I.

2 Hydraulic Design of Culvens

651

The inrerception efficiency is ihen

E

RfEO

R/J

- Eo)

[1 x ;().35

+ 0.20(1

- 0.35)] = D.48

The interception capacity isQ = EQ == U:48 x 10 = 4.8 ft3/s, and Qb = 10 - 4.8 = 5.2 ft3!s. A berm
could be placed downstream of the .grate inlet for total interception of flow in the ditch.

16.2 Hl7DRAlilLlCDESIGN OF CULVERTS

Culverts are hydraulically short closed -conduits thatconvey streamflow through a road embankment or some other type of flow obstruclion. The flow in culverts may be full flow over allits
Iength or partly full, resulting in pressurized flow and/or open-channel flow, Thecharacteristics of
flow in culverts are very.complicated because the flow is controlled by many variables, including
inlet geometry, slope, size, flow rate, roughness, and approach and tailwater conditions,
-Culverts have nurnerous cross-sectional shapes, including circular, box {rectangular}, elliptical,
pipe arch, and arch.Shape seection is typically based upon cost of construction, Iimitation on
upstream water. surface elevation, roadway embankment height, and hydraulic performance.
Culverts are also rnade of numerous materials, depending upon structuralstrength, hydraulic
roughness, durability, and corrosion and abrasion resistance. Concrete, corrugated aluminum, and
corrugated steel are the three most coromon.
Various types of inlets are also used for-culverts, including both prefabricated and constructedin-place inlets. Some of the commonly used inlets are illustrated in Figure 16.2.1. Inlet .design is
imponant because the hydraulic capacity of a culvert may be improved by the appropriate inlet
selection. Natural channels are usualIy rnuch wider than the culvert barrel, so that the inlet is a flow
contraction and can be the primary flow control.

\ \

Precast end sectior.

Fi,!wr\j".2.J

FOUJ ~i"ndrd

mlet Iype~ (schernatic)

t lrorn Normann el al. (i98S)).

~,.~--------~-~~"---'----------------------------------6'52 Chapter 16 Stormwater Control: Street and Highway Drainage and Culverts .

16.2.1.1

Types of Control

There are two basic typesof flowcontrol in culverts: inlet control and outletcontrol. Cuvens with
iret control have high-velocity shallow flow lhal is supercritical, as shown in figure HJ.2.2. The
control section is al the upstream end (inlet) of thecuvert banel.Culverts
with outlet "Control have
Iower velocity, deeper flow that is -subcritical as shown in Figure 16.2.3. The control section is al
the downstrearn end (outlet) of thecuvert barrel, 'fai~water depths are-either critical depth or higher.
Figurei6.2.2
illustrates four different examples of inlet "Control that depend on fue submergence
of the inlet and outlet ends of the culvert. In Figure 1-6.22a, neither end of the culvert is "Submerged. Flow passes through critical depth just downsoeam
of fue culvert entrance with supercritical flow in tne culvert barrel, Partly full flow occurs throughout the length of the -cuven.
approaching normal-depth at fue outet.
In Figure 16.2.2b, theoutlet is submerged and the inJet is unsubmerged. 'fhe flow just downstream -of the inlet is supereritical and a hydraulic jump occurs in the cuivert barrel. In }"igure
16.2.2{:,the inlet is submerged and the outlet is unsubmerged. 'Supercritical flow occurs throughout the length of the culvert barrel, with critical depth ..occurring just downstream of the ~1;llvert
entrance. Fow approaches normal depth at the ownstream-end,
This flow condition is typial o
-design conditions. Figure 16.2.2d shows an unusual-condition
in whch submergenoe -oecurs al
both ends of the culvert with a hydraulic jump occurring in the culvert barrel. Note the median
inlet, which provides ventilation of fue culvert barre!.

1,

::2J

HW

./

Water surface

_~./

;:s--~sz~--

~-==
~

-.~~ ..~-2--~-~_L~_~_~
__~_~
__~_~
__
(b)

Water surface
/

(e)

Median drain

~""" .J

fij?UJT

)( .:.:

llJi~uhme'I~'("~:

'l ypc. t'l 11lt'1 nllitr,':

., ,11\1<-1 -ubmerped:

Outlet ,\: miel unsuhmerped: lb) Ourlet subrnerped.

ink
Outet '" mle: submerped ttrom Nonnann el al. I 1'9f~;

lO'

id

l(>.2 Hydraulic Design of Culverts

fi{!m-e H.2.3 illustrates
partly fuil flow conditions.

653

Iive flow -conditions for oudet control, 'Subcritical flow occurs for the
Figur-e 16.2.3a is the classic condition with both the iniet and the out-

etsubmerged, with pressurizedflow

rnerged and the inlet is unsubmerged.

throughout the culvert. in Figure Ui.2.3b, the outlet '-S subIn Figure 16.2.3c, the entrance is submerged enough that full

flow OCCill"S throughout the culvert length but t.~ exit is unsubmerged, Figure 1~.2.3d is a typical
-condition in which the entrante is submerged by the headwater and {he outlet end ows freely with
a low tailwater, The cuvert barrel flows partly full part of the length with subcritical flow and
-passes through critical just upstream of the outet, Figure 16.2.3e is another typical condition in
which neiilienhe inlet nor the outiet is submerged, The flow is subcrtical and partly full through'Out the length of the-culvert

16.2.1.2

barreJ.

