Culvert Hydraulics using the
Culvert Design Form
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Objectives
Know how to use the culvert design form to evaluate
and size simple culverts (page 344 of HDS 5)
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Step 1
Summarize all known data and select a
preliminary culvert size, shape and entrance
type
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Step 2
Choose a culvert type and size
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Step 3-Inlet Control Calculations
Inlet control calculations
Determine HW/D from Design Charts
Calc HW depth
Calc Fall
Calc the Elev of the HW for inlet control
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Outlet control calculations
Determine TW depth
Determine critical depth
Find the average of critical depth and diameter
Determine depth from culvert outlet invert to
HGL
Determine all head losses
Calc the Elev of the HW for outlet control
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Step 5-Evaluate Results
Higher of the two elevations designates
control
Choose larger culvert if the highest elevation
is unacceptable
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Example Problem 1 (pg 56)
Q25=200 cfs
Natural channel slope=1%
TW=3.5 ft
L=200 ft
Natl streambed elev. @ entrance = 100 ft
Shoulder Elev=110 ft (2-ft freeboard)
Evaluate 72” (6’) CMP (45 deg bevel)
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Step 2
Inlet Control
Calculations
HW/D from Design
Chart 3B = 0.96
HW=0.96*6’=5.8’
A =45 deg bevel, pg 27
B =33.7 deg bevel
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Step 3-Inlet Control Calculations
Calculate Fall
Max. Available HW depth = 108-100= 8’
Fall = Calc HW depth – Available HW depth
5.8’-8’= -2.8 ft
Fall is negative; therefore set fall = 0
Note: If fall is + then the invert must be lowered
to allow enough head to “push” desired Q
through the culvert
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Step 3-Inlet Control Calculations
Calculate HW Elev for inlet control
ELhi=HWi+ELi
5.8 ft + 100 ft = 105.8 feet
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
TW Depth
Determine TW depth
backwater or normal depth calculations
Given as 3.5’
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Critical Depth
Determine Critical Depth (Chart 4A) 3.8’
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Find average of dc + D
(3.8+6)/2 = 4.9’
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Determine ho
ho is the depth from the culvert outlet invert to the
hydraulic grade line
Larger of:
TW (3.5’) or
Avg. of (dc & D-4.9’) ---See Figure III-9 (D)
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Find Entrance Loss Coefficient, Ke
Ke= 0.2
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Outlet Control
Head Losses
Can use Chart 6
Line D/Ke
Line Q/Turning Pt
H=2.6’
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Step 4-Outlet Control Calculations
Calculate HW Elevation
Outlet Invert Elev + Head Losses + ho
98+2.6+4.9
HW elevation based on outlet control = 105.5’
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Step 5 Evaluate Results
Culvert is operating under inlet control
There is still 2 ft of head available
Try a smaller culvert
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Outlet Velocity – Inlet Control
(pg 50)
Velocity at normal depth (in the culvert barrel) is
assumed to be the outlet velocity
Use Manning’s equation
Calculate d/D which gives a Q of 200 cfs
Velocity = 9.2 cfs
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Outlet Velocity- Outlet Control
page 50
Use critical depth if TW<critical depth
Use TW if TW is between critical depth and
top of barrel
Use full depth of barrel if TW is above top of
barrel
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Culvert Design
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Culvert Master (Quick Calculator)
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Culvert Design
Multiple structures
For 2 pipes or boxes of same size, etc. Q/2
For concrete box culvert
6’ x 5’ (span x height)—note
Ex 9-4 in book violates this “usual”
Q/H = Flow per foot of span
D = height of culvert box (5’)
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Flow Control & Measurement
Irrigation Canals
Stormwater Management
Ponds
Cooling Waterchannels
Use routing to determine
inflow into any pond
upstream of culvert
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Low Head Installations
Convey water under a roadway w/ min. HW
and energy loss
Usually found in irrigation systems
Sag culverts sometimes used
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Bends – Horizontal or Vertical
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Junctions
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Siphons (vacuum)-rarely designed
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Chapter VI – Special Considerations
Fish Passage
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