PIPE CULVERT

PIPE CULVERT

Introduction: Reinforcement concrete pipes are commonly used as a cross drainage work for
roadway or railway embankment when the discharge is small. Basically, two types of pipe
culverts are constructed- pipe culvert for high embankments and pipe culvert for low
embankments. In case of high embankment culverts, minimum protection works are built
allowing the embankment to stand with its natural slopes. On the other hand, a low embankment
pipe culvert will have two head walls on either side to envelop the embankment.

Classification of RCC Pipes:

As per IS: 458-1988, reinforcement cement concrete pipes are classified as non pressure pipe
and pressure pipes. The standard for these pipes are laid down IS 458-1988. The utility of each
category is given below.

Pipe Designation Conditions where normally used (Utility)

NP-1 Unreinforced concrete non- pressure For drainage and irrigation use above ground or
pipes in shallow trenches
NP-2 Reinforced concrete light duty non- For drainage and irrigation use for culverts
pressure pipes carrying light traffic
NP-3 Reinforced concrete heavy duty non- For drainage and irrigation use for culverts
pressure pipes carrying heavy traffic
NP-4 Reinforced concrete heavy duty non- For drainage and irrigation use for culverts
pressure pipes carrying heavy traffic, such as Railway loadings
P-1 Reinforced concrete pipes tested to a For use in gravity mains, the design pressure not
hydrostatic pressure of 0.2 N/mm2 (20 exceeding 2/3 of test pressure.
m head )
P-2 Reinforced concrete pipes tested to a For use in gravity mains, the design pressure
hydrostatic pressure of 0.4 N/mm2 (40 exceeding half of test pressure.
m head)
P-3 Reinforced concrete pipes tested to a For use in gravity mains, the design pressure not
hydrostatic pressure of 0.6 N/mm2 (60 exceeding half of test pressure.
m head )

REINFORCEMENT IN PIPES

The circumferential and longitudinal reinforcement are designed for the loads but minimum
quantity of steel reinforcement are specified for different classes of pipes in IS 458-1988. The
generally NP-3 pipes are used.

Pitch of circumferential reinforcement (5.2.1, Page No. 4, IS 458-1988):

The pitch of circumferential reinforcement shall not be more than the following

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 1

 PIPE CULVERT

 200 mm for pipes of nominal diameter from 80 to 150 mm

 150 mm for pipes of internal diameter from 200 to 350 mm
 100 mm for pipes of internal diameter from 400 mm and above.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Step. 1: Hydraulic Design

The hydraulic design of a pipe culvert consists of computing the cross sectional area of pipe
required to pass a given discharge. The pipe culverts are assumed to flow full with sufficient
head causing flow. The difference between the upstream water and downstream water level is
taken as the head.

Discharge,Q=A*V = A*K* 2*g*h

Where Q = Discharge in m3/sec

A = Area of the pipe in m2

g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81m/sec2

h = Driving head or operating head (In the absence of any data, it may be assumed to be 0.25 m)

K = Constant (Conveyance factor) that depends on the type of entry and roughness of the pipe

1
K=
1+k e +k f

Where

ke = Coefficient of head loss at entry

= 0.08 for bell mouthed entry

= 0.51 for sharped mouthed entry

L
k f = Coefficient of head loss due to friction = 0.0033* for concrete pipe
R1.3

L = length of pipe in mts.

R = Hydraulic mean depth in ts.

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 2

 PIPE CULVERT

Step.2:

The Load acting on the pipe due to soil in embankment is computed from the following equation

W = Ce**D2

Where

W = Vertical external load in kN/m of the pipe due to embankment material (Refer Table IS
458-2003)

Ce = Coefficient which depend on the ratio of height of the embankment “H” to the external
diameter of the pipe (Refer Table IS 783 -1959)

 = Density of embankment material in kN/m3

D = External diameter of the pipe in mts.

