Sign in
Explore Guest Blogging Opportunities on Our Mechanical Engineering Platform
Explore Guest Blogging Opportunities on Our Mechanical Engineering Platform
Your Position: Home - Engineering & Construction Machinery - How is a culvert constructed?
Guest Posts

How is a culvert constructed?

Jul. 02, 2024

Culvert Materials and Construction

Culvert Materials and Construction

Want more information on Culvert Metal? Feel free to contact us.

 

Culverts are generally constructed out of concrete, galvanized steel, aluminum, or PVC. The pipe material used in a project depends on cost, span, discharge, topography, soil chemistry, climate or state policy.

 

Structural Steel Plate (SSP), or "multi-plate" pipes are constructed of multiple plates of corrugated galvanized steel and bolted together. While time consuming to assemble they are easier to transport and are generally used for culverts that have a diameter greater than 12 feet. Large span metal arches used in fish passage projects are usually steel plate assembly.

 

Corrugated Steel Pipe (CSP), or Corrugated Metal Pipes (CMP) are constructed from a single piece of galvanized steel. Single pipes with a diameter greater than 12 feet usually have special traffic requirements for delivery or shipping.

 

Aluminum pipes are also corrugated and can be constructed as either structural plates or from a single piece of aluminum. Due to their high resistance to corrosion aluminum pipes do not develop rustlines and are often used in high corrosion environments such as saltwater applications.

 

Concrete (reinforced) box culverts are commonly used on county and state roads. Circular pipes that are precast in segments and grouted together are sometimes used. Circular concrete pipe does not have corrugations and is usually used for sewer applications. Concrete arches are increasing in use for new projects designed for fish passage.

 

Plastic (PVC, HDPE) pipe is more commonly found in small diameter or emergency applications. Plastic pipe can be corrugated or double sided. Double sided pipe is corrugated on the outside and smooth on the inside, commonly used for irrigation and agriculture.

 

See also: Culvert Shapes

All You Need to Know About Culverts

(Click the table of contents to navigate to the detailed content)

 

Please fill out the Download Section (Click here) below the Comment Section to download the Complete Guide to Composite Sections Guide 

 

1. Introduction

A culvert is a buried structure, similar to a bridge, consisting of single or multi-span construction with a minimum length of 3m for each span. Two horizontal slabs are cast monolithically with two or more vertical side walls, with a maximum span of 6m. Culverts convey stormwater or non-perennial streams across roadways where the soil is weak. They are suitable for difficult site conditions, require minimum maintenance, and have a prolonged service life.

 

2. The different types of culverts

In this section, various culvert types are described, along with models created in Midas Civil.

 

&#;Pipe Culvert

They are the most common type of culverts since they are economical and are easier to install. Depending on the site conditions and constraints, different shapes of pipe culverts can be seen, such as circular, elliptical, and pipe arch.

            Advantages: 

  • Any desired strength is achievable by proper mix-design, thickness, and reinforcement.

  • They are economical and easy to install. 

  • A pipe culvert can resist high tensile and compressive stresses. 

             Disadvantage:

  • Pipe culverts are susceptible to crown erosion due to organic and chemical reactions.

 

Figure 1: Pipe Culvert

 

Figure 2: Pipe Culvert-3D Midas Civil model and the boundary conditions assigned


&#;Arch Culvert

Steel, stone masonry, concrete, RCC, etc., are used to construct arch culverts. Unlike box culverts, they are erected without disrupting the water flow; construction is quick. Arch type of culvert maintains the wash bed's natural integrity and is called a low-profile culvert.

 

Advantages:

  • Greater spans can be achieved by arch action.
  • Greater hydraulic efficiency.
  • It can be constructed without disrupting the water flow.

 

Disadvantages:

  • Need stable support. The soil-bearing capacity should be high enough to withstand the support reactions.
  • Need timely maintenance.

 

Figure 3: Arch Culvert

 


Essential Considerations for Investing in Modular Intelligent Sorting Solutions
Revolutionizing Production: Ultra High-Speed Balance Wheel Sorting
How Can India Innovate Rack Plating Equipment?
Rack Plating Equipment for India: Manual vs. Automated Solutions
How Can Custom Waste Sorting Systems Transform Communities?
Determining Which Gravity Conveyor Is Right for Your ...