Iniet-Control Design Equations

Aculvert under inlet-control conditions performs as an orfice when the inlet is submerged and as
a weir when it is unsubrnerged. The (submerged orfice dischatge equation is computed using

~
_~
7 -

Water
'1

SUrface

HW

d:a.1

'S7
W.S.
~,,--~-=71~=
J
H

(a)

vi

~=>s
r--

,
HW
~!

j
p

W.S.

L'

(b)

W.s.
J,c)

W.s.
----

~e)

FiJ>un 1{).2.~ 1 YfJ('~ o outlet control rfrorn Norrnann el .al. (1985)).

654

Chaptei

JStom1wate

Control: Street and Highway

Drainage

and Culverts

f Q -1:
--!=Cl~
+Y+Z
fLHW-'
D J
LAD ..
J

(}6.2.J )
.

where HW is the headwaterdepth

above the inlet control section invert (ft), D isthe interior heigh: .
of the culveri barre] :(fl) .Q is thedischarge
(ft3s), A is the-full cross-sectional 'area of the culven
.barre] in U12), SOis the culven barrel slope duft), e and Y are ronstants from Table 16.2.1, and Z
is the slope correction factor where 2;: -(L5So ingeneral and Z = +'O.7So{or mitered inlets.

The tunsubmerged weir discharge e.quarion is (FOrnl J):

-J

fH l
r Q
f.HWl
;: _e 1+1;"1-'-' s
L D J L [J J L Apo.

.":IM

+ Z

for

/l

l-!!j'- 1 ADo.5

J~

(16.2.2)

3.5

. where H, is the specific head al critical dep\h {He = de + V:/~) (!(l), de is tbe critical deptb {tl),
Ve is the critical velocity (ft/s), and K and M are -constants in Table 16.2.1. A simpler -equation to
use for tbe unsubmerged conditionis (Form 2):
M

._.;: KI~o~'
AD . J

HW]
[. Dl

"'1

+2

-Q ]
.I~o"
l AD .

.r

$3.5

06.2.3)

form f'Or someof

the design inlet 'Control

.
'.

for

.J

Form 2is easier 10 appy and is fue only documemed

nomographs inNormann el al. (}9~5).

10 06.2.3) are irnplemensed by assuming aculven diameter D and using it

sirle of these equations and solving or 1HWID]. The headwater deptb is then

Equations 00.2.1)
on the right-hand

obtained by rnultiplying
16.2.4 and 16.2.'5.
Table J6.2.J

DiHW/D3.

Typical inlet-control

nomographs

Constanis for lnlet Control Design Equations

Submerged

Unsubmerged

Chart"

No.

Shape
and
Material

Nomograph
Scale

Circular
concrete
3
1
2

Circular

"CMP
3

Circular

A
B

Rectangulai

lO

Rectanpula:
h()~

0:0098
.0078
:0045

2.0
2.0
2.0

0.0398
J)292
.0317

.,0078
.0210
.0340

2.0
1.33

Beveied ring, 45' bevels

Beveled ring. 3:3.7' bevels

:OOr8

30'

75' wingwall flare:

and lS' win.p ..
-all flareO' wingwall flares
10

4~' wingwall flan d = .oa:;n

8' 10 33.' winpv ..all flare d

UJ1T

Headwall
Mitered to slope
Projecting

Rectangular
Rectanp

Forro"

Square edge w/headwall

Groove and w/headwall
-Groove and projecting

<:io'

bo:>.
Jl

Equation
lnlet f;d{!e Descnpiion

box

po:>.

in Figures

are presemed

3/4" charners: 4~' ~l{'wt'{1headwall

chamiers: :<F ~kf"'f' be adw all

~!C." chamter: !" 'kl.v.((;
h,(uall
4~' bevels: ](1' ---L:~' ~}.rUfC! I:tlel",!,]]
~j4"

0.67
:74
.69

DO

.0379
.0463
-,0353

.69
.75
.54

,0018

2.50
2.50

.0300
.0243

.74
.83

:026
,.61
.-06J

LO

.0385
.0400
.0423

----

.si

0.7~
D.75

.80
.82

'2

.5 J{)
.486

M7
.

.0309
.0249

.80
.83

.51~
.49:"

.M

.0375
.0314
.0252

./

.6t.
'tot."i

.0830

90' headwall w/3/a" charnrer:

9(l' headwall w!a~' be\t+
90' he adwall w/;'? 7' hf\l.-];

48

-<;,.,~

.'

-o,

.82

.8t~

.6i

.-0402

.53:-

ton-

.S4~
,49~

l1f'

.042:.. O~
.0450~ .~
.7~
.0327

.LL

/1('-

.1-

lb.2 Hyraulic Design of Culvens

Tabll' 16.2.1

Consrams

JO!

6'55

lnlet C-ontrol Design Equatons j.continued)

Unsubmerged

Submerged

Shape
Chart"
No.

12

13

and

Material

Nomograph
Scale

iEquation
Form"

lnlet Edgefrescription

.497
.493

'45' non offset wingwallflares

nlA' non offset wingwall flares
18:4' non offset wngwall flares
3()Cskewed barrel

4Y wingwall flares - offset

33.7< wingwall flares - offset
nl:4< wingwall flares - offset

Rectangular
box
314"xhamfers

.."

