Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

7
Chapter 7

Worked
Examples

July 2002
 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Manual Contents

7
Chapter 1
Overview

Chapter 2
Site Assessment

Chapter 3
Hydrology and Design Criteria

Chapter 4
Design

Chapter 5
Erosion and Sediment Control

Chapter 6
Maintenance and Remediation

Chapter 7
Worked Examples

Chapter 8
References

July 2002
Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Table of Contents

Introduction 7-1

7.1 Open Channel Flow 7-1

7.2 Hydrology - Calculation of the Design Flood Discharge 7-3

7
7.3 Procedure for the Selection of Culvert Size 7-5

7.4 Gully Inlets on Grade 7-7

7.5 Aquaplaning 7-9

7.6 Extended Outlet Protection for Culverts 7-9

7.7 Energy Dissipators for Supercritical Flow 7-12

7.8 Scour Hole Dimensions 7-16

7.9 Tidal Range at Site 7-17

7.10 Floodway Calculations 7-19

July 2002 iii

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

iv July 2002
Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Chapter 7
Worked Examples
Introduction debris/water gradients and changes in cross
sections should have been surveyed for a distance

7
Worked examples of some of the more commonly of at least 500 metres both upstream and
used design calculations are given in this chapter. downstream of the job site.

It has been considered more appropriate to give For smaller culvert structures to calculate tail-
other worked examples immediately following water levels or for small open channels, shorter
the description of design principles in other distances upstream and downstream down to an
chapters. For example, substantial calculations are absolute minimum of 100 metres should similarly
shown in the Appendix to the Underground be surveyed.
Drainage Systems Chapter.
For the larger catchments, field inspections in
Worked examples in this Chapter are: accordance with the Departments Form 2759,
Field Report - Bridge Waterways should have
7.1 Open Channel flow been carried out including interviews with local
residents about observed or reported floods at or
7.2 Hydrology - Calculation of the Design
near the site.
Flood Discharge
For all jobs either a site investigation should have
7.3 Procedure for the Selection of Culvert Size
taken place or adequate photographs are available
7.4 Gully Inlets on Grade to define the roughness of the bed and banks of
the open channel and areas of any overflow.
7.5 Aquaplaning

7.6 Extended Outlet Protection for Culverts Worked Example

7.7 Energy Dissipators for Supercritical Flow For the conditions listed below and illustrated in
7.8 Scour Hole Dimensions the diagram determine the depth of flow for a
discharge of 42.5 m/s.
7.9 Tidal Range at Site
The direction of flow in the main channel is at a
7.10 Floodway Calculations skew of 10 to the normal to the road centreline.
Allow for the same skew in any overflow.

7.1 Open Channel Flow

Preliminary
Figure 7.1
Check that a reasonable effort has been made to
ensure that the channel cross section and slope has (a) The average slope over a section of the
been adequately defined, as indicated by the stream for 200 m both upstream and
following. downstream of the cross section is 0.001
For a bridge size catchment (nominally greater m/m.
than 5 km in area with a major channel), bed and

July 2002 7-1

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

(b) The stream is fairly uniform in cross section
and alignment over this 400 m section and is
lined mainly with thick grass about 200 mm
high.
(c) The flood debris levels from a recent flood
are known to be at the top of the banks.
Step 1
cover as in the main channel, the roughness
coefficient will be higher up to a certain limit.
Also for shallower flow, the hydraulic radius will
be smaller and so will be the velocity, for the same
hydraulic gradient.
Divide the flow path into three sections as shown
in Figure 7.3 to allow for the above differences.

Figure 7.2
Figure 7.3
Select an appropriate value of vegetal retardance
for the stream from Table 4.5 (viz. C), determine
a value of n for the stream flow to debris level Step 3
from Figure F19C. Then, assuming a trapezoidal
For rating curves (discharge versus height), the
channel shape as illustrated, calculate the flow to
area and wetted perimeter need to be calculated
debris level (height 22.0 m) using Mannings
for various flood heights for discharge calcula-
formula (for more irregular shaped sections, a
tions. In this example, it is required to find the
planimeter is necessary to determine cross-
flood level corresponding to a total discharge of
sectional areas).
42.5 m/s.
Depth of flow (debris level - bed level) = 2 m
For a water to water boundary such as that
A = 20 m between each overflow and the main channel, half
the depth of the water at such boundaries may be
20 added to each wetted perimeter as illustrated
R = (area / wetted perimeter, ABCD)
15.8 below.
= 1.27
Assume a flood height 22.5 m, giving a depth of
n = 0.03 flow of 0.5 m in each overflow.

R 0.667S0.5 (Mannings formula) Left Overflow

V =
n (Section 4.3.6) A = 6 x 0.5
= 1.24 m/s = 3 m
Wetted perimeter (WP) = 0.5 + 6 + 0.5/2
Q = A.cos100.V = 6.75 m
= 20 x 0.985 x l.24 R = 3/6.75
Q = 24.4 m/s = 0.444 m
n = 0.075 (Figure F19C)
Step 2
S = 0.001 m/m
For the higher design discharge of 42.5 m/s, V = 0.25 m/s (from Mannings formula)
water will overtop the banks. As the flood plains
Q = 0.74 m/s (A.cos100.V)
will flow at a shallower depth, for the same grass

7-2 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Main Channel Given:

A = 27.5 m
It is required to calculate the 50 year ARI flood
WP = 0.25 + 5.39 +5 + 5.39 + 0.25 discharge for a crossing on a road between two
= 16.28 m relatively large towns in western Queensland
R = 1.69
From 1:100 000 contour maps:
n = 0.03
S = 0.001 m/m Catchment area (M) = 118.2 km

7
V = 1.50 m/s (Mannings formula) Length of catchment (L) = 26.2 km
Q = A.cos100.V = 27.5 x 0.985 x 1.50
Weighted average slope (H) = 74 m in 26200m
Q = 40.63 m/s = 0.28 %

Right Overflow The slope is fairly uniform.

