CULVERTS

&
DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS

LECTURE

Instructor:
Zahid Mahmood, P.E., PMP

Email: [email protected]
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 Table of Contents

Units and Formulas ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 3‐6

Coefficients Used & Symbol Table‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 7‐10

Theoretical Overview Questions ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 11

Theoretical Overview Answers ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 12‐18

Culvert and Bridge Photos ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 19‐22

Important Definitions ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 23‐24

Culvert Concepts and Solutions ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 25

Concept 1 – Manning’s Equation ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 26

Concept 2 – Head Loss ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 27

Concept 3a – Rational Method (Contribution and Flow Type) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 28

Concept 3b – Rational Method (Size Analysis) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 29

Concept 4 – Capacity (Unsubmerged Inlet) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 30

Concept 5 – Capacity (Submerged Inlet) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 31

Concept 6 – Critical Depth ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 32

Concept 7 – Use of Nomographs ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 33‐36

Concept 8 – Headwater (Submerged Inlet – Orifice) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 37

Concept 9 – Outlet Control (Submerged Tube w/o Nomograph) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 38

Concept 10 – Manning’s Table (Capacity‐Change Analysis) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 39

Concept 11 – n Varying with Depth (Circular Pipe) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 40

Concept 12 – Design for Peak Flow (Circular Pipe) ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 41

Concept 13 – Types of Flow ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 42

Concept 14 – Flow Rate Under Inlet and Outlet Control ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 43

Concept 15 – Graphs with Inlet and Outlet Control ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 44

Thickness of Pipe Culverts ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 45

References ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 46‐47

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 Units and Formulas
Manning’s Equation:
Q = (1.49/n)* A * (Rh)2/3 * (S)1/2
Q = Discharge (CFS)
n = Hydraulic roughness coefficient (barrel roughness)
A = Area of the pipe (ft 2)
Rh = Hydraulic radius (ft )
S = Slope of the culvert

Entrance Head Loss:

he = ke (V 2 / 2g)
Where:
he =entrance head loss (ft)
ke = Entrance loss coefficient
V = the flow velocity just inside the barrel inlet (ft/ sec)
g = gravitational constant of 32.2 ft / sec 2

Rational Method:

Q = C*I*A
Where:
Q = Peak discharge on the runoff hydrograph (CFS)
C = A runoff coefficient
I = Rainfall intensity for a particular frequency (in/hr)
A = Area of the watershed (Acres)

Outlet Velocity:

Vout = Q/A
Where “A” is the full cross-section area of the barrel

Capacity – Headwater Depth (Unsubmerged Inlet)

Q = Cw (Lw) h 3 / 2
Where:
Q = discharge (cfs)
Cw = dimensionless weir coefficient (2.5 to 3.1 are typical values for a broad-crested
weir)
Lw = the length of the weir perpendicular to the flow (ft)
h = is the energy head (depth + velocity head) of the approaching flow above the crest of
the spillway. If the weir is substantially submerged by tailwater, a reduction factor is
usually applied.

Orifice Equation (Submerged Inlet):

Q = Co Ao (2g ho) 1/ 2
Where:
Q = discharge (cfs)
Co = dimensionless orifice coefficient (0.6 is a typical value for a sharp-edged orifice)
Ao = the area of the orifice perpendicular to the flow (ft 2)
g = gravitational constant of 32 ft/sec 2
ho = the orifice energy head (depth + velocity head) of the approaching flow (ft)
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Head Loss through Submerged Tube:
H = he + hf + ho
Where:
H = the total head loss from the outlet, through the pipe, and through the inlet
he = entrance loss = Ke (V2 / 2g)
hf = friction loss through the pipe
ho = exit loss (note that “ho” has a different definition for this reference)
= Ko (V2 / 2g)
Where:
Ke = entrance loss coefficient (already discussed)
Ko = exit loss coefficient (to be discussed in more detail later)
V = the average velocity through the pipe
g = gravitational constant

Friction Loss:
hf = (Q2 n 2 ) (L) / ( z 2 A2 R4 / 3 ), from TxDOT HDM
Where:
hf = friction loss through the culvert
Q = discharge
L = length of pipe
z = 1.486 (US customary units only!)
A = area of the pipe
R = hydraulic radius (recall: R = A / Wp - area divided by the wetted perimeter)

