation with field

measurements [8]It.

In fact,

in culvert design we are

mainly interested in calculating the axial load,

bending

moments and the deflections of the culvert's members.

3.1) Axial Load :-

The

axial

load

in

the

culvertts members

can

approximated from the ring compression theory

(after

White and Layer) [8] : -

Where P

: axial load (kips per it.

: soil density (pcf)

: depth of

cover

over crown (ft.)

span
9

: angle

be

between culvert wall and

the vertical at the footing

The 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
30%-40%

found that the finite element analysis

larger value

of axial

obtained from the above equation.

ring

compression

forces

in

.
gives

load than the value

He proposed

arches

and

that

closed

the
shape

culvert structures are approximated as [9] :-

P :

kpl :

kpl*Y*s

kp2*Y*~*s+ kp3*LL

axial force

in which

a coefficient for axial load due to backfill

up to the crown level

28

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 [ 8 ] .

They

proposed that the two key response parameters for these

structures, the
springline

relative crown deflection

thrust

(T)

(6)

and the

are some function of the input

parameters : -

Ac : the cross-sectional area of culvert

(per unit
length).
Es,E : elastic moduli of the soil and culvert materials
respectively.
V,,Vm

: poisson's ratio of soil and culvert

materials

respectively.
P,

: uniform soil pressure per unit area

Hf : height of soil above crown's level

I : moment of inertia of the culvertfs wall material

The numerical value of the dimensionless parameters

(Es/PRt)

and

(T/PRt) can be determined from proposed

charts and consequently the values of

estimated

6 and T can be

Symbols and notations

L81

3.2)

ending Moment

The bending moment is the most important criterion for

the design of aluminum box culverts.
and according to Duncan et a1 [I],

In these structures,
two maximum points of

29

30

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 [l].

Mtb

total bending moment in crown and haunch

KZB : 0.053
S

: span

: cover depth

Hmin: minimum cover depth (ft), Hmin = 1.4 for all

spans
The above formula is valid only for

8ft ,< S ,< 26ft

The sum of the crown and haunch moments due to live

load is :-

Mt-

= K 3 ~ LL

K 3 -~

o.oa/(a/sf

K3B

(0.08

for

20ft. <

where
for S less than 20 ft.

0.002(S-20 ft.) }/(H/s)

S 6 26ft.

LL : line load

AL/K4

-2

AL : axial load

K4 : coefficient from table (1)

The footing load due to backfill materials PB is given

as :-

And due to live load is

P i = RHB

LL

RHB : load distribution factor.

Fig(3-3)
Bending moment distribution
in symmetrical culvert.

3.3)

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
stiffness.

which

possesses

relatively

very

high

This could have a very large effect on the

transmission of live loads to the crown of culverts.

Specifically,

it will tend to reduce the effect of those

loads by distributing them over a large area.

A quantitative evaluation of the induced moments due to

the applied live loads on PCC relieving slabs is suggested

by Duncan,

Seed,

and Drawsky who proposed that the

bending moment due to this live load (Mtl) is given by:

Pp : a factor that is obtained from fig(3-4).

S :

the span of the culvert.

LL : the equivalent line load,

values can be obtained

from table (3-1).

The crown and the haunch moments can be calculated once

Mtl is evaluated.

here

Rp is a moment reduction factor for slab

projection over the edges of the culvert.
Pp is a factor which is dependent on the span
of the culvert.

Both Pp and Rp are given in fig (3-4) [2].

An alternative method for the design of PCC relieving

slabs can also be applied.

The required thickness of PCC

slab may be determined by using the following equation:-

t : required slab thickness.

tb : basic slab thickness (for slabs on soil with
no underlying culvert.
Ral : axle load correction factor.
Rc : concrete strength correction factor.
Rf : 1.2 (for box culverts with spans less than
26ft).

Relieving Slab

Cover
Depth (ft)

2-wheel
axle

4-wheel
axle

No Relieving

8-wheel
axle

All
axle

Table (3-1)
Values of the factor K4

Slob ProJeellon (I

Fig(3-4)
The coefficients Pp and Rp

[2].

