Pipe Culverts Research Articles

A Smart Tunnel Inspection Robot for the Detection of Pipe Culverts

This document explains a type of Smart Tunnel Inspection Robot (STIR) for the detection of pipe culverts, including its system composition, the working principle, modules of hardware circuit, program flows and the interface of PC software. With devices of wireless video transmission, wireless data communication and the embedded technology of measurement and control, the STIR can replace human to detect and monitor various types of small diameter pipe culverts.

Beyond average velocity: modelling velocity distributions in partially filled culverts to support fish passage guidelines

ABSTRACTAn important consideration in managing a river basin is how to treat the many stream crossings within the basin. Historically, corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culverts have been commonly selected for stream crossings throughout the world. The associated reduction in cross-sectional flow area causes an increase in water velocity at the culvert, which may become a barrier to fish passage. In Canada, existing guidelines compare the swimming performance of fish that may use the culvert with the average velocity within the culvert at some design flow. It is known that a velocity distribution occurs within culverts, and it is hypothesized that fish may possess the ability to sense and locate preferential swimming paths within low-velocity zones in a culvert. To facilitate the design of culverts in a manner that may better consider fish swimming performance, this paper compares the results of empirical and numerical modelling of the velocity distribution within partially full CMP culverts at uniform depth. An additional simplified model to estimate the percentage of the cross-sectional area with a water velocity less than any reference velocity is presented. Finally, the concept of using two-dimensional velocity distributions in combination with fish preference data for water velocity and depth is presented.

Study on Impact Parameters of Rigidity and Flexibility for Buried Corrugated Steel Culvert

Buried corrugated steel culverts are universally regarded as a structure with strong deformation adaptability and dispersed the upper load by corrugated steel structures surrounding soil constraints to enhance the carrying capacity and the use of soil-structure interaction. A lot of factors influence the earth pressure of the buried corrugated steel culvert, such as culvert stiffness, physical characteristics of the backfill (bulk density, deformation modulus and internal friction angle), geometry of structure and backfilling height. The finite element program of ANSYS has been used to research the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, internal friction angle of soil, inertia moment of corrugated steel plate and pipe diameter affect the rigidity and flexibility of buried corrugated steel culvert. By defining path lines in the finite element post-processing, extracting and comparing the horizontal and vertical directions soil displacements along the lines, and doing impact pa-rameter analysis. Classification for flexible and rigid pipes of the buried corrugated steel pipe culvert structure has been made according to the analysis results. A theoretical reference has been provided for the design and construction of the buried corrugated steel pipe culverts.

Research on Damage Characteristics about Reinforced Concrete Circular Pipe Culvert

The damages of reinforced concrete pipe culvert appeared in use process brought a lot of problems. Investigated the pipe culvert damage characteristics, analyzed the causes of damages from load, structure stress and production, give the corresponding control methods.

Mechanical Characters Experimental about Reinforced Concrete Profiled Pipe Culvert

It is supposed to be constructed a kind of profiled pipe culvert which have a new type of cross, in view of the reinforced concrete circular culvert’s various diseases that occurred in service of it. In order to know about the mechanical characters of structure, and test the carrying capacity of the profiled pipe culvert, the load test can be used to have a research on the stress, deformation characteristics, and crack distribution and development on the profiled pipe culvert.

Learning the ropes: mussel spat ropes improve fish and shrimp passage through culverts

Summary Culvert pipes are regularly used around the world for conveying stream flows underground, through embankments or under road crossings. Installation of these features can have significant negative effects on the passage of freshwater biota and potentially exclude many species from large areas of river networks. We investigated the installation of mussel spat ropes as a potentially rapid and cost‐effective tool for improving passage of freshwater biota through culvert pipes where internal barrel conditions impede passage. We assessed passage success for two fish species, juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1972) and adult inanga Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns 1842), and one migratory shrimp, Paratya curvirostris (Heller 1862), through culverts of differing length (3 and 6 m), slope (1·5 and 3°) and flow (0·24 and 0·75 L s−1). We hypothesized that ropes would enhance the passage success of these three species, but success rates would differ between species and trial combinations. Ropes resulted in a reduced water velocity within culvert barrels and significantly improved passage success for all three species. Shrimp benefited most by the presence of ropes, being unable to negotiate any of the pipe combinations in their absence, but exhibiting varying rates of success across all combinations with their presence. Both G. maculatus and O. mykiss were able to negotiate some of the non‐roped pipe combinations, but as the level of difficulty increased, successful passage was only achieved with the ropes present. Synthesis and applications. We conclude that this relatively inexpensive and easy‐to‐install tool has the potential to substantially improve passage for a range of aquatic biota through various culvert scenarios. We consider that ropes would be particularly useful in situations where internal culvert access is difficult and where various culvert parameters (slope, flow, length) result in internal barrel hydraulics that would normally limit or exclude passage of aquatic biota.

