Iowa Storm Water Management Manual: Design Standards Chapter 14-Design of Culverts

Iowa Storm Water Management Manual
Design Standards Chapter 14- Design of Culverts
Chapter 14- Section 1 General Information for Design of Culverts

Chapter 14- Section 2 Culvert Hydraulics
Chapter 14- Section 1 General Information for Design of Culverts
A. Introduction
A culvert is a conduit under an embankment that transports stormwater from one side of the embankment to the other
through hydraulic inlet, outlet, or barrel control. The primary purpose of a culvert is to convey surface water. However,
when properly designed, it may also be used to restrict flow for upstream detention and reduce downstream storm runoff
peaks. Primary considerations for the final selection of any drainage structure should be based upon appropriate hydraulic
principles, economy, and minimal effects on adjacent property by the resultant headwater depth and outlet velocity. The
allowable headwater elevation is the maximum elevation that can be reached before damage could be caused to adjacent
property or compromise the right-of-way. It is this allowable headwater depth that is the primary basis for sizing a culvert.
The control of flow in a culvert can shift dramatically and unpredictably between inlet control, barrel control, and outlet
control, causing relatively sudden rises in headwater. A critical aspect of culvert design is to determine stable and
predictable performance for all expected flow levels. When the type of flow is known, the well-known equations for
orifice, weir, or pipe flow and backwater profiles can be applied to determine the relationships between head and
discharge (Blaisdell, 1966). Modern culvert nomographs, computer programs, and instructions are based on sound theory
and extensive laboratory and field studies.
The 100-year flood is checked to determine if streets will provide access or be inundated. See Chapter 1, section 4 that
addresses access requirements for specific storms. Performance curves should be made available for all culverts for
evaluating the hydraulic capacity of a culvert for various headwaters. These will display the consequence of high-flow
rates at the site and any possible hazards. Sometimes a small increase in flow rate can affect a culvert design. If only the
design peak discharge is used in the design, the designer cannot assess what effects any increases in the estimated design
discharge will have on the culvert design. For culverts with significant headwater storage, the site should be treated as
detention design, and flow should be routed.
B. Definitions
Backwater: Constriction of flow causes a rise in the normal water surface elevation upstream of the constriction. The
magnitude of the rise, in feet, is called backwater.
Barrel control: Barrel control for culvert hydraulics exists when the rise of headwater at the culvert inlet is greater than
the rise from inlet or outlet control. This rise in headwater from barrel control can be a combination of barrel roughness,
length, and restriction. Barrel control is rarely the control of headwater. Since the head loss due to roughness in the barrel
is normally not as great as inlet head loss, the effect of barrel roughness is included as part of outlet control.
Critical depth: Critical depth can best be illustrated as the depth of water at the culvert outlet under outlet control at
which water flows are not influenced by backwater forces. Critical depth is the depth at which specific energy of a given
flow rate is at a minimum. For a given discharge and cross-section geometry, there is only one critical depth.
Energy grade line: The energy grade line represents the total energy at any point along the culvert barrel.
Free outlets: Free outlets are outlets with a tailwater equal to or lower than critical depth. For culverts having free outlets,
lowering of the tailwater has no effect on the discharge or the backwater profile upstream of the tailwater.
Headwater: The vertical distance from the culvert invert (flow line) at the culvert entrance to the water surface elevation
of the upstream channel.
Hydraulic grade line: The hydraulic grade line is the depth to which water would rise in vertical tubes connected to the
sides of a culvert barrel. In a full flow, the energy grade line and the hydraulic grade line are parallel lines separated by the
velocity head, except at the inlet and the outlet.
Improved inlets: Flared, improved, or tapered inlets indicate a special entrance condition that decreases the amount of
energy needed to pass the flow through the inlet and, thus increases the capacity of culverts at the inlet.
Page 1 of 10 October 28, 2009

Iowa Storm Water Management Manual C14-S1 - General Information for Design of Culverts
Inlet control: With inlet control, the cross-sectional area of the culvert barrel, inlet geometry, and the amount of
headwater or ponding at the entrance are the controlling design factors.
Invert: Invert refers to the inside bottom of the culvert.
Normal flow: Normal flow occurs in the channel reach when the discharge, velocity, and depth of flow do not change
throughout the reach. The water surface profile and channel bottom slope will be parallel. This type of flow will be
approximated in a culvert operating on a steep slope, provided the culvert is sufficiently long.
Outlet control: Outlet control involves the additional considerations over inlet control of the elevation of the tailwater,
slope, roughness, and length of the culvert.
Steep and mild slope: A steep-slope culvert operation is where the computed critical depth is greater than the computed
uniform depth. A mild-slope culvert operation is where critical depth is less than uniform.
Submerged inlets: Submerged inlets are those inlets having a headwater greater than 1.2 times the diameter of the culvert
or barrel height.
Submerged outlets: Partially submerged outlets are outlets with tailwater that is higher than critical depth and lower than
the height of the culvert. Submerged outlets are outlets having tailwater elevation higher that the soffit (crown) of the
culvert.
Tailwater: The water depth from the culvert invert at the outlet to the water surface in the outlet swale or channel.
Uniform flow: Uniform flow is flow in a prismatic channel of constant cross-section having a constant discharge,
velocity, and depth of flow throughout the reach. This type of flow will exist in a culvert operating on a steep slope,
provided the culvert is sufficiently long.
C. Site considerations
Site considerations include the generalized shape of the embankment, bottom elevations and cross-sections along the
streambed, the approximate length of the culvert, and the allowable headwater elevation. In determining the allowable
headwater elevation, roadway elevations and the elevation of upstream property should be considered. The consequences
of exceeding the allowable headwater need to be kept in mind throughout the design process. See Chapter 1, section 1.
D. Culvert design items
The following should be considered for all culvert designs where applicable:
1. Engineering aspects
a. flood frequency
b. velocity limitations
c. buoyancy protection
2. Site criteria
a. length and slope
b. debris and siltation control
c. culvert barrel bends
d. ice buildup
3. Design limitations
a. headwater limitations (see Chapter 1, section 1)
b. tailwater conditions
c. storage – temporary or permanent

