Village Road Bridge

A "Village Road Bridge (VRB)" would focus on the design and construction of
small bridges commonly found in rural areas, often spanning irrigation canals
or other small waterways. These presentations typically cover the engineering
aspects of such bridges, including site surveys, load calculations, material
selection, and construction methods specific to VRBs.

 Design Considerations:
Span Length: Determining the appropriate span length based on the width of
the waterway and site conditions.

Loading: Calculating dead loads (weight of the bridge structure), live loads
(vehicles and pedestrians), and potential environmental loads (wind, water).

Material Selection: Discussing the use of materials like concrete, steel, or

timber, considering factors like cost, durability, and local availability.

Structural Elements: Detailing the design of the deck slab, supporting

beams, piers, abutments, and foundations.
 Cross Drainage Works
 Defination: A cross drainage work is a structure carrying the discharge
from a natural stream across a canal intercepting the stream. Canal
comes across obstructions like rivers, natural drains and other canals.
 Canal comes across obstructions like rivers, natural drains and other
canals.
 The various types of structures that are built to carry the canal water
across the above-mentioned obstructions or vice versa are called cross
drainage works.
 Types of cross drainage works
 Depending upon levels and discharge, it may be of the following types:
 Cross drainage works carrying canal across the drainage.
the structures that fall under this type are:
 Aqueduct
 Siphon Aqueduct
1) Aqueduct: - When the HFL of the drain is sufficiently below the
bottom of the canal such that the drainage waterflows freely under gravity, the
structure is known as Aqueduct.
2) Siphon Aqueduct: In a hydraulic structure where the canal is
taken over the drainage, but the drainage water cannot pass clearly below the canal. It
flows under siphonic action. So, it is known as siphon aqueduct. This structure is
suitable when the bed level of canal is below the highest flood level.
 b) Cross drainage works carrying drainage over canal.
The structures that fall under this type are:
1. Super passage
2) Canal siphon
1) Super passage: - If the bed level of drainage is sufficiently above the F.S.L of the
canal the structure is known as super passage.
2) Canal syphon: - If the F.S.L of the canal is much above the bed level of
the drainage through the structure is known as canal syphon.
c) Canal and normal drain intersecting each other.
The structures that fall under this type are:
1.Level crossing 2. Inlets and outlets

