1

Circular Pipe Alternate Depth

Flow conditions in a closed conduit can occur as open-channel flow, gravity full flow or pressure flow. In open-channel flow the water surface is exposed to the atmosphere. Gravity full flow occurs at that condition where the conduit is flowing full, but not yet under any pressure. Pressure flow occurs when the conduit is flowing full and under pressure.

Due to the additional wetted perimeter and increased friction that occurs in a gravity full pipe, a partially full pipe will actually carry greater flow. For a circular conduit the peak flow occurs at 93 percent of the height of the pipe, and the average velocity flowing one-half full is the same as gravity full flow (See figure below).

Part-full flow relationships for circular pipes.



Nominal Pipe Diameters

Computed pipe diameters should be increased to a larger nominal dimension to avoid pressure flow. Standard English and metric nominal sizes used for storm drains are given in the table below.

Nominal Pipe Diameters
English metric
inch ft mm
12 1.00 300
15 1.25 375
18 1.50 450
21 1.75 525
24 2.00 600
30 2.50 750
36 3.00 900
42 3.50 1050
48 4.00 1200
54 4.50 1350
60 5.00 1500
66 5.50 1650
72 6.00 1800
78 6.50 1950
84 7.00 2100
90 7.50 2250
96 8.00 2400
102 8.50 2550
108 9.00 2700
114 9.50 2850
120 10.00 3000
126 10.50 3150
132 11.00 3300
138 11.50 3450
144 12.00 3600



Concrete Pipe Installation Manual

Author(s): ACPA
Publisher: American Concrete Pipe Association
Year: 2018
Link PDF
Subjects: Construction, Culverts, Pipes, RCP

This manual presents a guide for the proper installation of concrete pipe. For many years, the American Concrete Pipe Association has conducted comprehensive research and analysis of the factors which affect the field performance of concrete pipe. The knowledge and beneficial practices gained through research and experience are presented in this manual.

While focusing on the construction of the pipesoil system, this manual also addresses those factors critical to the completion of the entire system, from delivery of the concrete pipe to the jobsite, to the acceptance of the installed pipeline. This manual is intended as a guide and is not to supersede the project specifications.




Circular Pipe: Manning’s n

Caltrans HDM Table 851.2

Suggested values for Manning’s Roughness coefficient (n) for design purposes are given in the tabe below.

Manning “n” Value for Alternative Pipe Materials(1)
Type of Conduit Recommended Design Value “n” Value Range
Corrugated Metal Pipe(2)
(Annular and Helical)(3)
2⅔” x ½” corrugation 0.025 0.022 – 0.027
3″ x 1″ 0.028 0.027 – 0.028
5″ x 1″ 0.026 0.025 – 0.026
6″ x 2″ 0.035 0.033 – 0.035
9″ x 2½” 0.035 0.033 – 0.037
Concrete Pipe
Pre-cast 0.012 0.011 – 0.017
Cast-in-place 0.013 0.012 – 0.017
Concrete Box 0.013 0.012 – 0.018
Plastic Pipe (HDPE and PVC)
Smooth Interior 0.012 0.010 – 0.013
Corrugated Interior 0.022 0.020 – 0.025
Spiral Rib Metal Pipe
¾” (W) x 1″ (D) @ 11½” o/c 0.013 0.011 – 0.015
¾” (W) x Ÿ” (D) @ 7½” o/c 0.013 0.012 – 0.015
¾” (W) x 1″ (D) @ 8½” o/c 0.013 0.012 – 0.015
Composite Steel Spiral Rib Pipe 0.012 0.011 – 0.015
Steel Pipe, Ungalvanized 0.015
Cast Iron Pipe 0.015
Clay Sewer Pipe 0.013
Polymer Concrete Grated Line Drain 0.011 0.010 – 0.013
Notes:  
(1) Tabulated n-values apply to circular pipes flowing full except for the grated line drain. See Note 5.
(2) For lined corrugated metal pipe, a composite roughness coefficient may be computed using the procedures outlined in the HDS No. 5, Hydraulic Design of Highway Culverts.
(3) Lower n-values may be possible for helical pipe under specific flow conditions (refer to FHWA’s publication Hydraulic Flow Resistance Factors for Corrugated Metal Conduits), but in general, it is recommended that the tabulated n-value be used for both annular and helical corrugated pipes.
(4) For culverts operating under inlet control, barrel roughness does not impact the headwater. For culverts operating under outlet control barrel roughness is a significant factor. See Index 825.2 Culvert Flow.
(5)  Grated Line Drain details are shown in Standard Plan D98C and described under Index 837.2(6) Grated Line Drains. This type of inlet can be used as an alternative at the locations described under Index 837.2(5) Slotted Drains. The carrying capacity is less than 18-inch slotted (pipe) drains.

