Appendix E

Drainage Design Manual - 2002 Maintenance Considerations

APPENDIX E MAINTENANCE CONSIDERATIONS

E.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

E.1.1 INTRODUCTION
Drainage structures perform the function of removal of water from highway sections,
parking areas, and other drainage areas and the protection of the structures from the
effects of the water. These drainage structures include drop inlets, storm drains, bridges,
culverts, underdrains, ditches, check dams, slope protection, and erosion control devices.
In order for these structures to function as designed and constructed, they must be
properly maintained. Full consideration must therefore be given to this activity during
their design. Designing drainage structures that are as maintenance free as practical, will
often result in cost savings that, over the service life of the drainage feature, equal or
exceed initial construction cost. Good drainage design practices recognize that all
structures require periodic maintenance inspections and repairs. Reasonable access for
maintenance personnel and equipment must be provided for this necessary function.

Communications between designers and maintenance personnel are essential. Design

personnel are encouraged to contact maintenance personnel for their input on difficulties
they identify in maintaining drainage structures. Suggestions from maintenance personnel
on how drainage structures and future designs may be improved for efficient and
effective maintenance shall be invited.

Conditions that appear to require extensive repair or that incur frequent recurring
maintenance shall be referred to the Hydraulic Engineer for review. Investigation may
reveal that a complete redesign is more cost effective than repetitive repair. Reports by
the maintenance forces of both effective and non-effective hydraulic installations aid
designers in future work.

E.1.2 MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

Highway maintenance is the preservation, upkeep, and restoration of the carriageway,

structures and appurtenant structures as nearly as possible in the condition in which they
have been constructed.

Maintenance functions relative to highway drainage vary from establishing and caring for
vegetative cover on slopes for erosion control purposes to extensive emergency repairs
resulting from major storm damage.

Minor improvements to drainage structures and betterment work, although often

performed by maintenance forces are not generally classified as maintenance functions.
Routine maintenance of highway drainage structures include:
• performing periodic inspection to ensure that the structures are functional and
constructed as designed,
• performing miscellaneous preventative maintenance acts which will forestall
deterioration of the structures,
• cleaning accumulation of debris, sediment, and vegetation from the structures, and
• repairing or replacing damaged elements of the structures.

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Storm damage to major channels and structures can be both expensive to repair and
hazardous to traffic. In addition to periodic maintenance, the maintenance program
should include inspections and repairs following major storms and floods.

E.1.3 RECORDS
Appropriate records of significant repairs made to drainage structures shall be kept by
ERA regional offices in charge of maintenance. They shall include description of all
repair works carried out. A record should also be made of exceptional high water,
unusual flow conditions, and any other peculiar conditions such as scour of the streambed
or bank altering the channel during high water periods. A record of the highest high water
mark for major streams shall be indicated by painting a mark and date on abutment, pier,
or column.

E.1.4 PROBLEMS
Carriageway maintenance operations that require lane closures on heavily traveled
highways, particularly urban sections of trunk roads, are costly and may compromise the
safety of maintenance workers and the traveling public. Good drainage designs eliminate
or reduce the need for traffic control measures for cleaning drainage systems and
structures. Drainage inlet types and pipe drains that are designed to be as self-cleaning as
possible shall be specified wherever it is practical.

The routine cleaning and minor repairs of highway drainage features often require that
labor intensive hand methods be used. Adequate access for maintenance personnel and
equipment to get to the site and do work on drainage structures shall be provided for in
the plans. In addition, most costly maintenance work might easily be avoided, or more
efficiently accomplished, if designers were to give more attention and thought to the
shape and location of drainage features. For example, a "V" shaped roadside gutter that is
contiguous to the shoulder can be efficiently reshaped and cleaned with a motor grader.
Small trapezoidal and other shaped roadside ditches will be easier to clean by hand.

Locating drainage inlets where trash and sand naturally tend to accumulate causes
clogging of grate-type inlets and pipe drains. Wherever practical, drainage inlets shall be
located where cleaning operations will not deposit additional debris in drainage
structures. Inlet and junction boxes and other minor drainage structures that are subject to
periodic cleaning must be made large enough that maintenance workers can enter them
and work with either hand tools or machine equipment.

