A culvert is a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway. It can also be described as a water course totally enclosed and usually of a size through which a man can pass.
In addition, a culvert is 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.
The following diagram describes the different types of culverts.
Which of the types of culvert are you familiar with? Tell us in the comment section.