Inlet Control – Unsubmerged Inlet (Weir):

Form 1 (preferable from a theoretical standpoint):

HWi / D = Hc / D + K [(Ku Q)/ (A D 0.5 )] M - 0.5S
Form 2 (easier to use):
HWi/D = K [(Ku Q)/ (A D0.5 )] M

Inlet Control – Submerged Inlet (Orifice):

HWi / D = c [(Ku Q)/ (A D0.5 )] 2 + Y - 0.5 S

Where:
HWi = Headwater depth above inlet control section invert (ft)
D = Interior height of culvert barrel (ft)
Q = Discharge (ft3/sec)
A = Area of barrel cross section (ft 2 )
S = Barrel slope (ft/ft)
K, M, c, Y = constants from Table 9 of HDS5
Ku = Is a conversion factor (1.0 in US Customary Units)

Note: For mitered inlets use +0.7 S instead of -0.5 S as the slope correction factor

Outlet Control – Unsubmerged Outlet:

Critical Depth:
Q2 / g = Ac 3 / Tc
Where:
Q = discharge
g = the gravitational constant
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 Ac = cross sectional area at critical flow
Tc = top width of water surface at critical flow

For rectangular sections, critical depth can be directly computed as:

dc = (Qb 2 / g)1/ 3
Where:
Qb = discharge per unit width
g = the gravitational constant

Outlet Control – Submerged Outlet

Total Outlet Control Loss:
H = [ 1 + ke + (Ku n 2 L) / R 1.33 ] V2 / 2g
Where:
H = total energy loss through the culvert due to entrance losses, barrel friction,
and outlet losses
“1” = the outlet loss coefficient
ke = entrance loss coefficient
Ku = 19.63 (for metric units), or 29 (for US customary units)
n = Manning coefficient for the barrel
L = length of the barrel
R = the hydraulic radius, which is barrel area “A” divided by the wetted
perimeter “Wp”(assume that the barrel is flowing full and don’t be concerned
with the small degree of separation at the outlet for “unsubmerged” conditions)
V = the average velocity (to be used for the velocity head term) through the
barrel. It is calculated by using continuity (Q = A V) - Assume that the average V
is for the section of the barrel flowing full and don’t be concerned with the small
degree of separation of flow that can occur at the outlet for “unsubmerged”
conditions. Vout, which is the velocity computed for erosion control
considerations is computed as previously discussed.

Once H is computed, the elevation of the headwater at the inlet when the entire culvert is
in outlet control is then computed as:
ELho = ELo + H + Do …See Figures on next page for the culvert locations at
which the terms are applied.
Where:
ELho = headwater elevation at the inlet due to outlet control
ELo = flowline elevation at the outlet, and H and Do are computed as previously
described above

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Page 6 of 47
Coefficients Used

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Page 8 of 47
*Note: The designer must use judgment to select the appropriate "C" value within the range.
Generally, larger areas with permeable soils, flat slopes and dense vegetation should have the
lowest "C" values. Smaller areas with dense soils, moderate to steep slopes, and sparse
vegetation should assigned the highest "C" values.

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Table – Symbols, Definitions and Units

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 Theoretical Overview Questions
1. What is a culvert and used for?

2. What is the main focus of hydraulic design of culverts?

3. What are different kinds of flow in culverts?

4. Why use culverts instead of bridges?

5. What is the importance of velocities for culvert design?

6. What factors can affect the culvert hydraulics?

7. How does the roughness coefficient affect the flow capacity in a culvert?

8. Why Use End Treatments?

9. Why are orifice & weir equations used in culvert design?

10. What is Inlet Control?

11. What is Outlet Control?

12. What factors influence Inlet and outlet Control?

13. What is a performance curve?

14. What is critical depth?

15. What are general steps to design a culvert?

16. Describe engineering culvert design criteria

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 Theoretical Overview Answers

1. Culverts are structures used to convey surface runoff through embankments. In addition
to the hydraulic function, a culvert must also support the embankment and roadway for
traffic conveyance, and protect the traveling public and adjacent property owners from
flood hazards to the extent practicable and in a reasonable and prudent manner

2. Headwater depth and outlet velocity

3. These are three – Open Channel Flow, Full Barrel Flow, or a Combination of Partial and
Open Channel Flow.

4. Bridges are more expensive and need more area including freeboard. At some locations,
they are not feasible at all.

The structural choice should be based on:

 Risk of property damage,
 Construction and maintenance costs,
 Traffic safety,
 Environmental considerations,
 Risk of failure, and
 Aesthetic considerations.

