Box culverts are precast concrete boxes and the best solution for various construction uses. Traditionally, engineers use them to divert watercourses available in different sizes. The versatility of these concrete-made structures is impressive and money-saving.
The construction industry benefited from utilizing box culverts to allow water to flow under the railroad, road, or trail. They embedded them in and surrounded them with soil. These solid boxes are among the most useful options in modern-day constructions.
Different Shapes of Culverts
- Box
- Elliptical
- Round
- Pear-shaped
- Flat-bottomed
Box Culverts Uses or Applications
- Holding tanks
- Crossing roads
- Utility trenches
- Pedestrian subways
- Linking corridors
- Service tunnels
- Access shafts
- Sea outfalls and more
These concrete structures are also durable, stronger, and economical.
How do engineers utilize these types of concrete boxes?
Because they manufacture box culverts using Reinforced Concrete (RCC), the engineers need to plan carefully. The surface must be dry before installation. They ensure durability and strength. Culverts can handle different water directions.
Box Culvert Advantages
- Economical because of rigidity
- Reduce ground pressure
- Useful to support weak foundations
- Easy to use in construction
- Preferred for non-perennial streams
Useful in Constructing Railroads
Box culverts are reliable for constructing and maintaining railroads. Construction firms use them in creating crossings over waterways or creeks. Modern railroads nowadays have under-track culverts that can withstand the water.
Using Box Culverts For Drainage Purposes
They utilize these box-designed culverts for drainage purposes. Aside from this, engineers use them to build tunnels, for handling materials, and as storage. When used as small bridges, they can accommodate traffic from vehicles and pedestrians.
Depending on the specific construction needs, they choose the best culverts accordingly. The available precast box culverts can easily handle rain and different weather temperatures.
These concrete structures are also the best round concrete pipe replacements. Like regular construction pipes, they can drain huge volumes of water and are superior in strength. Compared to other culverts, these box designs are convenient.
Box Culverts to Create Subways and Crossings
The reliability of the precast box-designed culverts is the most crucial factor in choosing them. These options are cost-efficient and suitable when creating subways and crossings.
As a quick solution, they do not cause disruption and massive road closures during construction. Using larger box culverts, they serve as convenient light commercial trucks and cars underpasses.
Use for Creating Attenuation Tanks
These precast concrete boxes can work as dependable stormwater storage. They can position them in car parks, under the roads and in other locations where there is less traffic. These boxes already include complete supplementary materials such as:
- Access
- End walls
- Pipe entry openings
They can handle traffic loads or other loading needs depending on the area. During the construction, they also used rectangular box sections with minimal spacing and laid side by side. Doing this allows the largest flow of water in nominal space.
Importance of Box Culverts
Box culverts are designed to prove their consistency and strength that can exceed the exact load capacity. Because these are eco-friendly and cost-effective, they do not require much installation time. Manufacturers create these solid boxes in advance to prevent delays and require less workforce.
References:
https://civiltoday.com/construction/bridge/116-types-of-culvert
https://www.precastdrainage.co.uk/page/box-culverts-applications