4. Design options
a. culvert inlets
b. inlets with headwalls
c. wingwalls and aprons
d. improved inlets
e. material selection
f. culvert skews
g. culvert sizes and shapes
h. twin pipe separations (vertical and horizontal)
i. culvert clearances
5. Related designs
a. weep holes
b. outlet protection
c. erosion and sediment control
d. environmental considerations
The designer must incorporate experience and judgment to determine which of the above items listed need to be evaluated
and how to design the final culvert installation.
E. Design considerations
1. Flood frequencies. See Chapter 1, section 1 for flood design frequencies.
2. Velocity limitations.
a. Minimum cleaning velocity: 3.0 fps
b. Maximum velocity: Should be consistent with outlet conditions of a stream or waterway. The need for
channel stabilization at a culvert outlet is based on exceeding the natural stability of the channel.
3. Buoyancy protection. Headwalls, endwalls, slope paving, or other means of anchoring to provide buoyancy
protection should be considered for all flexible culverts greater than 24 inches in diameter. Buoyancy is more
serious with steepness of the culvert slope, depth of the potential headwater (debris blockage may increase
headwater), flatness of the upstream fill slope, height of the fill, large culvert skews, or mitered ends.
4. Length and slope. Because the length of the culvert will affect the capacity of culverts on outlet control, the
length should be kept to a minimum, and yet meet future needs and clear zones. Existing facilities should not be
extended without determining the decrease in capacity that will occur. In addition, the culvert length and slope
should be chosen to approximate existing topography. To the degree practicable, the culvert invert should be
aligned with the channel bottom and the skew angle of the stream. The culvert entrance should match the
geometry of the embankment. Future street or highway improvements need to be considered when setting the
length of the culvert, especially in growth areas where rural cross-sections may be converted to urban sections, or
street widening is a probability with sidewalks, utility corridors, etc.
5. Debris control. In designing debris control structures, it is recommended that the publication Hydraulic
Engineering Circular No. 9 titled “Debris – Control Structures” (FHWA, 1971) be consulted. Debris control
should be considered in the following conditions:
a. Where experience or physical evidence indicates the watercourse will transport a heavy volume of
controllable debris
b. For culverts located in steep regions
c. For culverts that are under high fills
d. Where cleaning access is limited. However, access must be available to clean the debris- control device.
6. Siltation. When streams or overland flow drain through culverts and carry siltation, it is important to design the
culvert such that the culvert barrel will not be clogged with silt and reduce its capacity.

a. Barrel slope. The barrel slope of culverts should not have long sections of subcritical flow. This minimizes
the settling of silt in the barrel. The slopes should be designed so the minimum velocity through the barrel
will be no less than 3 fps for a 2-year storm frequency.
b. Horizontal bends. A straight culvert alignment is desirable to avoid clogging, increased construction costs,
and reduced hydraulic efficiency. However, site conditions may dictate a change of alignment. Horizontal
bends may be used to avoid obstacles or realign the flow. When considering a nonlinear culvert alignment,
particular attention should be given to maintenance access and erosion, sedimentation, and debris control.
Certain culvert installations may encounter sedimentation problems. The most common of these problems are
multi-barrel installations. Culverts with more than one barrel may be necessary for wide shallow streams and
for low fills. It is well-documented that one or more of the barrels will accumulate sediment, particularly the
inner barrel in a curved stream alignment – especially during times of low flow. However, self-cleaning
usually occurs during periods of high discharge. This design situation should be approached cautiously with
an increased effort in the field investigation stage to obtain a thorough knowledge of stream characteristics
and bed-bank materials.
c. Multiple pipe. To help prevent siltation in low-flow conditions where multiple pipes are used, the inlet of all
but one of the multiple pipes is placed higher than the other. The lower pipe can maintain cleaning velocities,
and the higher pipes help provide flow capacity for major storms. The difference in elevation between the
pipes is based on the depth of flow of the lower pipe for a 2-year storm frequency. The higher pipe is therefore
at or above the 2- year frequency elevation in the lower pipe.
7. Headwater limitations. The allowable headwater (HW) elevation is determined from elevation of land use
upstream of the culvert and the proposed or existing top of the embankment. Headwater is the depth (D) of water
above the culvert inlet invert. In general, the constraint that gives the lowest allowable headwater elevation
establishes the criteria for the hydraulic calculations.
a. The allowable headwater design frequency conditions should allow for or consider the following upstream
controls:
1) Reasonable freeboard (see Chapter 1, section 1 for maximum allowable headwater depth).
2) Upstream property damage
3) Elevations established to delineate floodplain zoning
4) Low point in the road grade that is not at a culvert location
5) Ditch elevation of the terrain that will permit flow to divert around culvert
6) Follow recommended HW/D design criteria:
a) For drainage facilities with cross-sectional area equal to or less than 30 square feet, HW/D is equal to
or less than 1.5
b) For drainage facilities with cross-section area greater than 30 square feet, HW/D is equal to or less
than 1.2
7) The headwater should be checked for the 100-year flood to ensure compliance with floodplain criteria.
8) The maximum acceptable outlet velocity should be identified. The headwater should be set to produce
acceptable velocities, or stabilization or energy dissipation should be provided where acceptable
velocities are exceeded.
If there is insufficient headwater elevation available to convey the required discharge, it will be necessary to use a
larger culvert, lower inlet invert, irregular cross-section such as pipe arches or multiple pipes, improved inlet if in
inlet control, multiple barrels, or a combination of these measures. If the inlet is lowered, special consideration
must be given to scour and sedimentation at the entrance.
8. Tailwater conditions. The hydraulic conditions downstream of the culvert site must be evaluated to determine a
tailwater depth for a range of discharges. At times, there may be a need for calculating backwater curves to
establish the tailwater conditions. If the culvert outlet is operating with a free outfall, the critical depth and
equivalent hydraulic grade line should be determined. Tailwater elevations can determine whether a culvert will
operate with a free outfall or under submerged conditions. For culverts that discharge to an open channel, the
stage- discharge curve for the channel must be determined.