5. The velocity of flow upstream, within the culvert barrel, and downstream of the culvert
is important for sediment transport (minimum velocity of 2 to 3 ft/sec is usually quoted
to minimize deposition within the culvert). The outlet velocity is important for the
consideration of erosion control downstream of an outlet. The maximum culvert
velocity allowable at a culvert outlet is dependent on the downstream channel conditions
and susceptibility of the channel to erosion

6. The barrel size, shape, material (roughness) and slope can influence the culvert
hydraulics

7. Roughness value is inversely proportional to the flow capacity (See Manning’s Equation
and Coefficient Table above)

8. Culvert end treatments serve as the transitions from the culvert barrel to the upstream and
downstream channel (Include: channel transitions, headwalls, wing walls depressed inlets
with “improved inlets.” – See Entrance Loss Coefficient Table above)

9. Conceptually, the headwater depth upstream of a culvert is usually assumed to be

associated with a “static” or ponding flow condition. That is, the flow velocity and thus
velocity head is assumed to be zero – therefore, modified forms of orifice and weir
equations are used as design tools

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10. The following:
o IF WATER CAN FLOW THROUGH AND OUT OF THE CULVERT FASTER
THAN IT CAN ENTER, THE CULVERT IS UNDER INLET CONTROL
o Inlet control occurs when the culvert barrel is capable of conveying more flow
than the inlet will accept
o The control section of a culvert operating under inlet control is located just inside
the entrance
o Critical depth occurs at or near this location, and the flow regime immediately
downstream is supercritical
o With inlet control, the culvert capacity depends on headwater depth, barrel shape,
cross-sectional area, and entrance conditions
o The entrance can be either submerged or unsubmerged. With the entrance
unsubmerged, the weir flow equation may be applied. If the entrance is
submerged, the discharge can be computed using the orifice equation
o A figurative representation is given below:

TYPES OF INLET CONTROL

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 Figure-A depicts a condition where neither the inlet nor the outlet end of the culvert are
submerged. The flow passes through critical depth just downstream of the culvert
entrance and the flow in the barrel is supercritical. The barrel flows partly full over its
length, and the flow approaches normal depth at the outlet end.
Figure-B shows that submergence of the outlet end of the culvert does not assure outlet
control. In this case, the flow just downstream of the inlet is supercritical and a hydraulic
jump forms in the culvert barrel.
Figure-C is a more typical design situation. The inlet end is submerged and the outlet
end flows freely. Again, the flow is supercritical and the barrel flows partly full over its
length. Critical depth is located just downstream of the culvert entrance, and the flow is
approaching normal depth at the downstream end of the culvert.
Figure-D is an unusual condition illustrating the fact that even submergence of both the
inlet and the outlet ends of the culvert does not assure full flow. In this case, a hydraulic
jump will form in the barrel. The median inlet provides ventilation of the culvert barrel. If
the barrel were not ventilated, sub-atmospheric pressures could develop which might
create an unstable condition during which the barrel would alternate between full flow
and partly full flow.

11. The following:

o IF WATER CAN FLOW INTO THE CULVERT FASTER THAN IT CAN
FLOW THROUGH AND OUT, THE CULVERT IS UNDER OUTLET
CONTROL
o Outlet control determines the capacity of the culvert
o If the entrance and the exit are both submerged, pressure flow conditions exist and
the discharge is independent of culvert slope
o In either full flow or partial flow, the energy required for a given flow rate
through a culvert is composed of three major parts – a velocity head, an entrance
loss, and a friction loss
o Culvert flow capacity is limited by downstream conditions or flow carrying
capacity of the barrel (pipe)
o Flow will be deep and have low velocity
o Barrel characteristics can control flow
o Tailwater conditions can control flow
o Energy losses are due to entrance, exit, and friction
o A figurative representation is given below:

