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Culvert Sizing (HDS-5)

Headwater for circular and box culverts under inlet and outlet control. Simplified FHWA HDS-5 method — checks both, reports controlling.

Inputs

m³/s
m
m (boxes only)
m
m/m
RC ≈ 0.013, CMP ≈ 0.024
0.2 groove HW, 0.5 sq HW, 0.9 proj
m above outlet invert
Method & assumptions
  • Inlet control (HDS-5 Eq. A.6): HW/D = c·(Q/(A·D0.5·g0.5))2 + Y − 0.5·S0 for unsubmerged, or capped at submerged form.
  • Outlet control: HW = TW + hL − S0·L; hL = (1 + ke + 2g·n²·L/R4/3)·V²/(2g).
  • HW = max(HWinlet, HWoutlet) = controlling.
  • Coefficients used: HDS-5 Chart 8 (Concrete pipe square), Chart 1 (CMP), Chart 16 (Concrete box).
  • Simplified — does not handle outlet velocity dissipation, trash, or submerged tailwater jump.

Results

Area A
Velocity V (full flow)
Hydraulic Radius R
Inlet HW (HW/D)
Outlet HW
Controlling HW
Control Type