Strength design of reinforced concrete hydraulic structures. Report 9, Analysis and design of reinforced concrete conduits

Abstract : The purpose of this report is to indicate ways of updating current Corps of Engineers specifications for the analysis and design of reinforced concrete culverts. To this end, after reviewing the current state of the art in conduit design, attention is directed to the possibility of including soil-structure interaction in conduit analysis and design. By analysis and example, the beneficial effects of soil-structure interaction are demonstrated. A draft for an updated set of specifications for design of concrete conduits, based on the 1988 AASHTO Specifications, is presented. These strength-design specifications are then used in conjunction with soil-structure interaction analysis to design a number of conduits of various shapes. The resulting designs indicate that considerable savings may be possible by reliance on thinner-walled sections. Keywords: Circular conduits; Hydraulic structures; Reinforced concrete; Strength design; Soil loads. (JES)