Debris Control for Culverts and Bridges

In Debris Control for Culverts and Bridges, you'll learn ...

• Various types of debris and the problems associated with debris accumulation at culvert and bridge structures
• How to estimate the volume and maximum size of floating debris upstream of a bridge site and the potential for the debris to accumulate on a bridge structure
• Types of debris countermeasures available for culvert and bridge structures
• Criteria for selection of debris countermeasures, as well as design guidelines for structural countermeasures systems

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 7 PDH

Length: 147 pages

Accumulation of debris at inlets of highway culverts and bridge structures is a frequent cause of unsatisfactory performance and malfunction. There are various potential problems associated with debris accumulations. In general, debris accumulations can adversely impact the conveyance through a culvert or bridge structure, exacerbate the contraction and local scour at a bridge structure, increase the hydraulic loading on a bridge structure, and cause upstream flooding. Therefore, consideration of debris accumulations and the need for debris-control structures should be an essential part of the design of all drainage structures.

Structural and non-structural measures have been used effectively to prevent or reduce the size of debris accumulations at bridges and culverts. Structural measures can include features that: (a) intercept debris at or upstream of a structure inlet; (b) deflect debris near the inlet; or (c) orient the debris to facilitate passage of the debris through the structure. Non-structural measures include management of the upstream watershed and maintenance.

The target audience for this course is structural, transportation, and other civil engineers who oversee design or maintenance of culverts or bridges.

Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained

This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:

• Debris types and problems associated with their accumulation at culverts & bridges
• Estimating the volume of floating debris upstream of a bridge
• Estimating the potential for the debris to accumulate on a bridge
• Estimating the potential maximum size of the debris accumulation
• Guidelines for modeling & analyzing debris accumulations on a bridge
• Structural countermeasures: selection criteria and design guidelines for culverts & bridges
• Non-structural countermeasures: maintenance and debris management

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 35 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.