BOX-CELL STRUCTURES

SHORT NOTES.
1 Standard drawings for Box-Cell Structures can be adopted for cross-drainage as well as underpass
structures.
2 Why BOX-CELL STRUCTURES :
Box structures are hydraulically efficient structures where thickness of walls and slab are small and
there is least obstruction to flow. These are suitable where safe bearing capacity of soil is found to
be less than 20 t/m2 box culverts are most suitable for such type of soils.

3 BOX-CELL STRUCTURES SPECIAL NOTE:

Box cell structures are to be provided with curtain walls and apron and these must be completed
before floods. The best practice is to lay foundations of curtain wall and apron first and then lay
box.

4 NOTATION :-
Nc / ab / Ec Stands for
No. of CELLS/ CLEAR WIDTH - CLEAR HEIGHT/ HEIGHT OF EARTH CUSHION.
5 Nc = 1, 2, 3.
a = 2, 3, 4, 5,6,7, 8.
c = 2, 3, 4, 5,6,7.
Ec = 0, 3, 4, 5.

6 TOTAL NUMBER of BOX-CELL STRUCTURES

SINGLE CELL BOX 20 No Total Numbers with Earth Cushions 0, 3, 4, 5 m 80
DOUBLE CELL BOX 4 No Total Numbers with Earth Cushions 0, 3, 4, 5 m 16
TRIPLE CELL BOX 2 No Total Numbers with Earth Cushions 0, 3, 4, 5 m 8
26 No Total (26 * 4 ) 104
7 Earth Cushion : For earth cushion between 3 m and 4 m, Box with 4 m earth cushion is to be used
and between 4 m and 5 m, Box with 5 m earth cushion is to be used. No recommendation is given
for Box culvert with earth cushion below 3 m Height. (Note 10 is attached below)
With this statement I understand that, Box Culvert with earth cushion less
than 3.0m is not permitted. Or Further clarification is solicited from experts.
8 WEARING COAT ( Box-Cell structures without Earth cushions) :-
Bituminous :- 12 mm Thick Mastic Asphalt + 50 mm thick Bituminous Concrete.
Or
VRCC :- 75 mm thick (uniform) VRCC M30 with 8 mm dia HYSD bars @ 200 mm Centre
reducing to 100 mm in both directions over a strip of 300 mm near expansion joint
placed at Centre of the Wearing Coat.

9 CONCRETE FOR BOX-CELL STRUCTURE :-

M 20 For Moderate conditions of exposure
M 25 For Sever conditions of exposure
Compaction Proper compaction of concrete shall be ensured by use of full width screed vibrators
for concrete.
Quantity of Concrete does not include Railings.

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 BOX-CELL STRUCTURES
SHORT NOTES.
Standard drawingsFOR
10 REINFORCEMENT for BOX-CELL
Box-Cell Structures
STRUCTURE can:- be adopted for cross-drainage as well as underpass
(a) High Yield Strength Deformed bars (HYSD) Grade S 415 conforming to IS :1786
(b) Welding of Reinforcement bars shall not be permitted.
( c) Supporting chairs of 12 mm dia shall be provided at suitable intervals.
(d) Quantity of Steel does not include 5 % extra for wastage and laps.
( e) Lapping of Reinforcement should be done at specified Zones as Drg. SD/117.
11 MINIMUM CLEAR COVER :-
50 mm to any reinforcement including stirrups.
12 CONSTRUCTION JOINTS :-
(a) The Location and provision of construction joints shall be in the direction parallel to the direction
of water flow as shown in GAD of Box-Cell Structures.
(b) The concreting operation shall be carried out continuous up to the construction joints.
13 Box Cell Sections (Culverts/Small Bridge) are designed for bearing capacity of foundation stratum
(A) 5 t/sqm(B) 10 t/sqm, ( C) 15 t/sqm & (D) 20 t/sqm. But Category (A) is seldom used.
14 Soft and loose patches in the Bearing Area are to be replaced by compacted granular fills with layers
not exceeding 300 mm.
15 In Case allowable soil bearing capacity is less than actual bearing pressure, the soil should be
stabilised to achieve same.
16 Where there is purely clayey strata top 900 mm below box should have granular material, like,
sandy murum or stone dust.
17 CAMBER (Across Road) :-
2.5 % Camber is provided for Box cells without earth cushion.
No camber is provided for Box cells with earth cushion.
18 CROSS SLOPE ( Along Road):-
2.0 % CROSS SLOPE is provided at top of Box cells with earth cushion.
19 WEEP HOLES :- Box Culverts are functionally designed flowing full and for submerged condition
(water at the inlet end may head up to a predetermined safe level above the top of the inlet
opening)and accordingly structurally designed. Hence weep wholes shall not be provided.

