What Is the Purpose of a Wing Wall in A Culvert

Culverts come in many designs, from box culverts to pipe culverts, to offer soil stabilization and improve inlet and outlet hydraulic flow. But what exactly are culvert wing walls, and what is their purpose?

What Is a Wing Wall?

Culvert wing walls are a type of headwall consisting of concrete slabs or steel plates that extend from a culvert opening on an angle. They’re best for maximizing erosion control and have footings or aprons for effective results. Wing walls are also quick and easy to install, extending from a bridge and box culvert opening as a retaining wall for nearby terrain.

Due to their resistance against rust, rot, and erosion, wing walls can last a considerable amount of time and provide a durable, reliable hold after installation. They work best as bridge supports or for maximizing erosion control, especially in embanked areas.

How Do Wing Walls and Headwalls Work Together?

Headwalls consist of precast concrete or steel structures with a bottom and wings to help soil deflect water. Headwalls primarily reside near streams, ponds, and other waterway systems to support roadways, railways, and bridges. They anchor the culvert to prevent dangerous or unwanted movement from soil and hydraulic pressure.

Headwalls and wing walls work together by improving the flow of a conduit. They also secure the ends of bridge sections and box culverts. Culvert headwalls and wing walls help stabilize inlet soil conditions while improving upstream hydraulics. By maximizing flow performance for inlet and outlet culvert structures, they also help create functional, permanent designs.

Wing Walls in Bridges

The primary purpose of a culvert wing wall on an abutment bridge structure is to help minimize carriageway settlement and contain backfill materials from behind the bridge abutment wall. The walls work as separators or act as parts of bridge abutment walls. They stand at various angles to hold soil and fill, supporting the roadway and embankment area.

Free-standing wing walls act independently from the central bridge abutment, designed as cantilever retaining walls. Planning construction points between structures allows for and conceals relative movement. When positioned parallel to an abutment wall to accommodate local topography, they make for easy backfill compacting and eliminate design issues.

Culvert wing walls play a crucial role in bridge construction and hydraulic flow. They provide years of support and bridge functionality for a dependable hold and foundation.