Q = 0.74 m/s as per left overflow
From field inspection:
Total Discharge
Maximum reported flood, Ht 294.7 m (February,
Total Discharge = Qleft overflow + Qmain channel + 1992 - from local resident) Mannings roughness
Qright overflow coefficients at site:
= 0.74 + 40.63 + 0.74
= 42.11 m/s n = 0.06 (left overflow)
Therefore, the design flood of 42.5 m/s is at n = 0.055 (main channel)
height 22.5 m, approx.
n = 0.065 (right overflow)

The stream cross-section is shown approximately

7.2 Hydrology - Calculation to scale in Figure 7.4. The flow direction is square
of the Design Flood to the road centreline (zero skew).
Discharge
This example gives calculations for the estimation
of the 50 year ARI rainfall runoff from a
catchment. The runoff is conventionally taken as
the 50 year ARI design flood discharge as it is
only in very rare cases that the average recurrence
intervals (ARI) of the runoff and discharge vary Figure 7.4

for the larger floods in Queensland.

The flood height corresponding to the design flood
discharge is easily found as the height on the rating
curve giving this discharge. A rating curve is a plot
of discharge versus flood height obtained by open
channel calculations shown in Section 4.3.6.
Step 1
Assume a flood level as approximating the
expected design flood level.
This initial level is usually either

The Modified Friend Formula for time of the maximum reported/recorded flood level;
concentration is used as the catchment is larger
than 5 square kilometres. at or just over the main stream bank; or

The Rational method is used for the design berm or intermediate bank level, if there is a
discharge, but other procedures for a catchment large cross-section for a small catchment.
this size are not shown.

July 2002 7-3

 Road Drainage Design Manual
Note: Further calculations will give a design flood
discharge and a design flood level corresponding
to this discharge. However, if this design flood
level is more than about 0.5 m different to the
originally assumed flood level, go back to Step 1,
assume another flood level and repeat the process
described below until the difference is smaller.
In this example select the maximum recorded
7
flood level, Ht 294.70 m. The average hydraulic
radius at this level is Rs.
Step 2
Find the average hydraulic radius at the site,
Rs for a flood at Ht 294.70 m.
From open channel calculations, for the 3
sections, with S = 0.0017 m/m in all sections:
A1= 67.6 m; WP1 = 113.5 m; R1 = 0.60m;
n1 = 0.065; V1 = 0.48 m/s; q1 = 32.6 m/s
A2 = 53.3 m; WP2 = 21.4 m; R2 = 2.49 m;
n2 = 0.055; V2 = 1.36 m/s; q2 = 72.6 m/s
A3 = 28.2 m; WP3 = 73.1 m; R3 = 0.39 m;
n3 = 0.065; V3 = 0.33 m/s; q3 = 9.4 m/s
Qtot = 32.6 + 72.6 + 9.4
Qtot = 114.6 m/s
q1R1 + q 2 R 2 + q 3R 3
Rs =
Q tot
32.6x 0.60 + 72.6x 2.49 + 9.4 x 0.39
Rs =
114.6
Rs = 1.78 m
Step 3
Calculate the time of concentration using the
Modified Friend Formula.
It should be noted that as the time of concentration
is for zero (start of rainfall) to maximum flow in a
creek, an adjustment to the hydraulic radius at the
site and possible adjustments to the roughness
coefficient are made.
8.5L
Tc =
chM 0.1H 0.4
7-4
Chapter 7: Worked Examples
where
Tc = time of concentration (h)
ch = Chezys No. = R0.167 / n
R = adopted average hydraulic radius
= 0.75Rs where the fall of the stream from the
top of the catchment to the site is fairly
uniform
= 0.65 Rs where there are significant lengths
of contrasting steep and flat sections of the
stream slope
n = average coefficient of roughness of the
main channel and overflows over the whole
stream length. It may be the same or 0.005
to 0.01 higher than n at the site.
L, M and H are as defined in Given above.
Adopt R= 0.75Rs = 0.75 x 1.78 = 1.34m
1.340.167
ch =
0.06
ch = 17.49
8.5x 26.2
Tc =
17.49 x118.2 0.1 x 0.280.4
Tc =13.1 hours
Step 4
Calculate the average rainfall intensity for the
time of concentration for the design storm.
i.e. for this example, the average rainfall intensity
for a storm of 13.1 hours duration and an ARI of
50 years is required.
The RAIN2 Program from the Hydraulics Section
of Main Roads and available in most Districts is
used. Other programs are available which also use
parameters from Australian Rainfall and Runoff
(IEAust, 1987).
The RAIN2 Program which is interactive requests
the following input data. The actual Map number
and value of parameter from ARR is also shown.
July 2002
Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

2i1 (2 year, 1 hr log-normal rainfall intensity) = 0 + 0 + 10 + 40

37.5 mm/h - Map 1.4 C=
100
2i12 (2 year, 12 hr log-normal rainfall intensity) =
C=0.50
5.7 mm/h - Map 2.4
2i72 (2 year, 72 hr log-normal rainfall intensity) = Therefore
1.4 mm/h - Map 3.4
Q = 0.28 x 0.50 x 10.61 x 118.2
50il (50 year, 1 hr log-normal rainfall intensity) =
69 mm/h - Map 4.4 Q=175.6m/s
50i12 (50 year, 12 hr log-normal rainfall intensity)
= 10.8 mm/h - Map 5.4
This corresponds to a calculated flood level, Ht
295.04 m at the site. As the initial assumed flood 7
50i72 (50 year 72 hr log-normal rainfall intensity) Ht 294.70 m is less than 0.5 m different, there is
= 3 mm/h - Map 6.4 no need to repeat the calculation procedure with a
SKEWNESS FACTOR (G) = 0.21 (Map 7.c) higher initial flood level.