Several types of bank protection and erosion control materials are classified as flexible or
self-adjusting and, as a rule, are less of a problem to repair and maintain than are the rigid
category of linings. Whenever practical, materials requiring less maintenance attention
shall be specified.

E.1.5 INSPECTION
Maintenance of drainage structures is very important both during the development and
construction of a project and afterwards. In some areas maintenance of natural drainage
systems presents minimal problems while in other areas major resources will need to be
allocated for maintenance related tasks.

Drainage inspections shall be made regularly and after (or during) each major storm to
confirm that satisfactory conditions exist, or to evaluate the need for cleanup and repair.

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Inspection schedules should include mandatory inspection of known trouble areas, and
inspection of other areas as appropriate. Tables E-1 and E2 give indicative frequencies
for routine and periodic inspections of the most common structures. These frequencies
will be adapted to the local conditions and the particular troubles encountered.

Table E-1 Routine inspection frequency for different types of drainage structures

Slab
Small Pipe and Large Pipe and
Type of Longitudinal Culverts
Box Culverts Box Culverts
structure Ditches and Small
(Section < 1 x 1 m) (Section > 1 x 1 m)
Bridges
Type of Visual Visual Visual + Inside Visual +
Inspection Visit Inside Visit
Frequency of Twice a year : Twice a year : one Once a year Once every
Inspection one before before and one after other year
and one after the main raining
the main period
raining period

Table E-2 Periodic inspection frequency for different types of drainage structures

Large Pipe and Box Culverts Slab Culverts and Small

Type of structure
(Section > 1 x 1 m)
Type of Inspection Detailed Visual + Structural
tests
Frequency of After any major flood and at
Inspection least once every five years
Bridges
Detailed Visual + Structural
tests
After any major flood and at
least once every ten years

The best time to look at drainage structures is often during a storm. It is easy then to see
where water ponds and where drainage structures are over-flowing. The inspector shall
be alert to any pavement cracks or settlements that appear after a severe storm even if
these defects are small, as they may be evidence of erosion caused by a break in the
pipes. Areas that generate large amounts of sediment and debris shall be identified. Also,
locations within the drainage system where debris and sediment accumulate shall be
identified and included in any preventive maintenance schedule.

An example of form used for culvert inspections presented as figure E-3.

A record of the inspection shall be kept by ERA, with any deficiencies recorded.

E.1.6 ORGANIZATION
The implementation of a complete organization in the agencies in charge of maintenance
is not the scope of this manual. An example of Inspection/maintenance sheet is given in
figure E-2 at the end of this section. The use of this kind of form, when properly and
regularly filled in can help improving the efficiency of the recording system. It must be
adapted to the structure in charge of maintenance in the country and discussed with the
people involved.

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E.2 DETENTION STRUCTURES

E.2.1 INTRODUCTION

Detention structures are often used in urban drainage systems to temporarily store or
detain excess stormwater runoff and then release it at a regulated rate to downstream
areas. Using this approach, runoff is stored in constructed or natural basins from which it
is released continually until the water elevation in the structure reaches its design dry-
weather stage. To function properly the storage volume must be maintained at its design
level and outlet structures must be kept open and free from obstructions or clogging.

See also Section C-14 Appendix C for specific maintenance problems associated with
detention structures.

E.2.2 MAINTENANCE

A good maintenance program should include preventive maintenance as well as

corrective maintenance. The maintenance program should include:
• periodic inspection, adjustments, replacement;
• preventive maintenance - doing maintenance so that problems do not occur such as
removal of debris at inlets; and
• corrective maintenance - making changes to the system so that system functions as
intended at the lowest annualized cost, such as resetting an inlet to reduce ponding.

The major prerequisite for a preventive and corrective type of program is an assured
source of funds.

E.2.3 INSPECTION INTERVALS

Inspection of major detention structures should be made as frequently as experience

shows necessary, perhaps monthly as a minimum in wet seasons. Where debris is a
problem, inspections must be spaced according to debris generation. In any event, it is
important to conduct inspections and cleanup work following major runoff events. It is
sometimes necessary to make inspections during rainstorms when intense rainfall occurs.

