Hydraulics of Minimum Energy Culverts and Bridge Waterways

The design of culverts and bridge waterways according to the approach described variously as "minimum energy" and as "constant energy" is summarised. The hydraulics of the flow in such waterways is discussed. Even though the flow occurring can be quite complex, the waterways can be designed with simple calculations within certain limitations. Some of these limitations are discussed. Some results concerning energy losses in the expanding part of the flow are presented.