This study presents the experimental investigation of the shear capacity of
precast reinforced concrete box culverts. Each culvert was subjected to a monotonically
increasing load through a 20-in x 10-in load plate, designed to simulate a standard HS
20-44 wheel footprint. Each box was instrumented with the following: strain gages,
load cell, high-resolution laser sensor, data acquisition hardware and software, and
laptop computer. The tests were conducted on 1.22 m x 1.22 m x 1.22 m (4 ft x 4 ft x 4
ft) box culverts, with load being applied at the free spigot end. The location of the load
plate in relation to the span varied for each test in order to induce maximum shear
stresses. Results of physical load tests indicate that free culvert ends are adequate in
shear without the use of edge beams. The results from each test detailed herein are
intended to provide data for the verification and convergence of an analytical model
currently under development.