Rectangular
.box
Top bevels

:2

.495
.495
.493
.497

.667
.667
.667

.0339
.0361
.03'86

..805
.8Q6
.71

.667
"'67
.667

.{)302
.00'52
.0227

.835
.881
$87

16-19

CM boxes

1
2
3

90< headwall
Thick wall projecting
Thin wall projecting

.00"83
.0]45
J)340

2.0
1.75
1.5

.0379
.0419
.0496

.09
,64
:57

29

Horizontal
ellipse
'Concrete

J
2
3

Square edge with headwall

Groove end with headwall
Groove end projecting

.0100
.0018
.0045

2.0
2.5
2.0

.0398
.0292
.0317

.67
.74
.69

30

Vertical
-ellipse
-corrcrete

'l

Square edge with headwall

Groove end with headwall
Groove end projecting

.0100
.0018
.0095

2.0
.2.5
2.0

".0398
.0292
:03]7

:67
.74
.69

34

Pipe arch
18" comer
radius.cM

1
2
3

90c headwall
Mitered to slope
Projecting

.0083
.0300
.0340

2.0
1.0
1.5

.0379
.04.63
.0496

.69
.75
.57

35

Pipe arch
l~" comer
radius CM

Projecting
No. bevels
33.7< bevels

.0296
.0087
.0030

1.5

2.0
2.0

.0487
.0361
.0264

.55
.66
.75

Projecting
No. bevels
33.7< bevels

;0296
.0087
.0030

.0487
.0361
.0264

.55

2.0
2.0

1
2
3

9D' headwall
Mitered to slope
Thin wall projecting

.0083
.0300
.0340

2.0
1.0
1.5

.0379
.0463
.0496

.69

Smooth tapered inlet throat

Rough tapered inlet throat

"-"

.534
.519

.555
.64

.0196
:02139

J!9
.90

Tapered inlet-beveled
edges
Tapered inlet-square
edges
'[ apered iniet-thin edge projecting

.536
:5035
.547

.622
.719
. s0

.{)3b8
,0478
.0598

.'00
.7'5

Tapered inlet tbroat

.475

.667

.0179

.97

Side tapered-c-less 'favorable edges

Side tap.ered-more favorable edges

.56
.56

.M7
.M7

.fi466
.397~

.85
.87

Slope tapered=-tess
Slope tapered-more

'1

:SO

.667
.667

.0466
.O37~

.65
.71

36

40-42

55
56

Pipe arch
3]"-comer
radiusCM
Arch CM

Circular
.Ellipcal
.lnlet face

"..
3

S
"SF

Rectangular
Rectangular
-concrete

'~9

~
..

Rectangular
concrete

"Char; nurnber in Normann el al 119~ ~

"fnrn-I 1 l~ equation (i6.:.:::1
Forn. : .s equaiion 116.~.~
5{!UT({

Norrnann el al. 11()~ ~

favorable edges
favorable edges

<-

.S{)

1.5

.66
.75

.75
:57

..83

65tr

Chapter

J{

StormwaterComrol: Street and HighwayDrainape and Culvens

~:~f

10~~:~.

,32t-t

5:OOOt

H?Ot

3,OOOr

, t

~2

000

9}

v.

"CIJ

ID~

.-

1~:,

~ ,

t
1

48.r

L" ' '

Q;

<E

300fi

.>

-."
'o

~200f'
'"

S4.-

15 42 '
le
'1

-6

,.'.

_
_/

'"

_"/,}

:t[:r
r

4 '.f'

lO!

.f'.:,.

t
~,
r.

1;Sj

I
i5f-,I.,~

,t
j

~
""

HW

D sea e
(1)

(3)

Entrance
type

Squareedge with
headwall
>Gmoveend with
heedwell
'Groove end

-:;
~

. 1

~.
~.

{)t

.7r
1

'lo use scaie 1.2) on3)-project

.horizon.allyto scale ~1), then use
straight inclined line through D ano
Q scales, or reverse as illustrated.

1,\)'-

}:

I
I

t
...

.B
.7f

'1

.61:~

,~L

---;:jt"-

l
1

2.[

1.0,

,
;9}-l,9,

---+:)

l'

't

'.'{.,)ft

ti:

<o~~'r,:r

3 J-

1.5t

'5t

--1.5 .

4'Q,l

.;
1.5

""0;1o '1-,
'SO}-

l '

't

.~

(2)

3'l

~,Q;

1{)0

~oJ,'.
"" -

21 .1

3T,

30

2.

__ ,"

36t

33,}-1_

'

80

4._

-2.J

"1-

,,'

ff.

4t

.4---+iR-}
~::

,,/"

",,"

r:

4.

:,2 7.7

Example_",,"

6.

5"t

600t
-tl 5ooJ.:E 400'1~

5.

7.4

'

'~I
_

'-1'.1

1lOO

'-~ O'l
_

2.1
.D

6. r

HW'

1000t.

844-

")

",;

:.:t

(1):'5
2)

1:..