CHAPTER FOUR
4.1) EFFECT OF CULVERT STIFFNESS

In structures like
certain

materials

culverts,

and

which are built from

surrounded

by

backfill

of

different materials, the relative stiffness of the two

adjacent materials play a major role in the load transfer
mechanism

to

the

materials.

In

fact,

culvert

through

the

surrounding

the phenomenon of positive and

negative arching (as can be seen in fig(4-1) )is due to

this relative stiffness.
studies have

Though much research and many

shown the effect of soil stiffness and

culvert stiffness on the

bending

moment in culverts [l],

very few proposed designs considered these effects.

+ve arching

f ige (4-1)

[I21

-ve arching

36
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

stress-strain relation in the backfill materials.

cross

sectional

properties

uniform cross-sectional

nbased

on

the

the

Uniform

equivalent

properties1' are assumed for the

culvert's beam elements [lo].

Fig(4-2)
the

shows

culvert

that

the

is dependent

total bending

moment

in

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

In

the

second

investigation

Bl*(EI)

part

will be

of

where B and B1 are constants

this

study,

undertaken to

thorough

find a way

to

determine, quantitatively, the values of the constants B

and B1.

Further investigation of fig(4-2) reveals that

silty clay with an 85% degree of compaction (SC85) ,which

is

usually the least stiff permissible backfill

for

culvert projects, constitutes an upper boundary for the

soil groups used in this study.

A fairly constant bending

moment is obtained for a large portion of the curve and is

independent of (EI)

A more noticeable variation in the

total bending moment due to variation in culvert stiffness

is observed in stiffer soils, but a general tendency
toward asymptotic value is seen in every curve.
suggests that there is numerically,
value (ESs3/E1) smaller than which

This

a relative stiffness

the bending moment

in the culvert becomes constant and independent of the

culvert stiffness.

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

covers a wide range of

(EI) which

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

38

using

Duncan's

element

equation,

solution

for

is larger than the finite

aluminum

culverts,

justifies its use for the design purposes.

larger

value of total bending moment

obtained

from

the

finite element

and

hence

A 10% to 20%

(Mt) could be

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,
based on Duncan equation, is not typical.
later,

which are

As we will see

the Duncan equation tends to give a conservative

estimation of the bending moment,

backfill load,

especially due to the

whether is used for steel or aluminum and

particularly for large span culverts.

4.2)

EFFECT OF SPAN VARIATIONS:-

The effect of culvert stiffness has, by

studied, more,

for various soil types, but,

the same culvert span and height of backfill.

far, been
also,

for

Naturally,

one would predict that the bending moment will increase

due to an
Duncan's

increase in the culvertls span.

equation,

According to

the increase in the total bending

moment should be proportional to the cubic value of the

39

span.

Fig (4-5)

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,

sharply as predicted by Duncan.

but not as

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

increase,

less rapid

and sometimes a decrease in the bending moment

at the crown
increased

of the culvert is obtained when the span is

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.

Fig(4-6) 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.

similar agreement with Duncan's work is obvious in

Another
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

culvert s span,

effect

of

relative

stiffness

a plot of the total bending moment

against ( E I ~ / ~ * sis
~ ) shown in Fig(4-9).
points are best

and

fitted

The obtained

by two straight lines which

intersect at a point that may reasonably be represented by

a span of 21ft and 1=0.65.
representing this

relation

A more general form of

is to put

dimensional form by dividing the F.E.M

corresponding Duncan solution.

it

in

non-

results by its

This is done in Fig(4-lo).

In this figure, a family of curves is obtained where each

curve represents a certain culvert span.

4.3)

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

corresponding design value.

differ

from

their

This slight variation in the

culvertls geometry has been shown to be responsible for a

difference of more than 30%
moment.

in the deflection or bending

These results were concluded

some Kaiser aluminum culverts.

from analysis on

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,

influential on the culvert's

to

explain

reaction.

why

it

is

so

'I;

(D

transformed a x i s f o r d i f f e r e n t s o i l t y p e .

fig(4-3) C u l v e r t s t i f f n e s s and bending moment i n

CULVERT STIFFNESS El

Legend

-1

Fig(4-10)

A comparison between t h e F.E.M and t h e Duncan

e q u a t i o n f o r d i f f e r e n t s p a n s and s t i f f n e s s e s
of c u l v e r t s .

