GB2296304A

GB2296304A - Pre-cast concrete box culvert

Info

Publication number: GB2296304A
Application number: GB9525588A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Matheson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-12-20
Filing date: 1995-12-14
Publication date: 1996-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-14
Also published as: GB9425725D0; GB9525588D0; GB2296304B

Abstract

The box culvert comprises a hollow body having a longitudinal base 3 extending between opposite ends 5, 7 of the body and wherein the opposite ends are configured with complementary abutment means 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 for engagement with the complementary end of another said box culvert to facilitate assembly thereof in longitudinal alignment and wherein the abutment means is configured to allow engagement of one box culvert with another by movement in a direction substantially normal to said longitudinal axis. Such a construction permits each box culvert to be lowered into position in substantially its intended installation position. The complementary surfaces may be tapered to guide each culvert into alignment with the previously installed culvert. Complementary sealing means comprising an axially extending lip and a recess may be provided to the opposite ends. <IMAGE>

Description

TITLE: Pre-cast Concrete Box Culvert DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a box culvert especially one of pre-cast concrete construction but without limitation to same.

One application of concrete box culverts is to carry underground water courses. They are usually either square or rectangular in elevation and they are jointed by a male/female rebate whereby the male end of one box culvert can be inserted axially into the female end of another box culvert to build up the desired length of culvert. Each succeeding culvert is lowered into a position in longitudinal alignment with the preceding culvert but then has to be pushed or pulled in the longitudinal direction to engage the male projecting part within the female rebate of the preceding part. Usually some form of mechanical or hydraulic aid has to be used since the culvert sections can weigh many tons. The current design complicates the assembly procedure and it is an aim of the present invention to provide a solution.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a box culvert comprising a hollow body having a longitudinal bore extending between opposite ends of the body, the opposite ends being configured with complimentary abutments for engagement with the complimentary end of another said box culvert to assemble said box culverts in longitudinal alignment, and wherein the abutment is configured to allow engagement of one box culvert with another by movement in a direction substantially normal to said longitudinal axis.

More particularly, the abutments provide for lateral restraint so determining longitudinal alignment in a lateral direction and also provide an end stop in the normal direction whereby engagement of the respective abutments ensures longitudinal alignment of the respective culverts. Thus, the preferred normal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions and for most practical purposes will correspond to a vertical direction. More preferably, the abutment to one end comprises a recess providing lateral abutments conveniently in a vertical longitudinal plane and one or more end abutments. The recess is open in the upward direction to permit entry of the complimentary part by movement in a substantially vertically downward direction.

For a typical square or rectangular section box culvert, the abutment surfaces will be substantially linear. Advantageously, lateral abutments may be relatively inclined to converge towards one another in a downward direction from the upper opening. This is advantageous in guiding the components into alignment during assembly. A further advantageous feature incorporates a wedging action to one or more of the complimentary abutment surfaces which serve to interlock and/or to draw the box culvert sections together in the axial direction during assembly. This may be provided by one or more of the aforesaid end abutments.

More preferably still, a further preferred embodiment has complimentary end abutments which provide longitudinal location and are conveniently configured to draw together two box culverts during assembly of one with another during a relative lowering movement. More especially, one end of the box culvert has oppositely disposed recesses which are open in a generally lateral direction and provide two oppositely facing spaced end abutments, whilst the other end has complimentary oppositely disposed ribs which project said generally lateral direction and have two oppositely spaced end abutments for cooperating engagement.

More particularly, at least one of end abutments of the recess and at least one of the end abutments of the rib are tapered for sliding cooperation during a lowering movement of one culvert with respect to another for installation purposes, the taper acting to draw the two box culverts together in the longitudinal direction.

Advantageously one or more mutually cooperable lateral abutments are provided to centralise the culverts laterally. A taper of the order of 20 is deemed sufficient.

Any of the above-described embodiments may be provided with a sealing rebate to the top edge, conveniently comprising a longitudinally extending lip and a corresponding rebate to the other end for cooperating engagement.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing two or more box culverts in longitudinal alignment, in which a second and any subsequent box culverts are lowered into position in substantially their intended longitudinal installed position whereby two box culverts are brought directly into their intended longitudinal installation position by the cooperation of mutually engageable complimentary abutments surfaces during said lowering movement.

The method preferably employs the aforedescribed configuration of box culverts with an end recess which is accessible vertically by a complimentary end of another box culvert. By virtue of the aforedescribed construction of the box culvert sections axial positioning is made possible during lowering. With the preferred construction of box culvert the end abutments draw the culverts together longitudinally during the lowering movement. Thus, the positioning procedure is simplified.

The present invention will now be described further, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the opposite ends of two box culvert sections, Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly procedure, Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the opposite ends of two box culvert sections to an alternative design, Figure 4 is a pictorial view of one side of a male end of a box culvert according to a further embodiment, Figure 5 is a pictorial view of the one side of a complimentary female end of a box culvert according to the further embodiment of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssection showing part of the male and female ends of two box culverts as they are first brought into engagement, Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssection as per Figure 6 showing the joint in the assembled/closed position, Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the opposite complimentary ends of two box section culverts incorporating a further modification, and Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal crosssection of the embodiment of Figure 8 in its assembled position.