Step.3:

Load on the pipe due to surface Live Load (Concentrated wheel load ) is obtained from the
equation

W = 4*CS*I*P

Where W = Vertical load in KN/m due to concentrated surface load

Cs = Influence coefficient depending upon the “D” and “H” as computed from the table IS 458-
2003

H = Vertical depth of top of pipe below the surface in mts.

D = External diameter of the pipe in mts.

P = Concentrated wheel load in kN

I = Impact factor (1.5 for Highways)

Step.4: Structural Design of pipe culvert

A pipe laid beneath an embankment has sustain the load due to earth fill, and the live load caused
by the movement of vehicles. This load expressed per meter run on the pipe will be the design
force for the pipe.

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 3

 PIPE CULVERT

Supporting strength = Strength factor * 3 edge bearing strength

The strength factor is a function of the type bedding.

The different types of bearings and their respective strength factor are given below

Sl.No Type of Bedding Strength factor

1 Earth Bedding 2.0
2 First class bedding 2.30
3 Concrete Cradle Bedding 3.70

Further, the type of bedding is so chosen that the system satisfies the following equation

 Three Edge Bearing   Weight of the filling   Weight due to surface 

 Strength kN/m   Material kN/m   live load kN/m 
     
    
 Factor of safety (1.5)   Strength Factor   Factor of safety (1.5) 
     

d 0.70D
Well Tamped Earth

D
0.20D
0.10D
First Class Bedding

0. 5D 0. 5D D 0. 5D D 0. 5D
D

0.25D

0.25D

Concrete Cradle Bedding

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 4

 PIPE CULVERT

d
0.25D

0.25D

Concrete Cradle Bedding

Step .5: Reinforcement of pipe (Refer Table IS 458-2003)

i) For Longitudinal steel

ii) For Spiral steel

NUMERICAL EXAMPLE

Problem No. 1: Design a suitable RCC pipe culvert to suit the following data

Discharge = 1.5 m3/sec,

Velocity of flow =-2m/s,

Width of road-2 lane=7.5m,

Bed level of stream=100.00 m

top of embankment =104.00 m

Loading IRC Class A-A wheeled vehicle with a maximum wheel load of 62.5KN

Draw the longitudinal section, plan and end view of the pipe culvert

SOLUTION

Step. 1: List the given data

Discharge, Q = 1.5 m3/sec Velocity of flow, V =-2m/s, Width of road-2 lane, L =7.5m,

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 5

 PIPE CULVERT

Bed level of stream=100.00 m Top of embankment =104.00 m

Height, H = 104.00 – 100.00 = 4.0m

Step. 2: Compute the diameter of the Pipe

Discharge, Q=AxV

Area, A = Q / V =1.5/2=0.75 m2

Area of one pipe, A = d2/4 =0.75m2

Diameter, d=0.977m.

Assuming 1m internal diameter of pipe

From IS-458
We have pipe, Internal diameter =1m

External diameter =1.2m

Adopt NP-3 heavy duty non pressure pipe for carrying heavy road traffic

Step. 3: Load due to Earth filling

For Height of embankment over pipe = 4- 1.2 = 2.8 m ≈3.0m

From Table IS 458-2003 for d =1000mm

H = 3.0 m

Load due to earth fill = 101.00 kN/m

Note: If Cc value is mentioned then embankment filling load has to be calculated using
formula W=CcwD2, otherwise directly adopt it from IS 458 depending on H value.

Step. 4: Load due to surface live load

W = 4*CS*I*P

Cs = Influence coefficient depending upon the “D” and “H” as computed from the table IS 458-
2003

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 6

 PIPE CULVERT

Cs = 0.015

P = Concentrated wheel load = 62.5 kN

Impact factor (1.5 for Highways)

W = 4*CS*I*P = 4*0.015*1.5* 62.5 = 5.625kN/m

Step.5: Check for strength factor

The non-pressure pipe and bedding should be chosen that under worst combination of filed
loading.
From IS 458-2003

Three edge bearing strength for NP-3 Class 1000 mm internal diameter is 78.5 kN/m

