creating a culvert

[Mtsoxfan]

I have a stream that runs through, and I cross frequently. It currently has a 12" plastic culvert, which is crushed just past where my wheel goes. I've been looking for used 18" or whatever, and nothing around. I was thinking about 3 -55 gal steel drums. I guessed that they would last at least 5 years. Not sure I need more than that. It's just a shortcut to area I could get to easily enough if culvert wasn't there. Price does play a role.
Thoughts?

 

[MF243RedTop]

I'm not sure.. but there's different gauges on the thickness of 55 gallon barrels ..you would definitely need the heavier gauge ..and then I would still be concerned with the amount of weight they could support as a culvert . I presume you would weld them together to create it ..let's here about the amount fill that would be used to cover it and the amount of weight that would be transported across it ..

 

[4570Man]

A 55 gallon barrel is drastically thinner than an actual culvert and they don’t have ribs either. They would probably crush under the backfill and almost certainly not hold up for driving.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Only 2 ribs. Didn't measure, but they are very heavy duty. Banded ends, not the bung type.
Crushed by backfill??? Really... These are not Walmart trash cans.
Only thinking of cutting less than 1/2 of ends out. Maybe round holes.
3500# max, and I really think it'd be closer to 2600#
Have never crossed with any kind of load. Too far from where ever I'm coming from/going to.

 

[paulsharvey]

I know it's expensive right now; but don't reinvent the wheel; 18" Corrigated Metal Pipe; go Atleast 8 ft longer on Each side than you think you need. Place min 12" of compact fill over the top, and your good for 25+ years. HDPE is same deal, but is lighter, maybe just a touch cheaper, but I don't trust it as much. If you want something to last more than 25 years; go with Reinforced concrete pipe, 15" or 18" pipe; wrap the joints with filter fabric, back fill, and your done.

 

[ArlyA]

You can find culvert "cut-offs" for cheap since they are left over from jobs.. . Here is a 10" I just picked up for free. I'd never wast my time with steel barrels....

 

[paulsharvey]

24 LF of 18" CMP, $830. I dont think the barrels would last, and it's a Lot more work, just go with a known product.

 

[Rustyiron]

If you're able to bury it deep enough, like 24" of cover it will work. For 2600# probably less, but the more earth over the "pipe" the more load it'll carry.
There's a point (depth) where there's no limit on weight and any more depth is useless. It's connected to the pipe diameter and this I don't know.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

24 LF of 18" CMP, $830. I dont think the barrels would last, and it's a Lot more work, just go with a known product.View attachment 826171

Like I said, money is an issue. I guess back to patiently waiting for a true culvert pipe...

 

[4570Man]

24 LF of 18" CMP, $830. I dont think the barrels would last, and it's a Lot more work, just go with a known product.View attachment 826171

Locally double wall 18” 20’ length is $400 plus tax.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If you're able to bury it deep enough, like 24" of cover it will work. For 2600# probably less, but the more earth over the "pipe" the more load it'll carry.
There's a point (depth) where there's no limit on weight and any more depth is useless. It's connected to the pipe diameter and this I don't know.

Well that's good info. I was only planning on 12"-15" of cover. Thanks

 

[paulsharvey]

Not knowing your area, and how much construction js going on; you may be able to pick up old 12" C900 Dr18/Dr25 water or sewer pipe in 16-20 ft lengths for next to nothing as demo, and put a double barrel pipe in. Still want min 12" compacted fill on top, but Dr18 or even Dr25 C900 is tough stuff. But it's expensive new, and only makes sense if there is demo/used available locally

 

[paulsharvey]

Barrels, a large amount of the strength from side loads (which is what you would be creating using it as pipe) is from the ends behing intact. They typically have no/almost no protection from corrosion. I know it's an exaggeration, but think soda can vs soda can with top and bottom cut off.

 

[CADplans]

The plastic culvert at Lowes is pretty cheap,, I would look hard at that before messing with barrels,,

 

[CADplans]

As far as barrels, if you are gonna use barrels,,
plastic barrels may be just as strong as steel barrels,,

Surely, the plastic barrels will be far stronger after the steel barrels rust for a couple years,,,,,,,,,

 

[MF243RedTop]

As far as barrels, if you are gonna use barrels,,
plastic barrels may be just as strong as steel barrels,,

Surely, the plastic barrels will be far stronger after the steel barrels rust for a couple years,,,,,,,,,

Those plastic barrels with ends removed will collapse with the pressure of a knee pressed on them...

 

[CADplans]

Those plastic barrels with ends removed will collapse with the pressure of a knee pressed on them...

the same is true of a steel barrel,,, even less, if the "lip" is cut off.
Those steel barrels are getting REAL thin,,

I gave my neighbor one that methanol came in,,
He was amazed when I picked it up (We are both well over 70 years old)
Then, i told him to pick it up,, he was shocked how light it was,, yes, he picked it up with ease,,

I have two black plastic barrels that you can stand on the side,, (with one end cut out).
They will not collapse,,

Actually, my two black plastic barrels are thicker than Lowes plastic 12" culvert.
They look like they are made out of similar plastics.

 

[MF243RedTop]

the same is true of a steel barrel,,, even less, if the "lip" is cut off.
Those steel barrels are getting REAL thin,,

I gave my neighbor one that methanol came in,,
He was amazed when I picked it up (We are both well over 70 years old)
Then, i told him to pick it up,, he was shocked how light it was,, yes, he picked it up with ease,,

I have two black plastic barrels that you can stand on the side,, (with one end cut out).
They will not collapse,,

Actually, my two black plastic barrels are thicker than Lowes plastic 12" culvert.
They look like they are made out of similar plastics.

Well just like plastic, steel barrels come in different gauges as well...while some are quite thin... There are heavier gauges as well depending on their usage ...usually the ones that have removable tops are heavier gauge ...

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

Just installed a double wall HDPE culvert. Price was the same as the link.

As @paulsharvey stated above, it needs at least 12" of cover on top of the pipe. This will distribute applied weight so the culvert will not get crushed or disform.

18" x 20' Corrugated Dual-Wall Solid Plain End Culvert Drainage Pipe

This dual-wall solid plain end culvert is used for high-volume drainage and water flow.

www.menards.com

 

[4570Man]

Only 2 ribs. Didn't measure, but they are very heavy duty. Banded ends, not the bung type.
Crushed by backfill??? Really... These are not Walmart trash cans.
Only thinking of cutting less than 1/2 of ends out. Maybe round holes.
3500# max, and I really think it'd be closer to 2600#
Have never crossed with any kind of load. Too far from where ever I'm coming from/going to.

It might as well be a Walmart trash can. Once you cut the ends out a barrel is basically nothing and that’s pre rust. Also burying a 30” barrel in a ditch that needs a 12” pipe isn’t as easy as it seems.