Numerical modelling of enhancement of the capacity of buried metal culverts by using geogrids

¹ PhD Candidate, Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
² Professor, Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
³ Professor, Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

This paper presents a two-dimensional numerical modelling analysis of a flexible buried corrugated metal arch culvert in Enkoping, Sweden. The numerical results of this study are validated against field measurements of the culvert crown deformation, thrust, and bending moments recorded during backfilling. To model the backfill soil, the hardening soil with small strains (HSs) material model is used because of its efficiency in simulating the soil-structure interaction. Furthermore, in a numerical investigation of the stress distribution at the culvert invert, it is found that weakness of the foundation soil has an insignificant impact, due to stress dissipation resulting from arching actions. The numerical modelling analysis also investigates the use of geogrid layers with dead end bolts in the soil cover above the culvert crown during the application of static surface loads, as an innovative technique to improve the load capacity of the soil-culvert system. The results show a reduction in culvert crown deformation and internal forces when geogrid layers are used. This indicates the efficiency of geogrid layers in improving the load capacity of existing buried culverts or overcoming deficiencies in culvert serviceability by reducing the impact of applied loads.