Deformation Factors of Buried Corrugated Structures

Abstract

Buried corrugated structures are subjected to highest stresses during two phases: during backfilling and under service loads. Commonly, deformations during backfilling are more unfavorable for the structure than those that occur under service loads. Typically, service loads will generate several times less deflection than do construction loads falling below the limit of deflection ( w) to span ( L) of w/L = 2%. For the sake of modeling the behavior of corrugated steel structures during backfilling, separate components (i.e., corrugated steel, backfill, road structure) of the soil structure are represented by independent parameters such as deformation module, Poisson's coefficient, and soil unit weight. A steel plate is described in geometric terms. Modeling the deformation of buried corrugated structures with finite element modeling is very difficult because of the complex characteristics of the soil medium during construction of the backfill. An analytical algorithm was used to calculate characteristic deformations of a steel structure during backfilling. The algorithm was analyzed with respect to chosen physical and geometric parameters. Deformations during backfilling of a corrugated structure are described, and correlations of specific points of a structure are presented in a mathematical form on the basis of in situ tests in natural scale. The algorithm was prepared assuming the average backfill quality required by good construction and design practices. The results of this research are applicable to structures with closed and open shapes, except for boxes.