HDS-4 Table B-3

Manning’s n Values for Closed Conduits
Description Manning’s n Range
Concrete pipe 0.011 – 0.013
Corrugated metal pipe or pipe-arch:
Corrugated Metal Pipes and Boxes, Annular or Helical Pipe (Manning’s n varies with barrel size) 68 by 13 mm (2⅔ x ½ in.) corrugations 0.022 – 0.027
150 by 25 mm (6 x 1 in.) corrugations 0.022 – 0.025
125 by 25 mm (5 x 1in.) corrugations 0.025 – 0.026
75 by 25 mm (3 x 1 in) corrugations 0.027 – 0.028
150 by 50 mm (6 x 2 in.) structural plate corrugations 0.033 – 0.035
230 by 64 mm (9 x 2-1/2 in.) structural plate corrugations 0.033 – 0.037
Corrugated Metal Pipes Helical Corrugations, Full Circular Flow 68 by 13 mm (2⅔ x ½ in.) corrugations 0.012 – 0.024
Spiral Rib Metal Pipe Smooth walls 0.012 – 0.013
Vitrified clay pipe 0.012 – 0.014
Cast-iron pipe, uncoated 0.013
Steel pipe 0.009 – 0.013
Brick 0.014 – 0.017
Monolithic concrete:
1. Wood forms, rough 0.015 – 0.017
2. Wood forms, smooth 0.012 – 0.014
3. Steel forms 0.012 – 0.013
Cemented rubble masonry walls:
1. Concrete floor and top 0.017 – 0.022
2. Natural floor 0.019 – 0.025
Laminated treated wood 0.015 – 0.017
Vitrified clay liner plates 0.015

NOTE: The values indicated in this table are recommended Manning’s n design values. Actual field values for older existing pipelines may vary depending on the effects of abrasion, corrosion, deflection, and joint conditions. Concrete pipe with poor joints and deteriorated walls may have n values of 0.014 to 0.018. Corrugated metal pipe with joint and wall problems may also have higher n values, and in addition, may experience shape changes which could adversely effect the general hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline.


Other: Variation of n with Flow Depth in Pipe

From “Scattergraph’s Principles and Practice, by Kevin L Enfinger, P.E. and James S Schutsbach, ADS Environmental Services, 2003.

A fourth order polynomial approximation of Camp’s varying roughness coefficient:

f(d)=1.04+2.30*(d/D)-6.86*(d/D)2+7.79*(d/D)3-3.27*(d/D)4


From http://www.engineeringexceltemplates.com, Manning Equation Partially Filled Circular Pipes:

The Manning equation was developed for flow in open channels with rectangular, trapezoidal, and similar cross-sections. It works very well for those applications using a constant value for the Manning roughness coefficient, n. Better agreement with experimental measurements is obtained for partially full pipe flow, however, by using the variation in Manning roughness coefficient developed by Camp …

The equations to calculate n/nfull, in terms of (y/D) for y < (D/2) are as follows:>/p>

  • n/nfull = 1 + (y/D)*(1/3) for 0 < (y/D) < 0.03
  • n/nfull = 1.1 + ((y/D) – 0.03)*(12/7) for 0.03 < y/D < 0.1
  • n/nfull = 1.22 + ((y/D) – 0.1)*(0.6) for 0.1 < (y/D) < 0.2
  • n/nfull = 1.29 for 0.2 < (y/D) < 0.3
  • n/nfull = 1.29 – ((y/D) – 0.3)*(0.2) for 0.3 < (y/D) < 0.5

The equation used for n/nfull for 0.5 < (y/D) < 1 is:

  • n/nfull = 1.25 – [((y/D) – 0.5)/2]