1. Development of Self-Cleaning Box Culvert Design Phase II
Sponsor: Iowa Highway Research Board
Investigator: Dr. Marion Muste, The University of Iowa
Presented By: Brian Worrel, Iowa DOT
2016 AASHTO RAC Meeting
July | Providence, Rhode Island

2. The Problem
Obstructed culverts contribute to flooding and property damage.
Cleanup is costly, time consuming and repetitive.
Mechanics of sedimentation had not been well investigated. 2

3. Numerical Simulations
Phase I – Sedimentation Mitigation Solution
Phase I Goal:
Hydraulically driven sedimentation mitigation.
Minimum disturbance to natural stream ecology and habitat.
Laboratory Modeling
Numerical Simulations
Mitigation Solution 3

4. Phase I - Sedimentation Mitigation Solution
Main Channel
Increased flow velocities
Increased sediment transport capacity
Side Barrels
Enhanced turbulence
Increased sediment suspension 4

5. Site Selection (11 Years Buildup)
Phase II – Pilot Project
Baseline Observation: No Mitigation Solution
Site Selection (11 Years Buildup)
First Project Cleanup
Real Time Monitoring
Two Years Buildup 5

6. Second Cleanup and Installation
Phase II – Pilot Project
Mitigation Solution Installed
Product Selection
Second Cleanup and Installation
Real Time Monitoring 6

7. Phase II – Pilot Project
Results After One Year
Reliable and efficient in both testing and monitoring phases.
Offers hydraulic and aquatic habitat similar to undisturbed stream.
Simple to implement at any stage of the culvert lifetime. 7

8. Phase II – Pilot Project
Current Status & Implementation
Design guidance being developed through STIC.
Web-based site selection application in development.
Potential standard policy for triple box culverts. 8

9. ? Determination of Value Costs Benefits Fillet Installation: $24k
Cleanups
Cleanup
No Benefits
Installation
(+) Benefits ?
Determination of Value
Costs
Fillet Installation: $24k
Average Cleanup: $10k to $20k
Benefits
Fewer road closures
Reduced maintenance costs
Reduced property damage costs 9

10. Development of Self-Cleaning Box Culvert Design Phase II
URL: publications.iowa.gov/16341
TRID Accession Number:
2016 AASHTO RAC Meeting
July | Providence, Rhode Island