Modular polymer stormwater collection structure response to one-week design-truck load

Full-scale physical modelling was used to evaluate the response of modular polymer stormwater collection structures when subjected to design-truck loading that was sustained for 1 week (i.e. a parked vehicle) and when buried with minimum soil cover. Surface loading was applied on a steel load pad that simulates one-half of the AASHTO design-truck single-axle that was held constant for 1 week to assess the stability of the buried system and demand on the platen and column components of the modules to allow independent load rating of the buried structure. No collapse or limiting state occurred. The 1-week creep buckling resistance was found to be nearly four times the factored column demand to 1-week loading for both module types. New insight into the time-dependent behaviour of the soil–structure system was gained by comparing the buried response to creep tests conducted on isolated columns and platens. The response of the buried soil–structure system was less severe than unconstrained creep. Column loads were found to not increase with time. Bending deflections increased by 1.04 to 1.26 times when buried rather than by 3.0 to 3.4 times for unconstrained creep as platen creep when buried was greatly restrained by the soil.