What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Corrugated Metal Pipe

Author: Helen

Mar. 03, 2025

Advantages of Metal Corrugated Culvert

1 Brief introduction of metal corrugated pipe culvert

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Corrugated pipe culvert is a culvert constructed with metal corrugated pipe joints. After the 2.0-8.0mm thin steel plate is pressed into a corrugation, it is rolled into a pipe joint, which can increase the rigidity of the pipe joint and the resistance strength of the pressure of the pipe shaft. In order to prevent corroded corrugated pipe culverts, the inner and outer surfaces of corrugated pipe joints and fastening connecting bolts were hot-dip galvanized, with an average thickness of galvanized layer '84 μm. Compared with reinforced concrete pipe culverts, metal corrugated pipe culverts have the advantages of thin pipe joints, light weight, easy transportation and storage, simple construction process, fast assembly, and short construction period.

When installingmetal corrugated pipe, it can be arbitrarily assembled into any length according to the needs. If necessary, the pipe joint can be removed and moved to other places for construction. In areas lacking sand and gravel materials or in areas with low foundation bearing capacity, the advantages of metal bellows are more significant. Metal corrugated pipe culvert is a flexible structure that can adapt to large settlement and deformation, and has a certain earthquake resistance. The disadvantage of metal corrugated pipe culvert is that it consumes more steel than concrete pipe culvert, and its price is greatly affected by the market price of steel. In highway construction, steel corrugated pipe culvert has been used instead of reinforced concrete for culvert construction for more than 100 years. In , the United States pioneered the feasibility study of corrugated pipe culvert channels and culvert pipes. Since then, steel bellows have been used for culvert construction in highway construction in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries. In , Japan formulated the technical specifications for the design of bellows and culverts. With the installation of bellows culverts all over the world, this structure has proved to be versatile. After China's reform and opening up, Shenzhen and Datong began to import finished corrugated pipe culverts from abroad for culvert construction; Shanghai Highway Administration, Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute, Shanghai Tongji University conducted dynamic and static load tests on metal corrugated pipe culverts The results show that metal bellows culverts can meet the design and use requirements; metal bellows culverts are also used in the construction of Qinghai highway. Practice has proved that metal bellows culverts in cold areas fully meet the requirements of culvert construction in highway construction.

Corrugated Pipe Culvert

2 Advantages of metal bellows culverts.

1) Easy on-site installation, no need to use large equipment.

2) It is helpful to solve the problem of frost damage to the concrete structure of bridges and pipe culverts in the north.

3) Reducing the amount of cement, yellow sand, stones, and wood, which has environmental protection significance.

4) The structural force is reasonable, the load distribution is uniform, and it has a certain resistance to deformation. It has a strong ability to adapt to the deformation of the foundation, and has low requirements for the bearing capacity and flatness of the foundation.

5) Adopt standardized design, simple production and design, and short production cycle. The centralized production of the factory, the production is not affected by the environment, the performance is stable, the installation is convenient, and it is conducive to quality control.

6) The actual cost of the project is similar to or lower than the culvert of the same span.

7) Short construction period is the most obvious advantage. Civil engineering and pipe joint installation can be implemented separately, and then assembled as a whole.

8) It is conducive to improving the "staggered car jump" phenomenon at the junction of the soft ground structure and embankment, improving the comfort and safety of driving and reducing the cost of post-operation operation and maintenance.

Corrugated Metal Panels: The Pros and Cons

Deciding on what type of material you should use for a roof or siding can become stressful when you realize how many options you have. Even when you narrow it down to using metal, there are still choices to make.

There are many different types of metal panel profiles to choose from. One of the most popular metal panels on the market is corrugated.

At Western States Metal Roofing, we've been manufacturing metal roofing and siding panels for over twenty years. Corrugated metal panels are consistently our most often requested panel.

Customers love the longevity and durability, along with the other benefits of metal. However, every metal panel comes with its downfalls.

In this article, we will go over the pros and the cons of corrugated metal panels so you can decide if corrugated metal panels are right for your project.

The Pros Of Corrugated Metal Panels

Cost-Effective
Readily Available
Oil Canning Is Less Obvious
Simple Installation (DIY friendly)

Corrugated Metal Panels Are Cost-Effective

One of the biggest advantages of corrugated metal panels is that they cost less than a standing seam metal panel. Depending upon the gauge and paint system, the cost savings will be at least 50%.

Corrugated Metal Panels Are Readily Available

Corrugated metal panels are arguably the most common type of metal panel. You should not have a problem finding corrugated panels in your desired quantity or color.

They're sold at almost any home improvement store, although you will find a much greater panel and color selection when going through a metal manufacturer.

Oil Canning Is Easily Disguised On Corrugated Metal Panels

Oil canning, sometimes also known as stress wrinkling, is a cosmetic deformation, observed as waves or wrinkles, in the flat areas of metal roofing and metal siding panels. It's an inherent characteristic of metal that can be caused by multiple factors such as an uneven substrate or from the expansion and contraction of metal.

While the problem is solely cosmetic and does not affect the functionality of a metal roof, it's presence is still unwanted and hard to avoid.

