CMP Shapes and Uses

Corrugated steel pipe is available in a wide range of sizes (up to 96 inches and larger), shapes, gages and corrugation profiles to help designers meet both hydraulic and structural conditions at each site. In addition, corrugated steel pipe is available in a range of coatings, including galvanized, aluminized steel Type 2, polymeric and others. Depending on the respective coating selected for the applicable environmental conditions, a service of 100+ years can be designed.

SHAPES AND USES OF CORRUGATED METAL STRUCTURES
Shape		Range of Sizes	Common Uses
Round		6” to 51’	Culverts, subdrains, sewers, service tunnels, etc. For medium and high fill (or trenches).
Vertical ellipse 5% nominal		4’-8” x 5’-2” to 25’ x 27’-8”	Culverts, storm sewers, service tunnels, recovery tunnels and stream enclosures. Works well in higher cover applications.
Pipe Arch		17” x 13” to 20’-7” x 13’-2”	Limited headroom. Has hydraulic advantages at low flow levels. Culverts, storm sewer, underpass and stream enclosures.
Underpass*		5’-8” x 5’-9” to 20’-4” x 17’-9”	For pedestrians, livestock or vehicles. **
Arch		6’ x 1’-10” to 54’-4" x 27’-2”	For low clearance large waterway opening, and aesthetics. **
Horizontal Ellipse		7’-4” x 5’-6” to 14’-11” x 11’-2”	Culverts, grade separations, storm sewers, tunnels. **
Pear		23’-8” x 25’-5” to 29'-11" x 31'-3"	Grade separations, culverts, storm sewer, tunnels. **
High Profile Arch		20’-1” x 9’-1” to 35’-4” x 20’-0”	Culverts, grade separations, storm sewers and tunnels. Ammunition magazines, earth covered storage. **
Low Profile Arch		19’-5” x 6’-9” to 45’-0” x 18’-8”	Low-wide waterway enclosures, culverts, storm sewers. **
Box Culvert		8’-9” x 2’-6” to 40’9” x 15’2”	Low-wide waterway enclosures, culverts, storm sewers. **
Notes: * For equal area or clearance, the round shape is generally more economical and easier to assemble. ** Visit our Structural Plate pages for more information.