Abstract
Culverts on the Alexandria - Ashland Highway (AA Highway) were designed with modifications recommended in a 1984 report titled "Analysis of Loads and Settlements For Reinforced Concrete Culverts". In 1986, the Kentucky Department of Highways requested the Kentucky Transportation Center monitor selected culverts on the AA Highway. The objectives of this study were to compare predicted loads on the culverts to measured loads and to monitor differential settlement of the embankment near the culvert.
Four culverts with varied box dimensions and embankment heights were selected. Each of the four culverts was instrumented with earth pressure meters on the sidewalls and top slab. Settlement monitoring instruments were placed in the embankment at each culvert.
Design loads for each culvert sidewall and top slab were calculated. Design loads and dead loads due to the weight of the embankment were compared to the measured loads. The new design method used by the Department of Highways was found to be very accurate for predicting top slab loads on positive projecting culverts on unyielding foundations. The Department of Highways method significantly underpredicted the top slab load for a culvert on a yielding foundation.
The Department of Highways does not include charts from the 1984 report for predicting sidewall loads. Charts from the 1984 report appear to be reasonably accurate, especially as sidewall loads increase.
Report Date
10-1989
Report Number
KTC-89-49
Digital Object Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1989.49
Repository Citation
Meade, Bobby W. and Allen, David L., "Study of Loads on Four Box Culverts on the Alexandria - Ashland Highway" (1989). Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report. 700.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ktc_researchreports/700
Notes
The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the University of Kentucky nor the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. The inclusion of manufacturer names and tradenames are for identification purposes and are not to be considered as endorsements.