Structural Design of Corrugated Aluminum Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Culverts, Storm Sewers

B790/B790M: Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Aluminum Pipe, Pipe-Arches, and Arches for Culverts, Storm Sewers, and Other Buried Conduits

Ensuring the long-term performance and safety of buried infrastructure is paramount. For engineers tasked with designing culverts, storm sewers, and other vital conduits, a robust and proven methodology is essential. ASTM B790/B790M provides this authoritative guidance, offering a comprehensive framework for the structural design of corrugated aluminum pipe, pipe-arches, and arches. This industry-leading standard is critical for professionals aiming to deliver durable and reliable buried conduit systems.

What is B790/B790M?

ASTM B790/B790M is a standard practice developed by ASTM International that outlines the structural design principles for corrugated aluminum conduits. It establishes the fundamental requirements for calculating loads, determining material strengths, and ensuring the overall structural integrity of these components when used in various buried applications. The primary purpose of this standard is to provide engineers with a reliable and consistent method for designing safe and effective corrugated aluminum structures for conveyance systems.

Scope & Purpose

This practice governs the structural design of corrugated aluminum pipe, pipe-arches, and arches intended for use as culverts, storm sewers, and other buried conduits. It specifically addresses designs for conduits installed in trenches or embankments and subjected to typical highway, railroad, and aircraft loadings. The standard emphasizes the composite nature of these structures, recognizing the critical interaction between the aluminum conduit and the surrounding soil envelope. It does not, however, cover installation procedures or material specifications, which are addressed by other complementary ASTM standards.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Design Engineers, Project Managers, and Construction Engineers involved in infrastructure design and development.
• • Industries affected: Construction, Transportation (roadways, railways), Infrastructure Development, Water Management, and Municipal Engineering.
• • Compliance nature: While often a recommended practice, compliance with ASTM B790/B790M is frequently mandated by project specifications, governmental regulations, and client requirements, making it effectively a de facto requirement for many projects.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified during project design reviews, by engineering consultants, regulatory agencies, and during construction quality assurance processes.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires engineers to consider a comprehensive range of design factors. Key provisions include:

• • Load Determination: Professionals must accurately calculate and account for earth loads, live loads (including vehicular, railway, and aircraft traffic), and impact loads based on cover depth and traffic type.
• • Structural Analysis: The practice mandates thorough analysis of the conduit’s wall strength, buckling resistance, and seam integrity under calculated load conditions.
• • Material Properties: Design must be based on the specified minimum tensile and yield strengths of the aluminum alloys and the physical characteristics of the corrugations, as defined in related material standards.
• • Soil-Structure Interaction: A crucial requirement is the recognition and design integration of the soil envelope, acknowledging its vital role in the overall structural performance of the buried conduit.
• • Safety Factors: Appropriate safety factors are to be applied to ensure that the conduit can withstand design loads with an adequate margin of safety, considering