M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

Standard Specification for

Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections for Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers with Less
Than 2 ft of Cover Subjected to Highway Loadings

AASHTO DESIGNATION: M 273-941

(ASTM DESIGNATION: C 850-90)

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 sections M 221 Welded Deformed Steel Wire
with less than 2 ft 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 A complete metric companion to M 259 Precast Reinforced Concrete water, in which steel has been embedded
AASHTO M 273 has been developed— Box Sections for Culverts, in such a manner that the steel and con-
M 273M; therefore, no metric equivalents Storm Drains, and Sewers crete act together.
are presented in this specification.
M 262 Terms Relating to Concrete 6.2 Cementitious Materials:
NOTE 1—This specification is primarily a Pipe and Related Products 6.2.1 Cement—Cement shall con-form
manufacturing and purchasing specification.
However, standard designs are included and
M 295 Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined to the requirements for portland cement
the criteria used to develop these designs are Natural Pozzolan for Use as a of AASHTO M 85 or shall be portland
given in Appendix XI. The successful per- Mineral Admixture in Port- blast-furnace slag cement or portland-
formance of this product depends upon the land Cement Concrete pozzolan cement conforming to the re-
proper selection of the box section, bedding, T 22 Compressive Strength of quirements of AASHTO M 240, except
backfill, controlled manufacture in the plant, that the pozzolan constituent in the Type
Cylindrical Concrete Speci-
and care that the installation conforms to the IP portland-pozzolan cement shall be fly
construction specifications. The purchaser of mens
ash and shall not exceed 25 percent by
the precast reinforced concrete box sections T 23 Making and Curing Concrete weight.
specified herein is cautioned that the loading Test Speciments in the Field
conditions and the field requirements must be 6.2.2 Fly Ash—Fly ash shall con-form
correlated with the box sections specified and T 280 Testing Concrete Pipe, Sec- to the requirements of AASHTO M 295,
provide inspection at the construction site. tions, or Tile Class F or Class C.
NOTE 2—AASHTO M 259 is to be used for 6.2.3 Allowable Combinations of Ce-
box sections subjected to highway loading 3. TERMINOLOGY mentitious Materials—The combination
with 2 ft or more earth cover, or subjected to of cementitious materials used in con-
dead load only. crete shall be one of the following:
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms
relating to concrete pipe, see AASHTO 6.2.3.1 Portland cement only.
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS M 262. 6.2.3.2 Portland blast-furnace slag ce-
ment only.
2.1 AASHTO Standards: 4. TYPES 6.2.3.3 Portland pozzolan cement only.
M6 Fine Aggregate for Portland 6.2.3.4 A combination of portland ce-
Cement Concrete ment and fly ash wherein the proportion
4.1 Precast reinforced concrete box
of fly ash is between 5 and 25 percent by
M 31 Deformed and Plain Billet- sections manufactured in accordance with
weight of total cementitious material
Steel Bars for Concrete Rein- this specification shall be of the types
(portland cement plus fly ash).
forcement identified in Tables 1 and 2, and shall be
designated by type, span, and rise. 6.3 Aggregates—Aggregates shall con-
M 32 Cold Drawn Steel Wire for
form to AASHTO M 6 and M 80 except
Concrete Reinforcement
that the requirements for gradation shall
M 55 Welded Steel Wire Fabric for 5. BASIS OF ACCEPTANCE not apply.
Concrete Reinforcement
6.4 Admixtures and Blends—Admixtures
M 80 Coarse Aggregate for Port- 5.1 Acceptability of the box sections and blends may be used with the ap-
land Cement Concrete produced in accordance with Section 7 proval of the purchaser.
M 85 Portland Cement shall be determined by the results of the 6.5 Steel Reinforcement—Reinforcement
concrete compressive strength tests de- shall consist of welded wire fabric con-
scribed in Section 10, by the material forming to AASHTO M 55 or M 221.
1
Standard Designs and Criteria used to develop the requirements described in Section 6, and Longitudinal distribution reinforcement
designs that are included in this specification are by inspection of the finished box sec-
under the jurisdiction of the AASHTO Subcommittee may consist of welded wire fabric or
on Bridges and Structures.
tions. deformed billet-steel bars con-forming to
AASHTO M 31, Grade 60.

