NUMERICAL EVALUATION ON THE SEISMIC BEHAVIOR OF BOX CULVERTS FOR ROAD

Abstract

 In recent years, structures with enlarged sectional dimensions (the purpose of which in box culverts for road is to optimize the internal space) have become common. However, the seismic behavior and seismic strength of such large box culverts (BCs) is unknown. In this study, we verify the seismic behaviors of BCs and evaluate the damage to BCs using numerical analysis. The subject of this evaluation for the damage is not only the BC lining but also the surface of the embankment, because the roads are often constructed on the embankment and those roads are as important structure as BCs.

 From the results of numerical analysis, the damage to the lining and the deformation on the embankment surface are generated in the case with a shallow burden and square cross section with light degree of damage. In other cases, there is no damage to the lining, and the deformation on the embankment surface is slight; however, this deformation does not influence the vehicle's driving.