Corrosion Mechanism of Aluminized Steel in Limestone Backfill

Aluminized steel Type 2 (AST2), ASTM A929, has a ~50 μm thick coating with outer and inner layers of Al alloy and Al-Fe intermetallic, respectively. AST2 culvert and drainage pipes are required to have a long service life (e.g., 75 years) in natural soil and water environments; premature pipe failures incur heavy repair and replacement costs. Performance has been adequate in many service conditions, but unexpected early corrosion of AST2 pipes has recently been observed in some Florida inland locations. A recent event with loss of the coating and local penetration of the substrate, after only ~3 years of service, was associated with the use of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)-rich (limestone) backfill. Water in contact with limestone and allowed to equilibrate with carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere (open system) tends to develop a near-neutral pH, compatible with a stable passive film on Al, so experiments were conducted to determine if the aggressive conditions took place otherwise. Simulated field fresh water conditions were created, where water in a limestone-filled cell was constantly replenished at a slow rate (representing rain-water), while the pH and conductivity were monitored. Under these conditions, a high, steady-state pH > 9 developed that was aggressive to the air-formed aluminum oxide passive film. The higher pH was ascribed to the dissolution of limestone in slowly flowing water that is not given enough time for equilibration with atmospheric CO2 (approaching a closed system). Electrochemical impedance measurements indicated the onset of severe corrosion early in the exposure, confirmed by metal-lographic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of loss of coating in extracted AST2 specimens. The corrosion rate decreased later as a thick corrosion product layer formed. Corrosion mechanisms are discussed.

Experimental Study on Reinforced Concrete Profiled Pipe Culvert

It is supposed to be constructed a kind of profiled pipe culvert which have a new type of cross, in view of the reinforced concrete circular culvert's various diseases that occurred in service of it. In order to know about the mechanical characters of structure, and test the carrying capacity of the profiled pipe culvert, the load test can be used to have a research on the stress, deformation characteristics, and crack distribution and development on the profiled pipe culvert.

Joint Response of Existing Pipe Culverts under Surface Live Loads

AbstractThis study investigates the field performance of culvert joints in five existing pipe culverts. Test culverts consisted of two corrugated metal culverts, two reinforced concrete culverts, and one high-density polyethylene culvert. Culverts were selected for backfill depths less than 1.5 m and inner diameters ranging from 0.9 to 2.1 m. Static loading was applied to the culverts by parking a heavily loaded truck at different positions above the culvert joint. Dynamic loading was applied by driving the truck over the culvert at speeds ranging from 8 to 48 km/h. Culvert deflections and strains were measured near one of the culvert’s joints. Separation at the joint was also measured. The results indicate that separation at the joint was quite significant at times. In the worst case, the measured separation at the joint was equal to 50% of the measured deflection. Strains measured near the joint in steel culverts were significantly smaller than the yield strain. The dynamic deflections were typically 1...

Corrosion of Aluminized Steel in Aggressive Natural Water

Aluminized steel Type 2 (AST2) has a ~50 µm thick coating with outer and inner layers of mostly Al and Fe-Al intermetallic respectively. AST2 is used for culvert and drainage pipes that are required to have long service life. The use of calcium carbonate-rich backfill (limestone) found to be a key contributing factor to the observed early deterioration. Limestone contributed to form a high pH environment sufficient to cause passivity breakdown of the passive film on aluminum. AST2 specimens were exposed in limestone-water cells with water being continuously replenished at a slow rate. A high steady state pH developed that was aggressive to aluminum passive film. Electrochemical measurements and direct inspection indicated onset of severe early corrosion with consequent fast wastage of the outer film. Corrosion rate decreased later as a thick corrosion product layer covered the surface and formed a transport limitation barrier.