453
M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE 1 Design Requirements for Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections with Less Than 2 ft of Cover Subjected to 11S20 LoadingA
NOTE 1-Reinforcement areas are based on the weight 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 5000 psi.
Box Distribution Reinforce-
Thickness, in. Circumferential Reinforcement AreasB
Section S ment AreasD
X R, ftC Top Slab Bottom Slab Wall AS1 AS2 AS3 AS4 AS7 AS8 AS5 AS6
3x2 7 6 4 0.17 0.34 0.20 0.13E 0.17E 0.14E 0.17E 0.17E
3X3 7 6 4 0.13E 0.36 0.22 0.13E 0.17E 0.14E 0.18 0.17E
4X2 7½ 6 5 0.21 0.37 0.20 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.18E 0.18E
4X3 7½ 6 5 0.18 0.41 0.23 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.20 0.18E
4x4 7½ 6 5 0.16 0.43 0.24 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.21 0.18E
5X3 8 7 6 0.22 0.41 0.22 0.14E 0.19E 0.17E 0.19E 0.19E
5X4 8 7 6 0.19 0.44 0.24 0.14E 0.19E 0.17E 0.21 0.19E
5x5 8 7 6 0.16 0.46 0.26 0.14 E
0.19 E
0.17 E
0.22 0.19E
6x3 8 7 7 0.30 0.42 0.21 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.19E 0.19E
6x4 8 7 7 0.59 0.46 0.24 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.20 0.19E
6x5 8 7 7 0.23 0.48 0.26 0.17 E
0.19 E
0.17 E
0.21 0.19E
6x6 8 7 7 0.20 0.51 0.29 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.22 0.19E
7x4 8 8 8 0.32 0.45 0.24 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
7x5 8 8 8 0.29 0.48 0.27 0.19E 0.20 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
7x6 8 8 8 0.27 0.51 0.29 0.19E 0.20 0.19E 0.20 0.1.9E
7x7 8 8 8 0.25 0.53 0.32 0.19E 0.23 0.19E 0.21 0.19E
8x4 8 8 8 0.37 0.51 0.27 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
8X5 8 8 8 0.34 0.53 0.30 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.20 0.19E
8x6 8 8 8 0.32 0.56 0.33 0.19E 0.25 0.19E 0.21 0.19E
8x7 8 8 8 0.30 0.58 0.35 0.19E 0.27 0.22 0.22 0.19E
8x8 8 8 8 0.28 0.60 0.38 0.23 0.29 0.26 0.22 0.19E
9x5 9 9 9 0.34 0.50 0.29 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x6 9 9 9 0.32 0.53 0.32 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x7 9 9 9 0.30 0.55 0.35 0.22E 0.25 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x8 9 9 9 0.28 0.57 0.38 0.22E 0.27 0.24 0.22E 0.22E
9x9 9 9 9 0.27 0.58 0.41 0.25 0.30 0.28 0.22E 0.22E
10 X 5 10 10 10 0.34 0.48 0.29 024E 0.24E 024E 0.24E 0.24E
10 X 6 10 10 10 0.32 0.50 0.32 0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24E
10 X 7 10 10 10 0.31 0.52 0.35 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 8 10 10 10 0.29 0.54 0.38 0.24E 0.26 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 9 10 10 10 0.27 0.55 0.40 0.24E 0.28 0.26 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 10 10 10 10 0.27 0.57 0.43 0.27 0.32 0.31 0.24E 0.24E
11 X 4 11 11 11 0.38 0.44 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 X 6 11 11 11 0.33 0.48 0.32 026E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 8 11 1I 11 0.29 0.51 0.38 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 10 11 11 11 0.28 0.54 0.43 0.26E 0.29 0.29 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 11 11 11 I1 0.28 0.56 0.46 0.30 0.34 0.34 0.26E 0.26E
12 X 4 12 12 12 0.40 0.42 0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29E
12 X 6 12 12 12 0.35 0.46 0.32 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E
12 X 8 12 12 12 0.31 0.49 0.38 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E
12 x 10 12 12 12 0.29 E
0.53 0.43 0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29E
12 x 12 12 12 12 0.29E 0.57 0.50 0.33 0.36 0.37 0.29E 0.29E
A
Design requirements are based on maximum effects resulting from cover conditions ranging from 0 to 2 ft and the material and soil properties and
loading data shown in Appendix Xl. For modified or special designs, see Section 7.2.
B
Design reinforcement areas in square inches per linear foot of box length at those locations as shown in Figure 1.
C
The box section designation, for example 3 X 2, indicates interior horizontal span, in feet, by interior vertical rise, in feet.
D
Design reinforcement areas in square inches per linear foot of box section width at those locations as shown in Figure 1.
E
Minimum reinforcement area is specified.

