2017 Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages 38-43
The two-hinge precast arch culvert has a hinge function in its main body. Thus, it harnesses subgrade reactions positively, by permitting deflection, and becomes a mechanically stable structure. Compared with a box culvert, which supports external forces by the rigidity of the member, the thickness of the members of this two-hinge precast arch culvert is small. However, because the design of the two-hinge precast arch culvert is entirely different from that of a conventional culvert, the mechanical behavior of the culvert has become an important issue. The authors conducted 1/5 scale model tests to investigate the deformation behavior in the construction stage and the seismic performance of a two-hinge precast arch culvert. In this study, the relationship between the deformation of the culvert and the earth pressure acting on the culvert during the construction process is discussed.