If an upstream culvert outlet is located near a downstream culvert inlet or other control, the headwater elevation of
the downstream control may establish the design tailwater depth for the upstream culvert. If the culvert discharges
to a lake, pond, or other major water body, the expected high-water elevation of the particular water body may
establish the culvert tailwater.
9. Storage – temporary or permanent. If storage is being assumed upstream of the culvert, consideration should be
given to:
a. The total area of flooding
b. The average time that bankfull stage is exceeded for the design flood; up to 48 hours in rural areas or 6 hours
in urban areas.
c. Availability of the storage area for the life of the culvert through the purchase of right-of-way or easement.
10. Weep holes. Weep holes are sometimes used to relieve uplift pressure. Filter materials should be used in
conjunction with the weep holes in order to intercept the flow and prevent formation of piping channels. The filter
material should be designed as underdrain filter so that it will not become clogged and so that piping cannot occur
through the pervious material and the weep hole. Plastic woven filter cloth would be placed over the weep hole in
order to keep the pervious material from being carried into the culvert. If weep holes are used to relieve uplift
pressure, they should be designed in a manner similar to underdrain systems.
11. Erosion control at inlet and outlet. Energy dissipation will be required for velocities higher than those outlined
in Table C15-S2- 3 and Table C15-S2- 4. Gabions or other erosion prevention or energy dissipation devices may
be required.
12. Erosion control along channel. See Chapter 7 of the SUDAS Design manual for specific information on
channel/ditch lining. When pavement or riprap for side slope inverts are not used, nets, meshes, or geo-grids
placed along the toe of the backslope of a paved channel bottom help prevent erosion of the bank and
undermining of paved channels.
13. Environmental considerations. In addition to controlling erosion, siltation, and debris at the culvert site, care
must be exercised in selecting the location of the culvert site. Environmental considerations are an important
aspect of the culvert design. Using good hydraulic engineering, a site should be selected that will permit the
culvert to be constructed to cause the least impact on the stream or wetlands. This selection must consider the
entire site, including any necessary lead channels.
14. Horizontal culvert clearances.

a. Small culverts (30 inches in diameter or less) should use an end-section or a sloped headwall.
b. Culverts greater than 30 inches in diameter should receive one of the following treatments:
1) Extend to appropriate clear zone distance per AASHTO Roadside Design Guide
2) When installing a grate to prevent entry, make sure to check the potential consequences of clogging and
flooding.
15. Separation of multi-pipe culverts. In order to provide proper spacing between multi-pipe culverts, the following
should be considered:
a. Without aprons. If multi-pipe culverts are placed without aprons or footings, the distance between the
centerline of each pipe should be 1-1/2 times the pipe diameter, but no less than 1 foot between the outside
wall of each pipe. This separation allows room for compaction between the culverts. If a cutoff wall or barrier
wall of low-permeability clay soil at least 2 feet thick is not available at the inlet and outlet to protect the pipe
backfill, then consideration should be given to the use of flowable mortar as a means of pipe backfill.
b. With curtain walls. The distance between the centerline of each pipe culvert with curtain walls equals the
diameter plus 2 feet (allows for proper reinforcement placement in the footing).
c. With aprons. The separation between multi-pipe culverts with aprons is based on the distance need between
aprons. This distance should be a minimum of 2 feet from the end of the apron for concrete and reinforcement
placement to tie the aprons together. A preferable distance of 4 to 6 feet should be used when earth fill is used.

