PRECAST CONCRETE BOX CULVERT AND THREE-SIDED STRUCTURES
PART 1 GENERAL
1.1SECTION INCLUDES
A.Single-cell precast concrete box culverts and multi-cell precast concrete
box culverts, with waterproofing membrane.
B.Precast concrete three-sided structures with waterproofing membrane and
precast, or cast-in-place, elements required along the barrel of the structure.
C.Precast concrete secondary elements associated with the structure.
1.2RELATED SECTIONS
A.Section 02056: Embankment, Borrow, and Backfill
B.Section 02317: Structural Excavation and Backfill
C.Section 03055: Portland Cement Concrete
D.Section 03152: Concrete Joint Control
E.Section 03211: Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
F.Section 03310: Structural Concrete
G.Section 03390: Concrete Curing
H.Section 03575: Flowable Fill
I.Section 03924: Structural Concrete Repair
J.Section 07105: Waterproofing Membrane
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
1.3REFERENCES
A.AASHTO M 111: Zinc (Hot-Dip Galvanized) Coatings on Iron and Steel
Products
B.AASHTO M 270: Structural Steel for Bridges
C.AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
D.AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation
E.ASTM C 877: External Sealing Bands for Concrete Pipe, Manholes, and
Precast Box Sections
F.ASTM C 1107: Packaged Dry, Hydraulic-Cement Grout (Nonshrink)
G.ASTM C 1504: Manufacture of Precast Reinforced Concrete Three-Sided
Structures for Culverts and Storm Drains
H.ASTM C 1577: Precast Reinforced Concrete Monolithic Box Sections for
Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers Designed According to AASHTO LRFD
I.ASTM C 1619: Elastomeric Seals for Joining Concrete Structures
J.ASTM C 1786: Segmental Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections for
Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers Designed According to AASHTO LRFD
K.Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) Design Handbook
L.UDOT Bridge Management Manual (BMM)
M.UDOT Quality Management Plan (QMP) 505: Precast/Prestressed, and
Drycast Concrete Structures
N.UDOT Structures Design and Detailing Manual (SDDM)
1.4DEFINITIONS
A.Butt Joint – A joint where the surface to be connected is flat and uniform.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
B.Box Puller – Hydraulic winches and post tensioning rods, or other
mechanical mechanism that pulls uniformly on the box culvert segments to achieve correct fit up of joints and correct compression of joint material.
C.Precast Secondary Elements – Precast elements attaching to the box
culvert or three-sided structure system outside of the main barrel such as cutoff walls, aprons, headwalls, wingwalls, return walls and footings.
D.Profile Joint – A step joint in which a raised area on the edge of one
segment fits into a corresponding groove in the edge of the other segment to produce a flush surface. Commonly referred to as “tongue and groove” or “bell and spigot” joint.
1.5SUBMITTALS
A.Shop drawings for review
1.Fabrication and Installation
a.Detail all phases of fabrication and construction including
layout, joint details, lifting devices, casting methods, and construction placement. 1) Show that the “bell” or “groove” end of the section faces the upstream direction.
b.Include details for cast-in-place elements that are included in
this item of work and are not detailed in the plans.
c.Include excavation, bedding, and backfill requirements.
d.Include joint tolerances.
e.Note proposed transportation methods.
2.Include inventory and operating load ratings in a table on the first
sheet of the drawings for structures meeting the definition of a bridge.
a.Provide load rating package according to the UDOT BMM,
UDOT SDDM, and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation.
b.The design must result in load ratings for Legal and Utah
permit load ratings equal to or greater than 1.05.
3.Provide the seal of a Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional
Structural Engineer (SE) licensed in the State of Utah on the drawings and supporting engineering calculations for the following:
a.Special designs of precast concrete monolithic box culverts
b.Precast concrete segmental box (clamshell) culverts
c.Precast concrete three-sided structures
d.Foundations for precast concrete three-sided structures
e.Floor slabs of precast concrete three-sided structures
f.Lifting devices
g.Secondary elements
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
h.Connections between precast and cast-in-place, and precast
to precast, members and secondary members
i.Load ratings
j.Other means and methods that require an engineer’s design
B.Certificate of compliance for dry cast concrete for information
C.Manufacturer’s product data sheets and recommended installation
instructions for review for the following products:
1.Non-shrink grout
2.Joint sealant
3.Flexible watertight gaskets
4.Joint wrap
PART 2 PRODUCTS
2.1MATERIALS
A.Concrete
1.Wet Cast Concrete
a.Class AAA(AE) according to Section 03055.
