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Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts
Dissertation (MEng (Water Resources Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613528699961344 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Loots, Ione |
| author_browse | Loots, Ione |
| author_facet | Loots, Ione |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MEng (Water Resources Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100931 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:35.225Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100931 Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts Loots, Ione u20424028@tuks.co.za Van Dijk, Marco Giliomee, Maria Dorothea UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Culvert inlet Headwall Wingwall Urbanisation Climate adaptation Climate change Dissertation (MEng (Water Resources Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2025. Culverts convey water underneath roads or through embankments. Culverts can become inadequate over time due to increasing flood peaks caused by higher-intensity rainfall events and urban development. When roads are upgraded, the culverts on these roads might also require upgrades to comply with new road standards. Modifying the culvert inlet to increase discharge capacity can negate the need to rebuild the entire structure, providing a cost-effective solution with minimal disruption to traffic. This study used physical modelling to evaluate different inlet modifications for box and circular culverts under inlet control. The tested modifications included adjustments to wingwall and headwall angles, rounded or tapered inlet edges and the addition of an air vent. Different angles for the wingwall and headwall, when combined, significantly improved the discharge capacity. For box culverts, a 15º headwall with a 30º wingwall increased the flow capacity by up to 34% at a headwater depth of twice the culvert opening (2D). Headwalls and wingwalls had a smaller influence on circular culverts than on box culverts. However, rounded edges that smoothly direct water into the circular barrel shape improved flow by up to 34% at a headwater depth of 2D. The installation of an air vent had an insignificant influence on the discharge capacity under inlet control. A flow improvement coefficient, CTG, in the form of a set of equations, has been developed to quantify the improvement for each type of inlet. This coefficient can be used in South Africa and globally with existing equations to calculate the improved discharge capacity for specific inlet modifications. This practical solution enhances culvert performance and, if applied in practice, will reduce flood risks, especially within South Africa’s expanding road network. It is envisaged that implementing inlet improvements for both new and existing culverts will contribute to a sustainable drainage infrastructure for the country. South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) Water Research Commission (WRC) Civil Engineering MEng (Water Resources Engineering) Unrestricted Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities SDG-13: Climate action 2025-02-14T12:49:05Z 2025-02-14T12:49:05Z 2025-04 2025-02 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100931 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28417010 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Culvert inlet Headwall Wingwall Urbanisation Climate adaptation Climate change Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title | Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title_full | Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title_fullStr | Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title_short | Improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| title_sort | improving hydraulic capacity with inlet modifications to box and circular culverts |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Culvert inlet Headwall Wingwall Urbanisation Climate adaptation Climate change |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100931 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28417010 |