M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

Standard Specification for

Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections for Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers with Less
Than 0.6 m of Cover Subjected to Highway Loadings [Metric]

AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 273M-941

(ASTM DESIGNATION: C 850M-90)

1. SCOPE1 M 148 Liquid Membrane Forming 5.2 Box sections shall be considered
Compounds for Curing Con- ready for acceptance when they conform
crete to the requirements of this specification.
1.1 This specification covers single-cell,
precast reinforced concrete box sec-dons M 221 Welded Deformed Steel Wire
with less than 0.6 m of cover subjected to Fabric for Concrete Rein- 6. MATERIALS
highway loadings and intended to be used forcement
for the construction of culverts and for M 225 Deformed Steel Wire for
the conveyance of storm water, industrial Concrete Reinforcement 6.1 Reinforced Concrete—The rein-
wastes, and sewage. forced concrete shall consist of cementi-
M 240 Blended Hydraulic Cements tious materials, mineral aggregates, and
1.2 This metric specification is equiva- M 259M Precast Reinforced Con- water, in which steel has been embedded
lent to M 273 and is compatible in tech- crete Box Sections for Cul- in such a manner that the steel and con-
nical content. verts, Storm Drains, and crete act together.
NOTE 1—This specification is primarily a Sewers 6.2 Cementitious Materials:
manufacturing and purchasing specification. M 262 Terms Relating to Concrete
However, standard designs are included and
6.2.1 Cement—Cement shall con-form
Pipe and Related Products to the requirements for Portland cement
the criteria used to develop these designs are
given in Appendix XI. The successful per- M 295 Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined of AASHTO M 85 or shall be portland
formance of this product depends upon the Natural Pozzolan for Use as a blast-furnace slag cement or portland-
proper selection of the box section, bedding. Mineral Admixture in Port- pozzolan cement conforming to the re-
backfill, controlled manufacture in the plant. land Cement Concrete quirements of AASHTO M 240, except
and care that the installation conforms to the that the pozzolan constituent in the Type
construction specifications. The purchaser of T 22 Compressive Strength of
Cylindrical Concrete Speci- IP portland-pozzolan cement shall be fly
the precast reinforced concrete box sections
specified herein is cautioned that the loading mens ash and shall not exceed 25 percent by
conditions and the field requirements must be weight.
T 23 Making and Curing Test
correlated with the box sections specified and 6.2.2 Fly Ash—Fly ash fall conform to
Specimens in the Field
provide inspection at the construction site. the requirements of AASHTO M 295,
T 280 Testing Concrete Pipe, Sec- Class F or Class C.
NOTE 2—AASHTO M 259M is to be used tions, or Tile
for box sections subjected to highway loading 6.2.3 Allowable Combinations of Ce-
with 0.6 m or more earth cover, or subjected to mentitious Materials—The combination
dead load only. 3. TERMINOLOGY of cementitious materials used in con-
crete shall be one of the following:
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms 6.2.3.1 Portland cement only.
relating to concrete pipe, see AASHTO 6.2.3.2 Portland blast-furnace slag ce-
M 262. ment only.
2.1 AASHTO Standards:
6.2.3.3 Portland pozzolan cement only.
M6 Fine Aggregate for Portland
Cement Concrete 4. TYPES 6.2.3.4 A combination of portland ce-
ment and fly ash wherein the proportion
M 31 Deformed and Plain Billet-
of fly ash is between 5 and 25 percent by
Steel Bars for Concrete Rein- 4.1 Precast reinforced concrete box
weight of total cementitious material
forcement sections manufactured in accordance with
(portland cement plus fly ash).
M 32 Cold Drawn Steel Wire for this specification shall be of the types
identified in Tables 1 and 2, and shall be 6.3 Aggregates—Aggregates shall con-
Concrete Reinforcement
designated by type, span, and rise. form to AASHTO M 6 and M 80, except
M 55 Welded Steel Wire Fabric for that the requirements for gradation shall
Concrete Reinforcement not apply.
M 80 Coarse Aggregate for Port- 5. BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE
6.4 Admixtures and Blends—Admixtures
land Cement Concrete and blends may be used with the ap-
M 85 Portland Cement 5.1 Acceptability of the box sections proval of the purchaser.
produced in accordance with Section 7 6.5 Steel Reinforcement—Reinforcement
shall be determined by the results of the shall consist of welded wire fabric con-
1
Standard Designs and Criteria used to develop the concrete compressive strength tests de- forming to AASHTO M 55 or M 221.
designs that are included in this specification are scribed in Section 10, by the material
under the jurisdiction of the AASHTO Subcommittee Longitudinal distribution reinforcement
on Bridges and Structures. requirements described in Section 6, and may consist of welded wire fabric or
by inspection of the finished box sec- deformed billet-steel bars con-forming to
tions. AASHTO M 31, Grade 400.