1) Provide 28-day minimum compressive strength of 5,000 psi.
2.Dry Cast Concrete
a.Provide 28 day minimum compressive strength of 5,000 psi
or as shown in the shop drawings and associated calculations.
B.Reinforcing Steel and Welded Wire
1.Coated – Refer to Section 03211.
C.Bedding
1.Granular backfill borrow according to Section 02056
a.Limit soil gradation to 100 percent passing the ¾ inch sieve.
2.Free draining granular backfill when shown according to
a.Limit soil gradation to 100 percent passing the ¾ inch sieve.
D.Leveling Course
1.Use gravel or chip limited to 100 percent passing the 3/8 inch sieve.
E.Flowable Fill
1.Refer to Section 03575.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
F.Embankment
1.Refer to Section 02056.
G.Structural Steel
1.Use AASHTO M 270, Grade 36 steel unless shown otherwise.
2.Galvanize structural steel items permanently cast into concrete or
that are necessary to the performance of the structure.
a.Galvanize according to AASHTO M 111 after fabrication.
H.Miscellaneous Steel Items
1.Galvanize or coat steel items permanently cast into concrete.
2.2JOINT SEALS
A.Use one of the following:
1.Hydrophilic waterstop strips
a.Use hydrophilic waterstop strips on segmental box
(clamshell)culverts and three-sided structures.
b.Provide product meeting the following requirements:
1) Expands or swells to at least 400 percent of its original size in the presence of water
2.Preformed strip with dry dimension of at least 3/4 inch
by 3/8 inch
2.Flexible watertight gaskets
a.Use flexible watertight gaskets on monolithic box culverts.
b.Provide product meeting the following requirements:
1) ASTM C 1619, Class C 2) Pre-lubricated by the manufacturer
B.Joint seals are furnished by the precaster.
2.3JOINT WRAP
A.Meet the requirements of ASTM C 877, Type III.
1.Provide joint wrap at least 12 inch wide.
2.4WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
A.Refer to Section 07105.
2.5JOINT SEALER (STRUCTURES)
A.Refer to Section 03152.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
2.6NON-SHRINK GROUT
A.Provide non-shrink grout suitable for vertical or overhead applications.
B.Refer to ASTM C 1107.
2.7LIFTING DEVICES
A.Use lifting devices that can support the required vertical and horizontal
forces with the applicable safety factors as specified in the Component Handling and Erection Bracing requirements of the PCI Design Handbook.
B.Galvanize according to AASHTO M 111.
2.8GROUTED SPLICE COUPLERS
A.Refer to Section 03211.
2.9BOX CULVERTS AND THREE-SIDED STRUCTURES
A.General
1.Manufacture precast segments in at least 4 ft lay lengths.
2.Do not locate horizontal and vertical changes in alignment greater
than 10 degrees at a joint between precast segments of a precast concrete box culvert.
B.Joint Shape
1.Provide Profile Joints between precast element segments.
a.Size tongue and groove to provide at least 6 inch of overlap
between adjacent segments.
b.Do not slope horizontal Profile Joints by more than
5 degrees.
c.Provide a radius of at least 6 inch at corners when flexible
watertight gaskets are used.
d.Steel “H” section connections are permitted for horizontal
joints in segmental box (clamshell) culverts.
2.Provide Butt Joints where precast element segments join cast-in-
place concrete as shown.
a.Project the reinforcing steel at least 12 inch out of the
precast sections or as shown.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
C.Precast Concrete Monolithic Box Culverts
1.Refer to ASTM C 1577.
a.Select a design earth cover from ASTM C 1577 based on an
equivalent weight of material over the culvert, including the additional load for design pavement section and future wearing surface described in the SDDM. 1) ASTM C 1577 assumes that the soil column over the box is 120 pcf material.
