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culvert design

Why Choose A Culvert

Our design aims to ease the travel of Mountain Lions between the two sides of the 15 Freeway in Temecula in order to decrease the number of fatalities due to vehicle-wildlife collisions and increase the genetic diversity pool of the Mountain Lion population in the area. We believe that the Culvert is a viable option for this project with its relatively low cost and constructability. We also believe the Culvert to be a viable option for the species as its proposed site has been carefully picked based on GPS activity and presence of natural canyons which would lead the Mountain Lions towards the Culvert.

Infraworks Drawing

Satellite Location

Yellow dots is an indication of California Mountain Lion movement, found by UC Davis. The highlighted interstate is part of I-15 Wildlife Crossing, project location. Two potential sites along the project location were found for a culvert. Linked below are the tables that were used to determine the ideal site.

Our Design 

Concrete Box

Culvert Design

Corrugated Steel Pipe 

Culvert Design

Research For Design

The design for Site 2 consists of a Culvert structure providing for the safe passage of the Mountain Lions. During fall semester the Culvert Design Team established the location of the new Culvert through topographic and geological analysis. The location of the new Culvert is approximately 50 feet south of the existing Culvert (Lat: 33.455865, Lon:-117.136220). The criteria applied in selecting the location was determine due to its friendly terrain and natural canyons. The Culvert was designed using a design criteria the team created that catered to the purpose and needs for the Wildlife Crossing. In the design of the Culvert the elements applied were: openness ratio, Caltrans standards, noise reduction, and lighting. The openness ratio was modified to incorporate the innovative design element proposed by the team of adding an opening to the center median of the freeway. This would increase the amount of light exposure for the Mountain Lions to see through the structure. The design of the center median opening was based off of Velux Sun Tunnels that are used for industrial facilities and residential homes to provide natural lighting. Noise was another main component that was addressed which would be mitigated through the design of sound walls, rubber asphalt, and dense vegetation. After the workshop on November, the design of the Culvert was modified with the feedback from the experts. The Culvert is an arch shape for more stability and more structurally sound. A design for an earth  berm instead of building a sound wall to mitigate the noise levels in the area as well as using geogrid for the bedding of the Culvert was applied.

Existing Conditions

  • Two Existing Pipe Culvert​​​

    • Both Inadequate for Wildlife Passage​ 

    • Recent, caught on camera, sightings of Mountain Lion approach but not enter

  • Noise​

  • Poor Lighting 

A preliminary site visit was conducted by our team's advisers, and a drone visit was also conducted. ​

Culvert Team

Menooa Hovsepian

General Civil Engineer

Culvert Design Team

Design Lead

Infraworks Designer

Jayanne Jimenez

General Civil Engineer

Culvert Design Team

Hydrology Analysis

Cost Analysis

Ali Monajjemi

General Civil Engineer

Project Manager

Culvert Design Team

APS Drafter

General Civil Engineer

Culvert Design Team

Foundation Analysis

Kevin Acuna
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