454
M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE 2 Design Requirement for Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections with Less Than 2 ft of Cover Subjected to Interstate LoadingA
NOTE 1-Reinforcement areas are based on the weight of a column of earth over the width of the box section plus live loads as defined in Appendix
X1.
NOTE 2-Concrete design strength 5000 psi.
Box Distribution Rein-
Thickness, in. Circumferential Reinforcement AreasB
Section S forcement AreasD
x R, ftC Top Slab Bottom Slab Wall AS1 AS2 AS3 AS4 AS7 AS8 AS5 AS6
3x2 7 6 4 0.17 0.34 0.20 0.13E 0.17E 0.14E 0.17E 0.17E
3x3 7 6 4 0.13E 0.36 0.22 0.13E 0.17E 0.14E 0.18 0.17E
4x2 7½ 6 5 0.21 0.38 0.20 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.19 0.18E
4x3 7½ 6 5 0.19 0.41 0.23 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.21 0.18E
4x4 7½ 6 5 0.18 0.43 0.25 0.13E 0.18E 0.14E 0.22 0.18E
5x3 8 7 6 0.26 0.41 0.28 0.14E 0.19E 0.17E 0.19E 0.19E
5x4 8 7 6 0.23 0.44 0.31 0.14E 0.19E 0.17E 0.21 0.19E
5x5 8 7 6 0.21 0.46 0.34 0.14 E
0.19 E
0.17 E
0.22 0.19E
6x3 8 7 7 0.33 0.42 0.28 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.19E 0.19E
6x4 8 7 7 0.29 0.46 0.32 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.20 0.19E
6x5 8 7 7 0.27 0.48 0.34 0.17 E
0.19 E
0.17 E
0.21 0.19E
6x6 8 7 7 0.25 0.51 0.37 0.17E 0.19E 0.17E 0.22 0.19E
7x4 8 8 8 0.33 0.45 0.31 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
7x5 8 8 8 0.30 0.48 0.34 0.19E 0.20 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
7x6 8 8 8 0.28 0.51 0.37 0.19E 0.20 0.19E 0.20 0.19E
7x7 8 8 8 0.26 0.53 0.39 0.19E 0.23 0.19E 0.21 0.19E
8x4 8 8 8 0.43 0.51 0.34 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E
8x5 8 8 8 0.39 0.53 0.38 0.19E 0.19E 0.19E 0.20 0.19E
8x6 8 8 8 0.36 0.56 0.41 0.19E 0.25 0.19E 0.21 0.19E
8x7 8 8 8 0.34 0.58 0.45 0.19E 0.27 0.22 0.22 0.19E
8x8 8 8 8 0.31 0.60 0.48 0.23 0.29 0.26 0.22 0.19E
9x5 9 9 9 0.42 0.50 0.37 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x6 9 9 9 0.39 0.53 0.40 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x7 9 9 9 0.37 0.55 0.44 0.22E 0.25 0.22E 0.22E 0.22E
9x8 9 9 9 0.34 0.57 0.47 0.22E 0.27E 0.24 0.22E 0.22E
9x9 9 9 9 0.32 0.58 0.50 0.25 0.30 0.28 0.22E 0.22E
10 x 5 10 10 10 0.44 0.48 0.36 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 6 10 10 10 0.41 0.50 0.40 0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24 E
0.24E
10 x 7 10 10 10 0.39 0.52 0.43 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 8 10 10 10 0.36 0.54 0.46 0.24E 0.26 0.24E 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 9 10 10 10 0.34 0.55 0.50 0.24E 0.28 0.26 0.24E 0.24E
10 x 10 10 10 10 0.33 0.57 0.53 0.27 0.32 0.31 0.24E 0.24E
11 x 4 11 11 11 0.49 0.44 0.32 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 6 11 11 11 0.43 0.48 0.40 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 8 11 11 11 0.38 0.51 0.46 026E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 10 11 11 11 0.35 0.54 0.53 0.26E 0.29 0.29 0.26E 0.26E
11 x 11 11 11 11 0.34 0.57 0.56 0.30 0.34 0.34 0.26E 0.26E
12 x 4 12 12 12 0.50 0.42 0.32 0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29E
12 x 6 12 12 12 0.44 0.46 0.39 029E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E
12 x 8 12 12 12 0.40 0.50 0.46 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E 0.29E
12 x 10 12 12 12 0.36 0.56 0.53 0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29 E
0.29E
12 x 12 12 12 12 0.35 0.61 0.60 0.33 0.36 0.37 0.29E 0.29E
A
Design requirements are based on maximum effects resulting from cover conditions ranging from 0 to 2 ft and the material and soil properties and
loading data shown in Appendix X1. For modified or special designs, see Section 7.2.
B
Design reinforcement areas in square inches per linear foot of box section at those locations as shown in Figure 1.
C
The box section designation, for example 3 X 2, indicates interior horizontal span, in feet, by interior vertical rise, in feet.
D
Design reinforcement areas in square inches per linear foot of box section width at those locations as shown in Figure 1.
E
Minimum reinforcement area is specified.

