Headwater

If TW < D , and operating

under inlet control, the
inlet will be unsubmerged.

Tailwater D = culvert diameter

Inlet Control
Inlet control: main part of the culvert (downstream of
inlet) is capable of conveying more discharge than the
inlet will allow.
The flow passes through critical depth near the inlet
and becomes supercritical downstream of the inlet.
Inlet configuration and discharge rate are the main
control the water surface elevation upstream of the
inlet.
Upstream end is open to
atmosphere similar to a flow over
a weir.
Upstream end is completely
submerged flow is like a that
through an orifice.
Outlet Control
Pipe has a mild slope, TW < D, HW < D.
Computation of flow profile started from downstream
end , proceed towards upstream.
Culvert Design
Summarize initial data: Design discharge, Tailwater
elevation, slope of culvert.
Make initial choice of culvert: cross sectional shape,
size, material and entrance type.
Ascertain if the flow: inlet control or outlet control.
If TW elevn > inlet top elevn outlet control
If TW < D, steep slope, submerged inlet inlet control
Culvert Design
From step 3,
If inlet control flow prevail calculate HW to pass the
design discharge.
If outlet control flow prevail calculate the the
required water surface elevation at the upstream pool.
If water surface elevation of the headwater > allowed,
try a larger size of culvert and repeat the process. If
water surface elevation < allowed, try a smaller size.
(economical concideration, smaller size lower cost).
Phenomena should be aware of..
Piping
Scour at outlet and possible bank erosion.
Possible erosion of fill material near inlet.
Clogging due to debris.
Example
A culvert for a new roadway fill is to be designed for a
25 year flood. Hydrologic analysis results in a peak
discharge of 200 cfs for this flood. The inlet invert
elevation = +100ft, natural stream bed slope = 0.01,
tailwater depth above outlet invert = 3.5 ft, culvert
length = 200 ft, and roadway shoulder elevation = 110
ft. Design a concrete pipe culvert for this site.
Required freeboard = 2 ft.