Flood Control and Drainage Structures

This comprehensive course provides an in-depth examination of hydraulic behavior in closed conduit systems, with an emphasis on storm drain and culvert design used in highway infrastructure. Participants will explore the principles governing gravity full flow, pressure flow, and partially full conditions within circular conduits. Key concepts such as Manning’s equation, energy and hydraulic grade lines (EGL and HGL), and flow classification are discussed in detail. The course incorporates practical examples and calculations that highlight friction and form losses, pipe sizing strategies, access hole head losses, and the effects of inflow configurations.

Advanced design considerations are also addressed, including the FHWA’s recommended methodology for computing energy losses through access holes and junctions, and the appropriate use of inlet and outlet control conditions. The course concludes with real-world applications such as storm drain layout, evaluation of HGL/EGL profiles, and culvert design procedures. This course is ideal for civil and transportation engineers seeking to enhance their technical understanding of closed-channel hydraulics in roadway systems.

Learning Objectives

This course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:

• Distinguish between open-channel, gravity full, and pressure flow conditions in closed conduits.
• Apply Manning’s equation and hydraulic principles to design storm drain and culvert systems.
• Compute friction and form losses using both approximate and detailed methods.
• Evaluate energy and hydraulic grade lines to ensure proper system performance and prevent roadway flooding.
• Analyze head losses through access holes using FHWA’s three-step methodology.
• Determine pipe sizing and crown drops based on discharge requirements and structural constraints.
• Integrate considerations for plunging flow, angled inlets, and benching into stormwater structure design.
• Use design standards and HEC-22 guidance to optimize storm drain layouts and culvert installations.

Download the Course to review and begin earning your PDH credits.

We provide technical courses for PDH credits that meet Board requirements for Professional Engineers, Geologists and Land Surveyors. This courses is guaranteed to be accepted in AK, AL, AR, AZ, DE, GA, FL, IA, IL, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, and WY. Before purchasing this course, please confirm that your state Board is listed above.