Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
(OP)
Are civil engineers limited to designing multiple culverts of less than 20 feet? The bridge inspection people call this a bridge for inspection purposes. Does this limit civil engineers to designing multiple culverts less than 20 feet wide, when measured along the centerline of the road? Does a structural engineer have to be used for culverts 20 feet wide or more?





RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
Structural engineering is generally considered a specialty and engineers who want to practice that specialty often get their Masters Degree in Structural and have expertise primarily in that.
"General civil engineers", in my experience, tend to have expertise in a broader spectrum of civil engineering such as subdivision design, lift stations, site design, hydraulics and hydrology, roads/highways, etc., and don't do heavy structural design.
Back to the issue of my question:
The American Society of Civil Engineers in their Bridge Inspection documents define a series of culverts that measure 20 feet or more along the centerline of the road as a "bridge" with regard to inspections.
I know a "structural engineer" who is trained in Brige Inspection, who seems to hold the belief that culverts 20 feet wide along the centerline of the road must be designed by a structural engineer.
I am wondering if that is a commonly helf belief among engineers who do primarily structural engineering.
Thanks.
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
Haven't you answered your own question?
A bridge design is generally the work of a Civil Engineer. Never heard of any limitation as to the scope of work. On a typical bridge project, the Civil Engineer may be assisted by a Civil Structural Engineer, a Civil Geotechnical Engineer, and/or a Civil Hydrologist depending on the complexity of the project.
General Civil Engineers typically lack specialized engineering skills that are obtained with advanced degrees and end up doing mostly municipal work. The proverbial jack of all trades and master of none. A General Civil Engineer may be able to handle a small bridge design but may not be comfortable on a larger bridge.
Reading between the lines, your structural engineering friend probably wants you to subcontract a portion of the work to him.
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
So does he contend that a general civil can't show a multiple barrel box culvert on his plans, going off a DOT standard detail?
Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East - http://www.campbellcivil.com
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
Can you tell me if that is an Indiana DOT policy for DOT funded projects only, or does it apply to all projects in the state?
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
I assume this is a federal rule, but I never took the time to confirm.
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
RE: Limits on Civil Engineers designing multiple culverts
As usual, you are correct. We should be self policing.
If you are qualified to do something, good.
A man has to know his limitations.