PIPE CULVERT

by
[Link]
Deputy Executive Engineer
1. Introduction:- Central Designs Organization

A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under a road, railroad, trail, or
similar obstruction. It is a cross-drainage structure having a total length of 6 m or less
between the inner faces of the dirt walls or extreme ventway boundaries measured at
right angles thereto.. Culverts may be used to form a bridge-like structure to carry
traffic. Culverts can be in many sizes and shapes including round, elliptical, flat-
bottomed, pear-shaped, and box-like constructions.. The culvert is proposed to full
formation width of road as per IRC recommendations

1.1 Def: - A culvert is a structure that allows water to flow under a road, rail way
track or similar obstruction, so that people or vehicles can cross from one side to the
other side.

1.2 Necessity of structure:

In actual layout of the canal network, obstacles like natural roads may be present
across the canal. At the crossing for the smooth running of the canal with its design
discharge and to cross people/vehicles from one side to the other the culverts are
proposed.

1.3 Classification :- Basically culverts are proposed for passing of

A ) Canals B ) Streams

Based on the construction of the structure culverts on canals/ streams can be of the
following types.
1. Pipe culvert
2. Box culvert
3. RC slab culvert
4. Arch culvert
5. Steel girder culvert

Culverts may be made of concrete, stone, galvanized steel, aluminum, plastic and
high density polyethylene.
 [Link] culvert

PIPE CULVERT: It is normally proposed in place where a canal / distributary with a

discharge less than 50 cusecs crosses the village/ZP roads/R&B road. .
The minimum dia. of the pipe used for a culvert is 600 mm to facilitate occasional
cleaning and to avoid blocking of the vent by debris. When the fill over the pipe is
small, it is preferable to provide head walls at the ends of the road formation width
to retain the earth. If the fill is large, it is not economical to provide high head walls
for retaining deep over fills. Instead, the length of the culvert should be increased
suitably, so that the embankment with its natural side slopes is accommodated
without high retaining [Link] earthcushion over the pipes shall be 600 mm.
Incase of multi-pipe/cell all pipes/barrels are of same type, size and roughness
( equal conveyance ) and also have the same invert levels / bed slope , so that flow
will distribute evenly. The minimum clearance between the pipes shall be at least the
half the dia. of the pipe subject to a minimum of 450 mm.
Advantages of pipe culvert ;-
a ) Easy and Speed in construction
b ) Economical compared to other culverts.
c ) It is also suitable When there is no defined channel .
 2. Box culvert

Box culverts are proposed

a) when the discharge is more than 50 cusecs.
b) When insufficient embankment depth or cover for pipes exists
c ) where the channel is narrow and it would be difficult to fit a pipe culvert
d )Where fauna passage is required.

3. RC slab culvert

Advantages of RC slab culvert

a ) If more than two rows of pipes are required it is better to go for slab culvert,
. which is economical.
b ) The construction is relatively simple due to easier fabrication of formwork.
and reinforcements and easier placing of concrete
And all the advantages of box culvert apply to RC slab culvert also.
4. Arch culvert

Arch culvert are

a) Used for larger spans.
b) Attractive in appearance
c) Eliptical in shape if overburden is less and parabolic in shape overburden
is high.
 3. Steel girder culvert

Steel girder culverts are

a ) Suitable for Larger spans and heavy loads.
b ) Suitable for highways as well as railways.

1.4 Selection of the Structure :- Pipe culverts are selected

a) When Discharge of the canal is less than 50 cusecs.
b ) Even the Foundation strata is available is medium type.
c ) When pipes are easily available.
d ) When the time available is restricted.
1.5 Location of the Structure :- The characteristics of an ideal site for pipe
culverts are as follows.
a) As for as possible canal and road are in Square crossing.
b) Where the sufficient cover for the pipes are available.
c) Straight approaches shall be available on either side of the structure.
d) Where the narrow channel with firm banks.

