Question for you road construction folks....
I'm about to put in another driveway for my bus and need to know what the best type of culvert to use is. My other driveway has a 15" concrete culvert which I have been crossing without problems. Should I stay with the concrete ($45.95 per 4' section and darned heavy to handle) or, if it will stand the load, should I go with the ribbed plastic? ??? Thanks for a quick answer.
I'd stay with the concrete.
What does local code require?
If done right, either will work.
FWIW, SC highway dept is using the plastic.
Darrell I installed 18" ADS plastic under my driveway for a 40,000 lb bus and have no problems you follow the mfg specs on the bedding and it works good.
I'm leaning towards the PVC pipe, especially since it's less than half the price of the concrete and a whole lot easier to handle by myself! Any other opinions/suggestions?
PS: Lowe's says the pvc pipe is DOT approved.
Darrell, not sure if you live on a state maintained road, but if you are placing the tiles in a state right of way (half of some folks front yards), NCDOT will install them without charge. They'll dig'em in and slick everything up. They work fast too. Just be sure and get the things deep enough to pour whatever thickness of concrete you'll need for your project.
This is assuming you're working next to a road.
Steel culverts are the strongest, but they are #%* expensive.
I used concrete tiles and have had no problems. And that's with a gravel drive entrance.
I'd be afraid of the plastic...But, I'm not an engineer either! NCDOT can offer ideas aobut what will work and what isn't a good idea. ;)
JR
I would talk to neighbors, local contractors etc. to get the best idea on what works best in your area. You don't want to install something and it either fails or is not up to any local codes. You also don't want to tear something out if it's wrong and then redo it. Get the local facts first.
FWIW,
Paul
Darrell: if you have enough cover I would go with ADS N-12 Pipe, this is smooth on the inside, a double wall pipe, easy to work with and you can cut it with a saw if needed, they also make a very nice head wall also if needed, All the twp's are using this type of pipe in our area.
JR, Busnut,
I live on a private, non-state maintained road. I could build one out of wood if I was foolish enough to think it would work...... Because of the private road, the State will not participate. Steel is priced out of the question! Concrete is just to darned difficult to handle by myself. That is why I'm looking at the plastic.
Busnut, what is ADS N-12 pipe? Is this the standard for culvert? I'm going to check with the local Lowe's today and see what type of PVC pipe they have. I've got to get this done. My other half is getting fed up with having to back around the bus to get out out driveway for the past six months...... ::)
Darrel - Check with your local septic installer - they can usually bring up to 20' of galvanized culvert in one piece (they can also give you mitred ends if you need) on a trailer behind their dump, roll off the culvert then dump a load of gravel on it for you to spread - cheap and easy -FWIW
Darrel,
you need to bring home more flowers, candy etc. what kind of design and coordination supervisor gets upset about backing down a road past the "Pride and Joy" project of the family? :o :o
Come on now. someone needs an attitude adjustment. ;) ;D
Manasst, a blond, and my bride of thirty-five years....... ;D
What really matters is how deep you can cover the culvert. If it is covered with enough road fill then there is next to no load carried by the culvert. The closer it is to the surface then the more load it has to carry. If there's any wienies (engineers) here they could do the calculation for you. But they'd probably want to know a whole bunch of stuff about your dirt that nobody except a wienie would understand or care about. As someone else has already suggested the least cost, most reliable option is to drive around and look at what everyone else is doing.