. 11

,oar
72

HW'

tt

Q=120cfs

4'000'1-

144

13)

<1),{2)

-D =42 inehes13:5f.eet)

..6;000~

15'6 1-

-~e

Exompie

6'
. ~
~

1]

'

.5~

.6.rl-

t
I

.'5L

~2 L
Figure ]6,2,4 Headwater depth for concrete pipe culvens with inlet control rfrorn Norrnann el al.
f19~5))

~{).2Hydrauiic Design of Culverts

f

1'0,000

-Example

8.000i-

= 36

inc!:\es:(3;{) feetl

6,000:1
5,{).OOf
4'000
,
f

'Q =:S'6.cts

3;OOOt

(1l
,(2)

1,8
~,1

(3)

2,2

2,OOO}

/lU"

}{V.,'

leet

l1l

(2)

'13)

5'r 5.t

6._,-

6-r

6. r

5:4

'1

ti.3
6;6

400,

300t

t'

2.

1:
200r

2.}-

,}

-' ,.~;

,/'
Exampe -" '
-:

: '00

80 ." //
,'''60
,,'

<"

t~

i5

.r---

sJ}

'OOOr

''SOO~

800,}

!.
~

t
4.i-

3r

'D in fe.e!

1,OOOt

tl

6'57

-r"

HW

D scale

4..

S"

--+
2'

'
1.5

.!
-1---i' ----t~.

~~

"50'

~'.

J.}

~
~

~"

.,:~

Entrance

'

m
I

~ ',0

type

tir '

.0:

91

//':

((:))
<:

33

-20'

l~f
5~

21

4't-

3 t
18 ~

~I

1<;~

,:

"1

Headwalll

.9

Milered to
-contorm lo sope

J:

P,oiect;~

1..0 't'

.Bt-

'8 .

tt1.:[

lo use sc;ale..(2) or,~3) projecl

horizon:ally lo -scale"1 " then use
straipht iry.:lined line through
and
Q scaes, or reverse as illuSlrated.

]:
6
.6,

'1-

',0 l

-'--12L
Figure )6.2.~ Headwater depth or CM pipe culverts with inlet control tfrom Normann el al. 0985),

16.2.J.3

Ouet-Control Design Equations

A rulvert under outlet-conuol

conditions has either subcritical TIo\\' OJ ull-culven flow, so ihat
ouuer-comrol flow conditions
can he calculated using an energy balance. FOJ the condition of full-

culv ('-TI flow, ccnsidering enu ance loss H . friction

lo H". the rotalheadoss
H i~

1055

using Mannings

equation) Hj' and exit

(1'6.2.4a)

b58

Chapter

Hl Stormwarer-C oneol: Streei and -Highway Drainape

and Culveras

and in 't1.'S. custornary uniis is

H6.2.4b)
or in Sl units is
(~6.2:4c)

where X, is the -entrance Iosscoefficient, n is Mannings roughness coefficient, R is the hydraulic

radius of the full-culven barrel in fttrn), Vis the velocity in flls-{mls), and L is the culven lengih
in ft (m). 'OtherIosses such as bend Iosses Hb' junction losses H; .and-grate )OS5eS H can also be
added ro equation 06.2.4). Table 16.2.t lists common values of Manning's n values forculvens.
:rabie ]fl.2.3 Iisrs entrarrce loss coefficients fOJ outlet control, full or pan full flow,
1ablf )6.~.:2 Manning

Type of Conduit

Wall Description

Manning n

-Conorete

Smooth walls

0:01-0-0:0]3

-Concrete boxes

Smooth walls

0.012-0.015

Corrugated metal pipes and boxes,

annular or helical pipe (Manning
n vares with barre I size)

22/3" by ]/2" corrugations

O.O2~-O:O27
0.022-0.025
0.025-0.026
0;027-0.028
0.033-0.035

pipe

li
1

n Values for-Culverts+

by l"corrugations
by l " corrugations
by l " corrogations
by 2" structural
plate corrugations
9" by 2 )/2" structural
plate corrugations

6"
5"
3"
6"

0.033-0.037

Corrugated metal pipes, helical

corrugations, full circular fiow

2 2/3" by 1I2"<orru~ations

0.012-0.024

Spiral rib metal pipe

Smooth walls

0.012-0.013

"Note: The values indicated in this table are recommended Manning " design values. Actual field values for older
exisung pipelines rnay vary depending on the efects 01 abras ion. corrosion. deflection, and joint conditions. Concrete
pipe with poor joints and deterioraied walls may have " values of 0.014100.018. Corrugaied metal pipe with joim
and wall problerns may also have higher " values. and inaddition
may experience 'shape changes which could
adversely aect the general hydrauliccharacteristics
01 the pipeline.
Source: Normann el al. (1985).

Tablf 16.~.3

Entrante Loss Coeffitients

fO!