Luckily, oil canning is much more difficult to detect on corrugated metal panels compared to a flat panel like standing seam. The waves and ridges in corrugated panels help disguise oil canning so that if it is there, it's not as noticeable.

To learn more about oil canning, we suggest reading: What Is Oil Canning? Causes + Solutions For A Common Metal Roof Problem

For more information, please visit Corrugated Metal Pipe.

Simple Installation

Installing a corrugated metal roof is an easier and faster installation than a metal panel with a concealed fastening system because it requires fewer steps.

Since the installation requires a simpler skill set, more contractors are qualified to install corrugated metal panels. Having more contractor options coupled with less labor time means that these systems are generally less expensive to install.

The easier installation makes corrugated metal panels a great opportunity for a DIY (do it yourself) project. You will save even more money this way by doing the labor yourself.

Fewer Accessories Are Required To Install Corrugated Metal Panels

Corrugated metal roofing will also save you money because fewer accessories need to be purchased for the installation. Corrugated metal panels are easily installed, just by using fasteners.

There's no need to buy any clips like you would for other metal roofing systems. You also need less trim and flashing for a corrugated metal roof than you would for a standing seam roof. Standing seam trim requires purchasing multiple pieces of trim for each roofing condition.

For example, a ridge cap for a corrugated metal roof is a one-piece system. That same ridge cap for standing seam is a three-piece system. Not having to purchase the additional trim and fasteners will substantially increase the overall cost of the roof.

The Cons Of Corrugated Metal Panels

Exposed Fastener Panel
Frequent Inspections
More Material Needs To Be Purchased (Panel Sidelap)
Panel Appearance

Corrugated Metal Panels Have Exposed Fasteners

The main problem with exposed fasteners is every time they penetrate the panel it creates a potential leak point. Corrugated panels can require thousands of fasteners to keep the roof in place. If the fasteners are not properly installed or become loose, the roof can be vulnerable to leaks. If you are trying to decide upon the best panel for your roof it will come down to standing seam versus some kind of exposed fastener panel. It's important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

To learn more about the differences between corrugated and standing seam, we suggest reading: Corrugated Metal Roofing v. Standing Seam (Advantages & Disadvantages)

Corrugated Panels Need To Be Inspected Often

While all metal roofing or siding should be inspected annually to prevent any problems from developing further, corrugated metal panels generally require more frequent inspections and maintenance.

The reason you need more frequent inspections for corrugated panels is so you can check the fasteners. Since the fasteners are exposed on corrugated panels, they may need to be tightened. They could possibly even need to be replaced if they are damaged to avoid leaks. The natural expansion and contraction of metal can cause the fasteners to become loose.

Homeowners should perform an inspection after any severe weather that you think may have caused damage. Checking on a roof right after a substantial storm, instead of waiting for your next routine maintenance, might save you from a larger problem.

Foam closures should also be checked during inspections to make sure they are still in good condition. Roofs and gutters should also be checked for leaf buildup, and leaf guards should be installed if you're in an area with a large volume of leaves.

During inspections, also check the corrugated roof for cracked sealant. Sealant is a top reason for roof leaks as it has a short life span and usually isn't replaced on time. The life expectancy of sealant should be listed on its container and replaced as suggested by the manufacturer.

Corrugated Metal Panels Are Not Compatible With Flat Roofs

With a flat roof, rainwater tends to stay on the roof longer as it doesn't have a steep pitch to help with runoff. This is not a good combination with the exposed fasteners as they are more susceptible to leaking. The longer water stays on a roof, the more likely a leak is to occur, potentially resulting in expensive roof repairs.

Panel Sidelap And Corrugated Panels

Corrugated panels will incur a loss of square footage during installation due to the panel side lap, or the overlapping of two like panels.

The panels need to overlap two corrugations for roofing and one corrugation for siding. While this seems minor, it can add up depending on the size of the project.

For roofing, you will have to purchase 10% to 12% additional material for corrugated. For siding, you will need about 6% additional material. Purchasing additional material adds to the overall total cost of the project.

Panel Appearance

The desired aesthetic of your project is subjective and based on personal preference. While the appearance of corrugated panels might not be a problem for every situation, there are certain projects that you might want to go with an alternative panel.

Corrugated panels have exposed fasteners, which is usually regarded as not being as modern or clean looking like a panel with concealed fasteners (such as standing seam).

Corrugated panels are generally used in industrial or agricultural structures. For a residential project where aesthetics are a top concern, corrugated panels are not usually the top choice.

'' Corrugated in Bonderized®

Do The Pros Of Corrugated Metal Outweigh The Cons?

Here at Western States Metal Roofing, we believe in the many benefits of corrugated metal panels. Corrugated metal panels offer plenty of value, but there are some drawbacks as you can see.

To find the ideal roofing and siding material for your home, you'll have to take several factors into consideration. Think about your budget, type of project, and desired amount of maintenance into account when deciding if corrugated metal panels are the right choice for you.

If corrugated panels don't sound like the best option for you, you should consider using standing seam panels instead.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Corrugated Metal Culvert Pipe. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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