1) Level crossing: - When the bed level of canal and the stream are
approximately the same and quality of water in canal and stream is not much
different, the cross-drainage work constructed is called level crossing where
water of canal and stream is allowed to mix.
2. Inlets and Outlets: - When irrigation canal meets a small stream or drain at same
level, drain is allowed to enter the canal as in inlet.at some distance from this inlet
point a part of water is allowed to drain as outlet which eventually meets the original
stream. Stone pitching is required at the inlet and outlet.
 Selection of suitable site for cross drainage works: -
The factors which affect the selection of suitable type of cross drainage works are:
 Relative bed levels and water levels of canal and drainage
 Size of the canal and drainage.
 The following considerations are important
 When the bed level of the canal is much above the HFL of the drainage, an aqueduct
is the obvious choice.
 When the bed level of the drain is well above FSL of canal, super passage is
provided.
 The necessary headway between the canal bed level and the drainage HFL can be
increased by shifting the crossing to the downstream of drainage. If, however, it is
not possible to change the canal alignment, a siphon aqueduct may be provided.
 When canal bed level is much lower, but the FSL of canal is higher than the bed
level of drainage, a canal siphon is preferred.
 When the drainage and canal cross each other practically at same level, a level
crossing may be preferred. This type of work is avoided as far as possible.
 Hydraulic structures with sketches
Hydraulic structure: - A hydraulic structure is a structure submerged or partially
submerged in any body of water, which disrupts the natural flow of water. They can be
used to divert, disrupt or completely stop the flow. A hydraulic structure can be built in
rivers, a sea, or any body of water where there is a need for a change in the natural flow of
water. An example of a hydraulic structure would be a dam, which slows the normal flow
rate of river in order to power turbines. Hydraulic structures may also be used to measure
the flow of water.
 Canal Fall: - The canal falls are required when the natural slope of the canal
alignment is sleeper than the bed slope of the canal. The canal bed slope may vary
from 1 in 4000 for a discharge of about 1.5 cumecs to about 1 in 50. The difference in
the slopes is adjusted by providing vertical falls in the bed of the canal at suitable
intervals.
Different type of canal
falls: -
1. Ogee fall
2. Rapid fall
3. Stepped fall
4. Notch fall
5. Vertical drop fall
6. Glacis fall
1) Ogee fall: - ogee curve is the combination of convex and concave curves. So, Ogee
fall consists of both convex and concave curves gradually. This gradual combination
helps to provide smooth transition of flow and also reduce the impact. If the canal
natural ground surface is suddenly changed to steeper slope, ogee fall is recommended
for that canal. Stone pitching is provided in the upstream and downstream of the fall.
2) Rapid canal falls: -Rapid fall consists a long sloping glacis. It is constructed if the
available natural ground surface is plane and long. For this, a bed of rubble masonry is
provided and it is finished with cement mortar of 1:3 ratio. To maintain the slope of
bed curtain walls are provided at both upstream and downstream. Rapid falls are high
priced constructions.
3) Stepped canal falls: - As in the name itself, stepped fall consist vertical steps at
gradual intervals. Stepped fall is the modification of rapid fall. It is suitable for the
canal which has it upstream at very high level as compared to downstream. These
two levels are connected by providing vertical steps or drops as shown in figure.
4) Notch fall: - In case of trapezoidal notch falls, a high crested wall is built
across the channel and trapezoidal notches are provided in that wall.
Trapezoidal falls are very economical and suitable for low discharges.
5) Vertical drop fall: - Simple vertical drop fall or sarda fall consists, single
vertical drop which allows the upstream water to fall with sudden impact
on downstream. The downstream acts like cushion for the upstream water
and dissipate extra energy. This type of fall is tried in Sarda Canal UP (India)
and therefore, it is also called Sarda Fall.
6) Glacis fall: -This is the modern type of construction, in which a raised
crest is constructed across the canal and a gentle straight inclined surface is
provided from raised crest to the downstream. The water coming from
upstream crosses the raised crest and falls on inclined surface with
sufficient energy dissipation
 Cross and head regulator: -The supplies passing down the
parent canal and off take channel are controlled by cross regulator
and head regulator respectively.
Functions of Cross Regulators:
1.Regulation of the canal system.
2.Raising the water level in the main canal in order to feed the off-take channels.
3.To facilitate communication by building a road over the cross regulator with little
extra cost.
4.To absorb the fluctuations in the canal system.

Functions of Head Regulators:

1.To regulate and control supplies entering the off-take channel (distributary) from the
main(parent) canal.
2.To control silt entering into the distributary.
3.To serve for measurement of discharge.
 Canal outlets: -canal outlets are a structure or device through
which water is released from a distributing channel into a water course
or field channel.
 Classification of Outlets:
1) Non modular outlets
2) Semi modular outlets
3) Modular outlets

1)Non-Modular outlets: -These outlets operate in such a way that the

flow passing through them is a function of the difference in water levels
of the distributing channel and the watercourse.

2)Semi-modular outlets: -The discharge through these outlets

depend on the water level of the distributing channel but is independent
of the water level in the watercourse so long as the minimum working
head required for their working is available.

3)Module outlets: -The discharge through modular outlets is

independent of the water levels in the distributing channel and the
watercourse, within reasonable working limits. This type of outlets may
or may not be equipped with moving parts.
 Canal escapes:-a canal escapes are a structure constructed on an
irrigation canal for the disposal of surplus water from the canal.it is a sort of safety
valve.
Different types of escapes: -

