Precast Reinforced Concrete Three Radius Arch Pipe

Culvert Bridges
ABSTRACT

Soil steel composite bridges or culverts are provided under a roadway or railway as a
cross drainage system carry over the stream or as an underground tunnel or as an animal
pass structure. Three radius arch pipe culverts, a complex shaped pipe having three radii
are using nowadays as a substitute to conventional type of culverts such as circular
culvert and box culverts. In this study, the various geometrical and structural features of
the arch pipe are investigated using the international codes Swedish standards, CHBDC
(2014) and AASHTO LRFD (2017) and ASTM C 506 specification. The strength of pipe
is evaluated by means of three edge bearing test. The three radius arch pipe is proven to
the best owing to the advantages of its geometrical shape and hydraulic benefits
compared to circular pipe and box culverts.

Keywords: Soil steel composite bridges, Minor Bridges, Culverts, Three radius arch
pipe, Circular pipe culvert, Box culvert

1. INTRODUCTION

Soil-steel bridges owing to its advantages
are getting used as all kinds of bridge
crossings more often as an economic
solution compared to the conventional
steel and concrete bridges. These are
being used for small to medium span
cases up to 25 m and in locations where
construction time is less and continuity in
traffic is required. Generally, rectangular
or circular in shape, bridge culverts are
constructed on rivers and canals.
Various shapes of culverts are being in
use include circular shape, elliptical
shape, arch shape, pipe arch etc. Among
these, three radius arch pipe is now
started gaining popularity as a substitute
to circular or box shaped culverts. But
there are no guidelines as per Indian
codes of standards for the analysis and
design of arch pipe. The minimum depth
of cover above the conduit is determined
using the guidelines provided in Swedish,
Canadian (CHBDC 2014) and American
(AASHTO LRFD 2017) codes for
highway bridges.

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In this paper, some guidelines and
features of precast concrete three radius
arch pipe are discussed. The geometry of
pipe is discussed with reference to ASTM
C 506(2013). The minimum depth of
cover above the conduit is determined,
and the requirements and construction
guidelines of arch pipe are discussed. A
three edge bearing test is conducted to
evaluate the mechanical performance of
the arch pipe and its comparison is made
with circular pipes having equivalent size.
nearly flattened bottom. It consists of
three radii, top radius, bottom radius and
corner radius. The bottom radius is larger
and the corner radius is the smallest.
Figure 1 shows the cross-section of a
three radius arch pipe culvert and Photo 1
shows precast reinforced concrete arch
pipe.

THREE RADIUS ARCH PIPE

Precast reinforced concrete arch pipe is

started using nowadays as substitute to Fig.1 Three Radius Arch Pipe Culvert
the conventional type of culverts such as
circular pipe culverts, box culverts and
arch culverts. Reinforced arch pipe can be
used for highway culverts, railway
culverts, short span highway bridges,
storm drains, utility tunnels etc. It is ideal
for a variety of conditions such as space Photo 1 Precast Concrete Arch Pipe
(https://line.17qq.com)
constraints, limited fall and insufficient
depth for circular pipe. A three radius
arch pipe is a pipe with three radii and
2.0 GENERAL FEATURES standard specification for reinforced arch
culvert and is given in Table 1. The
3.1 Geometry
culvert geometry can be modeled using

The dimensions of arch pipe can be taken the following expression given in ASTM

from ASTM C 506(2013 a) which is the C506 (2013).