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 TYPES OF OUTLET CONTROL

Condition-A represents the classic full flow condition, with both inlet and outlet
submerged. The barrel is in pressure flow throughout its length. This condition is often
assumed in calculations, but seldom actually exists.
Condition-B depicts the outlet submerged with the inlet unsubmerged. For this case, the
headwater is shallow so that the inlet crown is exposed as the flow contracts into the
culvert.
Condition-C shows the entrance submerged to such a degree that the culvert flows full
throughout its entire length while the exit is unsubmerged. This is a rare condition. It
requires an extremely high headwater to maintain full barrel flow with no tailwater. The
outlet velocities are usually high under this condition.
Condition-D is more typical. The culvert entrance is submerged by the headwater and
the outlet end flows freely with a low tailwater. For this condition, the barrel flows partly
full over at least part of its length (subcritical flow) and the flow passes through critical
depth just upstream of the outlet.
Condition-E is also typical, with neither the inlet nor the outlet end of the culvert
submerged. The barrel flows partly full over its entire length, and the flow profile is
subcritical.

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12. The table below describes:

CULVERT PERFORMANCE BASED ON CONTROL

13. A performance curve is a plot of headwater depth or elevation versus flow rate. A
performance curve is also important is determining type of flow control for a culvert. The
resulting graphical depiction of culvert operation is useful in evaluating the hydraulic
capacity of a culvert for various headwaters. See below:

CULVERT PERFORMANCE CURVE

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14. Critical depth can best be illustrated as the depth at which water flows over a weir, this
depth being attained automatically where no other backwater forces are involved.

15. The steps are:

a. Determine And Analyze Site Characteristics

b. Perform Hydrologic Analysis
c. Perform Outlet Control Calculations And Select Culvert
d. Perform Inlet Control Calculations For Conventional And Beveled Edge Culvert
Inlets
e. Perform Throat Control Calculations For Side- And Slope-Tapered Inlets
f. Analyze The Effect of a Drop On Inlet Control Section Performance
g. Design Side- And/or Slope-Tapered Inlet
h. Complete File Documentation

Also see the flowchart below:

DESIGN FLOWCHART

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16. The following design criteria should be considered for all culvert designs as
applicable:

Engineering aspects
 Flood frequency
 Velocity limitation
 Buoyancy protection
Site criteria
 Length and slope
 Debris control
Design limitations
 Headwater
 Tailwater conditions
 Storage
Design options
 Culvert inlets
 Inlets with headwalls
 Wingwalls and aprons
 Improved inlets
 Material selection
 Culvert skews
 Culvert sizes
Related designs
 Weep holes
 Outlet protection
 Erosion and sediment control
 Environmental considerations
 Safety considerations
 Loading requirements

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 Culvert and Bridge Photos

PHOTO NO. 1: Low head culvert or slab-span bridge? (TxDOT DES 604)

PHOTO NO. 2: The outlet velocities of this culvert are almost 20 ft/ sec.
Erosion damage is minimal.

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 PHOTO NO. 3: Rip rap erosion protection was required below this culvert.

(TxDOT DES 604)

PHOTO NO. 4: A simple energy dissipator at a culvert outlet. (TxDOT DES 604)

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 PHOTO NO. 5: Sediment accumulation in a box culvert. (TxDOT Photo)

PHOTO NO. 6: “Projected” barrel end treatments with sharp edges present some of the
highest entrance head loss conditions for inlets; Ce = 0.9. (TxDOT DES 604)

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PHOTO NO. 7: Flared wingwall end treatment with grooved edge treatments tend to result
in lower losses through the inlets; Ce = 0.2 (TxDOT DES 604)

PHOTO NO. 8: A “pipe runner” safety end treatment (TxDOT)

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 Important Definitions
1. Design Discharge – The “hydraulic load” for a culvert design is analogous to
the structural load for a structural component design. The design discharge is
usually a “peak discharge” or momentary maximum discharge on a typical storm
runoff hydrograph.

2. Frequency – Frequency is a term of expression of the probability of

exceedance. This factor is often termed the return interval or recurrence interval.
The frequency is the reciprocal of the probability of exceedance. For example, a
“50 year flood” implies a 2% chance of occurrence or exceedance.