20 If the Box culverts used as Passenger Underpass (PUP), Cattle Underpass (CUP) or Vehicle Underpass
(VUP) providing Weep holes optional.
21 For box culverts, SLUMP at the time of placing of concrete 50 - 75 mm.
22 In a situation where bearing capacity of soil is low, RCC Box type culvert should be preferred.
23 CULVERTS :-
(1) Single Cell Box Sections with clear widths 2 m, 3 m, 4 m & 5 m of all Clear Heights and all heights
of Earth Cushions (0, 3, 4, 5 m ).
(2) Double Cell Box Sections with clear widths 2 m of all Clear Heights and all heights of Earth
Cushions (0, 3, 4, 5 m ).

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 BOX-CELL STRUCTURES
SHORT NOTES.
Standard
24 SMALL drawings
BRIDGES :- for Box-Cell Structures can be adopted for cross-drainage as well as underpass
(1) Single Cell Box Sections with clear widths 6 m, 7 m & 8 m of all Clear Heights and all heights of
Earth Cushions (0, 3, 4, 5 m ).
(2) Double Cell Box Sections with clear widths 3 m of all Clear Heights and all heights of Earth
Cushions (0, 3, 4, 5 m ).
(3) Triple Cell Box Sections all widths of all Clear Heights and all heights of Earth Cushions (0, 3, 4, 5
m ).
25 If the section at site does not exactly match with the available type design, details of higher section
may be adopted.
26 Lengths of Box Cells :-
(1)12 m for no Earth Cushion,(2) 24 m with 3.0 m earth cushion, (3) 28 m with 4.0 m earth cushion
and (4) 32 m with 5.0 m earth cushion.
27 DRAINAGE SPOUTS :-
Drainage Spouts shall be provided as per Drg. SD/115 (Sheet 3 of 4).
28 APPROACH SLAB :-
Approach Slabs are provided on Box Cell Structures without Earth Cushion.
300 mm thick Approach Slab Rest on Corbel (Bracket) & shall be provided as per Drg. SD/115 (Sheet
1 of 4)
Reinforcement as 12 mm dia HYSD @ 150 mm C/C in both directions in Top & Bottom Mats.
29 WING WALLS :-
PCC (M20) Wing walls are provided as per Drg. No. SD/113 up to 6.0 m height.
30 DRAWINGS :-
SD/100, SD/101, SD/102, SD/103(2-Sheets), SD/104, SD/105, SD/106, SD/107, SD/108(6-Sheets),
SD/109(16-Sheets), SD/110(2-Sheets), SD/111(4-Sheets), SD/112(2-Sheets), SD/113(6-Sheets),
SD/114(4-Sheets), SD/115(4-Sheets), SD/116(3-Sheets) & SD/117(2-Sheets).

31 CLEAR LINEAR WATER WAY (Meters) :-

2, 3, 4, 4(2-Cell), 5, 6, 6(2-Cell), 7, 8, 9(3-Cell)
32 Embankment slope 1-Vertical : 2-Horizontal, that for every one meter height two
meters width.

V. VENKATA NARAYANA, EXECUTIVE ENGINEER (R&B),

9492578280, 07799139399,
Pleas visit ( vvnhighways.blogspot.in)
Pleas mail (vvn.randb@gmail.com)

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