Structural performance verification of structural pipe liners for corrugated metal pipes
Date
2022
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Buried culverts are important structures within our civil infrastructure that convey water beneath roadways, bridges, and other systems while also supporting loads above it. However, many culverts that consist of corrugated metal pipes are deteriorating and reaching the end of their design life span. Spray applied pipe liners (SAPLs) have become a popular rehabilitation strategy to strengthen deteriorated culverts, essentially replacing its host (original) structure with minimal disruption to the surrounding site and traffic. Currently, however, there is no universal design methodology for SAPLs, and variations in the product quality, durability and overall structural performance have been observed. Background knowledge on rigid and flexible buried pipe design is discussed to verify the expected load bearing capacity of SAPLs, understand the SAPL behavior, and develop a better understanding of the SAPL as the new host structure. In this study, a deteriorated culvert consisting of corrugated metal pipe is load tested before and after it has been lined with a geopolymer mortar liner. Results from the diagnostic load testing using mounted sensors and vision-based measurement techniques are presented to evaluate the maximum deformations and compared to design calculations due to the presence of live load acting on the culvert. Based on the field testing, hand calculations, and model analysis, the geopolymer SAPL improved the strength of the culvert. Among the analysis methods used, the arch representation of the culvert provided the closest approximation of both the deflection and stress behavior at the crown and a similar stress pattern to the field culvert.
Description
Keywords
Culverts, Pipe rehabilitation, Spray applied pipe liners, Trenchless repair