 Three Edge Bearing   Weight of the filling   Weight due to surface 

 Strength kN/m   Material kN/m   live load kN/m 
     
    
 Factor of safety (1.5)   Strength Factor   Factor of safety (1.5) 
     

 71.85   101.00   5.625 

    
 1.5   Strength Factor   1.5 

Strength Factor = 2.287< 2.30

Strength factor depending on the type of loading and the bedding condition for pipe

Type of bedding Strength factor

Earth bedding 2
Ist class bedding 2.3
Concrete cradle bedding 3.7

Adopting Ist class bedding

1m 0.84m
Well Tamped Earth

1.2m
0.24m
0.12m
First Class Bedding

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 7

 PIPE CULVERT

Step. 6: Reinforcement of pipe

The minimum reinforcement in pipe as per IS 458-2003

For d = 1000 mm internal diameter

i) For Longitudinal steel

For Longitudinal steel=2.66 Kg/m (increasing up to 50%)

=1.5x2.66=3.99≈4 kg/m

Adopting 6mm diameter mild steel as longitudinal reinforcement

Weight of 6mm mild steel=1x7850x =0.22 kg/m

Number of spiral=

Average Diameter of pipe = (1.0 +1.2 )/2 = 1.10 m

 *1100
Spacing = = 191.55 mm c/c
18

Provide 6mm diameter @175 mm c/c longitudinal bars

ii) For Spiral reinforcement

Spiral reinforcement=15.7 Kg/m (increasing up to 50%)

=1.5x15.7=23.55≈24.00 kg/m

Assuming 12mm diameter spiral,

 *0.0122
Weight of 1 bar per meter = *1*7850 = 0.887 kg/m
4

 *0.0122
Weight of 12mm diameter spiral = *1*7850 * ( *1.1)= 3.065 kg
4

24.00
Number of Spiral = = 7.83  8
3.065

1000
Spacing = = 125 mm c/c
8

AS per IS 458-2003, Maximum spacing should not exceed 100 mm

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 8

 PIPE CULVERT

Provide 12mm diameter @100 mm c/c

12 mm dia.@ 100 mm c/c

1.0 m 6mm dia.@ 175 mm c/c

1.20m

Problem No.2: Design a pipe culvert through a road embankment of height 7 m. The width of
the road is 7.5m and formation width is 10.0 m. The side slope of embankment is 1.5:1 the
maximum discharge is 6.0 m3/sec. The safe velocity is 3.5 m/sec, class AA tracked vehicle is to
be considered as live load. Assume bell mouthed entry. Given Ce =1.80 and unit weight of soil =
18.00 kN/m3.

SOLUTION

Step. 1: List the given data

Discharge, Q = 6.0m3/sec Velocity of flow, V =-3.5m/s, Width of road, L =7.5m,

IRC Class AA tracked vehicle unit weight of soil = 18.00 kN/m3

Formation width = 10.0m Side Slope = 1.5 : 1.0

Ce =1.80

Step.2: Hydraulic Design

Discharge,Q=A*V = A*K* 2*g*h

Where Q = Discharge = 6.0 m3/sec

A = Area of the pipe in m2

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 9

 PIPE CULVERT

g = Acceleration due to gravity = 9.81m/sec2

h = Driving head or operating head (In the absence of any data, it may be assumed to be 0.25 m)

1
K=
1+k e +k f

Where

ke = Coefficient of head loss at entry = 0.08 for bell mouthed entry

L = length of pipe = 10.00 + {2 *1.5*7.0} = 31.0 m

Assume 1.0 m internal diameter of pipe

 *D2
A  *D2 1 1
Hydraulic mean depth, R = = 4 = *   0.25
P  *D 4  *D 4
L 31
k f = 0.0033* 1.3
= 0.0033* = 0.6258
R 0.251.3

