Erosion at culvert headwall
#1
08-12-12, 05:19 AM
Erosion at culvert headwall
I hope my terminology is right here, but my driveway goes over a culvert. The soil and parts of the driveway have been eroding from the water during heavy rains.
I guess the best way to fix it is to repave the driveway to drain the water somewhere else, but is there something else I can do?
I was thinking filling the hole with concrete and/or gravel but that's about as far as my idea went. No idea if it will help or not.
Here are a few pics.
http://i.imgur.com/d8wDt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2aUQN.jpg
The dark soil is where I tried to fill it in with topsoil, but as I expected, the next rain dug through it and carried it all away.
I guess the best way to fix it is to repave the driveway to drain the water somewhere else, but is there something else I can do?
I was thinking filling the hole with concrete and/or gravel but that's about as far as my idea went. No idea if it will help or not.
Here are a few pics.
http://i.imgur.com/d8wDt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/2aUQN.jpg
The dark soil is where I tried to fill it in with topsoil, but as I expected, the next rain dug through it and carried it all away.
#3
08-12-12, 09:29 AM
Member
Another option would be to first compact as much gravel into the void under the asphalt, then form and pour a "wrap-around" concrete apron. It could overlap and be tied into the existing headwall with a few vertical rebar (L-shaped) driven through the voids. While you're there, filling all of the voids with concrete will make the headwall stronger while keeping those nasty weeds under control.
#4
08-12-12, 12:09 PM
IF you were to stop the water from going down the hole, where will it go??? Having that hole may be a blessing in disguise. I would do as Marksr suggested and place rip rap around the area and allow the water to drain from the surrounding parts. Adding more rip rap around the entire sides of the driveway would make it look better, too. You gotta face it, water will win.
#5
08-12-12, 06:35 PM
Member
Guess I didn't make myself clear enough--the concrete apron would start at the elevation of the driveway asphalt, but then slope downward as it wraps around and over the existing concrete block. The water will continue to do what it wants to, but will have a smooth impervious surface to get it off the driveway quicker, and back to the drainage feature underneath. All with little, if any, chance of future erosion under the asphalt.
#6
08-13-12, 03:11 AM
Gotcha, bridge. I thought you were suggesting plugging the hole with concrete totally. I guess it is a difference in how things are done in the country, like where Marksr and I live. We don't use concrete for anything when rip rap will work. Thanks for the clarification.
