Why Pre-cast Concrete Box Culverts
 

Precast concrete box culverts are one of the most versatile and cost effective pre-cast concrete products on the market today, meeting and exceeding the needs of a multitude of fast‑paced construction projects. Flexibility in design and ease of placement lead to cost savings across the board.

The uses for pre-cast concrete box culverts are endless. They can be used for underpasses, service tunnels, subways, outfalls, bridges, stream culverts, material handling, utility storage, chimneys, vertical storage, watertight holding tanks and more.

Pre-cast concrete manufacturers offer a variety of standard box culverts as well custom designs. Additional features can be added by the producer to meet the exact needs of any project: toe walls, manhole openings, headwalls, wing walls, pipe openings, V‑bottoms, keyed‑ends, sloped‑faced ends and water tight joints. Optional exterior coatings can also be applied at the plant reducing onsite construction. Pre-cast concrete box culverts can be produced in any size limited only by transportation weight.

ASTM Specification C 1433, "Standard Specification for Manufacture of Pre-cast Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Sections for Culverts, Storm Drains and Sewers," specifies design and manufacturing requirements to promote quality and durability.

Pre-cast concrete box culverts have several advantages over competing materials.

Superior strength and durability

The strength of pre-cast concrete gradually increases over time. Other materials can deteriorate, experience greater creep and stress relaxation, lose strength and/or deflect over time. The load‑carrying capacity of pre-cast concrete is derived from its own structural qualities and does not rely on the strength or quality of the surrounding backfill materials. Properly designed pre-cast concrete box culverts can easily support vehicular, aircraft and railway loads meeting AASHTO, FAA and AREMA specifications.

Quality control

Because pre-cast concrete products are produced in a controlled environment, they exhibit high quality and uniformity. Factors affecting quality typically found on a job site ‑ temperature, improper curing, poor craftsmanship and material quality ‑ are nearly eliminated in a plant environment. Pre-cast concrete products produced in a quality‑controlled environment and installed with high‑quality sealants offer a superior solution to water tightness requirements. Standard watertight sealants are specially formulated to adhere to pre-cast concrete, making watertight multiple‑seam pre-cast concrete box culverts possible.

Availability and ease of installation

Because pre-cast concrete box culverts are manufactured well in advance of installation, they are ready for transportation to the job site at a moment's notice. They are quickly installed in a matter of hours using a crane and a small crew. Backfilling can begin immediately rather than waiting several days or more for cast‑in‑place concrete to gain proper strength. Once backfilled, road construction can begin, greatly reducing the deviation of any associated lanes and congestion in the surrounding communities.

Reduced weather dependency

Pre-cast concrete increases efficiency because weather will not delay the manufacturing process in the pre-cast plant. In addition, weather conditions at the job site do not significantly affect the schedule. Conversely, forming and placing of concrete for cast-in‑place applications can be delayed significantly due to poor weather conditions.

Aesthetically pleasing

Pre-cast concrete box culverts can also include spandrel and wing wall panels with a multitude of architectural finishes. Finishes commonly available are: steel form, textured form liner, exposed aggregate, acid etched, brick and sand blast. Each is distinctly different, providing specifiers and owners a broad choice in appearance. Architectural finishes compliment the surrounding environment as well as comply with local aesthetic requirements.

Environmentally friendly

Pre-cast concrete is nontoxic, environmentally safe and made from all‑natural materials, making it an ideal material for use below grade or for the conveyance of water. Concrete has no proven ill effects on groundwater and surface water quality helping to preserve our natural water resources.

Economical

By incorporating pre-cast concrete box culverts into your next project you will be sure to finish under budget. Fewer skilled laborers and overall man‑hours will be required for the project, making pre-cast concrete box culverts ideal for meeting the needs of today's fast‑paced construction projects.

If you are spanning a small creek, designing a combined sewer overflow system or housing telecommunications equipment below grade, pre-cast concrete box culverts are the clear choice. Their versatility in design and modularity help make any project run smoothly, leading to overall cost savings.