Stability of conduit walls of soil-steel bridges

Abstract

The problem of stability of the conduit walls of soil-steel structures has been examined by many investigators using either the continuum theory or the Winkler approach in which the soil media is replaced by spring supports. Because of the form of application and assumptions, the continuum analysis overestimates the buckling load while the Winkler analysis underestimates the buckling load. The present paper examines the causes of the discrepancy between the published results obtained from the continuum and the Winkler analysis and arrives at a rationally realistic buckling formula. Furthermore, the effect of spacing between multispan conduits is examined and is taken into consideration in the modified buckling equations, which are adopted by the forthcoming Ontario Highway Bridge Design Code. Key words: conduit, corrugated steel, elastic-plastic, stability, soil-steel bridges.