Overview
These beautiful pics of the Honouli Wai Creek Bridge were taken by Ms. Ashley DeMatos, a missionary to Molokai from Indiana.
Photo taken by Ashley DeMatos
BH Photo #277523
I’ve seen very large culverts and very small arches, so I don’t think the difference is related to size—I think the difference is in the construction—culverts are place-and-fill, where the entire structure (round or rectangular, metal or concrete) is dropped into place and filled over the top. Arches are built up like bridges. Even though corrugated steel was used, this to me is built up as a bridge, and qualifies as an arch.
I would definitely consider this an arch, not a culvert.
Culverts are typically small. This is anything but small.
My first reaction was to the classing of this as a culvert. As I looked more closely I see why it was given that tag. Corrugated steel was used to form the arches. Even with that I would say that this is a closed spandrel steel, concrete and stone arch. Anyone want to say why I am wrong?
In the USA, spans under 20 feet are culverts.
As for this bridge, the design appears to be a Corrugated Multi-Plate Closed Spandrel Deck Arch Bridge.
Another example with discussion of type:
http://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=mi...
Also, the use of fill does not mean it is a culvert. Most closed spandrel concrete arch bridges are earth-filled.