E.2.4 MAINTENANCE TASKS

Maintenance tasks can be grouped in three general categories:

1. aesthetic maintenance,
2. nuisance maintenance, and
3. operation maintenance.

Of these, the most important, from the standpoint of health and safety, is operation
maintenance.

E.2.5 OPERATION MAINTENANCE

This category can be characterized as that level of maintenance required to ensure against
failure of major structural components and/or flow controls, and to ensure that the
structure continues to function as designed. Neglecting this level of maintenance could
cause dam failure and subsequent property damage as well as possible loss of life. In

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addition, neglect often causes a structure to cease functioning as it was originally

designed to do. A program of scheduled, periodic inspections of the structure is essential
to recognize potential structural maintenance needs. The following is a partial list of
items that should be checked periodically and corrective action taken as required:
• settling of detention pond dam,
• woody growth on the dam (roots can create channels for dam leakage and
eventual failure),
• signs of piping (leakage),
• signs of seepage or wet spots on the downstream face of a dam (may require toe
drains or chimney drains to solve problems),
• riprap failures,
• deterioration of principal and emergency spillways,
• various stage/outlet controls,
• effectiveness of debris racks,
• outlet channel conditions,
• safety features (access controls to hazardous areas),
• mechanical and electrical equipment (pumps, generators, automatic controls,
etc.),
• access for maintenance equipment,
• availability of manufacturer's mechanical and electrical information manuals, and
• availability of design information such as rating curves and tables for spillway
flow, bypass flow, total flow, and storage and pumpout calculations.

In addition, the following actions should be taken on each dam as required.

• Replace soil removed by rodent burrows.

• Inspect drainage systems and relief wells periodically, at least annually, for
proper functioning and clean out or replacement as necessary.

• Maintain riprap or other wave-protective measures and replace as needed.

• Remove and/or stabilize slide material as soon as practical. It may be necessary to

construct a berm or flatten the slope.

• Replace eroded material and establish vegetation in eroded areas in emergency

spillways, swales and other areas.

• Repair any unusual seepages, boils or settlements in fill areas, or sinkholes in

pool areas.
Also, observations should be made of any changes in topography, downstream drainage
systems or land uses that may have a bearing on the operational effectiveness and safety
of detention structures.

E.2.6 VOLUME MAINTENANCE

One of the most important variables in the design of a detention structure is the volume
available for storage of runoff. If a detention structure is allowed to accumulate sediment
and debris which will decrease the storage volume, the ability of the structure to function
as designed can be greatly reduced. Thus it is essential to maintain the design volume.

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Appendix E
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To facilitate the inspection of the structures for volume control, it is recommended that
some marker be installed in the detention structure to indicate the maximum level for silt
buildup before the structure must be dredged or cleaned. This marker could be a small
pipe with a stripe or suitable indicator at the cleanout level. A suitable indicator could
also be place on the outlet device or in some location which can be easily identified
during the inspection process.

E.2.7 SEDIMENT BASINS

Often detention structures are used as temporary sediment basins. To control the
maintenance of these structures some criteria must be established to determine when
these structures should be cleaned and how much of the available storage can be used for
sediment storage.

E.2.8 EXAMPLE

The following is an example of possible criteria and procedures that can be used for
sediment basin maintenance.

Figure 12-1 can be used to estimate sediment trap efficiency for sediment basins with
different volumes. The procedure for using this figure is as follows.
1. Establish sediment generation criteria (e.g., 125 m3 silt per disturbed hectare
draining to the sediment basin).
2. Estimate total volume available for sediment storage from the geometric shape of
the basin (e.g., 550 m3).

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E-1
12

3. Calculate minimum silt storage needed given the silt generation criteria (e.g., 125
m3 per disturbed hectare x 4 hectares of disturbed area = 500 m3).
4. Trap efficiency can be estimated from Figure 12-1 as follows
• 550 m3 available storage/ 4 ha x 1 ha/10 000 m² = 0.001375 m
• 0.01375m x 1000 mm/m= 13.75 mm – storage/drainage area hectare
• from Figure 12-1 at 13.75mm- Trap Efficiency = 78%
5. If you were required to clean out the structure when the efficiency reached 50%,
the clean out elevation could be determined as follows:
• from Figure 12-1 at 50% trap efficiency, the storage/drainage area = 10.25 mm.,
• storage = 10.25mm x 4 ha x 1 m/1000 mm x 10 000 m²/1ha = 410 m3, and
• given the basin geometry, try different depths until you have 410 m3of storage still
available for sediment storage. This is then the depth where the basin should be
cleaned to ensure that the trap efficiency does not go below 50 percent.