1 1
Conveyance factor, K =   0.7656
1+k e +k f 1+0.08+0.6258

Q =A*K*V

6.0 =A*0.7656*3.5

Area, A = 2.239 m2

Area provided for each pipe, A =

 *D2  *12
Area provided for each pipe =  0.785m 2
4 4

2.239
Number of pipes required = 2.85  3.0
0.785

Step. 3: Load due to Earth filling

The Load acting on the pipe due to soil in embankment is computed from the following equation

W = Ce**D2

For Height of embankment over pipe = 7- 1.2 = 5.8 m

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 10

 PIPE CULVERT

Ce =1.80

(Note : Ce = Coefficient which depend on the ratio of height of the embankment “H” to the
external diameter of the pipe (Refer Table IS 783 -1959))

 = Density of embankment material in kN/m3 = 18.00 kN/m3

D = External diameter of the pipe =1.20 mts.

W = Ce**D2 = 1.80*18 * 1.2 2 = 46.65 kN/m

Step. 4: Load due to surface live load

W = 4*CS*I*P

Cs = Influence coefficient depending upon the “D” and “H” as computed from the table IS 458-
2003

Cs = 0.01

P = Concentrated wheel load = 700 kN

Impact factor (1.5 for Highways)

W = 4*CS*I*P = 4*0.01*1.5* 700 = 42.00kN/m

Step.5: Check for strength factor

The non-pressure pipe and bedding should be chosen that under worst combination of filed
loading.

From IS 458-2003

Three edge bearing strength for NP-3 Class 1000 mm internal diameter is 78.5 kN/m

 Three Edge Bearing   Weight of the filling   Weight due to surface 

 Strength kN/m   Material kN/m   live load kN/m 
     
    
 Factor of safety (1.5)   Strength Factor   Factor of safety (1.5) 
     

 71.85   46.00   42.00 

    
 1.5   Strength Factor   1.5 

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 11

 PIPE CULVERT

Strength Factor = 3.61 < 3.70

Strength factor depending on the type of loading and the bedding condition for pipe

Type of bedding Strength factor

Earth bedding 2
Ist class bedding 2.3
Concrete cradle bedding 3.7

Adopting Concrete cradle bedding

d
0.25D

0.25D

Concrete Cradle Bedding

Step. 6: Reinforcement of pipe

The minimum reinforcement in pipe as per IS 458-2003

For d = 1000 mm internal diameter

i) For Longitudinal steel

For Longitudinal steel=2.66 Kg/m (increasing up to 50%)

=1.5x2.66=3.99≈4 kg/m

Adopting 6mm diameter mild steel as longitudinal reinforcement

Weight of 6mm mild steel=1x7850x =0.22 kg/m

Number of spiral=

Average Diameter of pipe = (1.0 +1.2 )/2 = 1.10 m

 *1100
Spacing = = 191.55 mm c/c
18

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 12

 PIPE CULVERT

Provide 6mm diameter @ 175 mm c/c longitudinal bars

ii) For Spiral reinforcement

Spiral reinforcement=15.7 Kg/m (increasing up to 50%)

=1.5x15.7=23.55≈24.00 kg/m

Assuming 12mm diameter spiral,

 *0.0122
Weight of 1 bar per meter = *1*7850 = 0.887 kg/m
4

 *0.0122
Weight of 12mm diameter spiral = *1*7850 * ( *1.1)= 3.065 kg
4

24.00
Number of Spiral = = 7.83  8
3.065

1000
Spacing = = 125 mm c/c
8

AS per IS 458-2003, Maximum spacing should not exceed 100 mm

Provide 12mm diameter @100 mm c/c

0.6m 0.6m 1.2m 0.6m 1.2m 0.6m

1.2m

12 mm dia @100 mm c/c

m
6mm dia @175 mm c/c
m
0.3m

0.3m

Concrete Cradle Bedding

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 13

 PIPE CULVERT

12 mm dia.@ 100 mm c/c

1.0 m 6mm dia.@ 175 mm c/c

1.20m

Dr. H.S.Narashimhan, Dept. of Civil Engg. MCE, Hassan Page 14