Abstract
This paper presents results of experimental and numerical investigations on the structural response of precast concrete underpasses when subjected to the effects of vehicular live loads. In situ full-scale load tests were carried out on three different precast concrete underpasses, with inner radii of 6.50 m, 3.00 m and 1.50 m. In these tests, the structural response of the underpasses when subjected to load trucks was assessed in terms of their radial deflections. Numerical investigations included the development of linear elastic 2D and 3D finite element models of the underpasses tested. Based on the good agreement between experimental data and numerical calculations, load distribution factors were computed for different forces (bending moments, compression and shear) and these can be used for design purposes. The paper analyses also the effects of varying the thickness of the cover soil and the thickness of the concrete arch in the load distribution factors of precast concrete underpasses.
Highlights
In the last two decades, with the considerable expansion of several highway networks, there has been an increasing use of precast concrete arch underpasses due to the advantages they offer over traditional solutions, namely in terms of speed and ease of erection, quality control and economy
Precast concrete arch underpasses are basically made of several individual modules that are assembled on site, constituting a buried tunnel structure that is subsequently covered with layers of soil and the road pavement
This paper presents results of experimental and numerical investigations on the behaviour of precast concrete underpasses under the effects of live loads, allowing understand in much further depth their structural response
Summary
In the last two decades, with the considerable expansion of several highway networks, there has been an increasing use of precast concrete arch underpasses due to the advantages they offer over traditional solutions (cast in situ), namely in terms of speed and ease of erection, quality control (materials and geometry) and economy. Precast concrete arch underpasses are basically made of several individual modules (most often, semi-circular) that are assembled on site, constituting a buried tunnel structure that is subsequently covered with layers of soil and the road pavement (often built according to the cut-and-cover tunnelling technique). These structures may include lower horizontal elements closing the cross-section at the footing level. This type of structures is mainly subjected to the effects of the cover soil and those of vehicular loads. The live loads are especially difficult to simulate as they are associated with
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