F. Pipe material
1. RCP – Minimum strength Class III under all streets and entrance pavement and Class V under railroad tracks and
pipes to be jacked.
2. Use of CMP and multi-plate gauge is at the discretion of the Jurisdictional Engineer.
G. Pipe culvert sizes
1. Entrance pipes: Minimum 18 inches in diameter

2. Street or roadway pipe: Minimum 24 inches in diameter
H. Culvert inlets
Selection of the type of inlet is an important part of the culvert design, particularly with inlet control. Hydraulic efficiency
and cost can be significantly affected by inlet conditions. The inlet coefficient Ke is a measure of the hydraulic efficiency
of the inlet, with lower values indicating greater efficiency. All the methods described in this chapter directly or indirectly
use inlet coefficients. See

Table C14-S1- 1.
1. Inlets with headwalls. Headwalls may be used for a variety of reasons:

 Increasing the efficiency of the inlet
 Providing embankment stability
 Providing embankment protection against erosion
 Providing protection from buoyancy
 Shortening the length of the required structure
The relative efficiency of the inlet depends on the pipe material. Headwalls are usually required for all metal
culverts and where buoyancy protection is necessary. Corrugated metal pipe in a headwall is essentially square-
edged with an inlet coefficient of approximately 0.5. For tongue- and-groove or bell-and-spigot concrete pipe,
little increase in hydraulic efficiency is realized by adding a headwall.
2. Wingwalls and aprons. Wingwalls are used where the side slopes of the channel adjacent to the entrance are
unstable, or where the culvert is skewed to the normal channel flow. Little increase in hydraulic efficiency is
realized with the use of normal wingwalls, regardless of the pipe material used and therefore, the use should be
justified for other reasons. Wingwalls can be used to increase hydraulic efficiency if designed as a side-tapered
inlet.
If high headwater depths are to be encountered, or the approach velocity in the channel will cause scour, a short
channel apron should be provided at the toe of the headwall. This apron should extend at least one pipe diameter
upstream from the entrance, and the top of the apron should not protrude above the normal streambed elevation.

Table C14-S1- 1: Inlet Coefficients
Coefficient
Type of Structure and Design of Entrance
Ke
Pipe, Concrete
Projecting from fill, socket end (groove-end) 0.2
Projecting from fill, square cut end 0.5
Headwall or headwall and wingwalls:
Socket end of pipe (groove end) 0.2
Square-edge 0.5
1
Rounded [radius = /12 depth] 0.2
Mitered to conform to fill slope 0.7
*End-section conforming to fill slope 0.5
Beveled edges, 33.7° or 45° bevels 0.2
Side- or slope-tapered inlet 0.2
Pipe, or Pipe-Arch, Corrugated Metal

Projected from fill (no headwall) 0.9
Headwall or headwall and wingwalls square-edge 0.5
Mitered to fill slope, paved or unpaved slope 0.7
End-section conforming to fill slope 0.5
Beveled edges, 33.7° or 45° bevels 0.2
Box, Reinforced Concrete

Headwall parallel to embankment (no wingwalls):
Square-edged on three edges 0.5
1
Rounded on three edges to radius of /12 depth or beveled edges on three sides 0.2
Wingwalls at 30° to 75° to barrel:
Square-edged at crown 0.4
1
Crown edge rounded to radius of /12 depth or beveled top edge 0.2
Wingwalls at 10° or 25° to barrel:
Wingwalls parallel (extension of sides)
*End-section conforming to fill slope, made of either metal or concrete, are the sections commonly
available from manufacturers. From limited hydraulic tests, they are equivalent in operation to a headwall
inlet and outlet controls. Some end-sections, incorporating a closed taper in their design, have superior
hydraulic performance.
Source: From Federal Highway Administration, Hydraulic Design of Improved Inlets for Culverts, Hydraulic Engineering Circular
No. 13, 1972.

I. Roadway or street overtopping
To complete the culvert design, roadway or street overtopping should be analyzed. See Chapter 1, section 4 for allowable
depth for major storms and cross-street flow allowable depths. A performance curve showing the culvert flow as well as
the flow across the roadway is a useful analysis tool. Rather than using a trial-and-error procedure to determine the flow
division between the overtopping flow and the culvert flow, an overall performance curve can be developed.
The overall performance curve can be determined as follows:
1. Step 1: Select a range of flow rates and determine the corresponding headwater elevations for the culvert flow.
The flow rates should fall above and below the design discharge and cover the entire flow range of interest. Inlet-
and outlet-control headwaters should be calculated.
2. Step 2: Combine the inlet- and outlet-control performance curves to define a single performance curve for the
culvert.
3. Step 3: When the culvert headwater elevations exceed the roadway crest elevation, overtopping will begin.
Calculate the equivalent upstream water surface depth above the roadway (crest of weir) for each selected flow
rate. Use these water surface depths and the equation below to calculate flow rates across the roadway.
Equation C14-S1- 1
𝑄 = 𝐶𝑑 𝐿(𝐻𝑊)1.5
Where:
Q = overtopping flow rate (cfs);
Cd = overtopping discharge coefficient;
L = length of roadway (ft); and
HW = upstream depth, measured from the roadway crest to the water surface upstream of the weir drawdown (ft).
4. Step 4: See
5. Figure C14-S1- 1 for guidance in determining a value for Cd.
6. Step 5: Add the culvert flow and the roadway overtopping flow at the corresponding headwater elevations to
obtain the overall culvert performance curve.