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M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE 1 Design Requirement for Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections with Less Than 0.6 m of Cover Subjected to HS 20 LoadingA
NOTE 1—Reinforcement areas are based on the mass of a column of earth over the width of the box section plus live loads as defined in Appendix
XI.
NOTE 2—Concrete design strength 35 MPa.
Distribution Rein-
Box Section S x Thickness, in. Circumferential Reinforcement AreasB
C forcement AreasD
R, mm
Top Slab Bottom Slab Wall AS1 AS2 AS3 AS4 AS7 AS8 AS5 AS6
900 x 600 175 150 100 360 720 420 280E 360E 300E 360E 360E
900 x 900 175 150 100 280E 760 470 280E 360E 300E 380E 360E
1200 x 600 190 150 125 440 780 420 280E 380E 300E 380E 380E
1200 x 900 190 150 125 380 870 490E 280E 380E 300E 420E 380E
1200 x 1200 190 150 125 340 910 510 280E 380E 300E 440E 380E
1500 x 900 200 175 150 470 870 470 300E 400E 360E 400E 400E
1500 x 1200 200 175 150 400 930 510 300E 400E 360E 440 400E
E E E
1500 x 1500 200 175 150 340 970 550 300 400 360 470 400E
1800 x 900 200 175 175 640 890 440 360E 400E 360E 400E 400E
1800 x 1200 200 175 175 550 970 510 360E 400E 360E 420 400E
E E E
1800 x 1500 200 175 175 490 1020 550 360 400 360 440 400E
1800 x 1800 200 175 175 420 1080 610 360E 400E 360E 470 400E
2100 x 1200 200 200 200 680 950 510 400E 400E 400E 400E 400E
2100 x 1500 200 200 200 610 1020 570 400E 420 400E 400E 400E
2100 x 1800 200 200 200 570 1080 610 400E 420 400E 420 400E
2100 x 2100 200 200 200 530 1120 680 400E 490 400E 440 400E
2400 x 1200 200 200 200 780 1080 570 400E 400E 400E 400E 400E
2400 x 1500 200 200 200 720 1120 640 400E 400E 400E 440 400E
2400 x 1800 200 200 200 680 1190 700 400E 530 400E 440 400E
2400 x 2100 200 200 200 640 1230 740 400E 570 470 470 400E
2400 x 2400 200 200 200 590 1270 800 490 610 550 470 400E
2700 x 1500 225 225 225 720 1060 610 470E 470E 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 1800 225 225 225 680 1120 680 470E 470E 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 2100 225 225 225 640 1160 740 470E 530 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 2400 225 225 225 590 1210 800 470E 570 510 470E 470E
2700 x 2700 225 225 225 570 1230 870 530 640 590 470E 470E
3000 x 1500 250 250 250 720 1020 610 510E 510E 510E 510E 510E
E E E E
3000 x 1800 250 250 250 680 1060 680 510 510 510 510 510E
3000 x 2100 250 250 250 660 1100 740 510E 510E 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 2400 250 250 250 610 1140 800 510E 550 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 2700 250 250 250 570 1160 850 510E 590 550 510E 510E
3000 x 3000 250 250 250 570 1210 910 570 680 660 510E 510E
3300 x 1200 275 275 275 800 930 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
3300 x 1800 275 275 275 700 1020 680 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
3300 x 2400 275 275 275 610 1080 800 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
3300 x 3000 275 275 275 590 1140 910 550E 610 610 550E 550E
3300 x 3300 275 275 275 590 1190 970 640 720 720 550E 550E
E E E E E
3600 x 1200 300 300 300 850 890 610 610 610 610 610 610E
3600 x 1800 300 300 300 740 970 680 610E 610E 610E 610E 610E
3600 x 2400 300 300 300 660 1040 800 610E 610E 610E 610E 610E
E E E E E
3600 x 3000 300 300 300 610 1120 910 610 610 610 610 610E
3600 x 3600 300 300 300 610E 1210 1060 700 760 780 610E 610E
A
Design requirements are based on maximum effects resulting from cover conditions ranging from 0 to 0.6 m and the material and soil properties and
loading data shown in Appendix X1. For modified or special designs, see Section 72.
B
Design reinforcement areas in square millimetres per linear metre of box section length at those locations as shown in Figure 1.
C
The box section designation, for example 900 by 600, indicates interior horizontal span, in millimetres. by interior vertical rise, in millimetres.
D
Design reinforcement areas in square millimetres per linear metre of box section width at those locations as shown in Figure I.
E
Minimum reinforcement area is specified.