455
M 273 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 1 in. except in
the outside top of the top slab where it
shall be 2 in., subject to the provisions of
Section 11. The inside circumferential
and longitudinal reinforcement shall ex-
tend into the male portion of the joint and
the outside circumferential and longitu-
dinal reinforcement shall extend into the
female portion of the joint. The clear
distance of the end circumferential wires
shall be not less than ½ in. nor more than
2 in. from the ends of the box section.
Reinforcement shall be assembled utiliz-
ing 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 larg-
est area requirement of each combination
governing, bending the reinforcement 90
degrees at the corners, and waiving the
extension requirements of Figure 2. See
Figure 2A. The welded-wire fabric shall
be composed of circumferential and
longitudinal wires meeting the spacing
requirements of Section 7.4 and shall
contair sufficient longitudinal wires
extending through the box section to
maintain the shape and position of rein-
forcement. 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
2 in. 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
456
M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

wires of each fabric sheet shall be not required concrete compressive strength is 10.2.3 Acceptability on the basis of
less than the spacing of the longitudinal attained. The concrete temperature at the cylinder test results:
wires plus 2 in. AS1 shall be lapped with time of the application shall be within ± 10.2.3.1 When the average compres-
AS7 and AS8 as shown in Figure 2 or 2A 10°F of the atmospheric temperature. All sive strength of all cylinders tested is
and may be connected by welding. AS4 surfaces shall be kept moist prior to the equal to or greater than the design con-
may be lapped and welded at any loca- application of the compounds and shall crete strength, and not more than 10
tion or connected by welding the corners be damp when the compound is applied. percent of the cylinders tested have a
to AS2 and AS3. The spacing center to 9.3 Forms—The forms used in manufac- compressive strength less than the design
center of the circumferential wires shall ture shall be sufficiently rigid and accu- concrete strength, and no cylinder tested
be not less than 2 in. nor more than 4 in. rate to maintain the box section dimen- has a cmpressive strength less than 80
The spacing center to center of the longi- sions within the permissible variations percent of the design concrete strength,
tudinal wires shall not be more than 8 in. given in Section 11. All casting surfaces then the lot shall be accepted.
The spacing center to center of the longi- shall be of smooth, non-porous material.
tudinal distribution wires or bars for 10.2.3.2 When the compressive
either line of reinforcing in the top slab 9.4 Handling—Handling devices or holes strength of the cylinders tested does not
shall be not more than 8 in. shall be permitted in each box section for conform to the acceptance criteria stated
the purpose of handling and laying. in Section 10.2.3.1, the acceptability of
the lot shall be determined in accordance
8. JOINTS with the provisions of Section 10.3.
10. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
10.3 Compression Testing of Cores:
8.1 The precast reinforced concrete box 10.3.1 Cores shall be obtained and tested
sections shall be produced with male and 10.1 Type of Test Specimen— for compressive strength in accordance
female ends. The ends shall be of such Compression tests for determining con- with the provisions of AASHTO T 280.
design and the ends of the box sections so crete compressive strength may be made
on either standard rodded concrete cylin- 10.3.2 One core shall be cut from a
formed that the sections can be laid to- section selected at random from each
gether to make a continuous line of box ders, concrete cylinders compacted and
cured in like manner as the box sections, group of 15 box sections of a single size
sections compatible with the permissible or fraction of such a group from each
variations given in Section 11. or on cores drilled from the box section.
continuous production run.
10.2 Compression Testing of Cylin-
