Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Box Culverts under High Embankments

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Mario Pimentel (Author) FEUP; Pedro Costa (Author) FEUP; Carlos Felix (Author) Other; Joaquim Figueiras (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Structural Engineering

Vol. 135 No. 4

Pages: 366-375

ISSN: 0733-9445

Publisher: ASCE

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 18 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 25 Citations

COMPENDEX

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Civil engineering

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Civil engineering > Geotechnics

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-M84

DOI: 10.1061/(asce)0733-9445(2009)135:4(366)

Abstract (EN): In this paper a numerical and an experimental study on reinforced concrete box culverts (BC) behavior is presented. A BC under a 9.5 m high embankment was instrumented and observed during the construction period. Numerical analyses were then performed using a finite-element code capable of considering the construction sequence, the nonlinear behavior of the reinforced concrete structure, and an elastic-plastic behavior for the soil and the interfaces. Once the computed results were in good agreement with the observed behavior, a parametric study was developed for the identification of the main parameters influencing the interaction mechanism and to evaluate the BC structural performance up to failure. The influence of the BC nonlinear behavior on the interaction mechanism, both in service and ultimate limit state conditions, was analyzed and discussed. It is concluded that the soil pressures and the BC nonlinear behavior are directly related and should be reflected in the design stage in order to achieve a more rational and economical design.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10