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTOR F2 = 4.28 (Map 8) Adopt Q50 = 175.6 m/s at flood Ht 295.04 m.
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTOR F50 = 16.6 (Map 9)

From the program, average rainfall intensity =

7.3 Procedure for the
10.61 mm/hr for a 13.1 hr storm of 50 year ARI.
Selection of Culvert Size
Step 5 (Refer to Section 4.2.2.)
Calculate the 50 Year ARI design flood Step 1
discharge.
List the design data:
The Rational Method (See Section 3.5.2) states:
(a) Design discharge Q50 = 19.3 m/s
Q = 0.28 C.I.A
(b) Allowable outlet velocity (with standard
where outlet protection).
Va = 1.8 m/s
Q = discharge (m/s)
(c) Flood level in natural channel F.L. = 31.8 m
0.28 is a conversion factor to ensure units are
consistent for A in km (d) Invert level of channel at outlet IL0 = 30.0 m
C = runoff coefficient (dimensionless) (e) Slope of culvert in metres per metre.
I = average rainfall intensity (mm/h) S0 = 0.01 m/m

A = area of catchment (km) (f) Allowable headwater depth in metres.

HWa = 2.0 m
From Table 3.5, the runoff coefficient is first
calculated for the catchment which has the (g) Mean velocity = 0.55 m/s. Maximum
following characteristics: velocity = 0.61 m/s.

(i) Rainfall intensity = 10.61 mm/h From Mannings formula, maximum

velocity is in the main channel and the mean
(ii) Rolling, with slopes 1.5 - 4% velocity is over the total section including
the overflow.
(iii) Well defined system of small watercourses

(iv) Open forest or grassed land

July 2002 7-5

 Road Drainage Design Manual
Note: These velocities are used in
conjunction with field observations of scour
in the natural channel. If low velocities
produce scour, then either the allowable
design velocity in (b) should be reduced or
consideration be given to additional outlet
protection. However if high velocities occur
in the natural channel with little or no scour,
the allowable design velocity in (b) may be
7
increased.
(h) Length = 12.0 in.
Figure 4.7 is recommended as suitable to record
calculations and to facilitate checking.
Step 2
Determine the first trial culvert size:
(a) From the equation A = Q/V area of
waterway: A = 19.3/1.8 m = 10.72 m
(b) Select a culvert size where the soffit would
be above or just below the tailwater to
utilise the full waterway opening, if
practical.
Depth of Tailwater = Flood level - Invert
level of natural channel = 31.8 - 30.0 = 1.8
Assuming a height of 1.5 m and selecting a
standard size R.C. slab deck culvert:
Try 3/2400 x 1500 mm culvert (Area 10.80 m)
Step 3
Find the headwater depth for the trial culvert
(a) Assume INLET CONTROL
Determine the discharge (Q) per cell
i.e.Q = 19.3 / 3 = 6.43 m/s
Find the ratio of discharge to width Q/B =
2.68 m/s per metre), then using the
nomograph in Figure 4.8A determine the
HW/D ratio.
HW/D = 0.91
HW= 0.91 x 1.5= 1.37 m
This headwater is satisfactory as it is less
than the allowable given in the design data,
item (f) of Step 1.
7-6
Chapter 7: Worked Examples
(b) Assume OUTLET CONTROL
Since the tailwater level is above the culvert
soffit at the outlet, the HW can be calculated
from the equation:
HW = H + ho - LSo
ho = TW = 1.8 m
LSo = 12 x 0.01 = 0.12
From the nomograph in Figure F8E and
using ke = 0.4 from Table 4.2, for area of
box = 2.4 x 1.5 = 3.60 m,
H = 0.26 m
Therefore,
HW = 0.26 + 1.8 - 0.12 = 1.94 m
(c) As the HW for outlet control is higher than
that for inlet control, outlet control is the
governing factor; and being less than the
allowable height of 2.0 m is acceptable.
Step 4
Try a culvert of another type or shape, if a
comparison of alternative design costs is to be
made and determine size and headwater by the
above procedure.
Step 5
Compute the velocity through the 3/2400 x 1500
RCBC.
Since outlet control governs, and the tailwater is
above the soffit of the culvert, the full waterway
area is used.
Outlet velocity = Q/Ao = 19.3/10.8 = 1.79 m/s
Step 6
Make selection and record all relevant data on
Figure F7 or similar form.
July 2002
Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

7.4 Gully Inlets on Grade The following procedure was adopted to

determine the allowable depth of water at the kerb
Design charts from Sections 4.4.3 and 4.4.4 are for pedestrian safety.
used in this example.
Assume a depth of water at the kerb, dg.

Calculate the dimension BC (= 100.5 mm) and

then the area ABCD.

Calculate the discharge in ABCD from Figure

7
F34 and Note 3.

Calculate the velocity in ABCD from velocity =

discharge / area to give Vave.
Figure 7.5
Calculate the product dgVave.
For the conditions listed below and illustrated in
Repeat the procedure as required until dgVave <
Figure 7.5 determine the number, types and
0.4 m/s.
spacings of the gully inlets required.
It will be found that the maximum allowable
(a) 1000 metres of 1.8% grade to be drained
depth of water at the kerb is 138 mm, giving
(b) rainfall intensity = 200 mm/h dgVave = 0.39 m/s. The resultant allowable spread
is 2960 mm.
(c) Mannings n, channel = 0.012; shoulder =
0.014

(d) allowable spread of water to be checked for

pedestrian safety

(e) channel terminates at a bridge abutment,

hence zero bypass

(f) use grate or combination inlets.