462
M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE 2 Design Requirement for Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections with Less Than 0.6 m of Cover Subjected to Interstate Load-
ingA
NOTE 1—Reinforcement areas are based on the mass of a column of earth over the width of the box section plus live loads as defined in Appendix
XI.
NOTE 2—Concrete design strength 35 MPa.

Distribution Rein-
Box Section S x R, Thickness, in. Circumferential Reinforcement AreasB
forcement AreasD
mmC
Top Slab Bottom Slab Wall AS1 AS2 AS3 AS4 AS7 AS8 AS5 AS6
900 x 600 175 150 100 360 720 420 280E 360E 300E 360E 360E
900 x 900 175 150 100 280E 760 470 280E 360E 300E 380 360E
1200 x 600 190 150 125 440 800 420 280E 380E 300E 380E 380E
1200 x 900 190 150 125 400 870 490 280E 380E 300E 420 380E
1200 x 1200 190 150 125 380 910 530 280E 380E 300E 440 380E
E E E E
1500 x 900 200 175 150 550 870 590 300 400 360 400 400E
1500 x 1200 200 175 150 490 930 660 300E 400E 360E 440 400E
1500 x 1500 200 175 150 440 970 720 300E 400E 360E 470 400E
E E E E
1800 x 900 200 175 175 700 890 590 360 400 360 400 400E
1800 x 1200 200 175 175 610 970 680 360E 400E 360E 420 400E
1800 x 1500 200 175 175 570 1020 720 360E 400E 360E 440 400E
1800 x 1800 200 175 175 530 1080 780 360E 400E 360E 470 400E
2100 x 1200 200 200 200 700 950 660 400E 400E 400E 400E 400E
2100 x 1500 200 200 200 640 1020 720 400E 420 400E 400E 400E
2100 x 1800 200 200 200 590 1080 780 400E 420 400E 420 400E
E E
2100 x 2100 200 200 200 550 1120 830 400 490 400 440 400E
2400 x 1200 200 200 200 910 1080 720 400E 400E 400E 400E 400E
2400 x 1500 200 200 200 830 1120 800 400E 400E 400E 440 400E
E E
2400 x 1800 200 200 200 760 1190 870 400 530 400 440 400E
2400 x 2100 200 200 200 720 1230 950 400E 570 470 470 400E
2400 x 2400 200 200 200 660 1270 1020 490 610 550 470 400E
2700 x 1500 225 225 225 890 1060 780 470E 470E 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 1800 225 225 225 830 1120 850 470E 470E 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 2100 225 225 225 780 1160 930 470E 530 470E 470E 470E
2700 x 2400 225 225 225 720 1210 990 470E 570 510 470E 470E
E
2700 x 2700 225 225 225 680 1230 1060 530 640 590 470 470E
3000 x 1500 250 250 250 930 1020 760 510E 510E 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 1800 250 250 250 870 1060 850 510E 510E 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 2100 250 250 250 830 1100 910 510E 510E 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 2400 250 250 250 760 1140 970 510E 550 510E 510E 510E
3000 x 2700 250 250 250 720 1160 1060 510 590 550 510E 510E
3000 x 3000 250 250 250 700 1210 1120 570 680 660 510E 510E
3300 x 1200 275 275 275 1040 930 680 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
3300 x 1800 275 275 275 910 1020 850 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
3300 x 2400 275 275 275 800 1080 970 550E 550E 550E 550E 550E
E E
3300 x 3000 275 275 275 740 1140 1120 550 610 610 550 550E
3300 x 3300 275 275 275 720 1210 1190 640E 720E 720E 550E 550E
3600 x 1200 300 300 300 1060 890 680 610E 610E 610E 610E 610E
E E E E
3600 x 1800 300 300 300 930 970 830 610 610 610 610 610E
3600 x 2400 300 300 300 850 1060 970 610E 610E 610E 610E 610E
3600 x 3000 300 300 300 760 1190 1120 610E 610E 610E 610E 610E
3600 x 3600 300 300 300 740 1290 1270 700 760 780 610E 610E
A
Design requirements are based on maximum effects resulting from cover conditions ranging from 0 to 0.6 m and the material and soil properties and
loading data shown in Appendix Xl. For modified or special designs, see Section 7.2.
B
The box section designation, for example 900 by 600, indicates interior horizontal span, in millimetres. by interior vertical rise, in millimetres.
C
Design reinforcement areas in square millimetres per linear metre of box section length at those locations as shown in Figure I.
D
Design reinforcement areas in square millimetres per linear metre of box section width at those locations as shown in Figure I.
E
Minimum reinforcement area is specified.