3. Accommodated Discharge – A culvert usually is designed to

accommodate a range of discharges, which bracket a single “design discharge”.

4. Runoff Hydrograph – A runoff hydrograph is a graphical description of the

variation of runoff with time. The entire runoff hydrograph may be needed for
flood routing problems.

5. Peak Discharge – When flood routing is not considered necessary, it is

usually is assumed that the peak discharge continues for an indefinite period of
time.

6. The discharge at the outlet of the watershed varies with time.

7. Normal Depth of flow sometimes is referred to as uniform depth and is the

depth at which uniform flow would occur

8. Normal depth of flow is defined according to Manning’s Equation for Uniform

Flow. When normal depth is greater than critical depth, there is Subcritical
Flow.

9. When normal depth is less than critical depth, Supercritical Flow results.

10. Cross-sectional geometry and roughness characteristics are

influential in the type of flow that may occur in a channel.

11. Tailwater level may be influential on both the headwater and the outlet
velocity characteristics of the culvert flow.

12. The Potential Scour or other damage at the downstream end of the culvert
is at its highest. This is because the constriction in flow represented by the
culvert barrel(s) causes an increase in velocity over the unconstricted velocity for
an unchanged discharge rate.

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13. Culvert Installation Types consist of:
a) Trench
b) Embankment and
c) Jacked or Bored (Trenchless)

14. Vast majority of culverts do not fail hydraulically or structurally, but rather they
wear out from the effects of corrosion and/or abrasion.

15. HEADWATER. Energy is required to force flow through a culvert. This energy
takes the form of an increased water surface elevation on the upstream side of
the culvert. The depth of the upstream water surface measured from the invert at
the culvert entrance is generally referred to as headwater depth. Figure V shows
performance curve for a culvert.

16. TAILWATER. Tailwater is defined as the depth of water downstream of the

culvert measured from the outlet invert (Figure IV). It is an important factor in
determining culvert capacity under outlet control conditions. Tailwater may be caused by
an obstruction in the downstream channel or by the hydraulic resistance of the channel. In
either case, backwater calculations from the downstream control point are required to
precisely define tailwater.

17. OUTLET VELOCITY. Since a culvert usually constricts the available channel area, flow
velocities in the culvert are likely to be higher than in the channel. These increased
velocities can cause streambed scour and bank erosion in the vicinity of the culvert outlet.
Minor problems can occasionally be avoided by increasing the barrel roughness.

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CULVERT CONCEPTS

Page 25 of 47
 Concept No. 1 – Manning’s Equation
GIVEN:
Contributing Flow for a 36” RCP
Q = 67 CFS
Pipe Invert in = 100.0’
Pipe Invert out = 98.0’
Pipe Length = 100’
n = 0.013
FIND:
Culvert Capacity; is it adequate for contributing flow?

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 Concept No. 2 – Head Loss
The velocity in a culvert barrel flowing full is 8 ft/sec just inside the barrel
entrance. Consider the following entrance loss coefficient “ke” or “Ce” values
(different end treatments)

ke = 0.2 (Groove End)

ke = 0.5 (Square Cut End)
ke = 0.7 (Mitered to conform to fill slope)?

What are the head losses for the above-mentioned end treatments?

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 Concept No. 3a – Rational Method
(Contribution & Flow Type)
Water from a 175-Acre light industrial watershed is collected and drained by a
trapezoidal open channel. The channel (Manning’s roughness coefficient n =
0.022) has a 4.5-ft wide bottom and 1:1 sides. The channel direction is
perpendicular to a road where twin, side-by-side 54-inch diameter corrugated metal
pipe (CMP) culverts take the water under the roadway. The average slope of the
channel and culverts is 0.75% (0.0075 ft/ft). The time for runoff from the farthest
part of the watershed to begin contributing to the flow is 35 minutes.

