Development of Self-Cleaning Box Culvert Designs

The main function of a roadway culvert is to effectively convey drainage flow during normal and extreme hydrologic conditions. This function is often impaired due to the sedimentation blockage of the culvert. This research sought to understand the mechanics of sedimentation process at multi-box culverts, and develop self-cleaning systems that flush out sediment deposits using the power of drainage flows. The research entailed field observations, laboratory experiments, and numerical simulations. Using the findings acquired from the laboratory and simulation works, self-cleaning culvert concepts were developed and tested for a range of flow conditions. The screening of the alternative concepts was made through experimental studies in a 1:20 scale model guided by numerical simulations. To ensure the designs are effective, performance studies were finally conducted in a 1:20 hydraulic model using the most promising design alternatives to make sure that the proposed systems operate satisfactorily under closer to natural scale conditions.

• Record URL:
  http://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TR475.pdf
• Record URL:
  http://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/20056
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://www.iowadot.gov/operationsresearch/reports/reports_pdf/hr_and_tr/abstracts/TR%20545%20Tech%20Brief.pdf
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Iowa, Iowa City

  Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, 300 South Riverside Drive
  Iowa City, IA  United States  52242-1585

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Research and Technology Bureau
  800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Authors:
  • Muste, Marian
  • Ettema, Robert
  • Ho, H-C
  • Miyawaki, S
• Publication Date: 2009-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 111p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box culverts; Design; Field studies; Flushing; Laboratory tests; Scale models; Sedimentation; Simulation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Flow conditions; Hydraulic models; Self-cleaning systems
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01134848
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: IHRB TR-545
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 20 2009 4:50PM