Figure 7.6
Step 1

Determine the allowable spread. This is to be the Step 2

smaller of
Calculate the flow corresponding to the maximum
Allowable width of spread of water on the road spread.
= 4.9 m (from Figure F32A), or
Using Figure F34 and Note 4, the flow for a 1.8%
Width arising from the allowable depth of grade and a spread of 2.960 m will be found to be
water at the kerb for pedestrian safety. It will be 0.35 m/s ( = 350 litres/sec).
found, by trial and error, from Figure F34, that
the allowable depth of water at the kerb = 138
mm, giving a spread width of 2960 mm as
illustrated in Figure 7.6.

Adopt maximum allowable spread = 2.960 m.

July 2002 7-7

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Step 3 Placing the second inlet where the flow has

built up to the allowable spread, then:
Calculate the inlet capacities, allowing for
flow from roadway
blockage.
= flow at allowable spread - bypass from
Assume initially concrete gullies, roadway type, inlet 1
kerb in line (Dwg No 1312). Then from the BCC
= 0.35 - 0.168
Type A Gully Inlet Capacity Charts, removing the
blockage factor, the full capacities for an approach = 0.182 m/s
flow of 350 litres/sec (using the road crossfall Using Figure F31

7 1:30 as the nearest to the actual 1: 25) are:

With S lintel, captured flow = 188 litres/sec

For Q = 0.182m/s
and W = 11.1 (given)
the length of contributing road
With M lintel, captured flow = 216 litres/sec
L2 = 300 m
With L lintel, captured flow = 228 litres/sec
Place a concrete gully with the L lintel with
From Table 4.11, allowing for blockage, the inlet capacity = 0.182 m/s as the previous
percentage of theoretical capacity allowed is 80%. one. Also as in inlet 1, the bypass flow will
Therefore, the design capacities are: be 0.168 m/s.

S lintel, design capture flow = 0.8 x 188 = 150 (c) The third inlet in the sag (end of grade) will
litres/sec take a total flow
= flow from 75 m roadway + bypass from
M lintel, design capture flow = 0.8 x 216 = 173 inlet 2
litres/sec
= 0.043 + 0.168
L lintel, design capture flow = 0.8 x 228 = 182 = 0.211 m/s
litres/sec
Select a gully inlet to capture 0.211 m/s at
the sag. From the BCC Capacity Charts, the
Step 4 Type A concrete gully with an S lintel, with
depth of water 95 mm at the undepressed lip
Locate the inlets.
of channel will capture this flow. The depth
(a) First, place an inlet at the point where the of water at the kerb face will be 132.5 mm
allowable spread occurs. which is acceptable < 138 mm allowed from
Step 1.
Using Figure F31
For Q = 0.35 m/s (from Step 2) List the final selections as shown in Figure 7.7.
and W = 11.1 m(given)
the length of contributing road L = 625 m
Selecting the concrete gully with the L
lintel, from Step 3,
Inlet capacity = 0.182 m/s and
Bypass = gutter flow - inlet capacity
= 0.35 - 0.182 = 0.168 m/s

(b) The second inlet will have to take the bypass

from the first inlet plus flow from the
section of roadway between the first and Figure 7.7
second inlets.

7-8 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

7.5 Aquaplaning D = 4.94 mm

The following example shows a check for
aquaplaning in the transition area between reverse
superelevations, one of the main areas of potential
aquaplaning because of the small to zero
crossfalls.
Reference should be made to Section 4.4.4.2 of
This is unacceptable as it is > 4 mm.
Step 3
Increase the changes in crossfall by the maximum
rate of rotation given in the Road Planning and
Design Manual. This changes the longest length

7
the Manual. of drainage path and its slope to give:

Given Length of drainage path = 53 m

Check for aquaplaning. Slope of drainage path = 2.08%
Contours at 0.1 m intervals have been drawn
using a computer program. Crossfall = 0% to 3%

Other parameters remain the same, therefore,

Step 1
0.103x 0.60.11 x 530.43 x 500.59
D= 0 .6
Find the longer drainage path lengths for 2.080.42
checking. List other parameters, calculated or
specified as follows for the longest drainage path. D = 3.37 mm
Design speed = 100 km/h This is <4 mm and is acceptable.
Rainfall intensity (I) = 50 mm/h
Step 4
Water film depth (D) to be -
2.5 mm desirable maximum Check other drainage paths.
4 mm maximum

Pavement texture depth (T) = 0.6 mm (dense

graded asphalt)
7.6 Extended Outlet
Protection for Culverts
Drainage path length (L) = 104 m
The following procedure calculates the distance
Pavement crossfall 0% - 3% standard culvert outlet protection has to be
extended when design velocities higher than
Longitudinal grade = 1.79%
normally acceptable are used.
Slope of drainage path (S) = 1.87%
For velocities in excess of 5 m/s, the use of energy
dissipators as in Section 4.5.2 should be
Step 2 considered. Also, the design of a stabilised scour
hole downstream may be an option.
Calculate the water film depth (D) for the longest
drainage path. Figure F59 illustrates the theory for the cal-
culations for extended outlet protection.
0.103T 0.11L0.43I 0.59
D= T
S0.42 Flow effectively diverges from a culvert outlet at
Therefore, an angle such that
1
0.103x 0.60.11 x1040.43 x 500.59 tan =
D= 0.6 3F
1.870.42

July 2002 7-9

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

v calculated velocity at the end of the extended

where F, the Froude Number = outlet is still 1.2 m/s (half of 2.4) to avoid
(gd )0.5
scouring downstream of the protection.
v = velocity of flow at the outlet of the culvert Adopt a design velocity of 4.0 m/s at the outlet of
barrel (m/s) the culvert barrel and a velocity of 1.2 m/s at the
end of the extended outlet protection.
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s/s)

d = tailwater depth at the outlet of the culvert Step 2

7
barrel (m)
List the design data:
It is required to extend the outlet protection so that
at the end of the protection, the velocity of flow (a) 1/1200 x 900 RCBC
does not cause erosion.
(b) Outlet velocity = 4.0 m/s at depth of 800
mm.
Preliminary
(c) Extended outlet protection required with
The performance of existing culverts in similar theoretical velocity at the end of the
natural surface conditions should first be assessed. protection not to exceed 1.2 m/s.
Normally this would be an assessment of scouring
caused by existing culverts in the immediate (d) The dimensions of the outlet protection,
locality of the new design and the design velocity ABCDEF in Figure 7.9 are to be defined.
for those culverts.