FIND:

1. What rational method runoff coefficient could be recommended?

2. Using the rational method and assuming the intensity after 35 min. is 2 in/hr,
what is the runoff?

3. Are the culverts under inlet or outlet control?

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 Concept No. 3b – Rational Method
(Size Analysis)
On a rural section of a primary road there is a 36” concrete pipe cross-drain at a
location where a property owner claims his property is being flooded during heavy
rains due to the cross-drain being inadequate. Suppose you are employed as a
consultant to check this out and prove his point. In your investigation, you find that
the drainage area the pipe is to drain is 25 Acre extending 1000 feet back from the
right of way. It is farm land with a coefficient of imperviousness of 0.25. Rainfall
records indicate that the design rainfall intensity should be 4 in/hr. The pipe is laid
on the natural slope of 0.3%. It is a concrete pipe with a Manning’s n value of
0.012.

IS THE PIPE ADEQUATE?

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 Concept No. 4 – Capacity
(Unsubmerged Inlet)

A box culvert with an unsubmerged inlet (the flow is below the top of the culvert
inlet) functions as a weir. The culvert has a bottom width of 4 feet. The tailwater
does not back through culvert, so the “weir” can also be assumed to be
unsubmerged. The “ponded” water elevation immediately upstream of the inlet is
1.6 feet above the inlet flowline. Assume the approach is short and the velocity in
the “pond” is zero. Use Cw value of 3.1.

What is the maximum estimated discharge that will pass through the inlet?

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 Concept No. 5 – Capacity
(Submerged Inlet)

The depth of water above the centroid of the inlet of a pipe culvert is 4.46 feet. The
downstream side of the culvert is unsubmerged and the discharge coefficient is
Co=0.6. The pipe has a diameter of 2 ft.

What is the flow through the pipe?

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 Concept No. 6 – Critical Depth
[Critical depth of a hydraulic section (treated as an open channel) must be found
through iterative procedures for most shapes; however, for rectangular sections,
critical depth has a straightforward formula]

What is the critical depth in a 9 foot wide box culvert for a flow of 1374 cfs?

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 Concept No. 7 – Use of Nomographs
(from TxDOT DES 604)

Compute the “inlet” control headwater depth and elevation using the nomographs.
The headwater needs to be determined for a discharge of 25 cfs through a 4 ft by 4
ft concrete box culvert. The culvert has an entrance coefficient “Ke” of 0.2 (use
Scale 1 on the nomograph). The barrel has an upstream flowline elevation of 100
feet at the inlet. This inlet elevation will be the reference point for the headwater
elevation (elevation = reference elevation + depth).

The PE exam may provide superfluous data on the barrel, but recall that the
question is asking for an inlet control headwater depth so only the culvert
inlet is of interest.

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 Concept No. 8 – Headwater
(Submerged Inlet - Orifice)
The inlet of a 24-inch (2-ft) diameter reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) is submerged
by a flow of 31.9 cfs. The inlet has a square-edge treatment and headwall
(ke = 0.5). What is the inlet control headwater depth above the inlet invert/
flowline?

Page 37 of 47
 Concept No. 9 – Outlet Control
(Submerged Tube – w/o Nomograph)
A 4 ft by 4 ft concrete box culvert has a length of 100 feet, an entrance loss
coefficient Ke of 0.2, and a roughness coefficient of 0.012. The inlet flowline
elevation “Eli” is 100.0 feet. The outlet flowline elevation “Elo” is 99.0 feet.
The tailwater depth at the outlet is 8.8 feet and submerges the outlet.

Calculate the outlet control headwater elevation “ELho” and depth for a flow of
200 cfs.

Page 38 of 47
 Concept No. 10 – Manning’s Table
(Capacity-Change Analysis)
A 24-in diameter pipe (n = 0.013) was installed 30 years ago on a 0.001 slope.
Recent tests indicate that the full flow capacity of the pipe is 6.0 CFS.

FIND:
a) The original full flow capacity
b) The original full flow velocity
c) The current full flow velocity
d) The current Manning’s coefficient

Page 39 of 47
 Concept No. 11 – n Varying with Depth
(Circular Pipe)
A circular sewer is to be installed on a .5% grade. Its Manning coefficient is 0.013.
The maximum full-flow capacity is to be 7.4 CFS. Assume n is varying with depth.

