Culvert pipes are a common means of conveying water safely to and from a specific place. The Ancient Romans utilized a version of concrete culvert pipe and other structures. Many of these structures, such as the aqueducts have withstood cataclysmic environmental forces over the years. They stand as a tribute to the engineers who built them and the material of which they are composed. In various southern and northern American states such as Alabama and New York, concrete has a lengthy history of productive services.
A Brief Early History
Standard, traditional, concrete pipe made its debut in the United States in the mid-19th century. They commonly appeared in the form of sewers and culverts. Construction companies knew the material was durable, capable of providing the strength they required to perform in various environments.
The first sanitary sewer pipe did not appear in any state in the South, including Alabama, but in New York. The small community of Mohawk boasts this honor in 1842. According to some historic reports, it was still functioning as late as 1984 testament to the durability of concrete.
However, the first concrete culvert pipe was not installed until 1854. This was part of a stormwater system planned and executed near Salem, Illinois. Like the earlier concrete sewer pipe, the culvert continued to function for many years. In fact, it was still in operation 100 years following its initial launch date. By this time, concrete was increasingly in use. Newer technology, imported from France in the 1920s, resulted in the employing of reinforced concrete products for a variety of products. Precast concrete products were soon to follow as vehicles capable of transporting large cement products came off the production line. Inevitably, the influence of concrete as a building tool for a vast array of products began to grow. Its markets are increasing exponentially as the years passed, concrete culvert pipe continues to make strides forward in states such as Alabama.