If records of the original design velocity are not

found, assume that the existing culverts were
designed for 1.8 - 2.4 m/s flowing full, which used
to be the standard practice.

At all times the design velocity mentioned in this

example, is located at the outlet of the culvert.

Step 1

Adopt a design velocity for the new culvert.

In this example, afflux upstream is not a problem

and culverts are expensive so that fewer culverts
designed for a higher than average velocity need
to be considered.

Because of divergence of flow leaving a culvert

barrel, at the end of standard culvert protection,
the actual velocity will be about half the design
velocity for most existing culverts. The number of
cells in a culvert will give a variation to this
velocity.

Therefore, if a design velocity of 4.0 m/s is used

instead of say the 2.4 m/s for existing culverts
with satisfactory performance in similar natural
surface conditions at the outlet, the allowable

7-10 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Figure 7.8

July 2002 7-11

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Therefore,
BC 1 .4
AC = 0
=
tan 13.1 0.233

AC = 6.0 m

Therefore, the outlet protection (gabions or

equivalent) is to extend 6.0 m from the outlet of
the barrel. The side boundaries are to be an

7
extension of the wingwalls or from the calculated
Figure 7.9 flare angle if it falls outside the extension of the
wingwalls.

Step 3

Find the width BE at the end of the protection 7.7 Energy Dissipators for
where the velocity will not cause erosion. Supercritical Flow
Assume that the depth (d) of the water remains A concrete channel 1.5 m wide has a design flow
constant as it flows downstream from the culvert of 6.86 m/s at a depth of 0.5 m and velocity 9.15
barrel, increasing its width at a uniform rate. m/s. The channel has a slope of 6% (0.06 m/m)
Then, as and discharges into a wide, relatively flat existing
Discharge = area x velocity channel.
= width x depth x velocity To minimise any scouring at the downstream
and is constant, then channel, it is necessary to dissipate the energy
WidthBE x d x VBE = WidthAF x d x VAF from the flows from the concrete channel, by
creating a hydraulic jump by either
Therefore,
A. A horizontal apron with unchanged channel
Width BE VAF width;
=
Width AF VBE
B. A simple drop structure with widened
Substituting, channel and lowered bed; or

1.2 VAF 1.2x 4 C. A stilling basin with concrete blocks and

BE = =
VBE 1 .2 end sills.
BE= 4m Option C is considered to be impractical for this
As CD = 1.2 m, then BC = DE = 1.4 m job in a relatively remote part of Queensland, and
calculations are not shown in this example.
However, indicative lengths of some standard
Step 4 USBR Basins from the Bureau of Reclamation
(1964) are given.
Find the distance AC to which the outlet
protection has to be extended.

For water exiting the culvert at 4 m/s at a depth of

800 mm, from Figure 7.8, = 13.10.

BC
tan =
AC

7-12 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

A. Hydraulic Jump on a Horizontal Apron

with Unchanged Channel Width

Figure 7.10 7
Figure 7.10 shows the required hydraulic jump
with water depth, D1 becoming D2 after the jump.
Figure 7.11
It is the simplest of all energy dissipators, but it
also has the longest length of of apron, L1 to be
Step 3
protected. The sides also have to be protected.
Find the length of horizontal apron required to
In this example,
induce the hydraulic jump.
V1 = 9.15 m/s
D1 = 0.5 m From Figure 7.12 (Bureau of Reclamation, 1964)

It is required to find L1.

Step 1

First, calculate the Froude No.,

Froude No.,
V 9.15
F= 0.5
=
(gD) (9.8x 0.5)0.5 Figure 7.12

Therefore, F = 4.13 L1
= 5.76
D2
Step 2 Therefore, L1 = 15.44 m

Find the sequent depth, D2. For this design, a horizontal apron, 15.44 m long
and protected against scouring is required.
From Figure 7.11 (Bureau of Reclamation, 1964) Because of turbulence, the sides of the channel
D2 1 along the apron length have also to be protected to
= ( 1 + 8F2 1)
D1 2 a height of D2 plus freeboard.

Therefore,

D2 = 5.36 D1 = 5.36 x 0.5

D2 = 2.68 m

July 2002 7-13

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

B. Hydraulic Jump in a Simple Drop Basin Step 1

By both widening the channel and dropping the
bed level, the length of apron required to induce
the hydraulic jump may be considerably
shortened. The design shown below has the
maximum effective widening consistent with the
natural flare of the water entering the drop
structure.
Locate the basin where the flow downstream of
the basin is sub-critical or where a simple tran-
sition as in Example 7.6 will lead to non scouring
(usually sub-critical) flow. i.e. locate the basin at
or near the end of the 6% slope. (Sub-critical flow
occurs when the Froude No. is < 1).