Referring to the drawings1 Figure 1 illustrates one complete pre-cast concrete box culvert and part of a second identical box section culvert. Each culvert comprises a hollow rectangular body 1 having a bore 3 extending between opposite ends 5, 7 of the body. The bore defines a longitudinal axis. In the illustration the box section culverts are generally rectangular with a base 2, two side walls 4, 6 and a top 8. Each body is constructed identically and one end 7, conveniently referred to as a female end is formed with rim portions 10 defining a recess having two lateral abutment surfaces 9, 11 which in the illustrated embodiment are parallel to one another and at 900 to a lower abutment surface 13. The rim portions have end surfaces 12 terminating below the upper surface 8, the purpose of which will be apparent hereinafter. There is a section of end wall between the bore 3 and the aforesaid abutment surfaces 9, 11, 13. The other end of the culvert comprises a complimentary part having lateral abutment surfaces 15, 17 and a lower abutment surface 19 projecting from an end wall part 20 by a distance corresponding to the depth of the recess in the other end. These surfaces are inset from the external sides and base of the box section culvert, whilst the top surface 8 extends to provide downwardly facing upper abutment surfaces 22. It will be noted that the aforedescribed recess is open to the upper surface 8.The distance between the abutment surfaces 15, 17 is such as to enable them to engage between abutment surfaces 9, 11 of another culvert and when so installed the respective surfaces 13, 19 and 12, 22 will be in mutual engagement so that the longitudinal axis of the respective bores 3 are in alignment. In an alternative embodiment the respective side abutment surfaces 9, 11; 15, 17 may be relatively inclined so as to converge in the downward direction (ie. towards the lower abutment surfaces 13, 19) for the purposes of guiding the components into alignment. These surfaces may be in a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis or inclined with respect to same so that when viewed from above the male surfaces 15, 17 either converge or diverge in a direction inwardly from the end and the female surfaces are angled to correspond.

In positioning the box culverts for use (see Figure 2), each successive culvert 1 is lowered into position and by virtue of the afore-described recess being accessible by way of an upward facing opening, the successive box culvert can be lowered directly into position, ie. in the desired axial position thereby avoiding the need for longitudinal movement.

Cooperation of the side abutment surfaces 9, 15 and 11, 17 determines lateral alignment, whilst cooperation of the abutment surfaces 13, 19 and/or 12, 22 determines vertical alignment as these abutment surfaces act as end stops.

Referring now to Figure 3, this illustrates a perspective view corresponding to Figure 1, but showing alternative features. Identical features use corresponding reference numerals. However in this embodiment, the abutment surfaces 12 rather than being solely in a horizontally plane now have inclined portions 12' and the complimentary abutment surfaces 22 of the male part have correspondingly tapered parts 22'.

When viewed in longitudinal section the angle between the surface 12' and the end face 7 is acute. Similarly, the angle between the surface 22' and the end 20 is acute such that lowering of a successive box culvert into position results in an interlocking action as the respective inclined surfaces contact. The weight of the culvert acting through the taper generates a side thrust to draw the two box culverts together.

In Figure 3 the abutment surfaces 13 and 19 are illustrated as having complimentary tapered configurations. This is optional. Alternatively these surfaces may be inclined whilst the abutments 12, 22 remain horizontal. The side faces 9, 11, 15, 17 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis or inclined as mentioned above.

Referring now to the preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to Figures 4 to 7, a box section culvert has a top, bottom and opposite side walls and a through bore extending between opposite ends 5, 7 as previously described. Each body is constructed identically and has what can conveniently be referred to a female end 7, the left side of which (as viewed from that end) is shown in Figure 4. The shape will be further apparent from Figures 6 and 7. The male and female ends provide complimentary projections and recesses. Thus, the female end has two oppositely disposed recesses 40 having spaced end abutments 42, 44.

The recesses are accessed from an upper and.

Conveniently abutment 44 is disposed in a lateral plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the box culvert. Abutment 42 is inclined from the perpendicular such that the recess 40 narrows from the open end to the lower end, which in the illustrated embodiment is closed off by a lower abutment 46. A taper of 20 has been found satisfactory. Associated with the recess 40 is a projection 48. A longitudinal sealing element 70 is fitted into the corner of recess 40. In the illustration, the projection and recesses 48, 40 to the opposite sides of the box culverts face one another.

The lateral surface 40a of recess 40 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis or inclined with respect thereto by angle x (see Figure 6). The corresponding surfaces are likewise angled.