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 Table 1 Dimensions of Arch Pipe (ASTM C 506: 2013a.)
Approximat
Water
e Equivalent Span, Rise, R1, R2, R3, A, B, C,
Area,
Round Size, mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
m2
mm
375 460 280 0.1 580 270 102 10 119 128
450 560 345 0.15 700 350 135 15 154 145
525 660 395 0.2 900 375 135 20 160 195
600 725 460 0.26 1035 370 115 90 151 248
750 920 570 0.41 1300 475 155 95 192 305
900 1110 675 0.59 1575 570 160 105 215 395
1050 1300 795 0.82 1855 665 190 130 248 460
1200 1485 915 1.06 2135 760 220 155 291 523
1350 1650 1015 1.33 2350 850 250 165 336 575
1500 1855 1145 1.64 2670 955 285 190 380 643
1800 2235 1370 2.38 3200 1145 320 225 436 798
2100 2590 1575 3.21 4130 1320 355 255 473 940
2250 2920 1830 4.13 4650 1500 490 330 611 970
2400 3100 1960 4.8 5535 1575 510 385 614 1040
2700 3505 2215 6.13 6835 1790 570 425 725 1183
3000 3910 2460 7.6 7655 1980 610 480 741 1345
3300 4285 2705 9.21 8355 2175 685 530 840 1458
C
tanθ1 = (5)
P
A = H - R2 (1)
Where R1, R2 and R3 are the bottom
B = A + (R 2 - R3) 2 - C 2 (2)
radius, top radius and corner radius, H is
the rise of pipe and A, B and C are the
dimensions marked in Figure 1.
SPAN
C= - R3 (3)
2 3.2 Soil Material Requirements
(B - A)
tanθ 2 = (4) Since the three-radius arch pipe is using
C
soil stiffness, the properties of soil and

1
the interaction between the structure and 4. There should be minimum 0.3 m
the soil plays an important role on the base course material above the
performance or arch pipe. The arch pipe soil filling on the top of pipe.
should be placed on prepared bedding 5. All the soil in the region 1, 2, 3
and it should be provided with structural and 4 should be thoroughly
backfill on either side of the pipe and on compacted to the required
the top of the pipe. Figure 2 shows the standard proctor density.
soil filling requirements as per Lars
3.3 Minimum Depth of Cover
Pettersson et.al (2014).

The depth of soil backfill above the

1. The soil below the arch pipe
conduit is termed as cover depth and
should be prepared soil and it
there is a minimum value of soil cover
should be filled more than 0.3 m
for each pipe depending on the shape,
in depth below the bottom most
span and rise of these structures. The
point and it should be placed
pressure due to vehicle load will be
with a slope 1: n on either sides
changing as the depth of cover changes.
to a depth more than 0.2 times
The live load will get distributed through
the span of pipe.
the soil fill and as the depth increases, the
2. On either sides of the pipe
intensity of live load on the pipe
engineered soil should be filled
decreases. CHBDC (2014), AASHTO
to a distance half of the span of
LRFD (2017) and Swedish Code provide
pipe. The properties of soil
formulae to determine the minimum soil
should be same as 1.
cover above the soil steel composite
3. The depth of soil backfill on the
bridges. According to CHBDC (2014),
top of pipe should be more than
the minimum depth of cover (hc) above
minimum depth of cover as
the conduit should be maximum of the
discussed in section 3.1. The
following.
density of material provided as
cover should be the average of Dh Dh D 2h
densities of soil provided in the
h c = { 0.6m, , 0.4 2 } (6)
6 Dv Dv
region 1, 2 and 4. The soil can be
gravelly sand or sandy silt or
silty clay.

2
 Fig.2 Soil Material Requirements

Table 2 Minimum Soil Cover Depth

Minimum depth of cover, m
Span (D) Rise (H)
SL No. AASHTO Swedish
m m CHBDC
LFRD Design
1 1.485 0.915 1.054 0.300 ≥0.5
2 1.65 1.015 1.057 0.300 ≥0.5
3 1.855 1.145 1.050 0.300 ≥0.5
4 2.235 1.37 1.065 0.300 ≥0.5
5 2.59 1.575 1.082 0.324 ≥0.5
6 2.92 1.83 1.018 0.365 ≥0.5
7 3.1 1.96 1.001 0.388 ≥0.5
8 3.505 2.215 1.002 0.438 ≥0.5
9 3.91 2.46 1.011 0.489 ≥0.5
10 4.285 2.705 1.004 0.536 ≥0.5
where, hc is the depth of cover soil As per AASHTO LRFD (2017), the
Dh is the horizontal dimension or span minimum soil cover depth above the
(D) conduit should be,
Dv is the vertical dimension or rise of hc = D/8 ≥ 0.30 m (7)
structure.