FIND:
a) The pipe size
b) The full-flow capacity if an 18” pipe size is chosen
c) The full-flow velocity
d) Using the chart provided, flow depth for 0.85 CFS flow
e) Minimum velocity that will prevent solids from settling out in the sewer

Page 40 of 47
 Concept No. 12 – Design for Peak Flow
(Circular Pipe)
a. A circular storm sewer with n = 0.012 is being designed to carry a peak flow
of 5 CFS. To allow for excess capacity, the depth at peak flow is to be 75%
of the sewer diameter. The sewer is to be installed in a bed with a slope of
2%. What is the required sewer diameter? Use the chart provided.

b. Solve the problem again for following scenario (Hypothetical situation)

n = 0.013
Peak Flow = 7 CFS
Flow depth = 80%
Slope = 1%

Page 41 of 47
 Concept No. 13 – Types of Flow
A 42” diameter concrete culvert is 250 Linear Feet long and is laid at a slope of
0.006. The culvert entrance is flush and square-edged. The Tailwater level at the
outlet is just above the crown of the barrel, and the headwater is 5.0 feet above the
crown of the culvert’s inlet.

What is the capacity?

Page 42 of 47
 Concept No. 14 – Flow Rate under Inlet &
Outlet Controls
Determine the flow rate through a 50-ft. long, 18-in. diameter steel culvert with a 1
percent slope if HW = 5-ft. and TW = 2.5-ft. Assume n = 0.015, the entrance loss
coefficient CL = 0.5, and the orifice coefficient Cd = 0.65

FOR SELF STUDY

ONLY
(TRY & COMPARE
SOLUTION)

Page 43 of 47
 Concept No. 15 – Graphs with Inlet and
Outlet Controls
Using the given graph for 54” pipe and for the following scenario,

Q = 180 Cubic Feet per Second

L = 200 Feet
So = 0.01 Feet/Foot

Allowable Headwater HWA = 10 Feet

Type = Circular Concrete Culvert with a projecting entrance, n = 0.012

Based on Inlet Control and Outlet Control Headwater Elevations, which

Headwater Elevation would you choose?

Page 44 of 47
 Thickness of Pipe Culverts (RCP)

Equation/Formulae:

1. Thickness = D” + .75 (Up to 27”)

12

2. Thickness = D” + 1 (30” & Above)

12

See Table below,

Page 45 of 47
 References
 Culvert Analysis and Design by Reagan Engineering
Associates.

 Chow, Ven Te, Open-Channel Hydraulics, Boston

Massachusetts. McGraw Hill, Inc. 1959.

 City of Corpus Christi, Storm Water Management Issues,

Goals, Objectives and Policies. Final Draft. June 21, 2002.

 City of Houston Department of Public Works and

Engineering. Design Manual for Wastewater Collection
Systems, Water Lines, Storm Drainage, and Street Paving –
October, 1999.

 Dodson & Associates, Inc. Hands-On HEC-1, HEC-2,

Houston, TX June, 1997 and December, 1994 respectively.

 Gupta, Ram S, Hydrology & Hydraulics Systems. Prospect

Heights, Illinois. Waveland Press, Inc. 1989.

 Hjelmfet, A.T. and J.J. Cassidy. Hydrology for Engineers and

Planners. Ames, Iowa. Iowa State University Press. 1975.

 http://www.HyperDictionary.com

 Lindeburg, M.R., P.E. Civil Engineering Reference Manual.

4ht ed. San Carios, California. Professional Publications, Inc.
1986.

 Manning, J.C. Applied Principles of Hydrology, Columbus,

Ohio. Merrill Publishing Company. 1987.

 Prasuhn, A.L. Fundamentals of Hydraulic Engineering. New

York. Rinehart and Winston. 1987.
Page 46 of 47
 American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials. Highway Drainage Guidelines. 1982.

 Federal Highway Administration. Hydraulics of Bridge

Waterways. Hydraulic Design Series No. 1. 1978.

 Federal Highway Administration. Hydraulic Design of

Highway Culverts. Hydraulic Design Series No. 5. 1985

 Federal Highway Administration. Debris-Control Structures.

Hydraulic Engineering Circular No. 9. 1971.

 Federal Highway Administration. HY8 Culvert Analysis

Microcomputer Program Applications Guide. Hydraulic

 Microcomputer Program HY8. 1987

 HYDRAIN Culvert Computer Program (HY8). Available from

McTrans Software, University of Florida, 512 Weil

 Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611.

 U. S. Department of Interior. 1983. Design of Small Canal

Structures.

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