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Appendix E
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This gives a procedure that can be used to estimate trap efficiency and also establish
clean out levels for a given efficiency. Different efficiencies might be established
according to the damage potential downstream.

E.3 STORM DRAINS

E.3.1 MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

Storm drains convey the water collected from catch basins and drop inlets to the natural
watercourses. The maintenance involved in storm drain systems is the removal of any
sand, silt, or debris and the maintenance of a tight seal at each pipe joint. There are
occasions when abrasive material is present in the water (or some chemical that has a
deleterious effect on the pipe) that causes the pipe material to be worn away. This
necessitates relining the pipe to preserve its integrity. It is recommended that the entire
storm system be inspected every 10 years and the catch basins twice yearly.

E.3.2 CLEANING

Water flushing can remove some partial clogs. Storm drains can be cleaned by using
drain-clearing rods or by inserting a rodding machine (heavy-duty sewer snake) in one
manhole and running it through to the next manhole.

E.4 CULVERTS

E.4.1 CULVERT MAINTENANCE

Culverts must be kept free of obstructions. Sand or sediment deposits shall be removed as
soon as possible. Inlet and outlet channels shall be kept in alignment and vegetation
controlled in order to minimize any significant restriction of flow. Reinforced concrete
box culverts require little maintenance, but they shall be inspected every 2 - 4 years for
cracks, bottom erosion and undermining at outlets. Undermining is the result of high
outlet velocities in erodible materials. Correction of undermining usually requires adding
an energy dissipater or protective measures.

E.4.2 CLEANING

Culverts may become clogged if the flow-line grade prevents self-cleaning. A permanent
correction is to relay the pipe on a steeper grade, but this is not always possible and is
often very expensive. The alternative is to clean the pipe frequently. (Every year, at the
end of the dry season)

Small culverts may be cleaned by flushing away debris with water pressure. An alternate
method of cleaning small culverts is to use hand tools supplemented by mechanical
means.

Some large culverts over 0.75 meters diameter must be cleaned by hand. A small sled or
wagon is useful for transporting material from inside the barrel to the culvert ends. In
some cases a small rubber-tired tractor, equipped with a push blade, may be used to
remove sand and silt deposits from the larger concrete culverts.

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Cleaned material and debris must be removed from the site.

E.4.3 REPAIRING

If the invert of a metal or concrete culvert becomes worn or eroded, it can be repaired by
relining with concrete grout, shotcrete, or asphalt cement. If the hydraulic capacity of the
culvert is not critical, a smaller pipe can be placed inside, and the space between the
pipes can be filled with pressure pumped portland cement grout, or shotcrete.

High velocity flows, containing large quantities of stone and rock, scour the culvert
bottom. Scour may be reduced by securing steel plates longitudinally along the bottom.
Scour around footings, cutoff walls, and headwalls may be repaired by replacing the
eroded material in kind or by filling the void with riprap or sacked concrete. In an
emergency a bituminous mix may be used.

When concrete pipe culverts settle, joints pull apart. Joints may be repaired by tamping
or rodding grout into the cracks.

In order to prevent erosion, energy dissipaters are sometimes placed at outlets of culverts
and drains. It is important that these be inspected periodically, particularly after major
flows, to ensure that they are in place and functional.

E.5 DITCHES

E.5.1 DITCH MAINTENANCE

Side ditches convey water away from carriageways and other areas. Ditches may be
unlined or lined with portland cement concrete, shotcrete, masonry, quarry rock,
bituminous concrete or vegetative material. Ditches shall be kept free of silt, debris, large
amounts of vegetation, or any other material that restricts the flow of water. A complete
cleaning shall be carry out at least every year.

The flow lines of unlined roadside ditches may be maintained by hand or by motorized
equipment supplemented with hand work.