463
M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

7. DESIGN

7.1 Design Tables—The box section

dimensions, compressive strength of the
concrete, and reinforcement details shall
be as prescribed in Tables 1 or 2 and
Figures 1 and 2, subject to the provisions
of Section 11. Table 1 sections are de-
signed for a cover range from 0 to 0.6 m
plus AASHTO HS 20 live load condi-
tions. Table 2 sections are designed for a
cover range from 0 to 0.6 m plus Inter-
state live load conditions. Criteria used to
develop Tables 1 and 2 are given in the
Appendix X1.
7.2 Modified and Special Designs—The
manufacturer may request approval by
the purchaser of modified designs which
differ from the designs in Section 7.1; or
special designs for sizes and loads other
than those shown in Tables 1 and 2.
7.3 Placement of Reinforcement—The
cover of concrete over the circumferen-
tial reinforcement shall be 25 mm except
in the outside top of the top slab where it
shall be 50 mm, subject to the provisions
of Section 11. The inside circumferential
and longitudinal reinforcement shall
extend into the male portion of the joint
and the outside circumferential and
longitudinal reinforcement shall extend
into the female portion of the joint. The
clear distance of the end circumferential
wires shall be not less than 13 mm nor
more than 50 mm from the ends of the
box section. Reinforcement shall be
assembled utilizing any combination of
single or multiple layers of welded-wire
fabric. Common reinforcement units may
be utilized for both AS2 (or AS3) and AS4,
and also for both AS7 (or AS8) and AS1,
with the largest area requirement of each
combination governing, bending the
reinforcement 90 deg at the corners, and
waiving the extension requirements of
Figure 2. See Figure 2A. The welded-
wire fabric shall be composed of circum-
ferential and longitudinal wires meeting
the spacing requirements of Section 7.4
and shall contain sufficient longitudinal
wires extending through the box section
to maintain the shape and position of
reinforcement. Longitudinal distribution
reinforcement may be welded-wire fabric
or deformed billet-steel bars and shall
meet the spacing requirements of Section
7.4. The ends of the longitudinal distribu-
tion reinforcement shall be not more than
50 mm from the ends of the box section.
The exposure of the ends of longitudi-
nals, stirrups, and spacers used to posi-
tion the reinforcement shall not be a
cause for rejection.
7.4 Laps, Welds, and Spacing—Splices
in the circumferential reinforcement shall
be made by lapping. The over-lap meas-
ured between the outermost longitudinal
464
M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