7 With reference to Figure 7.13 (US Dept of Step 2

Transport, 1983): Assume an initial basin shape for testing. Assume
Known: a length, L = 8.0 m (about half the length of the
horizontal basin required from example A.
y0 = 0.5 m
V0 = 9.15 m/s Assume a drop of 1.5 m at the front of the basin
(equal to a drop of 3y0 to the floor of the basin).
W0 = 1.5 m
S0 = 0.06 Assume a height DATUM = 100.00 m.
Z0 = 5.0 m say (height above a datum line of Calculate Z0, Z1, Z2 etc.
100.0 m say
Z3 = 4.52 m say (start of wide open channel Therefore, Z1 = Z2 = 3.5 m
downstream) LT = 3.0 m (due to the 1.5 m drop)
Tw = 0.8 m say (calculated in open channel at
outlet to the drop basin) @ Ht = 105.32 m
Step 3
ST = Ss = 0.5 say (0.33 or 0.5 suitable for this
design) Calculate the Froude No. at the start of the basin.
Z1 =Z2 = 3.5 m say (due to an assumed drop of V0 9.14
F0 = =
approx. 3y0 at the end of the basin) ( gd) 0.5
(9.8x 0.5)0.5
LT = 3.0 m (due to the 1.5 m drop)
L = 8.0 m say (about half of horizontal F0 = 4.13
apron in example A)
ST = Ss = 0.5 say (0.33 or 0.5 suitable for this Step 4
design) Calculate the maximum effective width, W1 in the
Required to calculate: basin. This is due to the natural flaring of the
water as it leaves the upstream channel.
W1 = WB = basin width
y1 = depth of water at the bottom of the drop 2 L T ST2 + 1
W1 = WB = W0 +
3F0
y2 = sequent depth after hydraulic jump is formed

Acceptable Design:
2 x 3 0.52 + 1
The design will be acceptable when the water W1 = 1.5 +
3x 4.13
surface level at the end of the basin (top of y2) is
below the tailwater level at this point. The
W1 = 2.04 m
tailwater is required to be higher to induce the
hydraulic jump.

The design procedure is:

7-14 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Figure 7.13

Step 5 Step 7

Find the water depth, y1, at the start of the Find the sequent depth, y2 after the hydraulic
horizontal apron. jump has formed, and the water surface height.

For this basin, The hydraulic jump equation is

Q = y1WB [2g (Z0 - Z1+ y0 - y1) + V0 2] 0.5
C1y1 ( 1 + 8F12 1)
y2 =
The discharge Q = 6.86 m/s, and y1 is found by 2
trial and error, starting from values about 0.6y0,
until the correct discharge is obtained. where C1 = 1.0 for the hydraulic jump

After various trials, say y1 = 0.31 m, 1x 0.31( 1 + 8x 6.22 2 1)

y2 =
2
Q = 0.31 x 2.04 [2 x 9.8(5 - 3.5 + 0.5 - 0.31) +
9.152] 0.5 = 6.84 m/s y2 = 2.58 m
Adopt y1 = 0.31 m The water surface height at the end of the basin is,
therefore, 100 + Z2 + y2
Step 6
= 100 + 3.5 + 2.58
Find the velocity V1 corresponding to y1 and the
= 106.08 m
Froude No. at the start of the horizontal apron.
This is above the tailwater, TW height of
V1 = Q1/A1 = 6.86 / 2.04 x 0.31 = 10.85 m/s
105.32m. Therefore the design is unacceptable as
Therefore, the hydraulic jump will not form.
V1 10.85
V1 = 0.5
=
( gd) (9.8x 0.31)0.5
F1 = 6.22

July 2002 7-15

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Step 8 If not, the basin may need to be moved further up

the slope and recalculated with a deeper drop at
Repeat Steps 1 to 7 until an acceptable depth is the start.
obtained at y2. It is obvious the floor of the basin
has to be lowered to achieve this. Notes:

Final trial giving acceptable results gave: The floor of the drop basin should be concrete
Lower basin floor 2.25 m from edge of channel, protected and the vertical sides also.
giving: A trapezoidal channel for convenience of

7
Z0 = 5.0 m, Z1 = Z2 = 2.75 m construction may require changes to the design
LT = 4.5 m procedure.
W0 = 1.5 m (unchanged) Approximate basin lengths of standard USBR
W1 = WB = 2.52 m (calc.) Basins from graphs (Bureau of Reclamation,
1964) are:
y1 = 0.258 m (calc.)
L = 9.8 m for Type II Basins with chute blocks
F1 = 7.24 (calc.)
and dentated end sill.
y2 = 2.52 m (calc.)
L = 6.2 m for Type III Basins with chute blocks,
Height of water surface of y2 @ 105.27 m baffle piers and solid end sill.
Tailwater height @ 105.32 > 105.27

Therefore, the design is acceptable.

7.8 Scour Hole Dimensions
Step 9 The following example calculates scour hole
dimensions at existing culverts, or at new culverts
Check the length of the basin and the outlet levels,
where outlet protection is limited and not
to ensure the initial total length assumed of 8.0 m
designed for the higher than average velocities
is approximately correct.
through the culverts.
The length of the horizontal apron,
When scour holes have reached the calculated
4 .5 y 2 4.5x 2.52 dimensions, only minimal protection is required
LB = = as shown in Appendix 7.8.A to stop further
F10.76 7.24 0.76
erosion.
LB = 2.52 m
The method is taken from the Ministry of Works
From geometry, and Development, NZ (1978) based on testing on
Z3 - Z2 = 104.52 - 102.75 m = 1.77m sand beds. In practice for other than sand at the
outlet, one-half to one-third of the calculated
Therefore, Ls = 1.77 x 2 = 3.52 m dimensions were observed in field inspections,
hence adopted dimensions reflect this
Total length = LT + LB + Ls
proportion.
= 4.5 + 2.52 + 3.52
Given:
= 10. 54 m
A 1/1500 x 900 RCBC has been designed to flow
This is longer than the assumed length.
full with an outlet velocity = 5.0 m/s and outlet
Check that the tailwater water just past the end of protection extending only 1350 mm downstream.
the basin is still higher than the water level at the
The natural surface material downstream is sandy
end of the basin.
clay.
If so, adopt the design.