ders: 10.3.3 Acceptability by Core Tests:
9. MANUFACTURE 10.3.3.1 The compressive strength of
10.2.1 Cylinders shall be obtained and
tested for compressive strength in accor- the concrete in each group of box sec-
9.1 Mixture—The aggregates shall be dance with the provisions of AASHTO T tions defined in Section 10.1 is accept-
sized, graded, proportioned, and mixed 23 and AASHTO T 22, except that the able when the core test strengths are
with such proportions of cementitious cylinders may be prepared by methods equal to or greater than the design con-
materials and water as will produce a comparable to those used to consolidate crete strength.
homogeneous concrete mixture of such and cure the concrete in the actual box 10.3.3.2 When the compressive
quality that the pipe will conform to the section manufactured. Cylindrical speci- strength of the core tested is less than the
test and design requirements of this mens of sizes other than 150 mm by 300 design concrete strength, the box section
specification. All concrete shall have a mm may be used provided all other re- from which that core was taken may be
water-cementitious materials ratio not quirements of AASHTO T 23 are met. If recored. When the compressive strength
exceeding 0.53 by weight. Cementitious the concrete is of a consistency too stiff of the recore is equal to or greater than
materials shall be as specified in Section for compaction by rodding or internal the design concrete strength, the com-
6.2 and shall be added to the mix in a vibration, the following alter-native pressive strength of the concrete in that
proportion not less than 470 lb/yd3, method may be used: Bolt a mold to the group of box sections is accept-able.
unless mix designs with a lower cementi- top of a vibrating table or to the actual 10.3.3.3 When the compressive
tious materials content demonstrate that form being used for manufacture. Exter- strength of any recore is less than the
the quality and performance of the pipe nal vibration shall be applied with a design concrete strength, the box section
meet the requirements of this standard. frequency of at least 800 vibrations per from which that core was taken shall be
9.2 Curing—The box sections shall be minute. Place concrete in three equal lifts rejected. Two box sections from the
cured for a sufficient length of time so within the cylinder. During vibration, remainder of the group shall be selected
that the concrete will develop the speci- place a cylindrical hammer on the surface at random and one core shall be taken
fied compressive strength in 28 days or of each lift with the hammer to be 6 mm from each. If the compressive strength of
less. Any one of the following methods less in diameter than the inside diameter both cores is equal to or greater than the
of curing or combinations thereof may be of the mold and of a mass to create a design concrete strength, the compressive
used: pressure of 2.43 kPa on the surface of the strength of the remainder of that group of
concrete. Continue vibration until cement box sections is acceptable. If the com-
9.2.1 Steam Curing—The box sections paste begins to ooze up around the bot-
may be low pressure, steam-cured by a pressive strength of either of the two
tom edge of the hammer. Repeat this cores tested is less than the design con-
system that will maintain a moist atmos- procedure until the mold is filled. Cylin-
phere. crete strength, the remainder of the group
ders shall be exposed to the same curing of box sections shall be rejected or, at the
9.2.2 Water Curing—The box sections conditions as the manufactured box option of the manufacturer, each box
may be water-cured by any method that sections and shall remain with the sec- section of the remainder of the group
will keep the section moist. tions until tested. shall be cored and accepted individually,
9.2.3 Membrane Curing—A sealing 10.2.2 Prepare not less than five test and any of these box sections that have
membrane conforming to the require- cylinders from each day's production of cores with less than the design concrete
ments of AASHTO M 148 may be ap- the lot of box sections. strength shall be rejected.
plied and shall be left intact until the
457
M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