2.Provide special designs for sizes and loads other than those shown
in Table 1 of ASTM C 1577 if the design is not provided.
a.Prepare special designs according to the SDDM and the
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Section 12.
b.Provide at least 1 inch concrete cover to reinforcing steel.
c.Provide at least 2 inch concrete cover to reinforcing steel in
the top of the top slab when covered by less than 2 ft of fill.
D.Precast Concrete Segmental Box (Clamshell) Culverts
1.Refer to ASTM C 1786 with the following exceptions:
a.Design the structure according to the SDDM and the
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Section 12.
b.Design for HL-93 live loading.
2.Provide longitudinal wire spacing of no more than 8 inch for welded
wire.
3.Provide a circumferential wire spacing not greater than 4 inch or
less than 2 inch.
4.Provide at least 2 inch concrete cover to reinforcing steel in the top
of the top slab when covered by less than 2 ft of fill.
5.Provide Profile Joint or sealed steel “H” section connection between
lower and upper box sections.
a.Profile Joints require that the lower portion of the joint be on
the outside face of the box culvert.
b.Steel “H” section connections with joint sealer.
1) Size steel “H” sections so that gaps between the steel and precast sections are ½ inch wide or less. 2) Provide Joint Sealer (Structures) along the four vertical interfaces between the steel and the concrete box.
E.Precast Concrete Three-Sided Structures
1.Refer to ASTM C 1504 for precast concrete three-sided structures
with the following exceptions:
a.Design the structure according to the SDDM and the
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Section 12.
2.Provide longitudinal wire spacing of no more than 8 inch for welded
wire. Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
3.Provide a circumferential wire spacing not greater than 4 inch or
less than 2 inch.
4.Provide at least 2 inch concrete cover to reinforcing steel in the top
of the top slab when covered by less than 2 ft of fill.
5.Mechanical connections for three-sided structures
a.Mechanically connect the exterior sections of precast three-
sided structures at top joints which are within 12 ft from end of the structure. 1) Use at least four mechanical connections per joint with a maximum spacing of 10 ft. 2) Use galvanized plates, shapes, and hardware.
b.Connect precast three-sided structures to the footing,
pedestal, or slab 2 ft from the outermost exterior edge of the structure at the four corners of the structure 1) Use a galvanized rigid mechanical connection. 2) Locate the connection on the interior face of the segment to allow for future inspection.
F.Precast Secondary Elements
1.Design secondary elements and connections according to
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and the SDDM.
G.Lifting Devices
1.Provide the number and type of lifting devices required to support
the vertical and horizontal forces with the applicable safety factors as specified in the Component Handling and Erection Bracing requirements of the PCI Design Handbook.
a.Limit diameter of holes for lifting devices to 3 inch when
used.
b.Locate holes to avoid interference with the reinforcing steel.
2.10FABRICATION
A.General
1.Use a Department prequalified supplier of precast concrete
products.
2.Fabricate according to the authorized shop drawings.
3.Permanently mark each precast segment with date of casting and
supplier identification.
4.Cast the Department structure number into the top and exposed
faces of the headwall at each end of the structure as shown.
5.Provide ¾ inch chamfer on all edges of precast elements.
a.Do not provide chamfers on Profile Joints or Butt Joints.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
6.Form segment ends so that the segments can be laid together to
make a continuous line of box segments compatible with the permissible construction tolerances
a.Fit adjacent precast segments to provide a uniform joint that
does not exceed a width of ¾ inch.
B.Concrete Curing – Refer to Section 03390.
C.Quality Control
1.Prevent cracking or damage of precast elements during shipping,
handling, and storage.
2.Replace defects and breakage of precast elements.
a.Members that sustain damage or surface defects during
fabrication, handling, storage, hauling, or erection are subject to review or rejection.
b.Obtain authorization before performing repairs.
c.Repair work must reestablish the elements’ structural
integrity, durability, and aesthetics to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
d.Determine the cause when damage occurs and take
corrective action.
e.Failure to take corrective action, leading to similar repetitive
damage, can be cause for rejection of the damaged element.
f.Cracks that extend to the nearest reinforcement plane and
fine surface cracks that do not extend to the nearest reinforcement plane but are numerous or extensive are subject to review and rejection.
g.Spalls greater than 1 ft in any direction or cracking greater
than half the element thickness are cause for rejection.
