SCOUR AT CULVERT OUTLETS IN MIXED BED MATERIALS

The study of localized scour at culvert outlets has been on-going to control and manage erosion along highway embankments. Herein is presented an investigation of scour at culvert outlets which refines and extends the state-of-the-art of predicting the dimensions of scour holes. Over 100 experiments ranging from 20 to 1000 minutes in duration were conducted in cohesive and non-cohesive bed materials. Culverts having 4-inch (10.2 cm), 10-inch (25.4 cm), 14-inch (35.6 cm) and 18-inch (45.7 cm) diameters were tested with discharges from .11 cfs (.003 cms) to 29.13 cfs (.83 cms). Tailwater elevations were maintained at zero, 0.25D and 0.45D plus or minus 0.05D above the culvert inlet where D is the diameter of the culvert. The results yielded a series of empirical relationships expressing the depth, width, length and volume of scour as a function of the culvert diameter and discharge. Parameters including the shear number, equivalent depth, pipe shape, soil gradation and extent of scour were investigated. General observations concerning scour, hole formation, growth and stabilization were reported.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Colorado State University, Fort Collins

    Engineering Research Center
    Fort Collins, CO  United States  80523

    Federal Highway Administration

    Engineering Research and Development Bureau, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Ruff, J F
    • Abt, S R
    • Mendoza, C
    • Shaikh, A
    • Kloberdanz, R
  • Publication Date: 1982-9

Media Info

  • Pagination: 115 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00369794
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-82- 11 Final Rpt., FCP 35H1-172
  • Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-9227
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 31 1983 12:00AM