Full-Scale Experiment and Ultimate Bearing Capacity Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Drainage Culverts with Defects

In this paper, three full-scale box culvert specimens with different defect cases were designed and carried out based on the field investigation results of typical cross-sections in Shanghai Drainage Line. According to the test data, the cracking development, load-deformation curve, failure modes, and the ultimate bearing capacity of the specimens were analyzed and studied. In addition, a finite element model (FEM) based on a plastic damage model of concrete was established, and its parameters were determined by the experimental results and sensitivity analysis. The FEM simulation results agreed well with the experiment. On the basis of the characteristic curve of “load-deflection” and the failure modes obtained from the test and numerical simulation, an ultimate bearing capacity evaluation model and practical method were established and put forward, which can provide references for the safety evaluation, prevention as well as reinforcement of large diameter rectangular drainage box culverts with defects.