Rehabilitation of Large Diameter Steel Culverts

摘要

Most of the large culverts in Maine are galvanized steel structural plate pipesand many of these are nearing the end of their service lives. In the past, these culverts have usually been replaced with new structural plate pipes. Rehabilitating culverts in place instead of constructing new pipes would save inconvenience and danger to the public during construction as well as construction costs. This study investigated the feasibility of rehabilitating structural plate pipes as well as alternative designs and materials for new or replacement culverts that would economically offer extended service lives and thus reduce the future need for culvert replacement. The study involved a literature search and a survey of state departments of transportation as well as receiving information from trade associations, suppliers, and contractors engaged in culvert rehabilitation. Using this information and current construction costs and estimated service lives, the economic feasibility of various rehabilitation methods and alternatives for new construction of large culverts were evaluated. Recommendations based on the material prices, construction costs, and expected service lives used in the study were made.