Differences between Slab Culvert and Box Culvert

civiltoday.com/construction/bridge/113-differences-between-slab-culvert-and-box-culvert

Syeda Tahsin Hasan

A totally enclosed (by ground/soil) tunnel structure that provides a passage (for vehicles, pedestrians, and animals) over small bodies of
running water or physical obstructions, is called a culvert.

Slab culvert and box culvert are two different types of culverts. To choose between these two culverts an engineer must know the
differences between them. The main differences between slab culvert and box culvert are given below.

Box Culvert Slab Culvert

1 Box culverts are four-sided rectangular structures, the lower Slab culvert, also known as bridge culverts, can be
side pressed into the ground below, the top serving as the three-sided, or simply a deck slab embedded in the
roadway and the lateral sides supported by the soil on either soil on either side, providing a bridge over the dis-
side of the obstruction. tance.

2 A box culvert may be constructed with a single box, or multiple Usually, a series of slabs are laid to form a bridge-
box cells placed side by side. like structure, and a pavement surface is placed on
top to serve as the road.

3 The typical size of the boxes is 3’x2’ or 12’x12’ in 1’ span and rise The standard span length ranges from 8’ to 48’.
increments. (Usually comes in lengths of 6’ and 8’)

4 Standard design: ASTM C 1433 Standard design: ASTM C 1504

5 Velocity of flowing water might change because of the bottom Slab culverts do not have bottom slabs, so natural
slab. flow of water is maintained and natural bottom sub-
strate remains intact.

6 The sharp corners of the box-shaped slabs make it unsuitable Slab culverts possess no sharp corners to affect the
for vehicles running at high velocity. safety of high-velocity vehicles.

7 Box culvert is required for purposes which require artificial Slab culverts can replace box culverts if no artificial
flooring. flooring is necessary.

8 It can be used for rainwater disposal and drainage, hence it It provides a crossing over small streams and physi-
might not have used in dry seasons. cal obstructions.

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