7-16 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Calculate the expected scour hole dimensions. Length, Ls = 4.34 (0.82)1.0(11.09)0.71(30)0.125

= 35.9m
Step 1
Adopt Ls = 18.0 m (approx 0.5 Ls calculated
Write down the following equation from for sand)
Section 4.5.1.6 and calculate the values Ye, Q,
Volume,Vs = 0.79 (0.82)3.0(11.09)2.0(30)0.375
and Q/Ye2.5.
= 191.8 m
Q
Dimension = ( Ye ) ( ) ( t ) Adopt Vs = 95.9 m (approx. 0.5 Vs calculated

7
Ye2.5 for sand)

where The wetted area A can be obtained from:

A
Ye = ( )1 / 2 (1) Inlet control - generally normal depth
2 (Figures 11.4A) but can be full depth in very
A = wetted area of culvert at outlet (m) high tail water or flow under pressure
Q = discharge (m/s)
(2) Outlet control - tail water depth or critical
t = period of peak discharge (minutes). Use 30 depth (whichever is greater) when outlet is
minutes if time not known. not submerged; or D if outlet is submerged.
, , , are coefficients and indices listed in
Table 4.21. For the concrete channel, discussed in Section 7.7
(i.e. 1.5 m wide with a flow depth 0.5 m and flow
A 0.5 1.5x 0.9 0.5 rate of 6.86 m/s) the results would be:
Ye = ( ) =( )
2 2
Adopting dimensions 50% of those calculated,
Ye = 0.82
Q = AV = 1.5 x 0.9 x 5 Depth, hs = 1.4 m; Width, Ws = 6.2 m;

Q = 6.75 m/s Length, Ls = 19.1 m and Volume, Vs = 179 m.

Q 6.75
=
Ye2.5 0.82 2.5
7.9 Tidal Range at Site
Q
= 11.09 At a job site some kilometres from the mouth of a
Ye2.5
tidal stream, it may be necessary to calculate tidal
ranges at the site for construction reasons or to
Step 2 estimate clearance for boats under an existing
bridge.
Calculate the dimensions and volume of the
scour hole. Tidal ranges and heights will become increasingly
different to those at the mouth of a creek, the
Depth, hs = 0.95 (0.82)1.0 (11.09)0.375 (30)0.10 further the distance upstream. The time to fill and
= 2.70 m empty tidal compartments, sand bars at the mouth
or mounds of sand or bed material from erosion
Adopt hs = 1.40 m (approx. 0.5 hs calculated and deposition processes in the creek channel
for sand) obstructing flows are just some of the reasons
why tide levels will be different.
Width, Ws = 0.67 (0.82)1.0(11.09)0.915(30)0.15
= 9.89m The example given here is an approximate
calculation and the more cycles of successive high
Adopt Ws = 4.5 m (approx. 0.5 Ws calculated and low tides measured at the job site, the more
for sand) accurate the assessment.

July 2002 7-17

 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Particularly where the tidal range is small, special At Mackay Outer Harbour, HAT = 6.41 m
care should be taken to check that tide levels at Height above 2/11/98 morning high tide =
the job site have not been affected by rainfall
runoff in the catchment. = 6.41 - 5.54 = 0.87m

Given: At job site, height HAT is above the 2/11/98

morning high tide = 0.87 x Tide Ratio = 0.87 x
It is required to calculate tidal ranges at a job site 0.50 m = 0.44 m
10 km from the mouth of a creek entering the
Coral Sea just north of Mackay. In particular, the Therefore, calculated HAT at job site = 2.522 +

7
HAT (Highest Astronomical Tide) height is 0.44 m = 2.96 m
required at the job site.
Adopt calculated HAT height 2.96 m.
Successive high - low - high heights have been
measured and a typical tidal range is that on the 2 Note: It is again emphasised that the more
November, 1998. The nearest tide gauge measurements of low to high or high to low tides
(Queensland Transport) is that at Mackay Outer at the job site, the more accurate the calculation
Harbour and the nearest high and low tide levels the tide ratio and predicted tide levels become.
on that day are shown for comparison below.
Step 3
Time Tide Heights (m)
Job Site Mackay Outer Harbour Calculate the Mean High Water Springs
9.00 2.052 (MHWS) and Mean Low water Springs
9.09 5.52 (high tide) (MLWS) heights at the job site.
10.00 2.522
At Mackay Outer Harbour,
11.00 2.482
12.00 1.422 MHWS = 5.28 m
13.00 0.432 MLWS = 0.72 m
14.00 -0.038
15.27 0.40 (low tide) Difference in spring tides = 5.28 - 0.72 m = 4.56 m

Equivalent difference in spring tides at job site =

4.56 x Tide Ratio = 4.56 x 0.50 = 2.28 m
Step 1
Next, find the MHWS tide height at the job site in
Compare the tidal ranges at the site and at the a similar procedure as that for HAT.
gauge. At Mackay Outer harbour, height MHWS is
Difference between high and low tide (tidal range) below 2/11/98 high tide = 5.54 - 5.28 = 0.26 m
at the job site on 2/11/98, Therefore, at job site, height MHWS is below
2/11/98 high tide = 0.26 x Tide Ratio = 0.26 x 0.50
Tidal Range, TRsite = 2.522 - (-0.038) = 2.56 m
= 0.13m
At Gauge, TRgauge = 5.54 - 0.40 = 5.14 m
Therefore, MHWS height at job site = 2.522 -
TR site 2.56 0.13 = 2.39 m
Tide Ratio, = = 0.50
TR gauge 5.14
Therefore, MLWS height at job site = 2.39 -
2.28 m = 0.11 m
Step 2 Adopt at job site, MHWS Ht 2.39 m and MLWS
Ht 0.11 m.
Calculate the Highest Astronomical Tide
(HAT) height at the job site.