The male end 5 is configured to be engaged with the female end and has a projection 50 disposed to opposite sides thereof and associated therewith a recess 56. An end abutment surface 52 delimits the projection and recess and is inclined to correspond with the angle of inclination of the afore-described end abutment surface 42. End surfaces 54 and 55 are parallel and disposed in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the box culvert. Upper 62 and lower 64 abutments are provided to the male end for cooperating engagement with the lower 46 and upper abutments 47 of the female end in the fully engaged position.

Note also that the projection 48 terminates short of the abutment 47 to leave a gap 49, and similarly the projection 50 terminates short of the abutment surface 62 to leave a gap 69.

Assembly of two box culverts is substantially as previously described, by lowering one box culvert relative to a previously positioned culvert. Thus, the leading end of projection 50 is introduced into the open end of recess 40, and of course the upper end of projection 48 is received in the recess 56 which is open to the lower end. The lowering operation will bring the abutment surfaces 42, 52 into contact and the sliding engagement, during lowering will move the culvert being lowered in the longitudinal direction of arrow A to align the respective box culvert and compresses the sealing element 70 as shown in Figure 7. The spacing between the opposite lateral surfaces 401, 481 of the female end affords a clearance with the lateral surfaces of the male end (as seen in Figure 7) to permit assembly whilst providing lateral abutment for limiting sideways misalignment.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, here we illustrate an embodiment which has all the features of the embodiment described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 and hence has not been described further in this regard. In addition, it shows a sealing rebate to the top edge. Thus one end, ie. the female end of the box culvert, has a laterally extending rebate 60 in the top surface, whilst the male end has a complimentary longitudinally extending lip 62. On assembly, these parts fit one within the other and conveniently a sealing strip 64 is disposed between the parts. Such a lip and rebate may be incorporated in any of the above described embodiments.

Claims

1. A box culvert comprising a hollow body having a longitudinal bore extending between opposite ends of the body, the opposite ends being configured with complimentary abutment means for engagement with the complimentary end of another said box culvert to assemble said box culverts in longitudinal alignment, and wherein the abutment means is configured to allow engagement of one box culvert with another by movement in a direction substantially normal to said longitudinal axis.

2. A box culvert as claimed in claim 1 in which the abutments provide for lateral restraint so determining longitudinal alignment in a lateral direction and also provide an end stop in the normal direction whereby engagement of the respective abutments ensures longitudinal alignment of the respective culverts.

3. A box culvert as claimed in claim 2 in which the normal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions and for most practical purposes will correspond to a vertical direction.

4. A box culvert as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the abutment to one end comprises a recess providing lateral abutments in a vertical longitudinal plane and one or more end abutments.

5. A box culvert as claimed in claim 4 in which the recess is open in the upward direction to permit entry of the complimentary part by movement in a substantially vertically downward direction.

6. A box culvert as claimed in any one of the preceding claim when square or rectangular in section, in which the abutment surfaces are substantially linear.

7. A box culvert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising lateral abutments relatively inclined to converge towards one another in a downward direction from an upper opening.

8. A box culvert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the abutments means incorporates a wedging action to one or more of the complimentary abutment surfaces which serve to interlock and/or to draw the box culvert sections together in the axial direction during assembly.

9. A box culvert as claimed in claim 1 in which the box culverts have complimentary end abutments which provide longitudinal location and are configured to draw together two box culverts during assembly of one with another during a relative lowering movement.

10. A box culvert as claimed in claim 9 in which one end of the box culvert has oppositely disposed recesses which are open in a generally lateral direction and provide two oppositely facing spaced end abutments, whilst the other end has complimentary oppositely disposed ribs which project said generally lateral direction and have two oppositely spaced end abutments for cooperating engagement.

11. A box culvert as claimed in claim 10 in which at least one of end abutments of the recess and at least one of the end abutments of the rib are tapered for sliding cooperation during a lowering movement of one culvert with respect to another for installation purposes, the taper acting to draw the two box culverts together in the longitudinal direction.

12. A box culvert as claimed in claim 11 in which one or more mutually cooperable lateral abutments are provided to centralise the culverts laterally.

13. A box culvert as claimed in claim 11 or 12 in which the taper is of the order of 20.

14. A box culvert as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which a sealing rebate is provided to a top edge of the culvert.

15. A box culvert as claimed in claim 14 in which the sealing rebate comprises a longitudinally extending lip to one end of the culvert and a corresponding rebate to the other end for cooperating engagement with the] corresponding end of a mating box culvert.

16. A box culvert constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of Figures 1 and 3 or 4 to 7 or as modified according to Figures 8 and 9.

17. A method of installing two or more box culverts in longitudinal alignment, in which a second and any subsequent box culverts are lowered into position in substantially their intended longitudinal installed position whereby two box culverts are brought directly into their intended longitudinal installation position by the cooperation of mutually engageable complimentary abutment surfaces during said lowering movement.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17 which employs box culverts with an end recess which is accessible vertically by a complimentary end of another box culvert.

19. A method as claimed in claim 17 and utilising a box culvert according to one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A method of installing two or more box culverts in longitudinal alignment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.