~ i ~ ( 4 - 1 1A) shape d i f f e r e n c e between t h e designed

and t h e measured geometry o f 14.83ft span
and 5.67 r i s e c u l v e r t .

CHAPTER FIVE
MODIFYING DUNCAN EQUATION

5.1) For The Uniform Section:-

In the previous chapter,

it was established that the

relationship between the culvert stiffness (EI) and the

total bending moment in the crown and the haunch of
culverts (Mt) is hyperbolic of the form:-

In this chapter,

a thorough investigation of culverts

with various spans and

made,

sectional stiffnesses will be

so as to find a method to determine the values of

the constants (B) and (Bl) for any soil type or culvert
stiffness.

This will lead to the introduction of a new

factor to the Duncan equation,

which would include the

effect of the culvert

stiffness and soil type on the

bending moment carrying

capacity of culverts.

Fig (5-la)
between

.. .to

Fig (5-12a) insure that the relation

EI/Mt against EI is linear.

Each figure is for

52

different soil type and contains curves for various span

culverts.

It could be noted that all straight lines

(which represent different spans)

do have approximately

similar points of intersection with the y-axis which is

the value of the constant (B). In fact, the points which
are used to construct those straigt lines are fed to a
computer program from which the numerical values of the
constants (B) and (Bl) were determined.

It was found that

the values of the constant (B), for the various spans but
the same soil type, are different by a very small amount.
Considering the fact that a small variation in the value
of (B) would have little influence on the value of the
total bending moment (Mt)

therefore

one can conclude

that an average value of (B) for that soil type may be

used and the slight variation of the value of (B) due to
span variation may be ignored.

In other words,

it is

assumed that the constant (B) is a function of only the

soil type, and is independent of the culvert span.

Table

(5-1) contains the values of (B) for a wide practical

range

of soil types.

The constant (Bl) is a function of both,

type and the culvert span.

the

soil

Stiff soils tend to have a

slightly lesser value of the constant (Bl) than those less

stiff.

On the other hand, the constant

dependent on the span of the culvert.

(Bl) is heavily

The value

of

(Bl)

53

seems

to be related to the culvert stiffness

hyperbolic relation.

Fig(5-lb)

by

.... to Fig(5-12b)

enable

the value of the constant (Bl) to be determined for any

kind of soil and culvert span

5.2)

Proposed Design Procedure

Having established a way to calculate the constants (B)

and (Bl) for any kind of soil and
is now

it

possible to include the effect of soil and culvert

siffness on
culverts.
new

culvert stiffness,

moment

carrying capacity of

The finding will lead to the introduction of a

factor

procedure

the bending

to

the

Duncan

equation.

The

following

summarizes how to include this factor :

1) Calculate the bending moment due to the backfill

materials (Mtb) by using Duncan equation for the culvert
under cosideration.

Calculate the value of

(Mtb) by using Duncan

equation for the culvert span under consideration but for

H=3.075 ft.

and

Y =130 pcf.

Call this value M ~ ~ * .

54

3) From table (5-1) obtain the corresponding value of

the constant (B) for the used backfill materials.

4)

For the culvert span and soil type used,

obtain

the value of the constant (Bl) from the corresponding

curve

5)

of (Bl) against span.

Use

calculate

the
the

obtained values of (B) and

correction

factor

from

the

(Bl) to
following

equation:-

6) The modified bending moment value of Duncan equation

is:(Mtblf

Cf

Mtb

5.3)Non-Uniform Cross Section:-

Up to this point,
uniform

cross-

all studies have been based on

sectional

properties.

stiffness is assumed

to be

elements.

not always be

This may

constant

in

The

culvert

all

culvert

true due to the

non-uniform distribution of stiffeners on the culvert

plate.

