FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual—Primer on Culverts - a PDH Online Course for Engineers, Architects and Surveyors

FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual—Primer on Culverts

Course Outline

This three-hour online course discusses the structural, hydraulic, geometric, and durability characteristics of culverts, and their available protective systems. The types and locations of culvert distress are also described.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

Be familiar with the difference between culverts and bridges;
Know the structural characteristics of culverts;
Know culvert shapes;
Know principles of the hydraulics of culverts;
Be familiar with culvert materials;
Be familiar with culvert durability;
Know culvert protective systems;
Be familiar with culvert end treatments;
Understand the factors affecting culvert performance;
Know oil and water conditions that affect culverts; and
Be familiar with the types and locations of culvert distress.

Intended Audience

This course is intended primarily for civil, construction, and structural engineers, and would be of particular interest to consulting engineers or to engineers serving in government organizations concerned with the safety of bridges.

Benefit to Attendees

An attendee of this course will be familiar with the characteristics of culverts and will be able to participate in and interpret culvert inspection programs.

Course Introduction

A culvert is a structure designed hydraulically to take advantage of submergence to increase water carrying capacity. In recent years, the number, size, complexity, and cost of culvert installations have increased. Thus now the failure of a culvert may be more than amerce driving inconvenience. Failure of a major culvert may be both costly and hazardous. Inspection of culverts has become a significant activity in the maintenance of road systems.

Course Content

This course is based on the Basics Concepts Primer section, pp. P.3.1-P.3.36, of the Federal Highway Administration Bridge Inspector’s Reference Manual, Publication No. FHWA NHI 03-001, October, 2002, Revised December, 2006.

FHWA Bridge Inspector’s Manual—Primer on Culverts

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Course Summary

The characteristics of culverts are described in a manner useful for conducting field inspections of their condition.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bripro.htm

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.