Some more images of different types of culverts

1.6 Component parts of Pipe culvert :-

1. Headwall 5.. Slab

2. Wingwall 6. Wearing coat

3. Pipe 7. Foundation

4. Cradle Bedding 8.. Parapet / Hand rail

1) Headwall :- Head walls are constructed at the ends of the road formation width
( both the ends of pipe conduit) to retain the earth. If the fill is large, it is not
economical to provide high head walls for retaining deep over fills. Instead, the
length of the culvert should be increased suitably, so that the embankment with its
natural side slopes is accommodated without high retaining walls. A Vertical
headwall parallel to the embankment shoulder line and without wing walls should
have sufficient length so that the embankment at the headwall ends remain clear of
the culvert opening.
 2 ) Wing wall:- A wall adjacent to headwall with its top up to road level near headwall
and sloping down up to ground level or a little above at the other end. This is
generally at 45o to the alignment of road or parallel to the river and follows profile of
earthen banks Wingwalls are used where the side slopes of the channel adjacent to
the entrance are unstable and where the culvert is skewed to the normal channel flow.
In embankment it is advisable to provide wingwalls to withstand the saturated earth
Pressure.
.
3 ) Pipes :- Concrete pipes are used to pass the water from one side to other side of
road. The pipes shall be conform to IS 458-2003 and Classification of concrete pipes
as per IS-458- 2003. are
NP1 – Unreinforced concrete non-pressure pipes – Used for drainage and irrigation
use, above ground or in shallow trenches.
NP2 – Reinforced concrete, light duty, non-pressure pipes – Used for cross drains/
Culverts carrying light traffic.
NP3 – Reinforced concrete, medium duty, non-pressure pipes – Used for cross
drains/ Culverts carrying medium traffic
NP4 – Reinforced concrete, medium duty, non-pressure pipes – Used for cross
drains/ Culverts carrying heavy traffic.
Generally NP2 and NP3 class pipes are used for pipe Culverts. Pipes are
generally 2.5m or 3m long. For more lengths the pipe shall be joined by collar joint.
Collar shall be of RCC 150mm or 200mm wide and having same strength as the
pipes to be joined. The collar dimensions can be adopted from IS 458.
The laying of pipes shall be as per IS 783 – 1985. The arrangement for
lifting, loading, un loading and lowering of the pipe in the bed should be as per code.
The pipe should not suffer any under structural strain and damage due to fall or
impact due to above operation

4 ) Cradle bedding :- The concrete bedding provided under the pipe which is not
less than ¼ th of internal diameter of the pipe and cradle extends up the barrel of the
pipe for a vertical height of ¼ to 1/6 th external diameter of pipe as per Clause B-
2.1 of Is code 783-1985. If the overall length is not a multiple of standard length,
special pipe lengths should be ordered from the manufactures. Such special pipes
should be placed at the center. The pipes are joined by collar joints. Irrespective of
load coming on the pipes, they shall be bedded in a cradle constructed of concrete
having mix not leaner than M15 grade.
 5 ) Slab :- Generally 300mm thick in CCM20 Grade is adopted. The thickness
and grade of concrete varies with classification of road. The slab is proposed to full
formation width of road as per IRC recommendations

6 ) Wearing Coat :- CC Wearing coat/ Asphaltic concrete in 75mm TH to protect

the slab from the damage by moving vehicles or by rain water. Generally it is in
M20 to M30 Grade depends on classification of road and Grade of slab under it.

7 ) Foundations :- The foundations are provided under the headwalls and wing
walls. This is provided to transmit the load from the headwalls and wingwalls to
and evenly distribute the load on to the foundation strata. This is to be provided
sufficiently deep so that it is not affected by the scour caused by the flow in the
river and does not get undermined.
Generally foundations are provided with 450 to 600 mm thick with 1/2 to 2/3
offset in M15 grade depends upon the discharge of canal/ type of road. The stress
coming on the soil shall be limited to the allowable safe bearing capacity of the soil
at various points of the structure

8 ) Hand rails / Parapet:- These are provided along each side of culvert on rear
face of headwalls for protection of traffic. Consideration shall be given also to avoid,
as far as is consistant with safety and appearance, obstruction of the view from the
passing vehicles.
2.0 TERMINOLOGY

2.1 Discharge:
Quantity of water flowing through a section of a channel in a unit time.

2.2. Channel
A channel means a natural or artificial water course.
2.3 Pipes:
Pipes are used to pass the water from one side to other side of road. Pipes
are available in 2.5m and 3m length.