7-18 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual
7.10 Floodway Calculations
The following example illustrates principles of
floodway design described in Section 4.2.3.
Reference should be made to this Section for
design curves and to Section 4.2.2.
This example initially fixes the allowable depth of
water over the road i.e. the headwater, and the
order of calculations is different to that shown in
Section 4.2.2.
However, both Case A and Case B calculations in
the Section are also carried out, Case A being
critical to check the allowable velocity through
the culverts and Case B to calculate the afflux for
floods larger than the design flood.
Required:
A floodway with 20 year trafficability is required
to be designed over a natural open channel
approximately trapezoidal in shape.
The floodway would be approximately 90 to
100m long and for cost reasons, road batters will
be grass covered only for protection against scour.
Preliminary Considerations:
Because the batters will be protected by grass
only, culverts will be required to build up the
tailwater to not more than 300 mm below the
edge of the downstream shoulder when
overtopping of the road first occurs. Allowing
for crossfall, there will be a head of 450 mm
and a velocity of about 2.30-2.45 m/s through
the culverts if this minimum tailwater is
adopted. Is this acceptable on this job? (This
will be answered in the example).
For 20 year ARI trafficability, the floodway
level should be at the 20 year unrestricted flood
level to allow the maximum amount of water
over the road and save on culvert and overall
costs.
In general it is only in very long floodways
with very little velocity in the open channel
and/or where costly protection is unavoidable,
that increasing culvert requirements by raising
the road, thus decreasing the flow over the road
July 2002
Chapter 7: Worked Examples
(to the extreme of a flood free road) may reduce
the overall cost of the job.
Step 1
List all relevant criteria:
Required standard: Trafficable in a 20 year ARI
flood.
7
Time of closure: Maximum of 1 day in a 50 year
ARI flood. (Calculated hydrograph shows this
maximum only a matter of hours - not included
here).
Batter protection: Grass.
Width of floodway: 10 m.
Road crossfall: 3 %
Step 2
Calculate the rating curve for the unrestricted
channel.
From open channel hydraulic calculations similar
to those shown in Section 7.1, key results are:
Q50 = 162 m/s @ Ht 322.76 m
Q20 = 130.4 m/s @ Ht 322.58 m,
V = 0.68 m/s
Q10 = 108.1 m/s @ Ht 322.44 m
Q = 70 m/s @ Ht 322.13 m
Step 3
Adopt a road level and calculate the maximum
allowable depth of water over the road.
Adopt the road level at the unrestricted 20 year
ARI flood level and show the cross-sectional
details in Figure 7.14.
Figure 7.14
7-19
 Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

From Section 4.2.3.5, closure to traffic occurs Step 5

when
Check for culvert requirements when the flood
V2 is at the point of overtopping the road (Case 2).
H =h+ > 300 mm
2g
Preliminary considerations at the start of this
Maximum allowable h, depth of water over the example discussed batter protection, the need to
road, occurs when H = 0.300 m build up the tailwater and a culvert velocity of
Therefore, 2.30 - 2.45 m/s from a head of 450 mm.

7
These considerations apply to this example and
V2 0.682
h=H = 0.300 the velocity is acceptable. The discharge of
2g 2 x 9 .8 70m/s required through the culverts corresponds
to a tailwater Ht 322.13 m (0.45 m below the
h = 0.28 m
crown of the road).

Step 4
Calculate the discharge over the road and
through the culverts in a 20 year ARI flood.
The total discharge over the road and through the
culverts must equal the discharge in the
unrestricted channel downstream with flow at
height 322.58 m.
i.e. Qtot = QR + QC = 130.4 m/s
Flow over the road,
QR = CfLH1.5 (Section 4.2.3.3 for free flow,
tailwater not above crown level of road)
where Cf = coefficient of discharge
Cf = 1.674 (From Figure F14,
H/1 =.30/10 = 0.03 <0.15)
L = length of floodway = 94 m
Step 6
Detailed culvert design
Case 1 requires culverts to take a discharge of
104.5 m/s operating under a head of 0.3 m.
Case 2 requires culverts to take 70 m/s from a
head of 450 mm.
Obviously more culverts will be required from
Case 1. Proceed with the design of culverts to take
104.5 m/s.
Height of culvert opening, D, from
D = crown level of road - crossfall - minimum fill
above culvert - thickness of deck slab - invert
level
D = 322.58 - 5 x 0.03 - 0.100 - 0.180 - 320.55
D = 1.60 m.

H = 0.30 m For culvert design:

Therefore Outlet control with H = 0.30 m

QR = 1.674 x 94 x 0.31.5
QR = 25.9 m/s
Discharge through culverts,
QC = Qtot - QR = 130.4 - 25.9
QC = 104.5 m/s
Therefore, culverts are required to take a dis-
charge of 104.5 m/s operating under a head of
0.30 m and outlet control for this design condition
(say Case 1).
Tailwater at Ht 322.58 m, HW at Ht 322.88 m
Invert at Ht 320.50 m say
From culvert design procedure in Chapter 11,
illustrated in the example in Section 7.3,
13 / 2700 x 1500 RCBC have a capacity of
104m/s with Outlet Velocity = 1.98 m/s.
Adopt 13 / 2700 x 1500 RCBC and Floodway
Ht 322.58 m and Length 94 m.

7-20 July 2002

Road Drainage Design Manual Chapter 7: Worked Examples

Step 7

If required, calculate the afflux in larger floods

(e.g. 50 year ARI flood) with procedure shown in
Section 4.2.3.3 (B. At Peak of the Flood).

July 2002 7-21