Numerical Investigation of Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic Mortar Pipes Culvert Response to Heavy Truck Loads

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the dynamic performance and behaviour of glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GRP) mortar pipes under heavy truck loads. According to the field conditions, a finite element dynamic analysis (FEDA) model of GRP pipe culverts was established. Modal analysis of the vibration system was carried out, and the main natural frequencies with 26.6Hz,32Hz,35.7Hz and corresponding mode shapes were obtained. On the basis of modal analysis, dynamic response of GRP pipe culverts under vehicle loads was simulated through random vibration. Based on the measured vibration velocity time histories, the modal and random vibration responses of the vibration system were analyzed. The results show that the spectral response value of pipeline to vehicle load decreases with the increase of buried depth. When the depth of GRP pipe culverts buried is greater than 0.8m, the influence of ground vehicle dynamic loads on the vibration of GRP pipe culverts cannot be taken into consideration. It can provide the basis for the design of GRP pipe culverts, especially under heavy loads.