Figure C14-S1- 1: Determination of Overtopping Discharge Coefficient

Source: Municipal Stormwater Management Manual, 2nd Edition, 2003, Thomas N. Debo, Andrew J. Reese
J. Storage routing
A significant storage capacity behind an embankment attenuates a flood hydrograph. Because of the reduction of the peak
discharge associated with this attenuation, the required capacity of the culvert and its size may be reduced considerably. If
significant storage is anticipated behind a culvert, the design should be checked by routing the design hydrographs
through the culvert to determine the discharge and stage behind the embankment. Routing procedures are outlined in HDS
No. 5 (FHA, 1985). In addition, the HEC-RAS program may be used to analyze backwater conditions upstream of the
culvert.
Flood routing design procedures through a culvert are the same as for a reservoir or detention basin. The site data and
roadway geometry are obtained and the hydrology analysis completed to include estimating a hydrograph. Once this
essential information is available, the culvert can be designed.

Chapter 14- Section 2 Culvert Hydraulics
A. Culvert flow controls and equations
Figure C14-S2- 1 depicts the energy grade line and the hydraulic grade line for full flow in a culvert barrel. The energy
grade line represents the total energy at any point along the culvert barrel. HW is the depth from the inlet invert to the
energy grade line. The hydraulic grade line is the depth to which water would rise in the vertical tubes connected to the
sides of the culvert barrel. In full flow, the energy grade line and the hydraulic grade line are parallel straight lines
separated by the velocity head lines except in the vicinity of the inlet where the flow passes through a contraction.
The headwater and tailwater conditions as well as the entrance, friction, and exit losses are also shown in
Figure C14-S2- 1. Equating the total energy at sections 1 and 2 (see
Figure C14-S2- 1), upstream and downstream of the culvert barrel in figure, the following relationship results:
Equation C14-S2- 1
𝑉1 2 𝑉𝑑 2
𝐻𝑊𝑜 + = 𝑇𝑊 + +𝐻
2𝑔 2𝑔
Equation C14-S2- 2
29𝑛2 𝐿 𝑉 2
Where H = sum of all losses = 𝐻𝑒 + 𝐻𝑓 + 𝐻𝑣 ; 𝐻 = [1 + 𝐾𝑒 + ]
𝑅1.33 2𝑔
Where:
V = the mean or average velocity in the culvert barrel in ft/s
TW = tailwater depth in feet
g = acceleration of gravity (32.2 ft/s)
Ke = inlet loss coefficient (see

Iowa Storm Water Management Manual C14-S2 - Culvert Hydraulics
Table C14-S1- 1)
𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡
R = hydraulic radius = 𝑊𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡
Equation C14-S2- 3
𝑉2
𝐻𝑒 = 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = (𝐾𝑒 )
2𝑔
Equation C14-S2- 4
29𝑛2 𝐿 𝑉 2
𝐻𝑓 = 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = ( )
𝑅1.33 2𝑔
Equation C14-S2- 5
𝑉2
𝐻𝑣 = 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 =
2𝑔
Figure C14-S2- 1: Full Flow Energy and Hydraulic Grade Line
B. Inlet and outlet control
The design procedures contained in this section are for the design of culverts for a constant discharge considering inlet
and outlet control. Generally, the hydraulic control in a culvert will be at the culvert outlet if the culvert is operating on a
mild slope. Inlet control usually occurs if the culvert is operating on a steep slope.
For inlet control, the entrance characteristics of the culvert are such that the entrance headlosses are predominant in
determining the headwater of the culvert. The barrel will carry water through the culvert more efficiently than the water
can enter the culvert. Proper culvert design and analysis requires checking for inlet and outlet control to determine which
will govern particular culvert designs. For outlet control, the headlosses due to tailwater and barrel friction are
predominant in controlling the headwater of the culvert. The entrance will allow the water to enter the culvert faster than
the backwater effects of the tailwater, and barrel friction will allow it to flow through the culvert.
1. Inlet control. Since the control is at the upstream end in inlet control, only the headwater and the inlet
configuration affect the culvert performance. The headwater depth is measured from the invert of the inlet control
section to the surface of the upstream pool. The inlet area is the cross-sectional area of the face of the culvert.
Generally, the inlet face area is the same as the barrel area, but for tapered inlets, the face area is enlarged, and the
control section is at the throat.
Examples of inlet control:
Figure C14-S2- 2 through

Figure C14-S2- 5 depict several different examples of inlet control flow. The type of flow depends on the
submergence of the inlet and outlet ends of the culvert. In all of these examples, the control section is at the inlet
end of the culvert. Depending on the tailwater, a hydraulic jump may occur downstream of the inlet.
a.
b. Figure C14-S2- 2 depicts a condition where neither the inlet nor the outlet end of the culvert is submerged.
The flow passes through critical depth just downstream of the culvert entrance and the flow in the barrel is
supercritical. The barrel flows partly full over its length, and the flow approaches normal depth at the outlet
end.
Figure C14-S2- 2: Inlet/Outlet Unsubmerged1

Source: Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts, FHWA, 1998
c.
d. Figure C14-S2- 3 shows that submergence of the outlet end of the culvert does not assure outlet control. In
this case, the flow just downstream of the inlet is supercritical and a hydraulic jump forms in the culvert
barrel.
Figure C14-S2- 3: Outlet Submerged, Inlet Unsubmerged1

e.
f. Figure C14-S2- 4 is a more typical design situation. The inlet end is submerged and the outlet end flows
freely. Again, the flow is supercritical and the barrel flows partly full over its length. Critical depth is located
just downstream of the culvert entrance, and the flow is approaching normal depth at the downstream end of
the culvert.

