Abstract
Abstract Culverts are an important part of ground-transport networks. With regard to constantly increasing traffic volumes and heavy vehicle weights, and given the attention focused on assessment and load rating of community infrastructure, a reliable understanding of the behavior of culverts is needed. In this study, nonlinear continuum-based finite-element (FE) models of RC culverts in conjunction with backfill soil were developed and analyzed. The FE models capture geometrical and physical nonlinearities of the RC culvert and the surrounding soil. After validating the FE models, a parametric study was conducted, and the effects of concrete compressive strength, reinforcing ratio, geometry (span over rise ratio), and stiffness of backfill on the peak-load capacity and fatigue behavior of the inverted U-shaped culvert, with little or no skew, were evaluated. It was concluded that stiffness of backfill can be the mobilizing mechanism of the arching action in the top slab, while enhancing the load capacity...
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