wires of each fabric sheet shall be not plied and shall be left intact until the sections and shall re-main with the sec-
less than the spacing of the longitudinal required concrete compressive strength is tions until tested.
wires plus 50 mm. AS1 shall be lapped attained. The concrete temperature at the 10.2.2 Prepare not less than five test
with AS7 and AS8 as shown in Figure 2 or time of the application shall be within cylinders from each day's production of
2A and may be connected by welding. ±6°C of the atmospheric temperature. All the lot of box sections.
AS4 may be lapped and welded at any surfaces shall be kept moist prior to the
location or connected by welding at the application of the compounds and shall 10.2.3 Acceptability on the basis of
corners to AS2 and AS3. The spacing be damp when the compound is applied. cylinder test results:
center to center of the circumferential 9.3 Forms—The forms used in manufac- 10.2.3.1 When the average compres-
wires shall be not less than 50 mm nor ture shall be sufficiently rigid and accu- sive strength of all cylinders tested is
more than 100 mm. The spacing center to rate to maintain the box section dimen- equal to or greater than the design con-
center of the longitudinal wires shall not sions within the permissible variations crete strength, and not more than 10
be more than 200 mm. The spacing cen- given in Section 11. All casting surfaces percent of the cylinders tested have a
ter to center of the longitudinal distribu- shall be of smooth, non-porous material. compressive strength, and no cylinder
tion wires or bars for either line of rein- tested has a cmpressive strength less than
forcing in the top slab shall be not more 9.4 Handling—Handling devices or holes 80 percent of the design concrete
than 200 mm. shall be permitted in each box section for strength, then the lot shall be accepted.
the purpose of handling and laying.
10.2.3.2 When the compressive
8. JOINTS strength of the cylinders tested does not
10. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS conform to the acceptance criteria stated
in Section 10.2.3.1, the acceptability of
8.1 The precast reinforced concrete box the lot shall be determined in accordance
sections shall be produced with male and 10.1 Type of Test Specimen— with the provisions of Section 10.3.
female ends. The ends shall be of such Compression tests for determining con-
crete compressive strength may be made 10.3 Compression Testing of Cores:
design and the ends of the box sections so
formed that the sections can be laid to- on either standard rodded concrete cylin- 10.3.1 Cores shall be obtained and tested
gether to make a continuous line of box ders, concrete cylinders compacted and for compressive strength in accordance
sections compatible with the permissible cured in like manner as the box sections, with the provisions of AASHTO T 280.
variations given in Section 11. or on cores drilled from the box section. 10.3.2 One core shall be cut from a
10.2 Compression Testing of Cylin- section selected at random from each
ders: group of 15 box sections of a single size
9. MANUFACTURE or fraction of such a group from each
10.2.1 Cylinders shall be obtained and
tested for compressive strength in accor- continuous production run.
9.1 Mixture—The aggregates shall be dance with the provisions of AASHTO T 10.3.3 Acceptability by Core Tests:
sized, graded, proportioned, and mixed in 23 and AASHTO T 22, except that the 10.3.3.1 The compressive strength of
a batch mixer with such proportions of cylinders may be prepared by methods the concrete in each group of box sec-
