Design & Construction of Culverts

Culvert
It is a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway.
OR
A water course totally enclosed and usually of a size through which a man can pass
OR
An opening through an embankment for the conveyance of water by mean of pipe or an enclosed channel.
- For small openings a pipes in stock size employed, with pipe arch as substitute where head room is limited.
- For openings of moderate size a pipe and box culverts complete for favor.
- For larger opening a single or multiple span box culverts are generally used. Although one or more large diameter pipe of RCC are preferred.
- Bridge culverts replace box culverts where the foundation is non-erodible and a paved floor is not necessary.
- Generally selection and type of material depends on the comparative cost, location of structure, availability of skilled labor, time limitations.
- Culvert begin upstream with head walls and terminates down stream with end walls.
- Head walls direct flow into culvert, properly while end walls provide a transition from the culvert bank to the regular channel. Both protect embankment from washing way by flood waters.
Types of Culverts
Type of culvert
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Typical Cross Section of culverts
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Common Material used for culverts
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Pipe Single or Multiple |
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Corrugated Material, Plain or Reinforced Concrete, Vitrified Clay, Cast Iron. |
Pipe Arch Single or Multiple |
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Corrugated Material |
Box Culvert Single or Multiple |
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Reinforced Concrete |
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Bridge Culvert |
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Reinforced Concrete |
Arch |
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RCC, Corrugated Metal, Stone Masonry Arch |