These stiffeners are assumed to fully adhere to

the main culvert plate and

section.
sectional

hence

form a composite

In order to account for the variation in

properties,

culverts with

wide

various
range of

studies

are

(ICI)

made

on

(the culvert

stiffness in the vicinity of the crown to the culvert

stiffness in the vicinity of the haunch).

Since the sectional properties are not the same,

the

larger value of the moment of ineria (I) is used in

predicting the total bending moment.

These

predicted

values are divided by their corresponding finite element

solution so as to visualize the applicability of the
modified form of the Duncan equation to the non-uniform
culvert sections.
larger than five,
bending

moment,

Fig (5-13) shows that unless (Ic/Ih) is

safe and reasonable values of the
with

regard

solution, can be obtained.

to

the

finite element

Since in practice, the ratio

of I,

to Ih is most properly less than five;

therefore,

the modified form of the Duncan equation can safely be

applied to culverts with non-uniform sectional properties.

5.4)

L i v e Loads:-

The effect of live loads is studied when the load is

applied directly above,
culvert.

or near the crown level of the

These are the worst loading position in which

the live load may be located.

usually due to vehicular traffic,

Live loads,

which are

are converted to their

equivalent line loads by using table (3-1) [I].

A proportional relation between line loads and their

induced bending moments,
equation,
as

are obtained from the Duncan

as well as from the finite element analysis,

seen

in

agreement,

Fig(5-14).

Furthermore,

very

good

with a reasonable difference, was obtained

from the finite element solution and the Duncan solution.

Fig(5-15)

shows a .comparison between Duncan predicted

values and the finite element solution for various span

culverts.

The general agreement between Duncan prediction of the

live load moment

and

the finite element analysis is

restricted to the lowest permissible quality of backfill.

When a better quality soil is used,

a less severe effect

of live load is reflected in the form of less induced

bending

moment.

~nvestigations on

different quality

58

backfill indicated that a difference of approximately 50%

in the live load moment could be obtained between very
good quality backfill materials (SMlOO), and poor quality

backfill (CL90)

Its concluded that the Duncan solution,

loads,

for live

would provide a reasonable conservative basis for

predicting

the bending

without reservations.

moment

and hence can be used

Such a conservative approach is

believed to be justified from the practical point of view,

since it provides a safeguard against improper conditions
in the field,

like poor compaction for example.

good quality backfill is guranteed,

to apply a reduction factor,

If a

then its reasonable

which shouldn't exceed 0.7,

for the calculated bending moment due to live loads.

Other modifications in calculating the bending moment due
to

the

backfill

mentioned before.

materials

should

be

carried

out

as

5.5)Moment Distribution Between The Crown

And The Haunch:-

Until now, all reference was made to the total bending

moment in the crown and the haunch of culverts.
design purposes,

For

we are interested in determining the

bending moment in the crown and the haunch separately.

Duncan et a1 used the span of culverts as the only
criteria for distributing the total bending moment between
the crown and the haunch.
moment in the crown,

A plot of the ratio of the

to the total moment (Mc/Mt) against

the culvert span, was shown for various soil types in fig
(4-6).

This curve is similar to what was obtained by

Duncan et a1 from the

a

more

regular

stiffness ratio

finite element analysis.

and

systematic variation

(Ic/Ih)

obtained in fig (5-16)

However,

between

the

and the moment ratio (Mc/Mt) is

Fig(5-16) indicates that various

spans and soil types do affect the moment ratio,

as strongly as does the stiffness ratio ( I C I )

but not
It is

suggested that the upper boundary curve should be used for

all culvert span and
slightly

soil types.

This will tend to

overestimate the

bending moment in the crown

and slightly underestimate

the bending moment in the

haunch.

This approach seems to be acceptable since the

experimental data [l] showed that comparable results

obtained from the finite element analysis,

are

regarding the

60

bending moment
conservative

in the crown of the culvert.

estimation

is

obtained

from

element analysis of the bending moment

A fairly
the

finite

in the haunch,

when it is compared to what was actually obtained in the

field.

