Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Box Culverts
Design Example
Design a reinforced concrete box culvert under a drain for the following data:
Properties of the drain:

Q 300 cumec ,W 1 8 m ,W 2 15 m , d n 3.5 m ,

side slopes 2H :1V , b 75 m and bed level 201 m
Properties of channel:

Q 60 cumec , b 30 m ,side slopes 2H :1V , water table in the region 200 m ,

d 1 2 m , hb1 5.5 m , f b1 3.5 m ,freeboard above channel water surface 0.4 m .
Bed reduced level (B.R.L.) = 200 m

c 2.4T / m 3
Design the same transition type for both inlet and outlet. Draw the details of your design.

Figure 1: Profile of the box culvert.

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Solution
Drain waterway
For the drain check the waterway

Pmin 4.83 Q
4.83 300 83.65 m
Applied wetted parameter Papp . 75 2 3.52 3.5 2

90.65 m 83.65 m O.K.

Channel waterway
For the channel,
V

60
0.8823 m s
30 2 2 2

Maximum channel fluming is 40%, 0.4 30 12 m take 12.05 m

Let the channel waterway be reduced from 30 m to 12.05 m.
Take 4 vents 2.75 1.9 m each

1.9 m

2.75 m

12.05 m
12.75 m

Figure 2: Box culvert vents.

V
Fr

60
2.87 m s 3 m s OK
4 2.75 1.9
2.87
0.66 1 OK
9.811.9

Length of expansion

30 12.05
3 26.925 m
2

Length of contraction

30 12.05
2 17.95 m
2

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Pucca Floor
Length of u.s. pucca floor

17.95
8.975 m say 9 m
2

3
Length of u.s. pucca floor 26.925 20.20 m
4
Design of Transitions
a. Expansion transition
B c B f Lf
Bx
Lf B c x B c B f

B c 30 m , B f 12.05 m , L f 26.925 m

Bx

542.2
45 x
x (m)
Bx (m)

0
12.05

5
13.56

10
15.49

15
18.07

20
21.69

26.925
30.00

b. Contraction transition
Bc 30 m , B f 12.05 m , Lf 17.95 m

Bx

361.49
30 x
x (m)
Bx (m)

0
12.05

5
14.46

10
18.07

15
24.10

17.95
30.00

Uplift Pressures
a. Seepage pressure
Seepage head 201 3.5 200 4.5m
Total seepage path 0.98 2 1.9 0.35 0.35 1 33.95 20.2 13 22.61m
Depth of earth at inside edge 0.6 75 0.005 0.98m
1. At bottom of barrels
L 1.96 2.6 4.56
4.5
h
18.05 3.59 m
22.61
Uplift at the base of the barrels 3.59 2.58 6.17 t m 2

say 6.2 t m 2
2. At d.s. end of barrels
4.5
h
6.73 1.34 m
22.61
3

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

3. At 5 m from d.s. end of floor

h

4.5 5
0.33 m
22.61 3

4. At 10 m from d.s. end of floor

4.5 10
h
0.66 m
22.61 3
5. At 15 m from d.s. end of floor
4.5 15
h
0.99 m
22.61 3

Figure 3: Seepage head at different points under the pucca floor.

b. Static head
1. At bottom of barrels floor
Elevation of bottom of barrels floor 201 0.98 0.35 1.9 0.35 197.4 m
Static head 200 197.4 2.58m
Weight of earth, water and concrete 3.5 00.98 2 0.35 0.35 2.4
0.35 1.9 5 2.4
12.75
7.76 m of water 6.2 m O.K.

2. At d.s. end of barrels

El. of end of barrels 201 0.6 0.35 1.9 75 33.95 0.005

197.61m
Assume floor thickness 3.0 m
El. of lower point 197.61 3 194.61m
Static head 200 194.61 5.39
Total head 1.33 5.39 6.72m
4

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

6.72
3.05 m this is larger than the assumed 3.0 m,
2.2
Assume thickness 3.1m , therefore,
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 3.1 194.51m

Static head 200 194.51 5.49 m
Total head 5.49 1.33 6.82m

6.82
3.1 m assumed thickness O.K.
2.2
3. At 5 m from d.s. end of pucca floor
Assume thickness 2.5m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 2.5 195.11m

Static head 200 195.11 4.895m
Total head 4.895 0.33 5.22m

5.22
2.37 m , this is smaller than the assumed 2.5 m thickness,
2.2
Assume thickness 2.3m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 2.3 195.31m

Static head 200 195.31 4.69 m
Total head 4.69 0.33 5.02m

5.02
2.28 m 2.3 m O.K.
2.2
4. At 10 m from d.s. end of pucca floor
Assume thickness 2.5m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 2.5 195.11m

Static head 200 195.11 4.895m
Total head 4.895 0.66 5.55m

5.55
2.52 m 2.5 m not O.K.
2.2
Assume thickness 2.6 m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 2.6 195.01m

Static head 200 195.01 4.99 m
Total head 4.99 0.66 5.65m

5.65
2.57 m 2.6 m O.K.
2.2
5. At 15 m from d.s. end of pucca floor
Assume thickness 3.0 m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 3.0 194.61m

Static head 200 194.61 5.39 m
Total head 5.39 0.99 6.38m

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

6.38
2.9 m 3.0 m not O.K., revise
2.2
Assume thickness 2.9 m
Min. floor thickness

El. of lower point 197.61 2.9 194.71m

Static head 200 194.71 5.29 m
Total head 5.29 0.99 6.28m
Min. floor thickness

6.28
2.85 m 2.9 m O.K.
2.2

Figure 4: Floor thickness at different points.

