Study on Distribution Law of Vertical Earth Pressure on the Top of High-Fill Box Culvert in Gully Terrain Under Expanded Polystyrene Board Unloading
Source abstract
Abstract
This study quantifies vertical earth pressure on the roofs of box culverts under high fills in valley terrain using centrifuge model tests with expanded polystyrene (EPS) geofoam for load mitigation. We compare buried-type culverts with valley-terrain high-fill culverts and isolate the effects of the EPS installation height and panel thickness on the roof pressure and the associated concentration factor. The analysis of fill settlement elucidates the terrain-dependent load reduction mechanism and the efficacy of EPS panels. The results show that the roof pressure increases with EPS installation height but decreases and then plateaus once the panel thickness exceeds 75 cm; the load reduction benefit weakens when the installation height exceeds 2 m. Optimal performance is achieved with panels installed at 2 m and with a 75 cm thickness, which lowers applied loads while maintaining structural stability. These findings clarify soil–structure interactions in complex topography and provide practical guidance for deploying EPS in high-fill valley projects.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures · Geotechnical Engineering and Soil Stabilization · Geotechnical Engineering and Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Highway, Chang’an University, South Second Ring Rd., Yanta District, Xi’an 710064, China
Shanxi Road and Bridge Construction Group Co., Ltd., Taiyuan 030000, China
School of Energy and Architecture, Xihang University, Xi’an 710077, China
China Railway Fist Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710043, China
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