A versatile product, box culverts can be used as crossings, underpasses, tunnels, storage, and more. Easier to install than other materials and built to last for decades, they are also an environmentally friendly way to provide infrastructure and not disrupt the natural flow of streams and rivers.
For example, when used as stream crossings, box culverts are designed to handle various flows of water as well as extreme loading conditions. Precast box culverts come in many sizes, each with exacting specifications.
Engineered Uses
Built for a variety of infrastructure uses, our box culverts meet all Washington State and Oregon State Department of Transportation codes. Columbia Precast also manufactures custom box culverts to meet all specifications for use and strength. This could be an industrial facility drainage ditch crossing or for streams that rise and fall during the seasons.
Box culverts are poured as a single piece or in a two-piece split configuration based on engineered plans for maximum durability and installation ease. Culvert sections can be made as wide as 32’ and skewed up to 45 degrees. Joint compounds or mastic ensure the culverts are watertight and aid in a culverts functionality and lifespan.
ASTM Standards for box culvers have been in place for decades. Specific heights, widths, and lengths are needed to meet project specifications. This includes exterior and interior dimensions as well as wall, top, and bottom thickness.
Every aspect of the design of a culvert is engineered to provide strength where needed. It all comes together to create a single or series of culverts
Precast Concrete Benefits
There are several advantages to using precast solutions for your streambed or other types of crossings. Because they are manufactured in a controlled facility, box culverts can be mass-produced with the same quality over and over again. Culverts are also ready to be installed as soon as they reach the job site.
In the Pacific Northwest, eco-friendly building practices have become commonplace. As one of the most “green” building materials available, precast concrete will check many of those environmental boxes. Made from raw and naturally-occurring materials, any waste is captured and reused. When more material is recycled, fewer materials head to the landfills.
Perhaps the most attractive aspect of precast concrete is their durability. While corrugated steel or large plastic conduit can be used, they just don’t possess the strength of precast concrete. Steel can rust and HDPE plastic culverts need to be put together on-site, have an engineered backfill process, as well as strength testing on site.
For example, precast concrete box culverts can be used side by side without any special backfilling procedures. For wide crossings, corrugated steel or plastic culverts need to be placed at specific intervals to ensure there is appropriate soil compaction around each culvert.
The edges of these culverts can also be easily compromised, meaning extra support is needed at the openings. The strength of precast concrete relieves these worries, although care is needed around the openings to keep debris from blocking the flow of water. The addition of wing walls is often recommended.
Proven Precast Providers
Manufactured to last a century, precast concrete is rust and rot-resistant. This means fewer repairs and replacements, which means less material is needed in the long run. They can also be installed and backfilled almost immediately.
With unmatched strength, easy installation, and ready availability, precast catch basins are an ideal choice. Ready to make a bid on a large project that requires catch basins? Contact Columbia Precast Products to see how we can help. We have more than 130 years of combined experience and look forward to working with you.