2.4 Sill level of pipe:

It is the invert level of the pipe. It is fixed with reference to flow
conditions of canal.

2.5 Soffit
The inside top of the culvert.

2.6 Maximum Flood Level (MFL):

Flood level computed at a particular section of a stream for the estimated
maximum flood discharge.

2.7 Highest Flood Level (HFL):

The level of the highest flood ever recorded or the computed level for the
highest possible flood.

2.8 Head water.

The depth of the upstream water surface measured from the invert at the
culvert entrance is referred to as headwater.

2.9 Tail water.

Tailwater is defined as the depth of water downstream of the culvert
measured from the outlet invert.

2.10 Angle of Repose :

It is the angle between the horizontal and the natural slope of loose
material below which the material will not slide. Generally an angle of
repose ø = 28° is considered.

2.11 Critical Velocity:

It is that velocity of the canal flow which is non-scouring and non-
silting.

2.12 Freeboard
Safety margin over design water level before overflow occurs (in a unit
of length)
2.13 Ventway:
The ventway is the sectional area or the amount of opening required to
facilitate the canal/stream discharge.

2.16 Rugosity Coefficient ‘n’:

It is a Coefficient used in Manning’s equation which depends upon the
characteristics of the material and the surface roughness. The value of ‘n’

2.17 Scour Depth:

Scour depth is the depth measured below check/ FSL to indicate the limit
up to which scour may occur due to water flow.

2.18 Coefficient of Earth pressure:

Earth pressure due to earth i.e., back fill is computed using TVA
procedure. In T.V.A procedure, earth pressures are calculated as per
Columb’s wedge theory as cohesion less back fill.

2.19 Superimposed Load:

A load, concentrated or distributed, static or dynamic, applied at the
surface of the fill material.

2.20 Test Load:

The load which a precast concrete pipe is required to sustain when tested
is given in Table-21 of IS:458-2003 .

2.21 Load Factor :

A factor used in the calculation of the required test load for a pipe. The
factor varies with the type of load and with the installation conditions.

2.22 Impact Factor :

A factor by which a live load is multiplied in order to make allowance
for dynamic effect of impact.

2.23 Projection ratio of a pipe

It is installed under embankment conditions.
It is calculated by dividing the vertical distance ‘h’ from the top of the
pipe down to the level of the undisturbed ground surface at the sides of the
pipes, by the external diameter ‘D’ of the pipe, that is h/D.

2.24 P' - Negative projection ratio of a pipe

Is defined as the ratio of the depth of the fill material measured from the
top of the pipe to the natural ground surface to the width of the trench, that
is h’/B
3 Notations

a - area of pipe provided in [Link]

B - Width of trench in metres
Ca - Constant value from the table based on the D/d
CBL - Canal bed level
d - Diameter of Pipe in metres
D - Max. Depths of flow in the Canal/Drain in metres
D - External diameter of pipe in metres
f - Lacy's silt Factor corresponding to the bed material
F - Load factor
FSL - Full Supply Level of Canal
GL – Ground level
h - Height of wall in metres
H - Depth of fill material above top of pipe in metres
L - Length of pipe in metres
n - [Link] vents required
NP1 - Unreinforced concrete non- pressure pipes
NP2- Reinforced concrete, light duty, non- pressure pipes
NP3- Reinforced concrete, medium duty, non- pressure pipes
NP4- Reinforced concrete, heavy duty, non- pressure pipes
P - Load on surface of fill material in KN
Q - Discharge of canal in cumecs
q - discharge per unit width in cumecs
S - Width of concentrated load in direction of the pipe in metres

