Box Culvert - Details & Advantages A culvert more or less looks like a tunnel. It is mostly seen under a road and railway station. The traffic is passed under a culvert, and they are situated in the natural flow of water and behave as a traffic flow controller. Culverts can be found in a wide range of shapes including, Flat-bottomed, pear-shaped, elliptical, round and box-like construction. Most people get confused between culverts and bridges. A bridge is a way that is constructed over a water body, while a culvert is constructed under a water body and is surrounded by structural material along its perimeter. There are many types of culvert available, which are mentioned below: Box culvert (single or multiple) Box culverts are available in rectangular shapes. It is mainly composed of concrete. Box culverts are designed to discharge rainwater, and so they are useless during the dry season. Most animals use box culverts as their common passage to cross rail during dry seasons. Some of the advantages of Box culverts are provided below; ● ● ● ● ●
It is simple in construction and has a rigid frame structure. It is constructed over non-perennial streams, and the soil is weak. It does not require any separate foundation, and that is why they are economical. Box culverts are valued for money due to their rigidity It is meant for a weaker foundation
Pipe culverts Pipe culverts are available in half-circle shapes, and they are designed over large water bodies. Apart from the arched shapes, they are found in elliptical and round shapes, also depending on the condition of the site. Due to their shape, the water flow is smooth and does not accumulate at the bottom of the channel. Pipe culverts are quite easy to install, and they are widely used due to their competitive prices. Some advantages of pipe culverts are: ● ● ●
It can be made into any desired shape, material and thickness. They are available at competitive price rates It can withstand huge tensile stress
Arch culverts They are just like pipe culverts, and it is best suited for large water bodies. It is characterised by low clearance and high artistic value. It is suitable for those sites which have a hydraulic advantage. It is