Large roadside ditches are sometimes located at an elevation well below the carriageway
and not accessible to a motor grader. These may be reached with a truck mounted
hydraulic excavator operated from the shoulder.

Interceptor ditches on slopes, and along excavation or embankment benches, and outlet
ditches from culverts may require hand cleaning by using shovels and wheelbarrows.

E.5.2 REPAIRING
Joint separation is a common problem associated with concrete lined and masonry lined
ditches. Once water gets under the concrete or masonry, the underlying soil is removed
and deterioration may be rapid, so frequent inspection is vital (after any heavy rain) and
fast repairs a necessity if the investment is to be protected. If not immediately repaired,
erosion occurs under the lining, causing it to crack and sometimes drop.

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E.5.3 EROSION AND VEGETATION

Ditch erosion is the loss of soil caused by the rapid flow of water. It is controlled by
paving the ditch with bituminous asphalt aggregate mix, placement of masonry, grouting
rock, establishing erosion resistant vegetation, or by constructing checkdams. Since
erosion is serious, any case of erosion shall be reported to the person in charge. Ditches
lined with bituminous material oxidize or weather rapidly and shall be sprayed with
asphalt emulsion.

Since erosion is one of the major problems with ditches, the growth of vegetation is
encouraged. The vegetation may be maintained by adjoining property owners, but it shall
be checked by the District Maintenance Organization. One of the major problems when
vegetation is used to control erosion in ditches, is the control of weeds.

E.6 STORMWATER INLETS

Stormwater inlet structures are designed to intercept water in gutters and drainage
courses. They also act as settling basins to collect heavy solids, and they prevent debris
from entering culvert systems. Hand equipment and tools are usually used to clean
sediments from catch basins.

Grates on catch basins are used to prevent large objects and debris from entering the
system. Frequent inspections are required because debris such as pieces of cardboard,
newspapers, or flat metal can get caught on the grate and can prevent water from entering
the catch basin. Many times the time of rainfall is too short to allow for self-cleaning of
the system and debris tends to buildup over time. The frequency of inspection and
cleaning shall depend on the environment and on the design of the inlet.

Large catch basins constructed without a grate may collect large quantities of rock. This
rock may be removed by lowering a clam or backhoe bucket into the catch basin. Muck
may be removed by a wheelbarrow.

E.7 SLOPE DRAINS

Slope drains are paved or metal pipes used to carry water from a collector drain, gutter,
or ditch, into a roadside channel or natural watercourse. They should have firm contact
with the supporting surface. If connected to pavement or dike, a tight seal shall be
maintained.

The outlet end of slope drains shall be inspected regularly for erosion. At least once every
year. Eroded areas shall be repaired. Sometimes the repair may include extending the
drain.

Metal pipes used for slope drains on high embankments or benched excavations shall be
rigidly attached to the surface with pipe anchors. Anchors are designed to prevent the
pipe from separating at joints, but in spite of this, separation occasionally will occur.
Repairs consist of removing, re-installing and anchoring all pipe below the separation.

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E.8 CHECK DAMS, ENERGY DISSIPATERS AND BANK PROTECTION

E.8.1 CHECK DAMS

Check dams are used to collect water, redirect its flow, provide settlement basins for
siltation control, and control rate of flow. They are constructed of masonry, reinforced
concrete or grouted stone.

Check dams are inspected for undermining after each period of heavy water runoff.
Undermining shall be repaired by filling voids with large rocks, riprap, or sacked
concrete.

E.8.2 ENERGY DISSIPATERS

Energy dissipaters are used at the outlets to culverts flowing with inlet control and
therefore supercritical velocities. All energy dissipaters lessen outlet velocities, resulting
in better maintenance of the downstream channels. The energy dissipater may be a level
spreader, discharge apron, or hydraulic jump. They should discharge into an area
stabilized, if possible, by vegetation as a minimum. They shall be inspected for
undermining after periods of heavy runoff, and any undermining shall be repaired.

E.8.3 GROUTED RIPRAP PROTECTION

Undermining causes failure of this type of bank protection. Undermining leaves a void
under the grouted riprap that can rupture and cause the riprap to collapse into the void.
Repair consists of filling the voids and collapsed surfaces with rock and grouting.