Hydraulic Analysis and Design of Pipe Culverts: USGS versus FHWA

AbstractCulvert performance curves relate the flow through a culvert to the headwater and tailwater elevations. These curves are calculated differently by the USGS and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), leading to the possibility of significant discrepancies in predicted culvert performance under some flow conditions. The FHWA methodology generally leads to conservative culvert designs relative to designs based on the USGS equations, and the degree of conservatism is the focus of this paper. The largest discrepancies in estimated headwater elevations for given flow rates occur under high-headwater and low-tailwater conditions, and these discrepancies are due in large part to the uncertainty in whether Type 5 or 6 flow will exist. The results of this paper show that for horizontal culverts with square-edge entrances and smooth surfaces the overestimation in the headwater depth can range from 9–45% for headwater depths in the range of 1.5–3 culvert diameters, with lesser overestimations of 7–30% in case...

Damage Causes and Control about Reinforced Concrete Circular Pipe Culvert under the High Fill

The damages of reinforced concrete pipe culvert appeared in use process brought a lot of problems. Investigated the pipe culvert damage characteristics, analyzed the causes of damages from load, structure stress and production, give the corresponding control methods.

Velocity distributions near the inlet of corrugated steel pipe culverts

This paper presents the findings of a study examining the velocity field within the inlet region of a corrugated steel pipe (CSP) culvert model with vertical headwall, 45° wingwall, and projecting end inlet treatments. Also examined are the effects of embedding the culvert below the stream bed and backfilling the culvert with granular material. Three-dimensional velocity distributions were measured in an effort to better understand how these inlet treatments may affect fish passage. The study examined velocity structure within a CSP culvert with a diameter of 0.8 m at a flow rate of 0.175 m3/s. Measurements were recorded using acoustic Doppler velocimeters at four locations; 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 diameters downstream of the inlet. The velocity field of each inlet configuration was dominated by a central jet of high velocity flow surrounded by a low velocity recirculation zone. Analysis of the percent area less than Uavg for each inlet treatment found that the projecting end configuration contained the largest low velocity zone. The usefulness of the low velocity recirculation zone as a fish passage corridor may however be limited by the presence of significant vertical and spanwise velocities as well as high shear zones.

Nonlinear Stress–Strain Characterization of Cast Iron Used to Manufacture Pipes for Water Supply

The stress–strain response of cast iron under tension or compression is nonlinear. This paper examines how the hyperbolic constitutive law can be applied to characterize nonlinear stress–strain behavior of cast iron used in water supply networks. Procedures are described to obtain parameters of the hyperbolic constitutive law from either the response (data) obtained from simple uniaxial tensile and compressive tests or from bending tests. To demonstrate its applicability, this hyperbolic constitutive law is first applied to data obtained from uniaxial tensile and compressive tests conducted by Schlick and Moore (1936, “Strength and Elastic Properties of Cast Iron in Tension, Compression, Flexure, and Combined Tension and Flexure,” Bulletin 127, Iowa Engineering Experiment Station, Ames, IA). In addition, an approach to extract parameters for the hyperbolic constitutive law from bending (beam and pipe rings) tests is proposed and subsequently applied to tests conducted by Talbot (1908, “Tests of Cast-Iron and Reinforced Concrete Culvert Pipe,” Bulletin No. 22, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL). This latter approach is attractive for practical purposes because the test set up is simple and the test coupons are very easy to prepare. The hyperbolic constitutive law in conjunction with maximum normal strain theory as proposed by St. Venant (Collins, J. A., 1993, Failure of Materials in Mechanical Design: Analysis, Prediction, Prevention, John Wiley, New York, NY) was also used to predict failure loads.

Study on Circular-Shaped Corrugated Steel Culvert Pipe for Highway Construction

s. In this paper, we discuss the design and calculation methods of Circular-shaped Corrugated Steel Culvert Pipe (CCSCP) used in highway construction. With many advantages such as lightweight, environment friendly, cost-effective, rapid construction, etc., Corrugated Steel Culvert Pipe (CSCP) have been widely used in highway construction acting as the alternative of RC culvert in China in recent years. It will not crack under impact loads or vibrations due to the inherent strength of steel and the flexibility of the corrugated pipe section. The high ring compression of the pipe absorbs and transfers the load to the surrounding soil around the entire circumference. In this paper CCSCP is a kind of culvert which is fabricated to a circular shape by several pieces of corrugated steel plates jointed by high strength bolts. In this paper, a serial test is conducted on site in process of the fabricating of the CCSCP used in the construction of Shanghai North Outer Ring Line Highway in China. In addition, 3D FEM analysis is performed with the intent of contrasting with the result of the test. Some design methods are proposed in this paper, and they will be useful guidelines for safe design of CCSCP.