t - Thickness of pipe in metres

TBL – Top bank level of canal
R - Normal Scour depth in metres
RL – Road Level
UDL – Uniformly distributed Load
V - velocity of water in pipe
W - Unit Weight of backfill earth KN/ m3

wc - Wearing coat in metres

ø - Angle of internal friction
α - Impact factor
Ce - a coefficient used in the calculations of the vertical load on a pipe due to the weight
of fill material when the pipe is installed under positive projection embankment
conditions.
Cn - a coefficient used in the calculations of the vertical load on a pipe due to the weight
of fill material when the pipe is installed under negative projection and imperfect
trench conditions.
Cp - a coefficient used in the calculations of the vertical load on a pipe due to
concentrated superimposed load is installed under trench and embankment
conditions.
Ct - a coefficient used in the calculations of the vertical load on a pipe due to the weight
of fill material when the pipe is installed under trench conditions.
C u- a coefficient used in the calculations of the load on a pipe due to a uniformly
distributed superimposed load of U KN/m2.
H- Vertical distance measured from the level of the top of a pipe to the surface of the
fill material over the pipe in metres

hl - Vertical distance from the level of the top of a pipe up to the natural ground level,
where the pipe is installed under negative projection conditions or depth of trench
in metre excavated in consolidated fill material and refilled with loose fill
material, where a pipe is installed under imperfect trench conditions.
P’ - Negative projection ratio of a pipe

P - projection ratio of a pipe installed under embankment conditions.

X - Proportion of the vertical external load on a pipe due to superimposed UDL

4 . PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN (Theory)

SITE SURVEY:

Data required for design of pipe culvert is

a) Discharge of Canal / Stream
b) HPs of canal / CS and LS of the stream.
c) Site plan with flow direction of canal & Road with net levels & contours.
d) L-Section of road on either side of culvert covering 500 metres on U/S & D/S
e) Road top level,width and other particulars
f) The name of the road and its destinations on either side.
g) Trial pit particulars / Bore hole data
h) Report accompanying the Site survey
The design of a pipe culvert involves the following:
1. Hydraulic design.
2. Structural design

4.1 Hydraulic Design

4.1.1 Fixation of ventway

To determine the number and size of pipes required to pass the discharge.
Pipe Culvert in Canals
Assume the velocity in the pipe is twice the velocity in the canal section.
In pipeculvert on canals the pipe shall be in partial flow condition.
( In pipeculvert on streams the pipe shall be in full flow condition)

Assume pipe dia. (Proceed with minimum pipe dia.)

To determine the this part area use the coefficient from the design table.
Calculated the area by using
a = Ca d2
Where
a = area provided in sq.m
Ca = Constant value from the table based on the D/d
d = Diameter of Pipe in m
D = Max. Depths of flow in the Canal/Drain in m
Compute area of one pipe with partial flow
No. of vents required = n = Area required / area of one pipe (partial
area )
n = A/a
Check the velocity (Vp) in pipe less than twice the velocity in
canal(V) .
The afflux at the structure due to constriction of water way will be
approximately V2/2g which will be less and that afflux will not effect.

Note: If the canal is in full cutting the lesser dia may be proposed allowing the higher
velocity However the velocity in the tail channel should not cause any damage to the
canal sides.
 Pipe Culvert in Streams:-
In streams Pipe culverts may be assumed to flow full and also heading up water
on the U/S is desirable to create a head to cause flow through the pipe. Then the
operating head is the difference level between the water level at the U/S end of the
pipe( Headwater ) and the level of water on the D/S end(Tailwater ).