E.8.4 SLOPE PAVING

Slope paving is a rigid type of slope protection composed of concrete reinforced with
wire mesh, or shotcrete. It is subject to damage by undermining, hydrostatic pressure, and
material being washed through cracks. If degrading of a stream or scour exposes the toe,
the toe shall be protected with grouted rock. Weep holes shall be placed in the slope
paving if there is a possibility of water seeping behind the paving. Weep holes may be
placed by drilling approximately 50mm diameter holes in the slope paving. If cracks
develop which permit the backing material to be washed out, they shall be sealed with
concrete grout. When the toe wall of concrete slope paving becomes exposed, it shall be
repaired using rock or concrete.

E.8.5 RETARDS AND PERMEABLE JETTIES

Retards and permeable jetties are frame structures made of wire mesh, chain-link, steel
rails or timber, filled with earth or stone ballast designed to absorb energy and to keep
erosive channel flows away from a bank. They are designed to decrease velocity and
induce sediment deposition or accretion.
The design of this type of structure is subjected to analysis of the flow and of the
sediment deposition and it must be carried out by hydraulics specialists.

Maintenance of such structures is confined primarily to the replacement of stone fill.

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E.8.6 GABIONS

The use of gabions is encouraged as the preferred alternative to check dams and grouted
riprap. To be effective, they need to be used in conjunction with a filter cloth backing.
Maintenance problems associated with gabions are minor in nature and consist mainly of
patching wire mesh and the addition of wire and clips.

E.9 UNDERDRAINS

Underdrains shall be checked in the early part of the wet season to ensure that they have
not become clogged with sand or roots and that outlets are free to drain. Presence of silt
or dirty water coming out of an underdrain indicates a possible break in the pipe. This
shall be reported at once so that an investigation and remedial measures can be initiated.

Manual cleaning is required to clean out long sections of clogged pipe. When the pipe
becomes clogged, the filter material probably has become silted and its effectiveness has
been reduced to a level that makes it necessary to consider replacement.

E.10 BRIDGES

E.10.1 INTRODUCTION

Bridges must be kept free of obstructions. Debris and vegetative growth under a bridge
may contribute to scour, create a potential fire hazard and reduce freeboard for debris
during high-water flows, resulting in a serious threat to the bridge. A reduced effective
flow area under the bridge may also result in excessive bridge backwater damage, more
frequent carriageway overtopping and a hazard to the traveling public.

Maintaining a channel profile record and revising it as significant changes occur provides
an invaluable record of the tendency toward scour, channel shifting, and degradation or
aggradation. A study of these characteristics can help predict when protection of pier and
abutment footings may be required. Being able to anticipate problems and taking
adequate protective steps will avoid or minimize the possibility of future serious
difficulties.

Maintenance inspection must be commensurate with the risk involved. Where probing
and or diving are necessary, the inspection shall be scheduled at the season of lowest
water elevation. High-water and debris marks with the date of occurrence shall be
recorded for future reference.

E.10.2 MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

The following are some of the maintenance problems that can be encountered:
• Clogging of bridge deck drains and scuppers, which may create a hazard to traffic
and contribute to deck deterioration.
• Discharges of bridge deck drains that are detrimental to other members of the
bridge, and those spilling onto a carriageway below. In addition, discharges that
may cause fill and bank erosion.

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• Clogging of air vents in the superstructure or deck of bridges subject to

overtopping which may increase buoyancy forces and the possibility of bridge
washouts.
• Accumulation of debris in the open space between the handrails of bridges subject
to overtopping which may induce additional lateral forces on the bridges and
increase the risk of washouts.
• Channel aggradation or degradation.
• Scour at piers and abutments caused by accumulation of debris and or excessive
velocities.
• Damage to bridge approach embankment caused by channel encroachment.
• Loss of riprap due to erosion, scour, and wave action.
• Damage to bridge elements due to debris and excessive velocities

E.10.3 MAINTENANCE MEASURES

Maintenance measures include the following.