5
According to Swedish design standards, the water area obtained can also be
the minimum soil cover depth above the obtained with arch pipe of greater span
pipe should be more than 0.5 m. The and lesser depth.
calculated values of minimum soil cover
It can be obtained that for the same water
depth for arch pipes of various spans and
area, arch pipes are more suitable to
rise using the above formulae are given
cover more length with less height
in Table 2.
compared to circular pipe and box
3.3 Hydraulic and Structural Benefits culvert. Table 3 shows the dimensions of
of Arch Pipe arch pipe and the equivalent circular pipe
and box culverts with the resultant water
Even though the shape of arch pipe is
area. It is obtained that arch pipe is
more complex compared to circular pipe
suitable for limited headroom with
culvert and box culverts, the arch pipe has
improved hydraulic capacity. In the case
greater advantages in terms of hydraulic
of sites having depth constraints, the arch
and structural aspects. Figure 3 and 4
pipe can be provided instead of providing
shows the comparison of arch pipes,
multiple numbers of circular pipes and
equivalent circular pipe and box culvert
box culverts having smaller section.
in terms of water area.
Figure 5 shows the comparison of
In Figure 3a and 3b shows the arch pipe
hydraulic radii of arch pipe having a span
and the approximate equivalent circular
of 2.92 m and rise 1.83 m and equivalent
pipe. It is observed that same water way
circular pipes and boxes at various
area which is obtained by using a circular
depths. Arch pipes and circular pipes
pipe and box culvert could be achieved
have the maximum R value when the
with arch pipe having greater span and
depth of flow(y) is equal to the 75% rise
less height. If circular pipe of same height
(H) of the pipe. It is obtained that the
as in the case of arch pipe is provided,
equivalent circular pipes have slightly
then only half of water way area could be
greater R value compared to the arch
achieved. And hence multiple numbers of
pipes whereas in the case of box culverts,
circular pipes should have to be provided
the arch pipes have greater R value. From
in such case which is shown in Figure 4.
the Figure it is clear that arch pipes are
Similarly if circular pipe of same span as
having greater R value at low flow
in the case of arch pipe is provided, then

6
conditions compared to box culverts and hydraulic efficiency at low flow
circular pipes. conditions. For the sites with limited fall
conditions, arch pipes are more suitable
The hydraulic efficiency of pipes
and economical instead of using multiple
depends on the hydraulic radius value
numbers of circular pipes and box
and arch pipes are proven to have better
culverts.

Fig.3 Water Area of Concrete Pipes a) Arch Pipe of 2.235 m span b)Circular Pipe
Equivalent to 2.235m Arch Pipe c) Box Culvert Equivalent to 2.235m Arch Pipe

Fig.4 Water Area of Water Area of Circular and Arch Pipes

Table 3 Water Area of Arch Pipe and Equivalent Circular Pipe

SL No. Circular Pipe Arch Pipe Box Culvert

7
 Water Water Water
Diameter Span Rise Size
area area area
(m) (m) (m) (m)
(m2) (m2) (m2)
1 1.2 1.13 1.49 0.92 1.06 1 1.00
2 1.35 1.43 1.65 1.02 1.33 1.2 1.44
3 1.5 1.77 1.86 1.15 1.64 1.25 1.56
4 1.8 2.54 2.24 1.37 2.38 1.5 2.25
5 2.1 3.46 2.6 1.68 3.21 1.8 3.24
6 2.25 3.97 2.92 1.83 4.13 2 4.00
7 2.4 4.52 3.1 1.96 4.8 2.2 4.84
8 2.7 5.72 3.51 2.22 6.13 2.5 6.25
9 3 7.07 3.91 2.46 7.6 2.8 7.84
10 3.3 8.55 4.29 2.71 9.13 3 9.00

a) y = H

b) y = 0.75 H

c) y = 0.5 H

8
 d) y = 0.25 H
Fig. 5 Comparison of Hydraulic Radii

Fig.6 Reinforcement Details

3.3 Reinforcement
means of Three Edge Bearing Test which
The pipe arch can be designed as beam or
is an external load crushing strength test
column elements depending upon the
consists of a diametral compression test
predominant force. It can be designed as
which helps to classify the pipes under
singly or doubly reinforced beam element
different classes. Figure 7 shows the
as per IRC 112:2020. Figure 6 shows the
schematic representation of three edge
layout of reinforcement to be provided.
bearing test of arch pipe. The test
Shear stirrups should be provided
procedures should be taken as per ASTM
wherever required.
C 497(1998).
4.0 STRENGTH TEST OF ARCH
VNIT Nagpur has developed a model
PIPE
testing facility for conducting three edge
The mechanical performance of precast bearing test of three radius arch pipes.
concrete arch pipe can be examined by Photo 2a and 2b shows photographs of