Type of Strurture and Design of Entrance

Pipe, roncreu
Mitered lo conform \O fiJ] slope
"End sectionconorming
to fill slopr
Projecting from fill. sq. cut -end
Headwall OI headwal and wingwalls
Square-edge
Rounded uadius = l!liD)
Socket end o pipe (gTOove-.fndj
Projeciinp
from fill. socket end (gro()\,f-end,
Beveled

edr{'~,::":' 0!4~'

Sd - o slopc -u.pered mie:

heve l-

Outlet Control, Full'QJ Panl)' Full H, = K, fV212gJ

-Coefficiem K,

{).7
O.~
{).~

o.~
O.:
.()

v ..

o.:
O:
(J,:

l2 Hytirauhc
Table 16.2.3

Type ofStrucrure

Entrance LossCoefficients
vcontinved;

Design of Culverts

659

for Dullet -Control, Full or Partly Full 11, = K, ,1212g]

Coefficient K,

and Design of Entrance

Pipe or pipe-arch, corrugated metal

Projecting from fill (no headwall)
Mitered to conform lo fill slope, paved or unpaved slope
Headwall or headwall and wingwalls square-edge
"End section conorming to fill slope
Beveled edges, 33.7c or 45c bevels
Side-or slope-tapered inlet
Box, reinforced concrete
Wingwalls parallel (extensin of sides)
Square-edged al crown
Wingwalls al 10 lo 25 or 3Do to 75 lo barrel
Square-edged al crown
Headwall parallel 10 embankment {no wingwalls)
Square-edged on 3 edges
Rounded on 3 edges lo radius of 1/12 barre]
dimension, or beveled edges on 3 sides
Wingwalls al 30 to 7'5" lo barrel
Crown edge rounded lo radius of 1/l2 barre]
dimensin, or beveJed 10p edge
Side- or slope-tapered inlet

0.9
'.7

:5
0:"5
'0.2
0.2

0.7
0.5
.0:5
0.2

{).2

0.2

"Note: "End section conforming to fill slope," made of either metal or 'Concrete, are the secrions -cornmonly available from manufacturers, From Iimited hydraulic tests, they are equivalent in operation to a headwall in both inlet
and outlet control. Some end sections, incorporating a closed taper in their design, have superior hydraulic performance. These latter sections can be designed using the information given for the beveled inlet.

Source: Normann et al. (985),

Figure 16.2.6 illustrates the energy and hydraulic grade lines for full flow in a culvert. Equating
the total energy at section 1 (upstream) and section 2 (downstream) gives

V2

HWo ~ -"Zg

V + Hf
= TW ~....!L

+ H, ~ H

11{:.2.3)

2g

where HWo is the headwater depth above the outlet invert and 7W is the tailwater depth above the
outlet invert. Neglecting the approach velocity head and the downstrearn velocity head {fi!,ure
16.2,6), equation 06.2.5) reduces lo

HWo = 7W + Hj + H. + Ho
For full flow TW:::

D;

06.2.6)

however, for partly full flow, the headloss should be computed from a back-

water analysis. An ernpirical equation fOI the head Ioss H for this condition

is
<l6.2.7)

where ho = max t1w, (D + d,)/2].

The outlet-controlled
headwater depth can be cornputed

by first determinng

the tailwater depth

from backwater computations where TW is measured above the outlet invert. By using equation
i16.2A) for full-flow conditions the headloss H is obtained. With equation 06.2.7) the required

outtet-controlled headwater elevation HW is obtained as

0.6.2.8)

'"bO 'Chapter

.{

.SeormwaterC ontrol: SHeet and H.~hway Drainage

V'

H,

_-E:J~_.2",,,.--g -----

: --:-t =-tI \
"

HWo

~I

'--

\
\

-/

- - - - - - - - -+ - -

-__

E.G.L."

V'-'-_
T

~2~g~__

~~_==
~
-;.:-r
----\.1.

1 2&
i l' I

.1-

--~-

---

11'1.2.

.....:..H:.::,'G=-.::::L~.

--

7W
j

.1

11'

Section

V'
H -!!...

Hfr

---------"-

i I

------------

r-~'--

'--./

'1

and Culvens

<D

1'

Section ~ 2

Fjgure J6.2.6 Full-flow energy and hydraulic grade lines 1from Normann et al. H 985)).
i

'Sample outlet-control nomographs are shown in Figures 16.2.7 and 16.2.8. Using the value of H
from these nomographs.equation (16.2.8)can be implernemed to compute HWo' For Manning's n
value different from that of the outlet nomograph,

a modified ength L is used as the length scale:

L( ~

\J6.2.9)

where L is the actual culven length, ni is the desired Manning's n, and n is the Manning n from
the chan.
The larger of the headwater elevation, obtained from the inlet- and outlet-conuol calculation, is
adopied as the design headwater elevation, 1f a design headwater elevation exceeds the permissible headwater elevation, a new culvert configurationis
selected and the process is repeated. Under
outlet-control conditions a larger barrel is necessary since inlel improvernent may have only limited effect. In the case of very large culverts, the use of multiple culvens may be requred with the
new design discharge taken as the ratio of the original discharge to the number of -culvens. Figure
16.2.9 illustrates computation of the outlet velocity under inlet control and outlet control.

EXAMPLE 16.2.1

Analyze a 6 fl X 5 ft square-edged reinforced concrete box culven rdesigned for outlet -control) for a
roadway crossing lo pass a 50year disrharge of 300 ft~/s with the following site Tonditiom (adapted
from Normann el al., 1985):

Shoulder elevation

113.5 ft

Stream bed elevation at culvert ace

Natural

100.0 ft

strearn slope = 2%

Tailwater

depth = 4.0 ft

Approxirnate culvert length = 250 ft

Mximum

allowable

The inlet i~nOI

SOLl '110.'\'

Con-idei

lO

upstrearn water surtace rhead) elevation

be depressed

(no

an ourlet control and deterrnme the headwarer

Th: cnnr al depth

l~

llO ft (based on adjacent structures)

all). Rete: to Figure 16.2.10

cornputed

J~

,I:'lOO~:'
a~ G,

rOl

{urther details.

elevation.jEL"o) in ~tep~ l-~.

