Estimation of RCC Box Culvert
Culvert
Bridges have always played a significant role in transportation systems by allowing us to cross over natural
obstacles, such as rivers and valleys. One of the main classes of bridge structures is culverts. Culvert is a
tunnel/small bridge carrying a stream under a road or railway. In general culverts are of maximum 3 spans.
Maximum span length is limited to 5~6 meter. But long span culvert (>40 feet span) was introduced in 1960’s.
Culverts with span lengths of 20 feet (6 m) or larger are classified as bridge sized culverts. The behavior of buried culverts
is different from above-ground bridges. There is a large number of factors and variables that play a role in the complexity
of a culvert structure.
Use of Culvert
1. Where natural streams intersect the roadway.
2. For passing surface drainage.
3. Bottom of depression where no natural water course.
Largest culvert in the world at 1.16 kilometers long river
Monterroso
Figure: Various Types Culverts
Different Types of Culverts
Arch Culvert: An arch culvert is normally a low-profile culvert. It can be installed without disturbing the
causeway as it will span over the entire drainage width. They are normally made of metal, stone masonry or
RCC. They are installed easily, and you don't need to use expensive water diversion structures to install it. Common
shapes include semicircular arch, elliptical arch, and concrete box culverts. Another benefit of these type of
structure is that the installation process will not take a lot of time, compared to traditional box culverts.
Figure: Arch Culverts (http://www.conteches.com, https://qph.ec.quoracdn.net)
Slab Culvert: These culverts have masonry abutment with stone over them. RCC slab is designed as
simply supported slabs and the span of RCC slab may be about 3m.Where the water opening is less than
15m and the road crosses the waterway in relatively high embankment slab culverts used. A minimum
free board is 0.5 m is required in this type of culverts.
Figure: Slab Culverts
Pipe culvert: Pipes culverts are available in different shapes such as circular, elliptical and pipe arches.
Although circular pipes are the most common, other shapes might be used depending on site conditions and
constraints at the job site. Their prices are very competitive, and they are very easy to install. As with other culvert
types, the selection of the culvert will depend on hydraulic design and other factors that might affect their
performance and suitability. It is the preferred one on urbanized areas and is the one usually used to manage
storm sewer systems.
Figure: Pipe Culverts (https://www.civilgeo.com)
Box culvert: Box culverts have a concrete (sometimes other materials can be used too) floor allowing the water to
flow smoothly through it. Box culverts are usually made up of Reinforced Concrete (RCC). Some box
culverts can be built using composite structures and are great when water needs to change direction or when a
large flow of water is expected. Box culverts can also be installed in such way that the top of the culvert is also
the roadway surface.
Figure: Box Culverts (http://www.hudsoncivil.com.au)
Steel girder culvert: A steel girder culvert has two (2) steel girders running side-by-side to support the main rail
path. This type of culvert can only be seen in railways. Two main girders are laid just below the rails. Wooden
sleepers are provided between these girders and the rails. Therefore, sometimes these culverts are also called
open deck culverts.
Figure: Steel Girder Culverts (http://2.bp.blogspot.com)
Scupper: A scupper is an opening in the side walls of an open-air structure, for purposes of draining water.
They are usually placed at or near ground level, and allow rain or liquids to flow off the side of the open-air
structure, instead of pooling within the walls.
Figure: Scuppers (http://www.nzdl.org, https://i.ytimg.com)
RCC Box Culvert
These culverts are constructed where the nature of soil below the foundation is not suitable for individual footing
under piers and abutment. The size of the rectangular passage should not be less than 60*60 cm for easy cleaning
of debris. RCC rigid frame box culvert whose height rarely exceeds 3m. This culvert is one of the most commonly
used culverts in Bangladesh. A total of 18,257 culverts have been constructed in Bangladesh until 2017 out of
which 3991 culverts (22%) are RCC box culverts
Advantages of RCC Box Culvert
a) Simple in construction
b) Suitable for weak sub grade.
c) Culverts prevent erosion.
d) Uniform load distribution over a wide area.
e) Economical
f) It prevents floods and also, do not allow water to overflow.
g) Divers water for farming/ engineering purposes.
Disadvantages of culverts
a) If poorly shaped, aquatic organisms may be prohibited from growing between upstream and
downstream habitats.
b) If designed or installed incorrectly, severe scouring and corrosion can occur.
Components of a typical RCC Box Culvert
1. Abutment
a) Support bridge deck.
b) Retain embankment.
c) Connect approach road to bridge deck.
2. Slab/deck
a) Top slab carries the load of vehicles.
b) Bottom slab support the structure and distribute the load.
3. Wing wall
a) Acts as an anchor.
b) Provide smooth movement of water.
c) Prevent spilling of earthen embankment
4. Apron
A scour apron is often required, on the base, at the inlets or outlets of culverts to inhibit scour, stabilize
soil conditions, and reduce flow velocities to allow for a transition from culvert to native soil.
Worked Out problem
Calculate the quantity of the materials required for the construction of the following RCC box culvert.
Concrete Estimation
Table 4.1: Calculation of Estimation of Concrete for the
Figure: Plan of the Culvert
Item Width Height
Item Description No Length (m) Quantity Unit
No. (m) (m)
Earthwork in excavation
Abutment 2 7.80 2.02 3.75 117.88
Wing wall 4 2.85 1.01 3.75 43.07
1 Drop Wall in apron 2 7.63 0.35 1.20 6.41 m3
Bottom slab 1 7.80 4.50 0.30 10.53
Wing wall 4 2.85 0.45 0.30 1.54
Total= 179.43
300 mm sand filling in foundation
(Local Sand of FM 1.50)
Bottom slab 1 7.80 4.50 0.30 10.53
2 m3
Wing wall 4 2.85 0.45 0.30 1.54
Apron 2 Apron area= 11.31 m2 0.30 6.79
Total= 18.86
75 mm brick flat soling in foundation
Bottom slab 1 7.80 4.50 --- 35.10
3 Wing wall 4 2.85 0.45 --- 5.13 m2
Apron 2 Apron area= 11.31 m2 --- 22.62
Total= 62.85
RCC; 1:2:4
Kerb and Guardrail 2 4.50 0.15 0.30 0.41
4 Wing wall 4 2.85 0.45 3.75 19.24 m3
Apron 2 Apron area= 11.31 m2 0.30 6.79
Drop Wall in apron 2 7.63 0.20 1.50 4.58
Total= 31.01
RCC; 1:1.5:3
Bottom slab 1 7.80 3.60 0.30 8.42
5 Abutment 2 7.80 0.45 0.45 3.16 m3
Top slab 1 7.80 3.6 0.45 12.64
Total= 24.22
Reinforcem
6 -- Total Volume of RCC = 55.23 m3 1.38 m3
ent (2.50% of Total Volume of RCC)
Backfilling (Local Sand of FM 1.50)
Abutment 2 7.80 2.02 3.75 117.88
7 m3
Wing wall 4 2.85 1.01 3.75 43.07
Total= 160.95
8 Diversion Road 1 Lump-sum
9 Bailing Out of Water 1 Lump-sum
10 Weep hole + Rainwater down pipe 8 8 Per Item