9
arch pipe specimens before conducting of deformed arch pipes. From the test, it
the test. is seen that main cracks are appeared at
the top of bottom flat portion and outer
sides of the arch pipe. And hence, to
enhance the structural capacity of these
pipes further, extra mesh of
reinforcement should be provided on
these portions.

Fig.7 Schematic Representation of Three

Edge Bearing Test of Arch Pipe

Photo 3 Test Setup of Three Edge

Bearing Test
Photo 2a Arch Pipe Before Test

Photo 4a Cracks Observed at Bottom

Flat Portion
Photo 2b Test Specimens of Three Edge
Bearing Test

The three edge bearing test has

conducted on four arch pipe specimens.
Photo 3 shows the test setup for
conducting bearing test on arch pipes.
Photo 4b Cracks Observed at Outer
Photo 4a and 4b shows the photographs Sides

10
 Fig.8 Comparison of Strength Values of Arch Pipe and Equivalent Circular Pipe
Figure 8 shows the comparison of
strength values of precast concrete arch
pipe of 2.235 m span and the equivalent
circular pipe of diameter 1.8m. It was
observed that the strength of arch pipe is
greater than that of equivalent circular
pipe. The three edge bearing strength
value of arch pipe is almost 2 times that
of circular pipe.
5.0 CONSTRUCTION
Construction procedures are the most
important factor responsible for the
structural integrity of a soil-steel bridge
and hence appropriate construction
procedures and controls should be noted
on the construction drawings. Some of
the important things to be considered as
per CHBDC (2014) and IRC 122:2017
are listed below.
5.1 Foundation
For the specific case of the foundation of
a pipe-arch, the following is
recommended:
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 When the foundation comprises
dense to very dense cohesionless
material or stiff to hard cohesive
material, no treatment is required.
 For soft to firm cohesive
foundations, trench reinforcement
should be provided.
 For loose to compact cohesionless
foundations, trench reinforcement
should be provided by in-situ
compaction.
5.2 Bedding
The bedding on which the bottom of pipe
rests, should be composed of stone free
granular material and it should be pre-
shaped in both the longitudinal and
transverse directions to accommodate the
conduit invert. The top layer of bedding,
up to 200 mm thickness should be kept
un-compacted so that the ridges and
valleys of the bottom part of the pipe
maintain uniform contact with the
bedding material.
5.3 Transportation

Before transporting, it should be ensured

that the precast units have gained
adequate strength. It should be loaded
and unloaded carefully to and from the
delivery vehicle, and it should be
adequately secured and supported to
prevent them from overturning, shifting
or being damaged during transportation.
Photo 5 shows the unloading of precast
arch pipe units from the delivery vehicle.
Photo 5 Unloading of Precast Arch Pipe
(https://www.flickr.com)
5.4 Handling
Photo 6 Lifting of Precast Arch Pipe
(https://www.flickr.com)
5.5 Assembly and Erection
The assembling and erection of the
conduit wall should be done in such a
way that, there are no permanent set
results in any portion of the wall. If struts
are used to support the conduit wall
during backfilling, they should be
removed before they start restricting the
free downward movement of the crown.
Photo 7 shows the assembling and
erection of arch pipe at site.