Restoring connectivity for migratory native fish in a New Zealand stream: effectiveness of retrofitting a pipe culvert

ABSTRACT Restoring longitudinal connectivity is a key river restoration goal. This study tested the efficacy of a fish ramp and spoiler baffles for restoring indigenous fish communities upstream of a culvert. Before–after monitoring showed that installation of the ramp and spoiler baffles increased species richness (mean increase 80%) and total fish density (mean increase 45%) upstream of the culvert. Passage trials on the ramp and baffled culvert were carried out using inanga, Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns), a commonly occurring weak‐swimming migratory fish. The trials showed that inanga were capable of successfully ascending both the ramp (overall 27.1% success) and culvert with baffles (overall 6.2% success) under the conditions tested (cf. 0% success for this species before retrofitting), but passage efficiency was still relatively low in both cases. Retrofitting of culverts can therefore be effective for restoring upstream fish passage. However, to maximize effectiveness it is essential that restoration goals are well defined and retrofitting solutions are designed appropriately for the target species. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Field Service Conditions of the Oldest Corrugated HDPE Pipe Culvert under Ohio’s Roadway

AbstractA research institute at Ohio University recently conducted a comprehensive study on highway culvert structures for the Ohio Department of Transportation. During the study, a number of thermoplastic pipe structures under Ohio’s highways were inspected and rated. One of the thermoplastic pipe structures was a 0.61-m-diameter (24-in.-diameter) corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe under State Route 145 in Noble County, Ohio. What was unique about this pipe structure was that it was the oldest thermoplastic pipe culvert in service in Ohio. The pipe was installed under a shallow cover in 1981. The Ohio University team visited the culvert site in 2004 and inspected the pipe structure thoroughly. It was inspected again in June 2010. Drainage water entering the culvert was acidic, indicating the influence of a nearby surface coal-mining operation. The pipe structure had moderate amounts of deflection under the roadway, but overall it appeared to be in satisfactory condition. In 2004, a short pi...

Turbulent flow characteristics in circular corrugated culverts at mild slopes

Anthropogenic barriers to fish passage at stream crossings are an important issue in North America. Environmental regulations impose velocity restrictions on culvert flow, which may be overly simplistic. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted in a corrugated metal pipe culvert at three mild slopes. Acoustic Doppler velocimeters were used to measure velocity and turbulence quantities. A significant percentage of the cross-sectional flow area was found to have a streamwise velocity lower than the mean bulk velocity. Secondary currents were measured and are believed to contribute to the strong velocity dip at the water surface and the non-uniform shape of the boundary shear stress distribution. A modified version of the log law is proposed to estimate water velocities within the fully-developed flow region. Results may be of interest to hydraulic engineers and regulators involved with fish passage issues at stream crossings as also for calibration and verification of numerical culvert models.

Using sprint swimming performance to predict upstream passage of the endangered Macquarie perch in a highly regulated river

Abstract Barriers to migration are a major threat to freshwater fish populations. A novel measurement of swimming speed performance and an analytical model were used to calculate the probability that endangered Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica Cuvier, can swim through instream structures. Over the range of river discharges (2.7–166 ML day−1) and temperatures (10–22 °C) examined, M. australasica could successfully pass through a rock‐ramp fishway and nearby natural riffles under most river discharges, whilst pipe culverts were passable only to large individuals (>17.7 cm total length) under a high river discharge. Cold water temperatures (below 16 °C) significantly reduced the likelihood of passage in each case. It was concluded that both the volume and thermal characteristics of environmental flow releases should be considered when assessing and remediating potential instream barriers to fish passage in regulated river systems.

Typical Sectional Form of Circular Pipe Culvert beneath High Embankment

AbstractBy using the finite element method, the sizes of circular pipe culvert with different depths of fill were calculated based on the modeling to obtain each kind of stress characteristics of structure pattern culvert under different operating modes. With combination of finite element stress nephogram and the finite element computed result, the circumferential stresses of control cross—section and the control bending moments of circular pipe culvert under different operating modes were analysed, and the bending moment diagram was drawn. The calculation results of finite element method was verified and compared by simplified structural calculation and the typical sectional form of circular pipe culvert was obtained. The calculation result indicates that using the limited unit law computation, are possible reasonably to the collaboration of soil body and the structure could be reflected by finite element method to analyze the culvert structural stress characteristics. Therefore the computed result is mo...