• Repair of damaged bridge elements.
• A schedule for removal of debris after major floods.
• Removal of sand and gravel bars in the channel that may direct stream flow in
such a manner as to cause harmful scour at piers and abutments.
• Cleaning bridge deck drains and keeping their outlets away from traffic
underneath. Also providing riprap or other means of protection at outlets to avoid
fill and bank erosion.
• Removal of debris caught between bridge handrails and opening vent holes
designed to reduce buoyancy.
• Making a channel change when necessary to redirect the flow away from bridge
approaches and in line with the bridge skew.
• Dredging of channels that are subjected to a high degree of aggradation in order
to maintain waterway adequacy.
• Constructing cutoff walls to reduce or stop progressive channel degradation.
• Replacing lost dirt in scour holes and constructing riprap mats or other means of
protection for undermined piers and abutments.
• Replacing missing riprap on embankment slopes, channel banks, spur dikes, etc.
• Constructing additional openings to accommodate increased urbanization in the
drainage area upstream from the bridge.
• Modifying or increasing existing protective measures when needed.

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 FIGURE E-2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION SHEET
This maintenance and inspection sheet is given as an example and shall be adapted to each organisation in charge of maintenance
Description of structure :……………… Items to be inspected : Frequency of Inspection
…………………………………………………… 1…………………………………………………………………… ……………
……………………………….. 2…………………………………………………………………… Person in charge
3……………………………………………………………………
Location :……………………………… 4……………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………… 5……………………………………………………………………
…………………………… 6…………………………………………………………………

Date of next Date of Team / person Damage /clogging reported Maintenance / Cleaning works Team/ person in Date of
planned inspection in charge of to be carried out charge of maintenance
inspection inspection maintenance/ / cleaning
cleaning works work

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 FIGURE E-2 MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION SHEET. EXAMPLE OF USE

Description of structure :…Pipe culvert Items to be inspected : Frequency of

…………………… 1 Clogging of pipe…………………………………………… Inspection
…………………………………………………………… 2 Scouring at outlet ………………………………………… Every Year……………
…………………………………………………………… 3 Bottom erosion………………………………………………
……………………………………………….. 4………………………………………………………………
Location :…Km 45- 5……………………………………………………………… PERSON IN CHARGE OF
100…………………………………..…. Whenever a new type of damage is reported, it shall be added SUPERVISION
…………………………………………………………… in this section
………………………………………………………….......

Date of Date of Team / person Damage /clogging reported Maintenance / Cleaning works Team/ person in Date of
next inspection in charge of to be carried out charge of maintenance /
planned inspection maintenance/ cleaning work
inspection cleaning works
01/01/2002 07/01/2002 Mr X Nothing to report
07/01/2002 05/01/2002 Mr X 1 Pipe clogged Cleaning Mr S TO BE DONE
2 Scouring at outlet Build energy dissipator Dept A 28/01/2002
05/01/2003 TO BE DONE

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 FIGURE E-3

ETHIOPIAN ROADS AUTHORITY CULVERT CONDITION SURVEY Date :

ROAD SECTION : Km ………... to Km …………

CULVERT Location : Km
Type (Check box) Pipe Box Single slab Double slab

Section and dimensions : Diameter : Length : Height : Width :

Nature (Check Box) Reinforced Concrete Steel Other (Specify) :

Wing walls inlet

outlet

Slabs inlet
outlet

your comments)

CONDIDITON OF
Culvert body

STRUCTURE (Enter
Channel entrance
exit

Embankment top
entrance side

(Enter your
comments)
exit side

ENVIRONMENT
CONDIDITON OF
Structure

Environement

WORKS
REQUIRED

MAINTENANCE
Page E-16 Ethiopian Roads Authority
 Appendix E
Drainage Design Manual - 2002 Maintenance Considerations

REFERENCES
1. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Manual
for Maintenance Inspection of Bridges. 1983.
2. American Public Works Association. Urban Stormwater Management, Special
Report No. 49. 1981. American Public Works Association, 1313 East Sixtieth
Street, Chicago, Illinois.
3. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Culvert
Inspection Manual, FHWA-IP-86, July 1986.
4. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Integration
of Maintenance Needs into Preconstruction Procedures, FHWA-TS78-216, 1978.

Ethiopian Roads Authority Page E-17