The precast products should be stored,

transported and handled in a manner to
avoid damage. The handling process
includes demoulding of precast products,
their storage, loading and unloading,
transportation to storage spaces and site
and erection. Care should be taken in Photo 7 Assembly and Erection of Arch
order to avoid stresses and damage in the Pipe (https://www.flickr.com)
precast units. Photo 6 shows the handling 5.6 Engineered Backfill
of precast arch pipe using mobile crane
lifting equipment. The backfill should be placed in layers
not more than 300 mm thickness and

12
compacted to the required density before 5.7 Headwalls and Appurtenances
placing the next layer. On the either sides
The soil-steel composite bridges are
of the conduit, the difference in levels of
more susceptible to damage by hydraulic
backfills the transverse direction should
effect and hence it should be provided
not exceed 600 mm. The degree of
with headwalls and cut-off appurtenances
compaction should not be less than 85%
if it is designed for hydraulic purpose.
of the Standard Proctor density. The
When a conduit wall at one of its ends is
backfill material should be free of stones
cut at a plane inclined to the vertical, the
exceeding 80 mm in size within a
continuity of the ring is no longer
distance of 300 mm of the pipe and
maintained in the bevel, because of
heavy compaction equipment should be
which the beveled ends of the pipe
avoided within 1.0 m of the pipe. In the
should be designed as earth-retaining
proximity of the pipe light compaction
structures. Photo 9 shows the arch pipe
equipment should be used. Photo 8a and
with headwalls provided at site.
8b shows the compaction of soil backfill
above and on the sides of arch pipe in
site.

Photo 9 Arch Pipe with Head Wall Laid

on Site (https://line.17qq.com)

Photo 8a Compaction of Backfill around 5.8 Joints

Arch Pipe (https://www.flickr.com)
Photo 8b Compaction of Backfill around
Arch Pipe (https://www.flickr.com)
The joints and sealings should be done as
per IS 15916:2010. For precast
reinforced concrete arch pipes, tongue
and groove joint can be provided. In
tongue and groove joint, a layer of
cement paste or mortar is placed in the
lower portion of the groove and on the
upper portion of the tongue of the pipe.

13
The tongue is then inserted into the above and also daily inspection
groove of the installed pipe until the under an engineer’s supervision
sealant material is squeezed out onto the should be made during the
interior or exterior surfaces. Figure 9 backfilling operations until a
shows an example of section through the minimum specified cover is
joint. attained.
 For structures with spans greater
than 8 m continuous inspection
and supervision by an engineer
should be provided.

6.0 CONCLUSION

1. Precast reinforced concrete arch

Fig.9 Arch Pipe Joints
(https://www.infolinks.com)
5.9 Site Supervision and Control
The inspection and supervision of
construction of the soil steel composite
bridges should be provided as per
following.
 For soil steel composite bridges
spanning between 3 m and 6m, an
engineer should inspect the work
at the completion of foundation,
bedding, assembly of pipe, and
placement of backfill under the
haunches, up to the spring line, up
to the crown, and up to the level
of minimum specified cover.
 For spans greater than 6 m but
less than or equal to 8 m, the
inspection should be done as
pipe with three radii and flat
bottom are suitable for short span
bridges and cross drainage
structures.
2. The arch pipe can be used as a
superior alternative to multiple
number of circular and arch
pipes. The same water area can
be achieved with relatively less
height compared to circular and
box pipes.
3. Precast arch pipes are ideal for
sites where space constraints and
limited headroom are present.
4. Precast arch pipes have hydraulic
efficient cross section with
improved hydraulic capacity and
it is ideal for low flow conditions
with less scouring.

14
 5. From the three edge bearing test 3. ASTM C 506. (2020). Standard
conducted on arch pipe, it is Specification for Reinforced
observed that main cracks are Concrete Arch Culvert, Storm
obtaining at the top of bottom flat Drain, and Sewer Pipe. ASTM
portion and at the outer sides of International, West
the pipe. An extra mesh of Conshohocken, PA.
reinforcement shall be provided 4. Bakht, B. and Mufti, A. (2015).
for further enhancement of Bridges – Analysis ,Design,
structural capacity. Structural Health Monitoring, and
The arch pipes performed better Rehabilitation, Springer,
than the equivalent circular pipe Switzerland.
in bearing test and the arch pipe 5. Lars Pettersson, and Hakan
yields greater strength. Sundquist. (2007). Design of Soil
6. The construction, handling, Steel Composite Bridges.
transportation, erection and other Structural Design and Bridges,
related activities can be done as ISSN 1103-4289.
conventional pipe culvert 6. Lars Pettersson, Amer Wadi, and
structures. Kevin Williams. (2017).
Structural Design of Flexible
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