4.1.2 Select the class of pipe as per type of road.

Generally NP2 and NP3 class pipes are used for pipe Culverts.
NP2 – Culverts carrying light traffic.
NP3 – Culverts carrying medium traffic
Take the particulars of Pipe and collar from IS 458- 2003

4.1.3 Scour calculations using the formulae

R = 1.346 (q2/f)1/3

f = Lacy's silt Factor corresponding to the bed material

q= Design flood discharge per unit width in cumecs
R=Normal Scour depth in metres below FSL

Fix the foundation levels of walls as per scour calculations

4.1.4 Fixation of Levels

Sill Level of pipe = CBL of canal

Road level = Sill Level of pipe + Dia. Of pipe (d) + pipe thickness(t) + cushion
+depth of slab + Thickness of wearing coat(wc)

( If GL is higher than above calculated Road level )

Provide Road level = Ground Level

Top level of Headwall = Road Level

Foundation Level of Headwall = As per Scour calculations

4.1.5 Length of Headwall

Length of Headwall = Canal B.W + ( R.L –CBL)*2*slope +2*keying
Generally keying is 0.6m for minor structures
keying is 1m for major structures

4.1.6 Total No. of pipes required

Compute the Total width of the Road to ascertain the no. of pipes required.
The length of each pipe = 2.5m
Total Width of road = Top width of U/s headwall+
 Carriageway width of Road + Top width of D/s headwall
No. of pipes in each row = Total width of road /pipe length

4.1.7 Protection Works:

i) 100 mm thick lining for the canal bed and sides on U/s and D/s of the
canal to resist scouring action.

ii ) Profile wall of 450mm TH wide on U/S and D/S of canal

4.2 Structural Design:

The structural design of pipe culvert requires calculations of probable
maximum load on the pipe, inherent strength of pipe and selection of bedding for the
pipe and design of headwalls.
i) Type of bedding
ii) Head walls and Wing walls
iii ) Check for the class of the pipe

4.2.1 Design of cradle bedding

As per Clause B-2.1 , Is code 783-1985 under pipe

i) The concrete bedding under the pipe = 1/4th of internal diameter of the
pipe as per Clause B-2.1 of Is code 783-1985.

ii) The cradle extends up the pipe for height =1/4 to 1/6 th of external
diameter of pipe as per Clause B-2.1 of Is code 783-1985.

[Link] Design of Head walls

The stability of head walls designed for 1.2m live load surcharge as per new IRC 6 – 2003
by the T.V.A. procedures or Rankine’s method with the following assumptions
wt. of saturated earth = 2.1T. /cum.
Angle of internal friction = 28 to 32O.
Weight of concrete = 2.4 T/m3
Ascertain the stability of a structure as a whole against overturning and sliding
Generally headwalls shall be constructed with top width of 500 mm in CC M15
grade using maximum size of aggregate 40 mm.

[Link] Design of Wing walls

A wall adjacent to headwall with its top up to road level near headwall and
sloping down up to ground level or 300mm above FSL/HFL of canal / stream at
 the other end. This is generally at 45o to the alignment of road or parallel to the
canal and follows profile of earthen banks
Design of Wing walls is carried out by adopting TVA procedure

. The top widths of 450mm to 600mm shall be provided depends upon the
discharge of canal/ type of road.
Note :- Wingwalls are proposed if the side slopes of the channel adjacent to
the
entrance are unstable, embankments and the culvert is skewed to the
normal channel flow

4.2.3 Check for the class of the pipe

Evaluate the trench condition and check for the minimum crack load that the
pipe can withstand as per IS 783 - 1983

The supporting strength of a pipe is the vertical field load/meter run on the pipe
as laid, which will cause it’s failure.

Loads on the pipe are:

a) The static load at the level of the top of the pipe due to fill material
i.e., earth filling.
b) The static load at the level of the top of the pipe due to loads super
imposed on the fill material i.e., surface live loads.
The Vertical load on a pipe can be calculated depends on trench condition,
Negative and positive projection conditions under different foundation
Conditions as per IS 783 – 1983.

The Load factor depends on the type of loading and condition of

bedding of the pipe as per IS 783 – 1983.

