HIGHWAY CULVERT PERFORMANCE DURING PAST EARTHQUAKES

Abstract

To assess performance of culverts during earthquakes, the authors reviewed reports from six earthquakes, interviewed highway officials in areas shaken by four earthquakes and conducted field investigations in epicentral regions of three earthquakes. Seventeen corrugated metal pipe (CMP), one thermoplastic pipe, five reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), and thirty reinforced concrete box (RCB) structures were specifically evaluated through field inspection of literature review. Five of these culverts (all CMP) were deformed into a dysfunctional condition; nine (three CMP, five RCP and one RCB) required major repairs or replacement; six RCB structures required minor repairs (epoxy of cracks). Primary causes of culvert damage were liquefaction-induced embankment penetration or spreading, slope instability, and fault rupture.