Upstream pucca floor

Length of seepage path 0.6 2 0.35 1.9 0.35 1 23.55 9 13

14.65m
Seepage head 204.5 200 4.5m
1. U.S. end of barrels
L 0.6 2 2.6

23.55
11.65 m
3

4.5
3 0.92
14.65
Assume thickness = 0.8 m
Total head 0.8 0.92 1.72 m
h

1.72
0.78 m 0.8 m O.K.
2.2
2. At 5 m from u.s. end of floor
4.5 5
h
0.51 m
14.65 3
Assume floor thickness = 0.6 m
Total head 0.6 0.51 1.11m
Min. floor thickness

Min. floor thickness

1.11
0.505 m 0.6 m O.K.
2.2

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

PROFILE

PLAN
Figure 5: Box culvert details.

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Structural Design
Number of barrels
Size of barrels
Bank level
Drain high flood level
Uplift at base of barrel
Unit weight of dry earth
Unit weight of saturated earth
Unit weight of submerged earth
Angle of internal friction in all conditions
Depth of earth cover

=4
= 2.75 m1.9 m
= 205.5 m
= 204.5 m
= 6.2 t/m2
= 1.6 t/m3
= 2.0 t/m3
= 1.0 t/m3
= 30
= 5.5 m

Figure 6: A cross-section of the proposed box culvert. Dimensions are in meters.

Design
Depth of dry earth cover 205.5 204.5 1m
Depth of saturated earth 204.5 200 4.5m
Weight of dry and saturated earth 11.6 4.5 2 10.6t m 3
Weight of top slab 0.35 2.4 0.84t m 2
Weight on top slab including its own weight 10.6 0.84 11.44t m 2
Weight of barrels per meter length 12.75 2 5 1.9 0.35 2.4 29.4t m
Total dead load/meter of barrels 29.48 10.6 12.75 164.55t m
Uplift/meter length 6.2 12.75 79.05t m
8

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Net vertical load acting on foundation 164.55 79.05 85.5t m

Pressure on foundation soil

85.5
6.70 t m 2
12.75

Pressure acting on the base slab= soil reaction + uplift 6.7 6.2 12.9t m 2
Net upward pressure on the base slab 12.9 0.84 12.06 t m 2

say 12.1t m 2

Earth Pressure
Cp

1 sin 30 1

1 sin 30 3

Pressure at point (a) C p d 1 C p s 204.5 199.825 w 204.5 199.825 6.770t m 2

1
Pressure at point (n) 6.77 1 2.25 1 2.25 9.77 t m 2
3

Figure 7: Loading on the culvert barrels.

Distribution Factors
At joints a, e, f and n
For ab, mn, ed and fg, distribution factor
For an, ef, distribution factor

2.25
2.25

0.42
2.25 3.1 5.35

3.1
0.58
5.35

At joints b, c, d, g, h and m

I
2.25 3.1 3.1 6.975, D.F. 0.3
3.1
I
I
2.25 3.1 3.1 6.975, D.F. 0.3
For bc
3.1
I
I
2.25 3.1 3.1 9.61, D.F. 0.4
For bm
2.25
For ba

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Fixing Moments
11.44 3.1

9.16 t m
12
2

F
ab

F
nm

F
an

6.77 2.25 3 2.25

2.86 0.506 3.37 t m

12
30

F
na

6.77 2.25 3 2.25

2.86 0.76 3.62 t m

12
20

12.1 3.1

9.69 t m
12
2

Figure 8: Fixed end moments in tm.

Table 1: Finding moments using moment distribution method.

Joint

Member

mh

mb

mn

nm

na

an

ab

ba

bm

bc

cb

hm

D.F.

0.3
9.69

0.4
-

0.3
-9.69

0.42
9.69

0.58
-3.62

0.58
3.37

0.42
-9.16

0.3
9.16

0.4
-

0.3
-9.16

9.16

-9.69

-2.549

-3.521

3.358

2.432

1.679

-1.760

-0.974

1.021

0.739

-0.486

-0.365
-0.182

0.191

-0.094

0.089

-0.039

0.041

8.84

-9.37

F.E.M.
Balance

-1.275

C.O.
Balance

0.382

C.O.
Balance

0.179

C.O.
Balance

0.082

-0.705

1.216

0.510

0.382

-0.365

-0.243

-0.353

0.191

0.510

-0.487

-0.182

0.370

0.255

0.238

0.179

-0.295

-0.407

0.388

0.281

-0.187

-0.250

-0.125

-0.147

0.089

0.194

-0.203

-0.094

0.141

0.119

0.109

0.082

-0.119

-0.164

0.172

0.125

-0.078

-0.104

-0.187
-0.078

-0.052

-0.060

0.041

0.086

-0.082

-0.039

0.062

0.054

Balance

0.033

0.045

0.033

-0.053

-0.074

0.070

0.051

-0.035

-0.047

-0.035

Moment

10.37

0.48

-10.85

6.29

-6.29

5.85

-5.85

10.28

-0.46

-9.83

C.O.