1. Surplus water escapes

2. Canal scouring escapes
3. Tail escapes
1)Surplus water escapes: -a surplus water escapes is a structure constructed
on an irrigation channel to dispose off surplus water from the channel.it is also
known as canal water escapes.
2) canal scouring escapes: -This escape is constructed for the purpose
of scouring of excess silt deposited in the head reaches from time to time.
Hence, it is called scouring escape.
3)Tail escapes: -an irrigation canal generally ends in a natural drain or river. The
escapes provided at the tail of branch canal or distributary to dispose of
the surplus water is called tail escapes.
Types of Culverts
Following are the types of culverts generally used in construction:
• Pipe culvert ( single or multiple)
• Pipe Arch ( single or multiple)
• Box culvert ( single or multiple)
• Arch culvert
• Bridge culvert
Pipe Culvert (Single or Multiple)
• Pipe culverts are widely used culverts and rounded in shape.
• The culverts may be of single in number or multiple.
• If single pipe culvert is used then larger diameter culvert is installed.
• If the width of channel is greater than we will go for multiple pipe culverts.
• They are suitable for larger flows very well.
• The diameter of pipe culverts ranges from 1 meter to 6m
• These are made of concrete or steel etc..
Pipe Arch Culvert (Single or Multiple)
• Pipe arch culverts means nothing but they looks like half circle shaped culverts

• Pipe arch culverts are suitable for larger water flows but the flow should be stable

• Because of arch shape fishes or sewage in the drainage easily carried to the

outlet without stocking at the inlet or bottom of channel

• This type of culverts can also be provided in multiple numbers based on the requirement

• They also enhance beautiful appearance.

Arch Culvert
• Arch Culvert pipe arch culvert
• But in this case an artificial floor is provided below the arch
• For narrow passages it is widely used
• The artificial floor is made of concrete and arch also made of concrete
• Steel arch culverts are also available but very expensive.
Box Culvert (Single or Multiple)
• Box culverts are in rectangular shape and generally constructed by concrete
• Reinforcement is also provided in the construction of box culvert
• These are used to dispose rain water. So, these are not useful in the dry period
• They can also be used as passages to cross the rail or roadway during dry periods for
animals etc.

• Because of sharp corners these are not suitable for larger velocity
• Box culverts can also be provided in multiple numbers
Bridge Culvert
• Bridge culverts are provided on canals or rivers and also used as road bridges
for vehicles

• For this culverts a foundation is laid under the ground surface

• A series of culverts are laid and pavement surface is laid on top this series of culverts
• Generally these are rectangular shaped culverts these can replace the box culverts if artificial
floor is not necessary.
 Water logging and drainage and ground water re-charge
Water logging: - When the conditions are so created that the crop root- zone gets deprived
of proper aeration due to the presence of excessive moisture or water content, the tract is said
to be waterlogged. To create such conditions, it is not always necessary that under groundwater
table should enter the crop root-zone. Sometimes even if water table is below the root-zone
depth the capillary water zone may extend in the root-zone depth and makes the air circulation
impossible by filling the pores in the soil.
Causes of Waterlogging: -
1. Over irrigation
2. Seepage from canals
3. Obstruction of natural drainage
4. Inadequate surface drainage
5. Nature of soil
6. Defective method of cultivation
7. Defective practice of irrigation
8. Construction of reservoir
Effects of water logging: -
1.Creation of Anaerobic Condition in the Crop Root-Zone
2.Growth of Water Wild Plants
3.Accumulation of Harmful Salts
4.fall in soil temperature
5.Lowering of Soil Temperature
6.damp climate 7.difficulty in cultivation
8.reduction in plant growth
9. increase in plant diseases 10.increase in incidence of malaria
 Head and Cross Regulators

The supplies passing down the parent canal and ot1 take
channel are controlled by cross regulator and head regulator
respectively.

Cross Regulator

Head Regulator
 OFF TAKE CHANNEL
Distributary channel

f'unctions of Cross ltegulators

1. Regulation ot the canal system.
2. Raising the water level in the main canal in order to teed the ott take channels.
3. To facilitate communication by building a road over the cross regulator with little extra cost.
4. To absorb the fluctuations in the canal system.

f'unctions of Head Regulators

1. To regulate and control supplies entering the otl’take channel (distributary) trom the main (parent) canal.
2. To control silt entering into the distributary.
3. To serve for measurement of discharge.

Alignment
The best alignnient of the off take channel is when it niakes angle zero with the parent canal initially and then separates out
in a transition. In this case there is a transition curve tör both ott take and parent channel to avoid silt accumulation.
Another alternative by making both channels an angle with respect to parent channel upstream.