3.The Engineer may reject box sections when the installation
tolerance cannot be met due to casting variations.
PART 3 EXECUTION
3.1EXCAVATING, TRENCHING, BEDDING, AND BACKFILL
A.Refer to Section 02317.
B.Use a trench width adequate to place and compact bedding material.
1.Outside width of trench is the outside width of structure plus at least
two feet on each side.
C.Excavate to at least 12 inch below the bottom of the precast structure
unless shown otherwise.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
D.Scarify, moisture condition, and compact the top 8 inch of the excavated
ground surface to at least 90 percent of the maximum dry density.
E.Place a bedding of at least 10 inch unless shown otherwise.
1.Level and compact bedding material to provide uniform support of
the structure along its entire supported width and length.
F.Place a leveling course of at least 2 inch on top of the bedding.
G.Backfill as shown.
H.Fill the gap between multiple adjacent single cell culverts with flowable fill
as shown.
3.2INSTALLATION
A.General
1.Inspect precast elements for defects before lowering into trench.
a.Repair or replace defective, damaged, or unsound precast
elements.
b.Replace damaged gaskets.
2.Follow the authorized shop drawings
3.Follow any best practices or requirements from precast
manufacture on handling and installation.
4.Establish working points, working lines, and benchmark elevations
before placing elements.
5.Place precast segments with the bell end of the box facing the
upstream direction.
a.Begin placement from the downstream end when feasible.
b.Do not place precast elements when water is in the trench.
6.Prevent soil from being forced into the joint as the box sections are
placed.
a.Remove dirt and foreign material from joints to allow for snug
and uniform joint fit.
b.Do not lubricate gaskets.
7.Use a box puller to draw the box segment into uniform contact with
a maximum of joint gap of ¾ inch.
a.Disassemble joint, check position of joint sealant, repair
alignment, and re-install when adjoining elements cannot be pulled together to meet joint requirements.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
B.Apply joint seal to precast elements.
1.Joint sealant
a.Apply joint sealant on the inside of the groove (bell) of the
box last placed and on the outside of the tongue (spigot) of the box to be set.
b.Apply joint sealant about 1 inch from the leading edge of the
groove and tongue.
c.Maintain the joint sealant at 70 degrees F or greater during
placement.
2.Flexible watertight gasket
a.Coordinate with the precaster to reattach gasket if gasket
detaches during shipping and handling.
C.Install precast secondary elements
1.Clean bonding surfaces between elements of debris, dust, and rust
before connecting elements.
2.Place cut-off wall and apron elements as shown.
a.Adjust the final location of the cut-off wall or apron elements
if actual joint gaps cause the final location to vary.
b.Adjust the height of each apron element by means of
leveling devices or shims.
3.Adjust vertical leveling devices before full release of the apron from
the crane to reduce the amount of torque required to turn the bolts in the leveling devices.
4.Place or pump flowable fill into voids and pockets.
5.Connect secondary elements to precast concrete box culvert or
three-sided structure as shown in the shop drawings.
D.Apply joint wrap to the top slab and side walls at segment joints of box
culverts and three-sided structures, and on the back face of secondary elements at joints between elements.
1.Clean top and sides of concrete surface at segment joints before
placing joint wrap.
2.Apply joint wrap at least 12 inch wide and centered on the joint
3.3FINISHING RECESSES FROM LIFTING HOLES AND DEVICES
A.Plug lifting holes and lifting device recesses with non-shrink grout.
1.Finish flush with adjacent concrete surfaces.
3.4CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE
A.Place and finish concrete according to Section 03310.
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
B.Cure concrete according to Section 03390.
3.5WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE
A.Apply a waterproofing membrane to the full length of the top slab and side
walls.
3.6REPAIR
A.Repair minor damage to precast elements according to Section 03924 and
QMP 505.
END OF SECTION
Precast Concrete Box Culvert and Three-Sided Structures
Utah revises spec sections through supplementals and new editions. We check this one every week and email you the day it changes. Free, no account.
Source: Utah Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 405–414 of 1,331.
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