Ster ) Thr tailwatei depth i~sper ified o~ 4JI n. whirh

110m normal depih r alculations.
Ster::

~..... -

obiained from backwater

4.27

[t.

compuiauons

OJ

l.2 Hydraulic Design ofCuivens

66]

HW

I
I

:I
o.
eL"

~I

ros}
96~

for

outlet-ctown
not-.submerged, compute HW by
methods described in the oe'sign prdCedure

::~

66 ~

'60~
54

D= 48

48.'

FiI!Urt' ]6.2.7 Head

fOI concrete

d, + D
4.2+
--=

Slfr 4 17,

S.O

pipe culverr-

= 4.64

TW 01 Id, -, Djr. whichever

flowingfull,

/j

= 0.0]2 (frorn

.
~l.

i~iarger. For

thisproblern

h;

= 4.64

ti

SlCr ~ l.\f Tahle 16.2.310 obiain the entrance lo~~coefficient. For the square-edped
~!fT l' Determine
't

H=

J -

headlos ses
{

-.

throuph

el al. (i9BS)).

Norrnann

thr culven

barrel:

use

equation

I
enuance. K, =.oS

116.:.4).:

29n: L \. \1:
--.-.
,-

\ R1"

2~,
JO

f/~.

R = Aip =

~()/I(,

f' -

~ I

l.3D fl. For

M2

ChapierI

b SIOfm\~'-aH:TC(mHOl:

S!rITI and Hi.ghway Drainape <lnd'ClllV('n~

Hl!urt' ]6.2.8 Head lar standard ,CM pipe culverts flowing full. n
(1985.

concrete

box rulvert.

+ake n = O.DI:;:. 50.

H = ! l-+ O.~ +
1
L

0.,024 (frorn Normann el al.

(29Ml012)2(2S0)j\1
1"

l.36

...

10
1-.-= 3.41
12(32.2)

Ber ausr 71,\, < D helf' i, only panly full {lov: al the ex it The headlosses would be more
r ompured
trorn , bar kwarer
analysis.
Siep ~ Derermme the required outlet control head water elevation I[L,,[\). ELJ(,
thr mvert fin arion ,,1 the ourlet:
EL, = El

- ,'.L

" JOCi - 0.0212:'01

= 9~ 11

EL" . H

-t

ft
.

arcurately

h(J. EL!,

J~

]{.2 Hydrauic

Design of Cuvens

b63

I-+d,

Normal Oepth Id )

- - - - ~ - - ~ - - - - - - -------- -:-::-::-:::-=-::--L-l.J;z_
,"
-- .

Steep slope

d"" d" ,

"outlel :o.;Q/Ap; Ap:O

----

area of flow prism based on

barrel geometryand depth
equal to norme1depth

,1

~ TW> D.d:o D

,
I
I
I
I

D> TW> de' d:o TWdepth

.,.---------,,~~

"oulle::O "O/Al';

11\'

A" :o ares 01flow prism baseo on

barrel geometry and d
(b)

Figure ]6.2.9 Outlet velocity

Maximum
ELlu

: ,

fOI la)

inlet and lb) outlet control-rfrom

Roadwayshoulder) elevation '13.5 (ft)

"0.0 1ft)

---",.--'-_~"=--F -!"!?..:~::::=-.---- - _.t:/

-----'--

-;\- - - ~ --

~\7

.,

11"'.

EL, = 100 (ft) -"----

Norrnann et al. (985)).

'Si' ,

~,.

-==~ ,...

---

--'-

EL 95.0 (ft)
n~un

]{.2.Hl Details o rulvert Jm Exarnple

l6.2.1.

64Ch&Jler
~ .

lb Stormwaser Controi:

Street and Highway Drainage

Tben EL'; = 95 - 3 41 ~4.64

r>.

and Culvens

= 103 h. Also the approach velocity head {","2/2&) and the-dcwnstream

velocity head can be vonsidered in the calculation o ELhO by adding

frorn the right-hand sitie -o-the aoove equation for ELho'

VJf2gand 'Subtracting V;J'2g

and -determine headwater elevation, EL.,.

Now consider inletcontrol

'Step 9 Thedesign headwater elevation is nowcomputed

puted usingequation (]<.2.1), where

as ELh'

JfVIl + EL, so HW must be com-

HW
r{)"1"
='-'CI--. ,1+ y+ Z
D
'LADo.-_
and-C and Y are obtained from Table 1.6.2.1 85<:" = .0,0423 and Y = 0.82 for a rectangular box culven
with O" wing wall flares.Z = - O:5So = -':'5tO.02) = -{).Ol

HW
=.o.0423,

_" ~ I + 0.132 -':Ol = 1.66

130f5)"'- _

{)

r-

300

Q l

~-o-.J = 4.47 > 4

tAD .. J

fHW'"
.
,
HW. ={) I = 'S{1.(6)
= "8/28 t
I
l D J
bLh;

= 8.28

+ Wo = l8.28 .fl

The design headwater elevation of 1{l8.28 11 exceeds the outlet-control headwater elevation of ) 03 ft.
Also, the headwater elevation is les s than the roadway shoulder elevaton of ]]3.5 ft.
This design is OK; however, a smallerculvert-could be-considered. In fact, for this problem a 5 ft X 5 tI
reinforced -concreteculvert with either a square-edged entrance or a 4'S'c beveed-edge entrance will
work, as shown by Normann el al. (1985).