(la) lNVlSN03 3Hl

(re) lNVlSN03 3HI

(la)

INVlSNLX) 3HI

-P
l
.rl

U)

&

4;t;;

z3
cd m

P a,

mi-'
cd
0 w

0 a,

OOL

x (VI/m

-rl 0

z4-l g
cd

c d o

Soil Type

The Constant (B)

Table (5-1)
Numerical Values Of The Constant (B)
For Various Soil Types

to the F.E.M is greater than 1 when the

stiffness ratio 'is less than five, for
spans.
different cul~~rrt

~ i ~ ( 5 - 1 3The
) ratio of the modified Duncan equation

Span
ft.-in.

a,.

F: m

2 g

-I= -P

CHAPTER SIX

6.1) 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
abilites 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
presence

of

Duncan, Seed and Drawsky

slabs as a

PCC

distribution of live loads,

[2]

treated the

reduction factor in the

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,

over culverts is

studied.

in distributing live load

It could be argued that the

rigidity of the slab is a dominant factor in transfering

the live load to culverts.
is

increased,

distributing the

general
line

If the stiffness of the slab

tendency

load

stiffness becomes very high,

is

toward

observed.

uniformly
When

the

the slab is said to be

79

rigid.

That is,

it tranfers 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.
the

total

introduced.
be,

moment

is

obtained

when

these

slabs

are

Furthermore, this reduction factor seems to

relatively,

since

A reduction factor of more than 45% in

different

independent of the span of the culvert

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.
of

the

The variation in the material stiffness

relieving slab

is expected

to be

critically

important in transfering 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.

summary of the results is presented in fig(6-2) which

80

depicts a considerable reduction in the total bending

moment,
as

both in the crown and the haunch of the culvert,

result

of

increasing the

slab

increase in (Mt) is not indifinite,

stiffness.

This

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.
above argument is true,
very rigid slab and its

If the

then a line load applied on a

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 in fig(6-3) and fig(6-4)

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

81

applied on a 141-10uculvert, 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.
design procedures,

In

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.
less than one
materials,

foot thickness or

other than concrete,

is made

If a slab of
from other

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

82

conditions like small height

soil,

of backfill

or very poor

the Duncan, Seed, and Drawsky approach may safely

be used to predict the bending moment due to line loads.

-a

.d
0

-a

.d

-a

ul

R -P

P k
cd a,
r i

-a

>

Cc

r i

hr

Y)

"-

u E

k .ti

-'
-9

a
c

Pa,

o e

a,
k a,
k ,G
rTl
h

+\

Y X Y X Y

xx00000

:.I~~~@I;EE~EE~
~

OWW

r'd
cd

o h

-4 ri

Ti
f!
F4 0

cd k

Fig(6-ba)

Different bending moment distribution in culvert

due to different slab stiffness.

El U-D-L

0 E=6000K
-

0 E=3000K

4- ES500K

V EaOOOK

X E=1500K

A E=lOOOK

0 E500K

e
!
!
K
-UB E=lOOK
-

E=IOK

l a b stiffness

40

60

80

DISTANCE ALONG CULVERT

100

120

1
I
I-

uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d load.

~ i g ( 6 - 4 . b )A n i d e n t i c a l b e n d i n g moment p a t t e r n s d u e t o t h e
a p p l i c a t i o n o f a 3ine l o a d and i t s e q u i v a l e n t

CHAPTER SEVEN
7.1) 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.),
(CANDE and SEQ.CON),
Culvert).

finite element solutions

and an experimental data (Lane Steel

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,
different

a general judgment on the

theoretical methods

(whether finite element

method or empirical equations) could be obtained.

7.2) 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(7-2) and Table(7-2).

and line loads used,

For all culvert parameters

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
in

the

table

(7-1).

14'-1011

The

PCC

span culvert as shown

relieving

slab

did,

successfully, transfer the line load into a uniformly

distributed load.

92

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.

7.3)

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 (7-3) 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
bending moment.

and

the

Actually,

predicted

values

of

the

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 the high moment value in the haunch.

