Using 55gal Plastic Barrels for Culvert?

[IdahoMan]

As an alternative to the traditional metal/pvc culverts, what about large plastic drum/barrels connected end-to-end?

Question(s) would be:

Would they be able withstand the pressures (depth considered)?
Is there a good way to connect them to prevent leakage (maybe some kind of adhesive "tape"/tar-paper)?

 

[dutchgray]

I doubt they would hold up, most are pretty flexible soft plastic and once you cut the ends of they are just a plain tube with a little shape at the ends. Real culvert pipe is either extremely rigid material or corrugated for strength.

 

[king nero]

You can use those as formwork (with a bit of wooden reinforcement if necessary) to pour concrete around/over them, so you'll basically end up with concrete culverts.

 

[zkdiesel]

Buy the proper plastic one. At that diameter they are not strong enough

 

[36truck]

Once you take the ends off they have no strength left to hold up dirt let alone car & truck traffic.
As king nero said use as a ford to pour concrete around with plenty of support inside. Once all done take out the supports & leave the barrels in place.

 

[mike93lx]

If you have to buy concrete to make them strong enough, I bet you'd be better off just buying the right pipe, up front

 

[engineer2]

Plastic culvert pipe is fairly inexpensive. If you plan to drive vehicles over it, then you have to look at design guidelines.

 

[Sumboodie]

Once you take the ends off they have no strength left to hold up dirt let alone car & truck traffic.
As king nero said use as a ford to pour concrete around with plenty of support inside. Once all done take out the supports & leave the barrels in place.

King Nero used a Ford to pour concrete? Do mwhat? Haha.

 

[IdahoMan]

Plastic culvert pipe is fairly inexpensive. If you plan to drive vehicles over it, then you have to look at design guidelines.

PVC 24"x20' culvert, IIRC, is about $800.

Plastic barrels will not work, what about wood/logs?


Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/engineering-publications-permits/engineering-manual/road-survey-design/culvert-design/log-culvert-design#:~:text=A log culvert is a log crossing structure,one side of a road to the other.

Also, CL has some used culverts come up from time to time (Ex: A 4'x20' currogated metal culvert for $200). Of course I need a freind who has a vehicle to carry it.

 

[mike93lx]

PVC 24"x20' culvert, IIRC, is about $800.

Plastic barrels will not work, what about wood/logs?


Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads/engineering-publications-permits/engineering-manual/road-survey-design/culvert-design/log-culvert-design#:~:text=A log culvert is a log crossing structure,one side of a road to the other.

Also, CL has some used culverts come up from time to time (Ex: A 4'x20' currogated metal culvert for $200). Of course I need a freind who has a vehicle to carry it.

Seems like a massive amount of work just to save some money to clearly do it better

 

[engineer2]

PVC 24"x20' culvert, IIRC, is about $800.

24"x20' is $400 at the local Menards. What about concrete culvert?

 

[ekuhn]

Use the right product for what you need. FB marketplace has a bunch of ADS and other assorted drainage piping that I've seen for cheap. Also call a local excavating contractor or two to see if the have any left overs in their yard you can buy for cash. Cash Talks the right talk sometimes.