Abstract:Based on the refined ABAQUS finite element analysis model, the mechanical properties of semi-circular steel corrugated pipe culverts with different spans during construction and operation are studied. The results show that with the span increase of the semi-circular steel corrugated pipe culvert after the completion of backfill construction, the vertical deformation and bending moment at the vault of pipe culvert increase. When the height of the fill at both sides is close to the vector height of the pipe culvert, the upper deformation at the vault reaches its maximum value. When the span of pipe culvert is greater than 12.5 m, the vertical deformation at the vault is significantly affected by the height of the fill, but there is no significant change in the axial stress of the vault after backfilling. The live load effect is beneficial to reduce the axial stress and bending moment at the vault.