Guideline for Culvert Safety Management

Part D - Culvert Design

3.1 - Scope

Each railway authority's CSMP should include requirements to ensure that culverts are sized to accommodate the normal flows, and that they have sufficient structural capacity to handle the applied loads.

3.2 - Design and Installation of New Culverts

Each railway authority's CSMP should specify procedures for the design and installation of new culverts. The culvert design and specifications shallFootnote 9 be prepared under the direction of a Railway Engineer considering site requirements and using appropriate engineering methods and standards. A Railway Engineer or his designate should ensure that the work is completed in conformity with the design and specifications.

3.3 - Replacement and Repair of Existing Culverts

Each railway authority's CSMP should specify procedures for assessing the structural and hydraulic adequacy of existing culverts when signs of distress are observed or where they regularly show an inability to handle normal flows.

Before replacing or repairing an existing culvert consideration should be given, by a Railway Engineer or his designate to its design flow and determine its adequacy when considering available repair or replacement options. Consideration should always be given to inlet and outlet improvements to address any increased scour potential as a result of a culvert repair or replacement.

A procedure for assessing the requirement for culverts that are not found should be developed. Assessments shallFootnote 10 be performed under the direction of a Railway Engineer or his designate and the results should be documented.