Figure C14-S2- 4: Inlet Submerged1

g.
h. Figure C14-S2- 5 is an unusual condition illustrating the fact that even submergence of both the inlet and the
outlet ends of the culvert does not assure full flow. In this case, a hydraulic jump will form in the barrel. The
median inlet provides ventilation of the culvert barrel. If the barrel were not ventilated, sub-atmospheric
pressures could develop which might create an unstable condition during which the barrel would alternate
between full flow and partly full flow.
Figure C14-S2- 5: Inlet/Outlet Submerged1

2. Outlet control. All of the factors influencing the performance of a culvert inlet control also influence culverts in
outlet control. In addition, the barrel characteristics (roughness, area, shape, length, and slope) and the tailwater
elevation affect culvert performance in outlet control.
The barrel roughness is a function of the material used to fabricate the barrel. Typical materials include concrete
and corrugated metal. The roughness is represented by a hydraulic resistance coefficient such as the Manning n
value.
The barrel area and barrel shape are self-explanatory. The barrel length is the total culvert length from the
entrance to the exit of the culvert. Because the design height of the barrel and the slope influence the actual
length, an approximation of the barrel length is usually necessary to begin the design process. The barrel slope is
the actual slope of the culvert barrel. The barrel slope is often the same as the natural stream slope. However,
when the culvert inlet is raised or lowered, the barrel slope is different from the stream slope.
The tailwater elevation is based on the downstream water surface elevation. Backwater calculations from a
downstream control, a normal depth approximation, or field observations are used to define tailwater elevation.
Hydraulics of outlet control:

Full flow in the culvert barrel, as depicted in
Figure C14-S2- 6, is the best type of flow for describing outlet control hydraulics. Outlet control flow conditions
can be calculated based on energy balance. The total energy (H L) required to pass the flow through the culvert
barrel is made up of the entrance loss (He), the friction loss through the barrel (Hf), and the exit loss (Ho). Other
losses, including bend losses (Hb), losses at junctions (Hj), and losses at gates (Hg) should be included as
appropriate.
a.

b. Figure C14-S2- 6 represents the classic full flow condition, with both inlet and outlet submerged. The barrel is
in pressure flow throughout its length. This condition is often assumed in calculations, but seldom actually
exists.
Figure C14-S2- 6: Inlet/Outlet Submerged1

c.
d. Figure C14-S2- 7 depicts the outlet submerged with the inlet unsubmerged. For this case, the headwater is
shallow so that the inlet crown is exposed as the flow contracts to the culvert.
Figure C14-S2- 7: Outlet Submerged, Inlet Unsubmerged1

e.
f. Figure C14-S2- 8 shows the entrance submerged to such a degree that the culvert flows full throughout its
entire length while the exit is unsumberged. This is a rare condition. It requires an extremely high headwater
to maintain full barrel flow with no tailwater. The outlet velocities are usually high under this condition.
Figure C14-S2- 8: Inlet Submerged, Outlet Unsubmerged1

g.
h. Figure C14-S2- 9 is more typical. The culvert entrance is submerged by the headwater and the outlet end
flows freely with the low tailwater. For this condition, the barrel flows partly full over at least part of its
length (subcritical flow) and the flow passes through critical depth just upstream from the outlet.

Figure C14-S2- 9: Inlet Submerged, Outlet Partially Submerged1

i. Figure C14-S2- 10 is also typical, with neither the inlet nor the outlet end of the culvert submerged. The barrel
flows partly full over its entire length, and the flow profile is subcritical.
Figure C14-S2- 10: Inlet Unsubmerged, Outlet Unsubmerged1

C. Use of inlet and outlet control nomographs
The following design procedure provides a convenient and organized method for designing culverts for constant
discharge, considering inlet and outlet control. The following will outline the design procedure for use of the nomographs.
The designer may desire to use the HY8 Culvert Analysis Microcomputer Program rather than the nomographs, or Iowa
DOT Culvert Program, which can be found at: http://www.iowadot.gov/bridge/prelprog.htm. The Rational Method or the
TR-55 Method should be used rather than the Iowa Runoff Curve, which is utilized in the Culvert Program. The HY8
Program can be found in the AASHTO Model Drainage Manual, 1998.
The use of nomographs requires a trial-and-error solution. The solution is quite easy and provides reliable designs for
many applications. It should be remembered that velocity, hydrograph routing, roadway overtopping, and outlet scour
require additional separate computations beyond what can be obtained from the nomographs.
Figure C14-S2- 16 through

Figure C14-S2- 19 show examples for inlet-control nomographs that can be used to design concrete pipe culverts. Figure
C14-S2- 20 through
Figure C14-S2- 22 show examples for outlet-control nomographs. For culvert designs not covered by these nomographs,
refer to the complete set of nomographs given in Municipal Stormwater Management, Second edition, 2003 by Thomas N.
Debo, Andrew J Reese. Following is the design procedure that requires the use of inlet- and outlet-control nomographs:
3. Step 1: List design data