(Vertical load on a pipe due to the weight of fill material / Load Factor) +
( Load on a pipe due to the superimposed Load / Load Factor)
< Test load to produce 25mm crack as per IS 458 - 2003

4.2.4 Grade of Concrete

The specifications for different components of the structure

a) Head walls and wing walls shall be in CC M15 grade using 40mm MSA.

b) Craddle bedding and foundation concrete shall be in CC M15 grade using

40mm MSA.

c ) C.C Slab in M20 grade using 20mm MSA

d ) Wearing coat shall be in M25 grade concrete using 20mm MSA.

 5. Design Procedure

STEP 1: Fixing of Vent way :

Permissible velocity in pipes is twice the velocity of canal

Calculated the area by using

a =Ca d2
Where a = area provided
Ca = Constant value from the table based on the D/d
d = Diameter of Pipe
D = Max. Depths of flow in the Canal/Drain Assume pipe
diameter and type of pipe as per classification of road.
Compute area of one pipe with partial flow
No. of vents required = n = Area required / area of one pipe
(partial area )
n = A/a
Check the velocity in pipe less than twice the
velocity in canal

STEP 2: Select the type of pipe as per classification of road.

( Generally NP2 and NP3 class pipes are used for pipe Culverts.)
Take the particulars of Pipe and collar from IS 458- 2003

STEP 3: Scour calculations using the formulae

R = 1.346 (q2/f)1/3

f = Lacy's silt Factor corresponding to the bed material

q= Design flood discharge per unit width in cumecs
R=Normal Scour depth in metres below FSL

Fix the foundation levels of walls as per scour calculations

STEP 4: Calculate Sill level of the Pipe and Road Level

Sill Level of pipe = CBL of Canal
Road level =
Sill Level of Pipe+ Internal dia of pipe(d) + Thk of pipe(t) +
Cushion+ depth of slab +Thk of Wearing coat (wc)
If above value is less than GL provide the RL equal to GL

STEP 5: Length of Headwall

Length of Headwall = Canal B.W + ( R.L –CBL)*2*slope +2*keying
Generally keying is 0.6m for minor structures
keying is 1m for major structure

STEP 6:
Compute the Total width of the Road to ascertain the no. of pipes required.
The length of each pipe = 2.5m
Total Width of road = top width of U/s headwall+
 Carriageway width of Road +
Top width of D/s headwall
No. of pipes in each row = total width of road /pipe length

STEP 7:
Protection Works
i) 100 mm thick lining for the canal bed and sides on U/s and D/s of
the canal to resist scouring action.

ii ) Profile wall of 450mm Thick wide on U/S and D/S of the canal.

STEP 8 Design the cradle bedding under pipe as per Clause B-2.1 of Is code 783-
1985
i) The concrete bedding under the pipe = 1/4 th of internal diameter
(d) of the pipe as per Clause B-2.1 of Is code 783-1985.
ii) The cradle extends up the pipe for height =1/4 to 1/6 th of
external diameter (D) of pipe as per Clause B-2.1 of Is code 783-
1985.

STEP 9: Check for stability of walls

Design of U/s and D/s head walls and wing walls
using TVA procedure.

STEP 10:
Evaluate the trench condition as per IS 783 – 1983 and check for the
minimum crack load that the pipe can withstand as per IS 458 - 2003

8 References:
• IS458–2000 : Precast Concrete Pipes (with and without Reinforcement)- Specification
• IS 783 -1985 : Code of practice for Laying Of Concrete Pipes
• IS 456 – 2000 - Code of practice for Plain & Reinforced Concrete.
• IRC 6 – 2000 – Standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges
sec-II ( Loads and stresses)
• IRC SP-13 _ Guidelines for the design of small bridges and culverts
• IRC SP- 20- 2002 - Culverts and small bridges
• IS 7784 (Part 1) -1993 Design Of Cross Drainage Works
• Design of U/s & D/s Head walls a - TVA Procedure , Hand Book
.