cementitious materials and water as will comparable to those used to consolidate tions defined in Section 10.1 is accept-
produce a homogeneous concrete mixture and cure the concrete in the actual box able when the core test strengths are
of such quality that the pipe will conform section manufactured. Cylindrical speci- equal to or greater than the design con-
to the test and design requirements of this mens of sizes other than 150 mm by 300 crete strength.
specification. All concrete shall have a mm may be used provided all other re-
water-cementitious materials ratio not quirements of AASHTO T 23 are met. 10.3.3.2 When the compressive
exceeding 0.53 by weight. Cementitious Where the strength of 150 by 300-mm strength of the core tested is less than the
materials shall be as specified in Section concrete test cylinders exceeds the capac- design concrete strength, the box section
6.2 and shall be added to the mix in a ity of the normal field testing machine from which that core was taken may be
porportion not less than 280 kg/m' unless (900kN), 75 by 150-mm test cylinders recored. When the compressive strength
mix designs with a lower cementitious will be permitted with correction for size of the recore is equal to or greater than
materials content demonstrate that the of cylinder. If the concrete is of a consis- the design concrete strength, the com-
quality and performance of the pipe meet tency too stiff for compaction by rodding pressive strength of the concrete in that
the requirements of this standard. or internal vibration, the following alter- group of box sections is accept-able.
9.2 Curing—The box sections shall be native method may be used: Bolt a mold 10.3.3.3 When the compressive
cured for a sufficient length of time so to the top of a vibrating table or to the strength of any recore is less than the
that the concrete will develop the speci- actual form being used for manufacturer. design concrete strength, the box section
fied compressive strength in 28 days or External vibration shall be applied with a from which that core was taken shall be
less. Any one of the following methods frequency of at least 800 vibrations per rejected. Two box sections from the
of curing or combinations thereof may be minute. Place concrete in three equal lifts remainder of the group shall be selected
used: within the cylinder. During vibration, at random and one core shall be taken
place a cylindrical hammer on the surface from each. If the compressive strength of
9.2.1 Steam Curing—The box sections of each lift with the hammer to be 6 mm both cores is equal to or greater than the
may be low pressure, steam-cured by a less in diameter than the inside diameter design concrete strength, the compressive
system that will maintain a moist atmos- of the mold and of mass to create a pres- strength of the remainder of that group of
phere. sure of 2.43 kPa on the surface of the box sections is acceptable. If the com-
9.2.2 Water Curing—The box sections concrete. Continue vibration until cement pressive strength of either of the two
may be water-cured by any method that paste begin to ooze up around the bottom cores tested is less than the design con-
will keep the section moist. edge of the hammer. Repeat this proce- crete strength, the remainder of the group
9.2.3 Membrane Curing—A sealing dure until the mold is filled. Cylinders of box sections shall be rejected or. at the
membrane conforming to the require- shall be exposed to the same curing option of the manufacturer, each box
ments of AASHTO M 148 may be ap- conditions as the manufactured box section of the remainder of the group

