PIPE CULVERT

By

CH. VENKATARAMAIAH
(1) A pipe culvert is normally proposed where
a canal with a discharge of 1 cumec to 1.5
cumec crosses the village/ Z. P / R & B
roads. In case the number of rows of pipes
exceeds 2 the pipe culvert may not be
economical. In such cases the slab culvert
may be economical. The culvert shall be with
full formation width of road as per IRC
recommendation.
(2) Pipe

(i) Maximum & Minimum diametre of

pipe:
The maximum diameter of pipe should be 1200
mm and minimum diameter should be 750 mm.
It shall be designed to function as partially
flowing with the velocity not more than 2 times
the normal canal velocity.

(ii) Class of pipe: NP3 class (reinforced

concrete, medium duty, non pressure pipe),
conforming to I.S 458 2003 / 1988.

(iii) Minimum Earth cushion: Minimum earth

cushion over the pipes shall be 600 mm.
(3) Bedding:

Irrespective of load coming on the pipe,

they shall be bedded in a cradle constructed of
concrete having mix not leaner then M 15
grade. Thickness of concrete below the pipe
should be th of internal diameter of pipe and
on the sides the concrete should extend to th
of external dia. Figure A

Figure A
Where bed rock or boulders strata is met with at
the pipe invert level, the excavation shall be
taken down at least 200 mm below the bottom
of pipe. The bed shall be cleared and the space
shall be filled with well graded sand or granular
material free from stone or fragmented material,
shaped to the requirement and thoroughly
compacted to provide adequate support for the
pipe Figure B.
(4) Trench:

As per Para IS 783 1985 page 373 of the

specifications for road bridge work, trench shall
be of sufficient width to provide a free working
space on either side of the pipe. The working
space shall be preferably not less than 150 mm
and shall not be more than one third of the dia
of pipe.
The minimum clearance between the pipes
shall be at least half the diameter of the pipe
subject to a minimum of 450 mm. Trench shall
be kept free from water until the pipes are
installed and the joints have hardened Figure
C.

Figure C
(5) Jointing:

The pipes shall be joined by the collar

joints. Collars shall be of R.C.C, 150 mm or 200
mm wide having same strength as the pipes to
be joined. Caulking space shall be between 13
to 20 mm according to diameter. Caulking
material shall be cement and sand in the ratio
of 1:2.
(6) Vent way:

Area of pipe = Q/ 2 x Vn
where Q = discharge of canal, Vn = normal
velocity in the canal.

Select the pipe diameter, more than canal F.S.D

so that there is partial flow in the pipe. If it
requires more than two pipes, go for slab
culvert. The partial flowing pipes area is
calculated with the help of table given below.
a = Ca d2
where a = area of partial flowing pipe
Ca = value as per table
d = dia of pipe , D = depth of water
 Value of Ca
D/d 0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03
0.0
00 13 37 69 05 47 92 42 94 50
0.04 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.10
0.1
09 70 34 00 68 39 11 85 61 39
0.11 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.15 0.16 0.17 0.18 0.18
0.2
18 99 81 65 49 35 23 11 00 90
0.19 0.20 0.21 0.22 0.23 0.24 0.25 0.26 0.27 0.28
0.3
82 74 67 60 55 50 46 42 39 36
0.29 0.30 0.31 0.32 0.33 0.34 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.38
0.4
34 32 30 29 28 28 27 27 27 27
0.39 0.40 0.41 0.42 0.43 0.44 0.45 0.46 0.47 0.48
0.5
30 30 30 30 30 30 30 20 20 20
0.49 0.50 0.51 0.52 0.53 0.54 0.55 0.55 0.56 0.57
0.6
20 20 20 10 10 00 00 90 90 80
0.58 0.59 0.60 0.61 0.62 0.63 0.64 0.64 0.65 0.66
0.7
70 60 50 40 30 20 00 90 70 60
0.67 0.68 0.68 0.69 0.70 0.71 0.71 0.72 0.73 0.73
0.8
40 10 90 70 40 20 90 50 20 80
0.74 0.75 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.78 0.78
0.9
50 00 60 10 60 50 50 90 20 40
(7) The road level should be at the Road level /
G.L/ TBL whichever is higher. 300 mm thick
P.C.C slab shall be provided over the pipes with
75 mm wearing coat in M 20 with 6 at 200
c/c both ways at top & bottom.
THANK YOU