10

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Figure 9: Design centerline moments in tm.

Design Moments
Span ab, de
At face: Sagging moment

11.44 3.1
11.44 0.17 2
0.17
2.84 t m
2
2

Fixing moment 5.85

2.93
10.28 5.85 10.04t m
3.1

Net fixing moment 10.01 2.84 7.2t m

At centre: Sagging moment
Fixing moment

11.44 3.12
13.74 t m
8

5.85 10.28
8.065t m
2

Net sagging moment 13.74 8.065 5.68t m

Span bc, cd

11.44 3.1
11.44 0.17 2
0.17
2.84 t m
At face: Sagging moment
2
2
Fixing moment 8.84

2.93
9.82 8.84 9.77 t m
3.1

Net fixing moment 9.77 2.84 6.93t m

11.44 3.12
13.74 t m
At centre: Sagging moment
8
Fixing moment

9.82 8.84
9.33t m
2

Net sagging moment 13.74 9.33 4.41t m

11

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Span nm, gf
At face: Sagging moment

12.1 3.1
12.1 0.172
0.17
3.02 t m
2
2

Fixing moment 6.29

2.93
10.85 6.29 10.6t m
3.1

Net fixing moment 10.6 3.02 7.58t m

At centre: Sagging moment
Fixing moment

12.1 3.12
14.54 t m
8

10.85 6.29
8.57 t m
2

Net sagging moment 14.54 8.57 5.97t m

Span mh, hg
At face: Sagging moment 3.02t m
Fixing moment 9.37

2.93
10.37 9.37 10.32t m
3.1

Net fixing moment 10.32 3.02 7.3t m

At centre: Sagging moment 14.54t m
Fixing moment

9.37 10.37
9.87 t m
2

Net sagging moment 14.54 9.87 4.67t m

Span an, ef
At face: Sagging moment
a. Due to rectangular portion
6.77 2.25
6.77 0.17 2
0.17
1.197 t m
2
2
b. Due to triangular portion
3 2.25 2
2.25R n
2.25
2
3
3 2.25
Rn
3

3 2.25
2.77 0.17 2
0.17
0.343t m
3
2
Total sagging moment 1.197 0.343 1.54t m

Sagging moment

12

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Fixing moment 5.85

Printed: May 27, 2011

2.08
6.29 5.85 6.26t m
2.25

Net fixing moment 6.26 1.54 4.72t m

At centre: Sagging moment 14.54t m
a. Due to rectangular portion
6.77 2.25

4.28t m
8
b. Due to triangular portion
3 2.25 2.25 1.5 1.13 1.13

0.95t m
6
2
2
3
Total sagging moment 4.28 0.95 5.23t m
Fixing moment at centre

5.85 6.29
6.07 t m
2

Net sagging moment 5.23 6.07 0.84t m

Reinforcement
Use thickness of slab= 35 cm

d e 32.5cm
Span ab, bc, cd, de
At face (-ve steel)

At

7.2 105
21.54 cm 2
6
1200 7 32.5

Use 16 mm bars, As 2 cm 2
Spacing

100
9.3cm
21.54 2

Use 16 mm bars @ 9 cm c/c

At centre (+ve steel)

At
Spacing

5.68 105
16.99 cm 2
1200 76 32.5

100
11.77 cm
16.99 2

13

Hydraulic Structures Box Culverts

Printed: May 27, 2011

Use 16 mm bars @ 11.5 cm c/c

Refer to Table 2 for the reinforcement of the rest of the members.
Table 2: Steel Reinforcement.

Member
ab,de
bc, cd
nm, gf
mh, hg
an, ef
bm, dg

Fixing moment tm
(-ve moment)
7.20
16 mm bars @ 9 cm c/c
6.93
16 mm bars @ 9 cm c/c
7.58
16 mm bars @ 8.5 cm c/c
7.30
16 mm bars @ 8.5 cm c/c
4.72
16 mm bars @ 14 cm c/c
0.48
12 mm bars @ 25 cm c/c

Maximum moment 7.58t m

7.58 105
d
28.74 cm 32.5cm O.K.
100 9.18

14

Sagging moment tm
(+ve moment)
5.68
16 mm bars @ 11.5 cm c/c
4.41
16 mm bars @ 11.5 cm c/c
5.97
16 mm bars @ 11 cm c/c
4.67
16 mm bars @ 11 cm c/c
-0.84
12 mm bars @ 25 cm c/c
-0.47
12 mm bars @ 25 cm c/c