STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF SEEPAGE AND STRUCTURAL DEFORMATIONS ON THE OPERATIONAL SUITABILITY OF A CULVERT PERFORMANCE

Summary. Culverts are among the most common artificial structures on highways. Design and inspection practices indicate frequent cases of improper maintenance. Furthermore, instances of complete lack of culvert maintenance are not uncommon. Such issues lead to specific defects and damages, often including various types of deformations, such as displacements, deflections, and shifts. When water flow through the culvert is not maintained, filtration deformations may also occur. Over time, the combination of these types of deformations leads to a range of negative consequences. This study examines the impact of filtration and structural deformations using a real-world culvert as a case study. The characteristics of the culvert and its location are detailed, along with the defects and damages that have arisen, including those due to improper maintenance. Analysis of the culvert's condition highlights the importance of proper design to ensure mechanical resistance and stability. A technical assessment was conducted for specific elements of the structure as well as the structure as a whole. Considering the current condition, local terrain characteristics, and water flow rates, key potential failure scenarios for the culvert have been identified, including embankment collapse, water overflow, culvert section damage, and road collapse. The extent of deformation in the structural elements of the reinforced concrete culvert significantly affects its technical condition and water throughput capacity. Exceeding standard deformation values and the lack of systematic inspection and maintenance collectively lead to irreversible negative consequences, hindering the culvert's proper operation. Keywords: technical condition, culvert, road embankment, headwall, deformations of structural elements, filtration deformations.