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	Typical Cross Section of culverts	Common Material used for culverts
Pipe Single or Multiple		Corrugated Material, Plain or Reinforced Concrete, Vitrified Clay, Cast Iron.
Pipe Arch Single or Multiple		Corrugated Material
Box Culvert Single or Multiple		Reinforced Concrete
Bridge Culvert		Reinforced Concrete
Arch		RCC, Corrugated Metal, Stone Masonry Arch