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Lane Load on Box Culverts?

Lane Load on Box Culverts?

Lane Load on Box Culverts?

(OP)
Hello,

I am running a structural design on a box culvert, and I have a question on live load application using the old AASHTO Standard Specifications 17th ed.  (Yes, I realize that most places are using the LRFD specs now. But anyway...)

The specs say that truck -or- tandem -or- lane should be applied to determine the maximum force effects.  But I have found in a couple different places that the lane load need not be included for the design of box culverts and other buried structures - it is meant for the design of deck slabs.  Here's one place:

http://precast.org/2010/07/hl93-truck-loads-vs-hs20-truck-loads/

The lane load is also ignored in ASTM C1433, and in FHWA's popular "Boxcar" design program.  I cannot find any place in the code where AASHTO specifically says that the lane load can be ignored.  Does anyone know where??

Thanks!

RE: Lane Load on Box Culverts?

The HS lane loading condition controls the design for the longer span bridges. The cutoff is over 140 foot span +/- for bending moments and over 127 feet for shears. What is the length of your culvert? Typically it would be truck axle loads that would control for small culverts.

RE: Lane Load on Box Culverts?

(OP)
No, the culvert is small.  

Are you saying that the decision of ASTM C1433 to check only the tandem and truck is because by inspection the lane load will not control?

RE: Lane Load on Box Culverts?

(OP)
In case anyone was wondering, I finally found it.  In section 16.4.4.2.3,

"Live loads shall be either the AASHTO HS-Series or the AASHTO Interstate Design truck loads."

No mention of lane load.

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