Figure 4: Arch Culvert- 3D MIDAS CIVIL model and the displacement contour due to vertical earth pressure

Additional reading:
Exploring the Benefits of Using Corrugated Steel Culverts

Are you interested in learning more about Corrugated Culverts? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

 


&#;Pipe-Arch Culvert

Pipe-Arch culverts are suitable for large waterway openings with a more significant hydraulic advantage. Moreover, they provide low clearance and are, much more artistic. Pipe arches are particularly useful for sites with limited headroom and a hydraulic advantage at low flows.

 

Advantages:

  • Suitable for waterways with large discharge.

  • An increased headroom is achieved.

  • Greater hydraulic efficiency is achieved.

 

Figure 5: Pipe-Arch Culvert

 

Figure 6: Pipe-Arch Culvert modelled in MIDAS CIVIL

 

&#;Box Culvert

Box culvert is a monolithically cast, rigid framed structure suitable for non-perennial streams where the soil is weak. The bottom slab reduces the pressure on the ground below. Therefore, a separate foundation is not required making them economical. Even though box culverts are easy to install, a dry surface is needed for installation.

 

Advantages:

  • Suitable for non-perennial streams, where the soil bearing capacity is low.

  • The bottom slab reduces the soil pressure.

  • They are very economical.


 

Figure 7: Box Culvert

 

 

Figure 8: 3D and 2D models of Box Culvert in MIDAS CIVIL

 

&#;Bridge Culvert

Bridge culverts act as a bridge and a culvert, thus serving a dual purpose. Generally, these culverts are rectangular and built on rivers or canals. The foundation rests below ground level, and the pavement surface is on top of the culverts.

 

Figure 9: Bridge Culvert

 

Figure 10: Bridge culvert &#; 3D MIDAS CIVIL model and the bending moment contour due to traffic loads

 

3. Loads acting on culverts

  • Dead load

Dead loads mainly constitute the self-weight of the culverts. The weight of the wearing course, the crash barrier, and other fixed loads are also considered dead loads.

  • Earth pressure loads

A linear horizontal soil pressure acts along the vertical walls, and weep holes release the pore pressure. A uniform vertical surcharge is applied on the top slab in deep culverts.

  • Traffic loads

Most of the culverts experience moving loads throughout their lifetime. Traffic loads should be applied over culverts like bridges following the various codes used worldwide. The upcoming articles will discuss the live load dispersion on culverts and the different design codes used.

  • Buoyant force

The buoyant force is the upward thrust acting on culverts due to buoyancy. In many cases, the structure gets uplifted and carried away due to strong water currents. The weight of culverts should be able to withstand this uplift.

  • Temperature loads

Stresses caused by the expansion and contraction of indeterminate structures like culverts due to temperature variation are known as temperature stresses. They can be classified into 2: uniform temperature - stresses caused due to uniform heating and cooling of the structure (climatic changes) and gradient temperature stresses &#; caused due to differential heating and cooling of members along the section.

    

Apart from the above-listed loads, dynamic loads are also considered in the case of rail tracks loading on top.

 

4. What's next?

In this blog, we briefly discussed various culverts and their models created in Midas Civil. The upcoming blog will discuss the live load dispersion on box culverts following different design codes. Stay tuned.    

For more Culvert Pipe Suppliersinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Additional reading:
Latest Atta Chakki Features and Best Flour Mill Price and Design
Sesame Seeds Cleaning and Peeling Plant
Boiler Buying Guide | Types of Boiler Explained
High Speed Multi-Wheel Sorting Machine vs. Traditional Methods: Which Wins?
How Can High-Speed Sorters Revolutionize Logistics?
Essential Guide to Choosing a Wine Filling Machine
Top Trends in Wine Filling Machine 2024

Comments

0 of 2000 characters used

All Comments (0)
Get in Touch

  |   Transportation   |   Toys & Hobbies   |   Tools   |   Timepieces, Jewelry, Eyewear   |   Textiles & Leather Products   |   Telecommunications   |   Sports & Entertainment   |   Shoes & Accessories   |   Service Equipment