Steel structural plate consists of corrugated steel sections that are bolted together to form the required shape. The corrugated sections are commonly referred to as plates and have a standard corrugation profile of 6 x 2 inches that are formed perpendicular to the length of the culvert bridge.
Structural plate structures are specified where the pipe required exceeds the size that can be shipped to the job site, or where earth cover is so great that the wall thickness furnished by a shop-manufactured pipe will not meet design requirements.
Standard plates are fabricated in three lengths and several different widths. These plates are available in thicknesses from 0.222 inches to 0.380 inches. Plates are furnished curved to various radii and are clearly identified by the fabricator for field assembly. The fabricator provides assembly drawings to aid the installer.
The plates are assembled into various shapes as indicated in the table below. The shapes include round, pipe arch, singles-radius arch, horizontal ellipse, low profile arch, high profile arch, pear, underpass and vertical ellipse, special shapes, and other sizes of standard shapes beyond what is shown in the tables, are also available, The fabricator provides detailed assembly instructions with each structure.
The benefits of steel structural plate include:
- Structural capacity
- Lightweight construction
- Easy installation
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Economical solutions
- Design flexibility
| Shapes and uses of corrugated steel structural plate | |||
| Shape | Range of Sizes | Common Uses | |
| Round |  | 6 in. -51 ft | Culverts, subdrains, sewers, service tunnels, etc. All plates same radius. For medium and high fill (or trenches) |
| Vertical ellipse 5% nominal |  | 4-21 ft nominal;before elongating | Culverts, sewers, service tunnels, recovery tunnels. Plates of varying radii;shop favbrication. For appearance and hwhere backfill compaction is only moderate. |
| Pipe Arch |  | Span x Rise 17 in, x 13 in. to 20ft 7 in x 13 ft 2 in. | Where headroom is limited, Has hydraulic advantages at low flows. Corner plate radius. 18 inches or 31 inches for structural plate. |
| Underpass* |  | Span x Rise 5ft 8 in, x 5 ft 9 in. to 20 ft 4 in. x 17 ft 9 in. | For pedestrians, livestock or /> vehicles (structural plate). |
| Arch |  | Span x Rise 5 ft x 1 ft 9 1/2 in. to 82 ft x 42 ft | For low clearance large waterwway openinng, and aesthetics (structural plate). |
| Horizontal Ellipse |  | Span 7-40 ft | Culverts, grade separations, sorm sewers, tunnels (structural plate). |
| Pear |  | Span 25-30 ft | Grade separations, culverts, storm sewer, tunnels (structural plate). |
| High Profile Arch |  | Span 25-83 ft | Culverts, grade separations, storm sewers and tunnels. Ammunition magazines, earth covered storage (structural plate). |
| Low Profile Arch |  | Span 20-83 ft | Low-wide waterway enclosures, culverts, storm sewers (structural plate). |
| Specials | Various | For lining old structures or other spcial puposes. Special fabrication. | |
| Notes: *For equal area or clearance, the round shape is generally more economical and easier to assemble. | |||