Proposed Seismic Design Methods for Transportation Culverts and Drainage Structures

Abstract

This paper summarizes proposed seismic design methods for culverts and drainage structures used by transportation agencies for highway systems. The design methods were developed as part of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 12–70 Seismic Analysis and Design of Retaining Walls, Buried Structures, Slopes and Embankments . This project was sponsored by the Highway Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures (HSCOBS T-3) of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The intent of NCHRP Project 12–70 was to address shortcomings in the current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications . The culvert and drainage structure portion of the NCHRP 12–70 Project focused on the development of simple equations and charts that could be used by transportation agencies. Both transient ground displacement and permanent ground displacement were considered. This paper summarizes the development work and the proposed draft specifications written as part of the NCHRP 12–70 Project.