Seismic soil–culvert interaction

Abstract

Box culverts may be constructed in active seismic areas, where ground shaking or ground failures can impose considerable earth pressures on them. In this study, the seismic response of box culverts was investigated experimentally and numerically. A series of scaled centrifuge tests was performed and subjected to three different earthquake signals, with different amplitudes and frequencies. Two values of culvert wall thickness and two values of sand relative density were considered in the experimental program. Experimental results are presented in terms of comparisons of seismic bending moments. These results were used to calibrate and verify two-dimensional numerical models developed using the computer program FLAC. The verified models were then used to investigate the effect of earthquake intensity and frequency, height of soil cover, and culvert thickness on the seismic bending moments for the different culvert sections. Based on the analysis results, charts are presented to aid in the seismic design of box culverts.