10.4 Plugging Core Holes—The core 12. REPAIRS APPENDIX

holes shall be plugged and sealed by the (Non-mandatory Information)
manufacturer in a manner such that the
box section will meet all of the test re- 12.1 Box sections may be repaired, if
quirements of this specification. Box necessary, because of imperfections in Xl. DESIGN CRITERIA USED TO
sections so sealed shall be considered manufacture or handling damage and will DEVELOP TABLES 1 AND 2
satisfactory for use. be acceptable if, in the opinion of the
purchaser, the repaired box section con-
10.5 Test Equipment—Every forms to the requirements of this specifi- X1.1 BEDDING AND BACKFILL
manufacturer furnishing box sections cation. ASSUMPTIONS
under this specification shall furnish all
facilities and personnel necessary to carry
out the test required. 13. INSPECTION X1.1.1 The bedding is assumed to pro-
vide a slightly yielding, uniformly dis-
tributed support over the bottom width of
11. PERMISSIBLE VARIATIONS 13.1 The quality of materials, the the box section.
process of manufacture, and the finished
box sections shall be subject to inspection X1.1.2 The cover over the top of the box
11.1 Internal Dimensions— by the purchaser. section may vary from 0 to 0.6 m.
Permissible variations of the internal
dimensions shall be as prescribed in
X1.2 CRITERIA FOR LOADS
Table 3. The haunch dimensions shall 14. REJECTION
vary not more than ¼ in. from the design
dimensions. X1.2.1 Design loads are based on the
14.1 Box sections shall be subject to
11.2 Slab and Wall Thickness—The rejection on account of failure to con- American Association of State Highway
slab and wall thickness shall not be less form to any of the specification require- and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
than that shown in the design by more ments. Individual box sections may be Standard Specifications for Highway
than 5 percent or 3/16 in., whichever is rejected because of any of the following: Bridges.
greater. A thickness more than that re- X1.2.2 Live loads for designs given in
14.1.1 Fractures or cracks passing
quired in the design shall not be cause for Table 1 are HS 20 loadings as defined in
through the wall, except for a single end
rejection. the AASHTO specifications. Live loads
crack that does nut exceed the depth of
11.3 Length of Opposite Surfaces— the joint, for designs given in Table 2 are interstate
Variations, in laying lengths of two op- loadings as defined in U.S. Dept. of
14.1.2 Defects that indicate mixing and Commerce, Bureau of Public Roads
posite surfaces of the box section shall
molding, not in compliance with Section Circular Memorandum 22-40, 22 April
not be more than ⅛ in./ft of span with a
9.1, or honeycombed or open texture, that 1957. Impact allowances are in accor-
maximum of ⅝ in. for all sizes through 7
would adversely affect the function of the dance with AASHTO specifications.
ft internal span, and a maximum ¾ in. for
box, Wheel loads are distributed over a width
internal spans greater than 7 ft, except
where beveled ends for laying on curves 14.1.3 The ends of the box sections are of [48 + 0.06 X (span minus one