16.2.2

Culvert Design
The hydrologic analysis for culverrs involves estimation of the design flow rate based upon fue dimatoogicel and watershed charaorerisucs.Chapters
7furough 9allG 15-cover fue various methods
used. the previous seciion described the 'use of the hyraulicequations and nomographs for the
design of culvens under inet and OUlJe.: conditions, This section concentrates on fue use ofperformance curves Ior the -design process. Performance curves are relationships of theow rate versus fue headwater depth m eevation {or tlif{erenl culvert -desj.gns, including fue inlet-configuration. Both inlet and OUI'JeI v.:rf-ormance curves are-developed.
can be developed

An overall performance-curve
19'85):

using the fol'lowing proceduretreorman

el al..

l. Select a .ranpe -of fiow retes and determine thecorresponding

headwater elevation for the
culven. The flow rate should covera range o flows of interest above and below fue design
dis-char{'f. Botn iniet and outlet control headwater

""'Combine the inlet- and ourlet-control performance

are computed.
curves into a singlecurve.

3. For roadway ovenoppinp rculven headwatereievation

roadway
len! upstrean: vate depth above thr roadway crest for each no\\'

cresn.compute the equivaTale

using the weir equation

,.,

!1b.2.l01
Whff (',
,f'(

ht'ult

!'

lh, ()\(no\,p:nr
; f:

-1;

fin",

1ale

in

jt'!~Hll:'/~ j.(,

rs the <lif;char!'f coefficient {.( e

:=

k(,.

ih( kn>th ni mldw~: cre ,1 ovenopped 111tI (m), and HVt', ];

lffi

i.2 Hydraulic Oesign of -Cuivens

66~

--------t--_---

~
HW,

h,

e,
",

2."90'<l.16
.(a)

0.20

0.:14

0.28

0.3:1

0.90j

Discharge coetlicient for HW,IL, > 0.~5

ooot
k,

~
0.70

0.60\

2.0

1.0

3.0

4.0

0.50 '--_--''-__
0.6
0.7

-'--_.L:-J
0.9
'.0

h,lHW,

HW, (ft)
(b) Dischar{le

'-- __
0.8

coetlicient for H": IL, s 0.15

(cr5ubmergence

factor

Fgure 16.2.11 Discharge coeffrcienrs for roadway overiopping (frorn Normann et al. 11985)).

upstrearn depth measured from the roadway crest to the water surface upstream of the weir
drawdown in ft (m).
4. Add the culveri flow and roadway ovenopping flow for the conesponding headwater elevations 10 obtain the overall culvert performance curve. Figure 16.2.] 2 shows a culvert performance curve with roadway ovenopping, showing the outlet-comro ponion and the iniet-

control.ponion.
Tuncok and Mays (1999) provide a brief review of various cornputer modes for culverts including
HYDRA]}\' rwww.fhwa.dot.pov)
by the Federal Highway Adrninistration and CAP (hup:llwa\eJ.
usg5;:!,DV~oflware/) by the l.'.S.-Geolofita1
Survey.

EXAMPLE 16.2.2

The objecuve i~10 develop ihe performance curve fOI an existing -fl by 7-ft and 200-I long concrete
box culven on ,: perr ent ~lope that was designed 401 ~ '50-year flood of 600 ft:/s al a design headwater r-levanon 01 ] j 4 I1 I reter 10 Figure i6.2.l2 for funher details), The roadway is a 4{) fl wide fraveJ
road that can he appioximaied as a broad-crested weir with cemerline elevation of la 6 ft. The culven .
inlet invert {'lf~'':Jn' :~ -]0(1 t: Therailwater
depth-discharpe fe!aliomhip is:

.Q dl'/~,

4Q(1

Tv"11

:1-

110(1
:

; Illl)dlfif'(~n orn ?'Pln,C1:ld.

r:

:,

800

1000

]200

:J

4 ,1

" ,:

,] Y~:')L

60(; (,haple1 J b Stormwater

e ornrol: Sueet

ano Hi;ghway Drainage andCulvens

Roadway rstroutder)

El-he: 1 i 4:0 -(ft)

~-,-' ~=~~v.=--

<

>Crown e1evation 116 ft

;;;;;z:zru$ZZOnc:*

~::.~4,~:
_~

__

-~

..:..~
- -~ - - - : -

= ~'

'--

1,---------

\~

-oo.oon

EL, :

57 ~

--L

H: 90:0 ~ft)

,I

l'

,:,

r-

~J

l
I

!
i

I
I
I

lt

11

il

/1

,
,

-c

I
I

-,:; ;

1
I
I

1,

- - - -

"

I
I
I

I,

I
1

..

II

1,

-.o .

.:.c'

~ :

I!

11:'
GOl

1
I

iI

I
!

~i

;;::
I

:p. ,

o'

~ ,,
~ 1

I
!