Finite Element Solutions Against

Experimental.Solution:-

7.4)

The finite element analysis is carried out by using

both programs,

CANDE and SEQ.CON,

in the order of their elements.

which basically differ

The backfilling process

is simulated by assigning different construction sequences

numbers for the soil elements in CANDE,
embankment option in SEQ.CON.

and by using the

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 following eqation [13] :

{F) : nodal forces.

: soil density.

[N] : interpolation function

: volume of lift incerement.

CANDE adopts the incremental costruction techniques

where the stiffness.matrix for the first soil increment
and

associated

displacements,
When

the

loads

is

stresses,

second

computed

and

consequently,

and strains are calculated.

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,

model of soil,

and when using a nonlinear

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.
in SEQmCON,

this required the subroutin

which is responsible for calculating the soil

parameters for the hyperbolic model,

form similar to that of CANDE.

to be modified to a
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,

SEQ.CON.,

were compared with the experimental data on the

Lane Steel Culvert.

Fig(7-1)

and fig(7-2)

bending moment due to CANDE solution,

and

CANDE and

experimental data obtained

compare the

SEQ.CON. solution,

from the application of

aj ri-

F=
c
a,a 0
a c
3 cdd

(d

a, - 0
P W d

C Z d
04f+
KG 0 . 4

.rl

h
-4:

Span

(ft)

(ft)

Ic
Ih

LL

lb/in

Soil
type

Moment Ratio (M,/Mt)

Duncan

M-Duncan

Table ( 7 - 2 )

A comparison between the moment ratios

obtained by using Duncan method,the
modify Duncan method and the finite
element method.

F,E.M

Total bending moment Mt (Lb.in/in)

Duncan

Modified Duncan

Experimental

Bending moment ratio (Mc/Mt)

0.58

0.50

0.41

Table (7-3)
A Comparison between the
experimental data, the Duncan
and the modified Duncan equations

CHAPTER EIGHT

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.
modified

Duncan

However,

equation

it's believed that the

provides

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 usage

103

due to its influence on the loading mode.

A live load

could be transmitted through those slabs into a uniformly

distributed

load.

experimentally,

This

finding,

if

ascertained

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,

finite element formulation,

a more sophisticated

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- J.M.Duncan,

and R.H.Drawsky,

Aluminum Box

culvert^^^

"Design and Behavior of

Report NO. UCB/GT/83-04,

May

1983.

2- J.M.Duncan,

R,B.Seed,

Corrugated Metal Box

and R.H.Drawsky,

culvert^^^.

IfDesign of

Transportation Research

Record 1008, 1985.

3- C.D.Gorman,

llA comparison of Field Test Results with

Theoretical Analysis of Lane Metal Products, Low Profile

Box

culvert^^^

Report No. 79-67-1,

Bethlehem Steel

Corporation, April 1981.

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- Paul E. Allair,
W.m.c.Brow

"Basic of the Finite Element Methodt1.

Publishers,

College Division,

Dubuques-Iowa,

ItFinite Element Method

in Structural

1985.

6- G.T.F.Ross,

Mechanics1I. Ellis Horwood Limited,

1985.

7-E.Hinton, and D.R.J.Owens,

"Finite Element Programingt1.

Academic Press Inc. (London) LTD 1977.

8- R.C.L.Flint,

Metal Arches

and J.N.Kay,

to Soil LoadIt,

IfResponse of Corrugated
Transportation Research

Record 878.

9- J .M.Duncan,

ItBehavior and Design of Long-Span Metal

Culvertu, Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering, March

1985.

10- Wei-Wen Yu,

"Cold Form Steel Designtt, A Willey-

Interscience Publications, 1985.

11- David B. Beal,

I1Behavior of a Corrugated-Metal Box

Culverttt. Research Report No. 90,

and Development Bereau,

Engineering Research

New York State Depatment of

Transportation, June 1981.

12-M.G. Katona,

J .M.Smith,

and R.S .Oello,

ItCANDE- A

Modern Approach for: the Structural Design and Analysis of

Buried Culvertstt. Report No. FHWA-RD-5,
Administration,

Dederal Highways

Office of Research and Developments,

Washington D.C 20590, October 1976.