are specified by the purchaser. not normal to the walls and center line of haunch)], in millimetres, perpendicular to
the box section, within the limits of the span by use of longitudinal distribu-
11.4 Length of Section—The underrun
variations given in Section 11, except tion reinforcement in top and bottom of
in length of a section shall not be more
where beveled ends are specified, and top slab. Loads are spread parallel to span
than ⅛ in./ft of length with a maximum
14.1.4 Damaged ends, where such dam- over a length equal to (8 + 1.75 H cover)
of ½ in. any box section.
age would prevent making a satisfactory in millimetres. Cover loads for designs
11.5 Position of Reinforcement—The
joint. given in Tables 1 and 2 are the mass of a
maximum variation in the position of the column of earth of a width equal to the
reinforcement for 5 in. or less wall thick- outside width dimension of the box sec-
nesses shall be ±⅜ in., and for greater 15. PRODUCT MARKING tion and a height equal to the depth of
than 5 in. slab and wall thicknesses shall cover over the top of the section.
be ±½ in. In no case, how-ever, shall the
15.1 The following information shall X1.2.3 Lateral earth pressure from mass
cover over the reinforcement be less than
be legibly marked on each box section by of earth above and adjacent to a box
⅝ in., as measured to the internal surface
indentation, waterproof paint, or other section is taken as a minimum of 0.25
or the external surface of the box section
approved means: times vertical pressure, and an additional
except the cover over the reinforcement
0.25 times vertical pressure is added in
for the external surface of the top slab 15.1.1 Box section span, rise, table
determining reinforcement areas only
shall not be less than 1 ⅝ in. The preced- number, and specification designation,
when areas are increased by such in-
ing minimum cover limitation does not 15.1.2 Date of manufacture,
creased lateral pressure. Additional lat-
apply at the mating surfaces of the joint. 15.1.3 Name or trademark of the manu- eral pressure in kilopascals from ap-
11.6 Area of Reinforcement—The facturer, proaching wheel loads is taken as 700
areas of steel reinforcement shall be the 15.1.4 Identification of the plant, and divided by depth to surface in feet, or 800
design steel areas as shown in Tables 1 where depth to surface is less than 1 ft,
15.1.5 Each section shall be clearly
and 2. Steel areas greater than those and is added when determining rein-
marked by indentation on either the inner
required shall not be cause for rejection. forcement areas only at sections where
or outer surface during the process of
The permissible variation in diameter of areas are increased by increased lateral
manufacture so that the location of the
any reinforcement shall conform to the pressure
top will be evident immediately after the
tolerances prescribed in the AASHTO
forms are stripped. In addition, the word
specification for that type of reinforce-
"top" shall be lettered with waterproof
ment.
paint on the inside top surface.

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M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