 Q = discharge (cfs)
 L = culvert length (ft)
 S = culvert slope (ft/ft)
 Ke = inlet loss coefficient
 V = velocity (ft/s)
 TW = tailwater depth (ft)
 HW = allowable headwater depth for the design storm (ft)
4. Step 2: Determine trial culvert size by assuming a trial velocity 3-5 ft/s and computing the culvert area, A = Q/V.
Determine the culvert diameter (inches).
5. Step 3: Find the actual HW for the trial-size culvert for inlet and outlet control.
a. For inlet control, enter inlet-control nomograph with D and Q and find HW/D for the proper entrance type.
Compute HW, and, if too large or too small, try another culvert size before computing HW for outlet control.
b. For outlet control, enter the outlet-control nomograph with the culvert length, entrance loss coefficient, and
trial culvert diameter.
c. To compute HW, connect the length of the scale for the type of entrance condition and culvert diameter scale
with a straight line, pivot on the turning line, and draw a straight line from the design discharge through the
turning point to the head loss scale H. Compute the headwater elevation HW from the following equation:
Equation 2N-2- 1
𝐻𝑊 = 𝐻 + ℎ𝑜 − 𝐿𝑆
where ho = ½ (critical depth + D), or tailwater depth, whichever is greater.
6. Step 4: Compare the computed headwaters and use the higher HW nomograph to determine if the culvert is under
inlet or outlet control. If outlet control governs and the HW is unacceptable, select a larger trial size and find
another HW with the outlet control nomographs. Because the smaller size of culvert had been selected for
allowable HW by the inlet control nomographs, the inlet control for the larger pipe need not be checked.
7. Step 5: Calculate exit velocity and expected streambed scour to determine if an energy dissipater is needed. The
stream degradation may be a pre-existing condition, and the reasons and rate of degradation need to be
determined. The culvert cross-sectional area may need to be increased and culvert invert initially buried if stream
degradation is probable. A performance curve for any culvert can be obtained from the nomographs by repeating
the steps outlined above for a range of discharges that are of interest for that particular culvert design. A graph is
then plotted of headwater versus discharge with sufficient points so that a curve can be drawn through the range of
interest. These curves are applicable through a range of headwater, velocities, and scour depths versus discharges
for a length and type of culvert. Curves with length intervals of 25-50 feet are usually satisfactory for design
purposes. Such computations are made much easier by available computer programs.
Figure C14-S2- 11: Critical Depth Circular Pipe, Discharge = 0 to 100 cfs


Figure C14-S2- 14: Critical Depth Box Culvert, Q/B = 0 to 60 cfs

Figure C14-S2- 15: Critical Depth Box Culvert, Q/B = 50 to 350 cfs

Figure C14-S2- 16: Inlet Control Nomograph

Source: FHWA, 1973


Source: FHWA, May 1973.


Source: Bureau of Public Roads, Jan. 1963.



For concrete pipes
Figure C14-S2- 20: Outlet Control Nomograph

Source: Bureau of Public Roads, 1963.

Head for Standard CMP Culverts Flowing Full

n = 0.012
For a different roughness coefficient n1 than

that of the chart n, use the length scales shown
with an adjusted length L1, calculated by the
formula
𝑛1 2
𝐿1 = 𝐿 [ ]
𝑛


Head for Concrete Box Culverts Flowing Full n

= 0.012
For a different roughness coefficient n1 than that

of the chart n, use the length scales shown with
an adjusted length L1, calculated by the formula
𝑛1 2
𝐿1 = 𝐿 [ ]
𝑛

D. Culvert design example
The following example problem illustrates the procedures to be used in designing culverts using the nomographs. The
example problem is as follows: Size a culvert given the following design conditions.
Input Data
 Discharge for 10-year flood = 70 cfs

 Discharge for 100-year flood = 176 cfs
 Allowable Hw for 10-year discharge = 4.5 feet
 Allowable Hw for 100-year discharge = 7.0 feet
 Length of culvert = 100 feet
 Natural channel invert elevations – inlet = 15.50 feet, outlet = 15.35 feet
 Culvert slope = 0.0015 feet per feet
 Tailwater depth for 10-year discharge = 3.0 feet
 Tailwater depth for 100-year discharge = 4.0 feet
 Tailwater depth is the normal depth in downstream channel
 Entrance type = groove end with headwall
STEP 1: Assume a culvert velocity of 5 feet per second

Required flow area = 70 cfs/5 feet per second = 14 sq ft (for the 10-year flood).
STEP 2: The corresponding culvert diameter is about 48 inches. This can be calculated by using the formula for area of
a circle:
3.14𝐷2 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 × 4 0.5
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑜𝑟 𝐷 = ( )
4 3.14
14𝑠𝑞 𝑓𝑡×4 0.5

