creating a culvert

[Mtsoxfan]

ok thinking out of the wrong end here but but wondering
could you dig a ditch
put something like rebar chairs down
put the barrels in
pour a few inches of concrete
pour a few more inches of concrete, hopefully with something to keep the barrels down
keep pouring a bit more concrete, perhaps some rebar here and there
and end up with a cheap-ish concrete culvert by using the sides of the ditch and the barrel as a form?
probably way too much work and needs enough rebar that you'd be better off buying a corrugated culvert...

Thanks for reply. Some of you are looking at me building something way over engineered. I am driving a 2600# tractor over a small stream. Current set up worked until it was partially cut/squashed near an end. And it still functions as long as I stay up on keeping it clear, which I forget, since I rarely use, and then damage is done. Money IS an object here.

 

[scootr]

If you search CL and FB you may find some free culvert. I did.

 

[dougtrr2]

Thanks for trying. If you read posts, you'd realize that my tractor is the max weight, it is only an access point for me, and electric company.

Any chance the electric company can contribute to this project??

Doug in SW IA

 

[scootr]

Any chance the electric company can contribute to this project??

Doug in SW IA

Seems like the utility company will easily exceed your tractor weight with any vehicle they use.

 

[tfuller]

I'll not be in the area when someone goes to cut a old propane tank.

Its not a problem if you do it correctly. Fill the tank with water to displace any remaining propane and you can cut it without issue. Have seen several done this way to make trailer grills etc

 

[ArlyA]

Its not a problem if you do it correctly. Fill the tank with water to displace any remaining propane and you can cut it without issue. Have seen several done this way to make trailer grills etc

How are you cutting it? I worked in the oil patch for years, still don't like doing it.

 

[tfuller]

How are you cutting it? I worked in the oil patch for years, still don't like doing it.

I have seen it done with a torch but I am sure a cutting a disk or plasma could also work.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I made two creek crossings, one is down to bedrock and I dammed the upstream side with some rip rap so crossing place is wide and shallow. Other is a 4ft x 24ft galvanized corrugated pipe since there the creek was down about 6-7ft. I dug it sloped back then some #57s in, rolled pipe in, then layered clay & 57s. It never gets clogged and of course sloped a little downhill for creek flow.
It wasn't cheap but will work for years.
At my homeplace where driveway crosses creek over the years they tried a variety of things. Now it's a mixture of 6" to 3ft pipes, plastic, concrete, steel, etc. Right now it's almost ready to wash out...always giving trouble.

 

[Jchonline]

Thank you. Very useful.
The more people like you chime in with useful info, the better understanding I have of issues. I am currently looking for used pipe, tough find in these parts. Slope is an issue as well. Guessing 4" max over 10' or so. It doesn't help that the pipe at exit end was cracked on top half and push down, creating resistance for leaves. I think this pipe was laid down to allow electric company access for their sxs. Fill is 6" on top max.

Pictures would help, but the ideal situation is to:

1. dig it all out, try and save the pipe if you can.
2. shoot grade on both sides, 4 in over 10 ft of fall is just fine. Key here is to ensure the inlet is also properly graded and compacted. I do a gradual slope into the inlet....say over 10 feet so you can to reduce the rush of water right up to the pipe (think prevent a waterfall that will erode under the pipe inlet).
3. place pipe, fill carefully at least 6" on top of a 12" pipe (do NOT hit the pipe when filling...I have done this on 2 x 20 ft sections and pulled them apart in the middle...had to dig it all out and redo it...never again) with 2 minus to fines or some well compacting road base.
4. compact both sides of pipe well
5. Fill over and grade road over pipe

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks for trying. If you read posts, you'd realize that my tractor is the max weight, it is only an access point for me, and electric company.

Electric company will probably bring a bucket truck at a minimum....19k lbs. If that is the case I doubt the 55 gal drums will hold up well.