TABLE X1 Specific Criteria Used to Develop Tables 1 and 2

Material Properties:
Welded wire fabric, (circumferential or longi- 60,000 ps Lateral earth pressure from ap- 800 Ibf/ft2 to 1 ft earth cover
tudinal distribution reinforcement), specified proaching wheel 700/H lbf/ft2 where H is depth
yield stress of earth cover, ft, when depth
exceeds 1 ft
Deformed bars (longitudinal distribution 60,000 psi
reinforcement) specified yield stress
Length of box section resisting truck wheel 48 + 0.06 (span minus Impact (variable with depth) see 30% to 20%
load haunches) in. AASHTO Bridge Specifications,
1977
Length of wheel bearing area parallel to slab (8 + 1.75H) in. Uniform internal pressure 0.0
span
Concrete, minimum specified compressive 5,000 psi Depth of water in box section Exter- equal to inside height 0.0
strength nal ground water pressure
Soil Data: :
Unit weight 120 lb/ft3 Structural Arrangements
Ratio of lateral to vertical pressure- from 0.25 min to 0.50 max Concrete cover over steel: Top of top 2 in.
weight of earth slab
External water table below box section All other surfaces 1 in
invert Slab thickness see Tables 1 and 2
Effective weight coefficient for soil load 1.0 Side wall thickness see Tables 1 and 2
Capacity Reduction Factors: Haunch dimensions vertical and horizontal dimen-
sions both equal to side wall
thickness.
Shear 0.85
Axial compression combined with bending 0.70 to 0.90
Loading Data: Minimum reinforcement 0.002 Ag or 0.125 in.2/ ft,
whichever is greater
Load factor—dead load 1.5
Load factor—live load 2.2
Truck axle load:
HS20 (Table 1) 32.000 lbf (see Figure Xl)
Interstate (Table 2) 2 @ 24.000 Ibf each (See The structural arrangement and
Figure Xl) details are shown in Figures 1 and 2
459
M 273 SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS

X1.3 METHOD OF ANALYSIS distribution reinforcement (welded wire and 2 either conform to the dimensions
fabric or deformed grade 60 bars) to 8 in. used in AASHTO M 259 or provide the
Longitudinal distribution reinforcement minimum thickness required because of
X1.3.1 The structural effects of the loads called for in Tables 1 and 2 for top slab shear requirements given in the
described in Section X1.2 are evaluated inside face is in accordance with distribu- AASHTO bridge specification. The
based on the elastic method of structural tion reinforcement formulas given in effective width of top or bottom slab for
analysis. Design moments, shears, and AASHTO specification for bridge decks. distribution of shear stress resulting from
thrusts are determined by computer Longitudinal distribution reinforcement wheel loads is the same width used for
analysis using the stiffness matrix is also required in the top of the top slab, determining maximum bending moments
method, and design is based on maxi- when wheel loads are adjacent to joints per unit of box section length.
mum stress resultants at critical sections which provide only shear connections
caused by the most severe combination of X1.4.5 Haunch dimensions are the
between box section units. These re- values used in AASHTO M 259 and are
design loads. quirements were deter-mined by evaluat- the same as the sidewall thickness, to
ing analyses with loads in various posi- shown in Tables 1 and 2.
X1.4 METHOD OF DESIGN tions on and near the edge of slabs having
various length to width ratios and various
conditions of edge restraint. X1.5 MULTIPLE-CELL
X1.4.1 Box section design is based on INSTALLATIONS
X1.4.2 Some box section designs shown
load factor design provisions given in
in Tables 1 and 2 have reinforcement
AASHTO Standard Specifications for
area requirements designated by "E" as X1.5.1 The designs given herein are for
Highway Bridges. The load factor for
minimum reinforcement area. For such single cell precast reinforced concrete
dead load is increased from 1.3 to 1.5 for
cases, the reinforcement areas calculated box sections. The units may be used in
consistency with AASHTO M 259. Rein-
for support of design loads are less than parallel for multicell installations if
forcement areas are governed by either
the minimum area which is specified in means of positive lateral bearing by
service live load fatigue stress limitation
AASHTO bridge specifications, 0.002 continuous contact between the sides of
of 21,000 lfb/in.2, or service total load
Ag or 0.125 in.2/ft. which-ever is greater. adjacent boxes are provided. Compacted
stress limitation of 36,000 lbf/in.2, or
ultimate total load yield stress limitation X1.4.3 For specific criteria used to de- earth fill, granular backfill, or grouting
of 60,000 lbf/in.2 Crack width is con- velop Tables 1 and 2, refer to Table X1.1. between the units are considered means
trolled by limiting maximum spacing of X1.4.4 The top and bottom slab and of providing such positive bearing.
circumferential reinforcement (welded sidewall thicknesses given in Tables 1
wire fabric) to 4 in. and longitudinal

460