465
M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

shall be cored and accepted individually, greater than 130 mm slab and wall thick- 15. PRODUCT MARKING
and any of these box sections that have nesses shall be ± 13 mm. In no case,
cores with less than the design concrete however, shall the cover over the rein-
strength shall be rejected. forcement be less than 16 mm, as meas- 15.1 The following information shall
ured to the internal surface or the external be legibly marked on each box section by
10.4 Plugging Core Holes—The core indentation, waterproof paint, or other
holes shall be plugged and sealed by the surface of the box section except the
cover over the reinforcement for the approved means:
manufacturer in a manner such that the
box section will meet all of the test re- external surface of the top slab shall not 15.1.1 Box section span, rise, table
quirements of this specification. Box be less than 42 mm. The preceding number, and specification designation,
sections so sealed shall be considered minimum cover limitation does not apply 15.1.2 Date of manufacture,
satisfactory for use. at the mating surfaces of the joint.
15.1.3 Name or trademark of the manu-
10.5 Test Equipment—Every 11.6 Area of Reinforcement—The facturer,
manufacturer furnishing box sections areas of steel reinforcement shall be the
15.1.4 Identification of the plant, and
under this specification shall furnish all design steel areas as shown in Tables 1
and 2. Steel areas greater than those 15.1.5 Each section shall be clearly
facilities and personnel necessary to carry
required shall not be cause for rejection. marked by indentation on either the inner
out the test required.
The permissible variation in diameter of or outer surface during the process of
any reinforcement shall conform to the manufacture so that the location of the
11. PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS tolerances prescribed in the AASHTO top will be evident immediately after the
specification for that type of reinforce- forms are stripped. In addition, the word
ment. "top" shall be lettered with waterproof
11.1 Internal Dimensions— paint on the inside top surface.
Permissible variations of the internal
dimensions shall be as prescribed in 12. REPAIRS
Table 3. The haunch dimensions shall APPENDIX
vary not more than 6 mm from the design (Non-mandatory Information)
dimensions. 12.1 Box sections may be repaired, if
necessary, because of imperfections in
11.2 Slab and Wall Thickness—The manufacture or handling damage and will Xl. DESIGN CRITERIA USED TO
slab and wall thickness shall not be less be acceptable if, in the opinion of the DEVELOP TABLES 1 AND 2
than that shown in the design by more purchaser, the repaired box section con-
than 5 percent or 5 mm, whichever is forms to the requirements of this specifi-
greater. A thickness more than that re- cation. X1.1 BEDDING AND BACKFILL
quired in the design shall not be cause for ASSUMPTIONS
rejection.
13. INSPECTION
TABLE 3 Permissible Variation in Internal X1.1.1 The bedding is assumed to pro-
Size (Span or Rise) vide a slightly yielding, uniformly dis-
Permissible Variation, Internal 13.1 The quality of materials, the tributed support over the bottom width of
Designated
Size, mm process of manufacture, and the finished
Size. mm the box section.
Min Max
box sections shall be subject to inspection X1.1.2 The cover over the top of the box
600 600 620
900 900 920
by the purchaser. section may vary from 0 to 0.6 m.
1200 1200 1230
1500 1500 15-0
14. REJECTION X1.2 CRITERIA FOR LOADS
1800 1810 1850
2100 2110 2160
2400 2410 2460 14.1 Box sections shall be subject to
2700 2710 27"0 X1.2.1 Design loads are based on the
rejection on account of failure to con- AASHTO Standard Specifications for
3000 3020 300
3330 3320 3340 form to any of the specification require- Highway Bridges.
3600 3620 3690 ments. Individual box sections may be
rejected because of any of the following: X1.2.2 Live loads for designs given in
11.3 Length of Opposite Surfaces— Table 1 are HS 20 loadings as defined in
14.1.1 Fractures or cracks passing the AASHTO specifications. Live loads
Variations, in laying lengths of two
through the wall, except for a single end for designs given in Table 2 are interstate
oppcsite surfaces of the box section shall
crack that does not exceed the depth of loadings as defined in U.S. Dept. of
nee be more than 10 mm/m of internal
the joint, Commerce, Bureau of Public Roads
span_ with a maximum of 16 mm for all
sizes through 2100 mm internal span, and 14.1.2 Defects that indicate mixing and Circular Memorandum 22-40, 22 April
a maximum of 19 mm for internal spans molding, not in compliance with Section 1957. Impact allowances are in accor-
greater than 2100 mm, except where 9.1, or honeycombed or open texture, that dance with AASHTO specifications.
beveled ends for laying on curves are would adversely affect the function of the Wheel loads are distributed over a width
specified by the purchaser. box, of [1,200 + 0.06 x (span minus one
14.1.3 The ends of the box sections are haunch)], in millimetres, perpendicular to
11.4 Length of Section—The underrun
not normal to the walls and center line of the span by use of longitudinal distribu-
in length of a section shall not be more
the box section, within the limits of tion reinforcement in top and bottom of
than 10 mm/m of length with a maximum
variations given in Section 11, except top slab. Loads are spread parallel to span
of 13 mm in any box section.
where beveled ends are specified, and over a length equal to (200 + 1.75 H
11.5 Position of Reinforcement—The cover) in millimetres. Cover loads for
maximum variation in the position of the 14.1.4 Damaged ends, where such dam-
designs given in Tables 1 and 2 are the
reinforcement for 130 mm or less wall age would prevent making a satisfactory
mass of a column of earth of a width
thicknesses shall be ±10 mm, and for joint.
equal to the outside width dimension of

