SOIL-CULVERT INTERACTION METHOD FOR DESIGN OF METAL CULVERTS

Abstract

A simple and rational method for the design of metal culverts, the soil-culvert interaction method, is described and compared to currently used design procedures. The principal advantage of the soil-culvert interaction method over those previously developed is that it provides a logical procedure for determining minimum required depth of cover, by consideration of the bending moments caused by live loads. Previously, minimum depths of cover have been determined empirically, using field experience. Values of minimum cover and maximum fill height determined using the soil-culvert interaction method are compared with values from published fill-height tables. The comparisons show that the soil-culvert interaction method gives values that are in good agreement with design experience for a wide range of corrugations and culvert diameters. /Author/