--1

11

1 .Cuvert
1 performance

l'

! I
110

--r-

~--}--_I---r---r--

1-

iv-""

-t-rt

We1r-performaoce

::::[--l-'9~~~i~g--J---L--t
:1 \ i
I i 1 I

--

i
I

,
,

1
performance curve
i

--<lverall

11

I
1~OLi~--------~--~----~--~--~----~------~----~--~--~----~
400 '600 600 lOOO ~200 14-00 fOOO1800 2000 -2200 2400 -2600 \?800 3000
Fow.cts
(b)

Figure ]6.2:]2

Culvert profile: lb) Performance rurve tfrorn Johnson and Chang

10)

The fl(w. width on the woov.:ay

Eleveuoni

jtl

Flov wrdth

son 'T/O.'"

It

The ,,,me re""

ou- dl,c',"'i('

'<lJ

various elevaiions are:

1 J /:>0
1,

t~'rf

100

I ~%4)).

J50

J l~

llE.o

20\1

:5U

319.0

"300

o: calculauor perorrned in exarnple lb.: ,J ore 1o'IJowed J!1 Table

Irorn FI'uJ'( ]6,: l l . we fina

)"r.1"1,f h orr, 411:'11~','~ tr' ){IOC!Jt'"

j{).=.4

Ior var.-

Probierns M7
Cd

== 2.7{) '@.

Jfv.',

Q _.r
r- L( H1l7
-,l.nr

.cd = 2.9T@

= :S7

)1.5

JlV.', = l.9

k = 1
The performance
.curve -cornputations
shown in Figure ltl.2.l2b.

Table J6.2.4

'fota]
Flow

Flow
P.er
'Barre]

,Q("()

.Q/N

400

400
600
700
800
850
1000

eoo
700
800

85{)
1000

are given in Table 16.2.5. The resulting performance

Compurations for-Cuven Flow-e-Example

Oischarge-beadwater

curve is

16.2_2

Headwater Calculations

Control
Head

HW/D
US
] ~'5
1.95

235
2:55
3.21

.Elevation

Outet Control

lnlet Control
HW

E-L,u

TW

d,

8.]

].08.]

lL6
13.7
1'0.5
17.9
22.5

111.6
113.7
116.5
117.9
~22.5

2.6
3.1

4.6
6.1
6.8
>7
>7
>7

3.5
3 ..8
3.9
4.1

d, ~ D
2

5.8
6.6
6.9
7.0
7.0
7J)

ho

5.8
6.6
6.9
7.0
7.0
7.0

0.5
0:5
0:5
0:5
0.5
0.5

1.95
4.4
6.0
7.9
9.0
1.26

Table J6.2.~ Performance Curve Computations=-Example

a.

<Qo
Overtopping

Culvert 110w

EL"

400

108.1
111.6
113.7
ll.S
117.9

600
700
800
E50

EL/,o
108.1

97.8
W1.0
1"02.9
104.9
106.0
109.6

111.6
:li 3.7

H6_S
117.9
H~2.5

16.2.2

Q
flow

Total flow
400

{DO
0:5
l.9

!91
15'56

700
991
2406

PROBLEMS
]6.1.] Determine the lime of ccncernration 10r an overland flow
111 = 0.4) wuh an average slope
01"0.02 oi l 'de~lgn trequency of J year- in Phoenix. AZ I see
Fipure pr~.2.1).
le npth 01 {)O m 011 11turf surlace

] b.].:' Determine
the time 01 conremration 101 an overland flow
le npth 01"2DO m on a -hare sand I n = n.O J ) with an average slope
010.003 m/rn 101 a dl'~i~n requency o 10 year~ In Phoenix , AZ
\ see Flfur.e P 15.:. J).
i 1'.1.:

Determine

the urne ni concennauon

iOI

an overland

flow

ot {lC' tI on an ::!f<: II~ = O] O! In e olorado Sprinj s. C'.

101 de~l.p1
[reque ncy of:'~ ~(,~I~ Thr ramtall mie ns itv-duration
If]atlom]r lo! . :~-;f::1
lre qur nc. I~ a~ J'I\"fJ~be lov, Take thr
,:\flc,f"(
~10rt o ihe :l!fi:: !~ ().(J(~~ 1;/;;
lenpth

Dur aunr.

-rm

r.:

1 (i

16.1.4 Determine the time of concentration for an overland flow

lenpth of 400 11 on an area of bluegrass sod (n = 0.4"5) in
Charlone, NC, 10r a 3-y.ear recurrence interval, The 5-year rain{all intensity-duration relationship "(i in in/tu and ID in min) is
c;~
_' I
I

{I

\07-;

J)

-+ 12) ..

Take the average slope of the overiand flow area as O.OJO tt/41.
1b.l.~ Determine the peak runoff from '5.00 ft of psvernent j 32. 11
wide) tha: drains ioward a .{1utter lfor a lO-year trequency storm)
In Phoenix.
AZ The pavernent slope is O.DOS. n = 0.016. and
= 0.9.

1b 1.6 Rew ork problern j 6.1.S Ior a ::5-yeal storm

i t 1 - Dererrnme the runoff Irom bO ft 01pavemern I?: 1t wide :
t!",,:! dlillli~ <'''b: b ,ul1el 10l " :::ye lrrqtH:nc;
siorrn ir,