FAILURE OF FOOTING-SUPPORTED BURIED STEEL ARCHES LOADED STATICALLY.
Abstract
The objective of this investigation was to study the failure of statically loaded steel circular arches buried in sand as affected by three variables; footing width, arch flexibility, and depth of burial. Static tests were performed on 16 arches with 18-inch outside diameters. The parameters varied were wall thickness, depth of burial, and footing area. The maximum static overpressure available was 100 psi. Strain measurements were made at various locations on the arch so that thrusts and moments could be computed. (The computer program developed for these computations is described in Appendix B.) Measurements of crown deflection and footing settlement were also made. Three modes of failure were observed in the various tests. Buckling of the crown of the arch and punching of the footings into the supporting soil were the two dominant failure modes, but buckling of the arch haunches also occurred in the case of the thin arch with large footings. Generally, it was observed that the thin arches with large footings exhibited arch failure while the thick arches with small footings exhibited footing failure. Based on the test results, a method was proposed for predicting the type of failure occurring for arches with various footing and arch stiffness configuration combinations. Support investigations were conducted to determine the properties of the sand and steel used in the test. Sand properties are described in Appendix A. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0704719
Entities
People
- Gary L. Carre
- John F. Munn
- Thomas E. Kennedy