Corrugated Aluminum Box Culverts

B864/B864M-13: Standard Specification for Corrugated Aluminum Box Culverts

For engineers and designers tasked with specifying and implementing resilient drainage and infrastructure solutions, understanding the governing standards is paramount. ASTM B864/B864M-13, the Standard Specification for Corrugated Aluminum Box Culverts, provides an authoritative framework for these critical structures, ensuring their material integrity, geometric accuracy, and performance in various civil engineering applications. This essential standard is a cornerstone for reliable, long-lasting infrastructure.

What is B864/B864M-13?

ASTM B864/B864M-13 is a comprehensive industry-leading standard detailing the material, geometric, and wall section requirements for corrugated aluminum box culverts. Developed by ASTM International, this specification ensures that these structures, assembled from corrugated plate and rib stiffeners, meet stringent quality and performance criteria for field assembly. Its primary purpose is to provide a reliable basis for the design and fabrication of aluminum box culverts used in diverse drainage and passage applications.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the material properties, dimensional tolerances, and structural component definitions for aluminum box culverts. It specifically covers the corrugated aluminum plate shell, attached rib stiffeners, and optional components like invert plates and headwalls. Importantly, B864/B864M-13 does not extend to the design considerations for foundations, backfill, or the intricate relationship between earth cover, live loads, and structural strength, which are deferred to other specialized standards. Hydraulic design aspects are also outside its purview.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Project Managers, Construction Inspectors, and Materials Engineers involved in infrastructure design and construction.
• • Industries affected: Civil Engineering, Transportation, Public Works, Construction, and Municipal Engineering.
• • Compliance nature: While technically a specification, compliance is typically recommended or mandated by project specifications and contract documents, making it effectively a requirement for projects utilizing these structures.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is generally verified by project engineers, construction inspectors, and quality control personnel during design review, material procurement, fabrication, and site installation.

Key Requirements Overview

Professionals utilizing B864/B864M-13 must ensure:

• • Material Quality: The aluminum alloy used for the corrugated plate and rib stiffeners must conform to specified mechanical and chemical properties, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance.
• • Geometric Accuracy: The standard dictates precise requirements for the dimensions of the box culvert's components, including span, rise, and the curvature of crown, haunch, and side segments.
• • Stiffener Design: Key provisions include the types, spacing classes (A, B, C, D), and geometric properties of external rib stiffeners, which are critical for maintaining structural integrity under load.
• • Assembly Components: Requirements for fasteners and optional components like invert plates are outlined to ensure proper integration and structural continuity.
• • Ordering Specificity: The standard mandates that orders clearly define nominal dimensions, cover heights, and any special load or material requirements to ensure the fabricated product meets project-specific needs.

Related Standards & References

To facilitate comprehensive design and application, B864/B8