Case 1: Reconstruction of a Secondary Road in Guizhou (K11+707 Section)
Geological Conditions:
- Located in a tectonic denudation low-mountain/hill area
- Culvert positioned in a gully with 10m transverse elevation difference
- Right-side foundation composed of strongly weathered granite with significant geological variations
Technical Specifications:
- Installed 62m-long corrugated metal culvert
- 65° angle between culvert axis and road centerline
- 5m diameter pipe with 1.2m graded crushed stone foundation layer
- Backfill material: locally sourced river sand compacted in symmetrical layers to 95% relative density
Engineering Solutions:
- Flexible structure accommodates differential settlement in variable rock strata
- Reduced excavation volume compared to rigid concrete alternatives
Case 2: Mountain Highway Project in Yunnan
Topographical Challenge:
- Crossed a 12% maximum longitudinal slope valley
Innovative Design:
- Sliding hinge connection between pipe sections enables natural slope adaptation
- Achieved 60% reduction in earthwork excavation
Structural Optimization:
- Variable cross-section design with adjusted corrugation height/pitch parameters
- Enhanced stress distribution matching terrain pressure fields
- 3x increase in bending stiffness for asymmetric loading conditions
Construction Advantages:
- Lightweight components (2.8 tons per 3m section) enabled narrow workspace installation
- Assembly rate reached 8m/day using spiral interlock + high-strength bolt connections
Technical Highlights
| Feature | Guizhou Case | Yunnan Case |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Type | Weathered granite | Steep slope valley |
| Key Innovation | Thick granular base | Sliding hinge joints |
| Excavation Reduction | N/A | 60% |
| Structural Adaptation | Settlement accommodation | Slope transition |
These projects demonstrate corrugated metal culverts’ superior performance in challenging mountainous terrain compared to traditional concrete structures. The flexible design philosophy transitions from “terrain modification” to “terrain adaptation”, significantly reducing environmental impact while improving construction efficiency.
