THE DESIGN OF LOW WATER STREAM CROSSINGS

When a bridge becomes obsolete, and the road must remain open to traffic, perhaps at a new location, a low-cost alternative may be to replace it with a low water stream crossing. A low water stream crossing consists of a series of culverts that are deliberately designed so that the crossing is at a low grade and stream flow at high water frequently overtops the grade. A design manual for low water stream crossings was prepared for the Iowa Highway Research Board. A description is provided of the major steps and considerations in the design of a low water stream crossing. The decision to build a low water stream crossing is based on the road classification. A primitive road is an excellent candidate. The first step is to select the frequency of overtopping that can be tolerated and then calculate a discharge value. A series of pipes are selected with this overtopping discharge value in mind to minimize the roadway fill over the stream. The design procedures offer criteria for the grade line design and for the final cross-section of the roadway. General construction details and guidelines for the selection of materials and final signing are also presented.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1987/1106v2/1106v2-037.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=THE+DESIGN+OF+LOW+WATER+STREAM+CROSSINGS&author=S.+Ring&publication_year=1987
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309044545
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Record N1106, Fourth International Conference on Low-Volume Roads, Volume 2. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Ring, Stanley L
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Low Volume Roads, 4th, 1987, Ithaca, New York, USA
• Publication Date: 1987-8

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 309-318
• Monograph Title: FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LOW-VOLUME ROADS. VOLUME 2
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1106
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Causeways; Construction; Design; Design methods; Guidelines; Materials; Overtopping; Signs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Low cost roads; Selecting
• Old TRIS Terms: Low-water crossing structures
• Subject Areas: Construction; Design; Highways; Materials; Operations and Traffic Management; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00473163
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309044545
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Sep 30 1987 12:00AM