466
M 273M SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

the box section and a height equal to the AASHTO Standard Specifications for AASHTO bridge specifications, 0.002
depth of cover over the top of the section. Highway Bridges. The load factor for Ag or 265 mm2/m whichever is greater.
X1.2.3 Lateral earth pressure from mass dead load is increased from 1.3 to 1.5 for X1.4.3 For specific criteria used to de-
of earth above and adjacent to a box consistency with AASHTO M 259. Rein- velop Tables 1 and 2, refer to Table X1.1.
section is taken as a minimum of 0.25 forcement areas are governed by either
service live load fatigue stress limitation X1.4.4 The top and bottom slab and-
times vertical pressure, and an additional sidewall thicknesses given in Tables 1
0.25 times vertical pressure is added in of 145 MPa, or service total load stress
limitation of 248 MPa, or ultimate total and 2 either conform to the dimensions
determining reinforcement areas only used in AASHTO M 259 or provide the
when areas are increased by such in- load yield stress limitation of 414 MPa.
Crack width is controlled by limiting minimum thickness required because of
creased lateral pressure. Additional lat- shear requirements given in the
eral pressure in kilopascals from ap- maximum spacing of circumferential
reinforcement (welded wire fabric) to AASHTO bridge specification. The
proaching wheel loads is taken as 33.5 effective width of top or bottom slab for
divided by depth to surface in metres, or 100 mm and longitudinal distribution
reinforcement (welded wire fabric or de- distribution of shear stress resulting from
38.3 where depth to surface is less than wheel loads is the same width used for
0.6 m, and is added when determining formed grade 60 bars) to 200 mm. Longi-
tudinal distribution reinforcement called determining maximum bending moments
reinforcement areas only at sections per unit of box section length.
where areas are increased by increased for in Tables 1 and 2 for top slab inside
lateral pressure. face is in accordance with distribution X1.4.5 Haunch dimensions are the val-
reinforcement formulas given in ues used in AASHTO M 259 and are the
AASHTO specification for bridge decks. same as the sidewall thickness, T5,
X1.3 METHOD OF ANALYSIS Longitudinal distribution reinforcement shown in Tables 1 and 2.
is also required in the top of the top slab,
X1.3.1 The structural effects of the loads when wheel loads are adjacent to joints X1.5 MULTIPLE-CELL INSTALLA-
described in Section X1.2 are evaluated which provide only shear connections TIONS
based on the elastic method of structural between box section units. These re-
analysis. Design moments, shears, and quirements were determined by evaluat-
thrusts are determined by computer ing analyses with loads in various posi- X1.5.1 The designs given herein are for
analysis using the stiffness matrix tions on and near the edge of slabs having single cell precast reinforced concrete
method, and design is based on maxi- various length to width ratios and various box sections. The units may be used in
mum stress resultants at critical sections conditions of edge restraint. parallel for multicell installations if
caused by the most severe combination of means of positive lateral bearing by
X1.4.2 Some box section designs shown
design loads. continuous contact between the sides of
in Tables 1 and 2 have reinforcement
adjacent boxes are provided. Compacted
area requirements designated by "E” as
earth fill, granular bacilli, or grouting
minimum reinforcement area. For such
X1.4 METHOD OF DESIGN between the units are considered means
cases, the reinforcement areas calculated
of providing such positive bearing.
for support of design loads are less than
X1.4.1 Box section design is based on the minimum area which is specified in
load factor design provisions given in

TABLE X1.1 Specific Criteria Used to Develop Tables 1 and 2

Material Properties:
Welded wire fabric, (circumferential or longitudinal distribution reinforcement), specified yield 414 MPa
stress
Deformed bars (longitudinal distribution reinforcement) specified yield stress 414 MPa
Length of box section resisting truck wheel load 1200 + 0.06 (span minus haunches) mm
Length of wheel bearing area parallel to slab span (200 + 1.75H) mm
Concrete, minimum specified compressive strength 35 MPa
Soil Data:
Unit weight 1,920 kg/mm3
Ratio of lateral to vertical pressure from weight of earth 0.25 min to 0.50 max
External water table below box section invert
Effective weight coefficient for soil load 1.0
Capacity Reduction Factors:
Shear 0.85
Axial compression combined with bending 0.70 to 0.90
Loading Data:
Loading factor—dead load 1.5
Load factor—live load 2.2
Truck axle load: HS 20 (Table 1) 14500 (see Figure Xl.l)
Interstate (Table 2) 2@ 10900 kg each (See Figure Xl.l)
Lateral earth pressure from approaching wheel 38.3 kPa to 0.6 m earth cover 33.5/H kPa where H is depth of earth
cover, m when depth exceeds 0.6 m
Impact (variable with depth) see AASHTO Bridge Specifications 30% to 20%
Uniform internal pressure 0.0
Depth of water in box section equal to inside height
External ground water pressure 0.0
Structural Arrangements:
Concrete cover over steel:
Top of top slab 50 mm
All other surfaces 25 mm
Slab thickness see Tables 1 and 2
Side wall thickness see Tables 1 and 2
Haunch dimensions vertical and horizontal dimensions both equal to side wall thickness
Minimum reinforcement 0.002 Ag or 265 mm2/m whichever is greater
The structural arrangement and details are shown in Figures I and 2.

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