Therefore: 𝐷 = [ 3.14
] × 12 𝑖𝑛⁄𝑓𝑡 = 50.7𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
STEP 3: A grooved-end culvert with a headwall is selected for the design. Using the inlet-control nomograph, with a
pipe diameter of 48 inches and a discharge of 70 cfs; read an Hw/D value of 0.93.
STEP 4: The depth of headwater (HW) is (0.93) x (4) = 3.72 feet, which is less than the allowable headwater of 4.5
feet.
STEP 5: The culvert is checked for outlet control. With an entrance loss coefficient Ke of 0.20, a culvert length of 100
feet, and a pipe diameter of 48 inches, an H value of 0.77 feet is determined. The headwater for outlet control
is computed by the equation:
For the tailwater depth lower than the top of culvert, ho = Tw or ½ (critical depth in culvert + D), whichever is
greater.
ho = 3.0 feet or ho = ½ (2.55 + 4.0) = 3.28 feet
The headwater depth for outlet control is: 𝐻𝑊 = 𝐻 + ℎ𝑜 − 𝐿𝑆
𝐻𝑊 = 0.77 + 3.28 − (100)(0.0015) = 3.90𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡
STEP 6: Because HW for outlet control (3.90 feet) is greater than the HW for inlet control (3.72 feet), outlet control
governs the culvert design. Thus, the maximum headwater expected for a 10-year recurrence flood is 3.90
feet, which is less than the allowable headwater of 4.5 feet.
STEP 7: The performance of the culvert is checked for the 100-year discharge. The allowable headwater for a 100-year
discharge is 7 feet; critical depth in the 48-inch diameter culvert for the 100-year discharge is 3.96 feet. For
outlet control, an H value of 5.2 feet is read from the outlet-control nomograph. The maximum headwater is:
𝐻𝑊 = 5.2 + 4.0 − (100)(0.0015) = 9.05𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡

This depth is greater than the allowable depth of 7 feet; thus, a larger size culvert must be selected. Repeat
steps 1-7 as necessary.
STEP 8: A 54-inch diameter culvert is tried and found to have a maximum headwater depth of 3.74 feet for the 10-year
discharge and of 6.97 feet for the 100-year discharge. These values are acceptable for the design conditions.
STEP 9: Estimate outlet exit velocity. Because this culvert is on outlet control and discharges into an open channel
downstream, the culvert will be flowing full at the flow depth in the channel. Using the 100-year design peak
discharge of 176 cfs and the area of a 54-inch or 4.5-foot diameter culvert, the exit velocity will be Q = VA.
Therefore:
𝑉 = 176⁄𝜋(4.5)2⁄4 = 11.8 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠
With this high velocity, some energy dissipater may be needed downstream from this culvert for streambank
protection.
STEP 10: The designer should check minimum velocities for low-frequency flows if the larger storm event (100-year)
controls culvert design. Note:
Figure C14-S2- 23 provides a convenient form to organize culvert design calculations.

Figure C14-S2- 23: Culvert Design Calculation

Source: FHWA, Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts, Hydraulic Design Series No. 5, 1985

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Iowa Storm Water Management Manual

Design Standards Chapter 14- Design of Culverts

Chapter 14- Section 1 General Information for Design of Culverts

Page 1 of 10 October 28, 2009

Invert: Invert refers to the inside bottom of the culvert.

D. Culvert design items

Page 2 of 10 October 28, 2009

1. Flood frequencies. See Chapter 1, section 1 for flood design frequencies.

Page 3 of 10 October 28, 2009

Page 4 of 10 October 28, 2009

14. Horizontal culvert clearances.

Page 5 of 10 October 28, 2009

G. Pipe culvert sizes

1. Entrance pipes: Minimum 18 inches in diameter

Page 6 of 10 October 28, 2009

1. Inlets with headwalls. Headwalls may be used for a variety of reasons:

Page 7 of 10 October 28, 2009

Pipe, or Pipe-Arch, Corrugated Metal

Box, Reinforced Concrete

Page 8 of 10 October 28, 2009

The overall performance curve can be determined as follows:

Page 9 of 10 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S1- 1: Determination of Overtopping Discharge Coefficient

Page 10 of 10 October 28, 2009

A. Culvert flow controls and equations

Page 1 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 1: Full Flow Energy and Hydraulic Grade Line

B. Inlet and outlet control

Examples of inlet control:

Figure C14-S2- 2 through

Figure C14-S2- 2: Inlet/Outlet Unsubmerged1

Figure C14-S2- 3: Outlet Submerged, Inlet Unsubmerged1

Page 3 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 4: Inlet Submerged1

Figure C14-S2- 5: Inlet/Outlet Submerged1

Hydraulics of outlet control:

Page 4 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 6: Inlet/Outlet Submerged1

Figure C14-S2- 7: Outlet Submerged, Inlet Unsubmerged1

Figure C14-S2- 8: Inlet Submerged, Outlet Unsubmerged1

Page 5 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 9: Inlet Submerged, Outlet Partially Submerged1

Figure C14-S2- 10: Inlet Unsubmerged, Outlet Unsubmerged1

C. Use of inlet and outlet control nomographs

Figure C14-S2- 16 through

3. Step 1: List design data

where ho = ½ (critical depth + D), or tailwater depth, whichever is greater.

Page 7 of 20 October 28, 2009

Page 8 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 14: Critical Depth Box Culvert, Q/B = 0 to 60 cfs

Page 9 of 20 October 28, 2009

Page 10 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 16: Inlet Control Nomograph

Page 11 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 17: Inlet Control Nomograph

Page 12 of 20 October 28, 2009

Figure C14-S2- 18: Inlet Control Nomograph

Page 13 of 20 October 28, 2009