6.8
CONCRETE PIPES
6.8.1 General
Reinforced concrete pipes used in water supplies
are classified as P1, P2. and P3 with test pressure
of 2.0, 4.0 and 6.0 Kg/cm2 respectively. For use
on gravity mains the working pressure should not
exceed 2/3 of the test pressure. For use on pumping
mains the working pressure should not exceed half
of the test pressure.
Generally concrete pipes have corrosion resistant
properties similar to those of prestressed concrete
pipe although they have their own features which
significantly affect corrosion performance. Concrete
pipes are made by centrifugal spinning or vibratory
processes. Centrifugally spun pipes are subjected
to high rotational forces during manufacture with
improved corrosion resistance properties. The line
of development most likely to bring concrete prssure
pipes into more general acceptance is the use of
P.S.C pipes which is widely used to replace reinforced
concrete pipes.
6.8.2 Laying and Jointing
The concrete pipes should be carefully loaded, transported
and unloaded a avoiding impact. The use of inclined
planes or chain pulley block is recommanced. Trench
shall provide free working space on each side of
the pipe which shall not be greater than 1/3 the
dia of the pipe but not less than 15 cm on either
side.
Laying of pipes shall proceed upgrade of a slope.
If the pipes have spigot and socket joints the socket
ends shall face upstream. The pipes unevenness as
possible along the inside of the pipe. Where the
natural foundation is inadequate the pipes shall
be laid in a concrete cardle supported on proper
foundations or any other suitably designed structure.
If a concrete cradle is used the depth of the concrete
below the bottom of the pipes shall be at least
1/4 the internal diameter of pipe with the range
of 10-30 cm. It shall extended up the sides of the
pipe atleast to a distance of 1/4 the dia for larger
than 300mm. The pipe shall be laid in the concrete
bedding before the concrete has set.
Trenches shall be back filled immediately after
the pipe has been laid to the depth of 300mm above
the pipe subject to the condition that the jointing
material has hardened (say 12 hours at the most)
The backfill material shall be free from boulders,
roots of trees etc. The temping shall be by hand
or by other hand operated mechanical means. The
water content of the soil shall be as near the optimum
moisture content as possible. Filling of the trench
shall be carried on simultaneously on both sides
of the pipe to avoid development of unequal pressures.The
back fill shall be rammed in 150 mm layers upto
900mm above the top of the pipe.
Joints may be of any of the following types.
i) Bandage joint
ii) Spigot and socket joint (rigid and semiflexible)
iii) Collar joint (rigid and semiflexible)
iv) Flush joint (Internal and external)
For
more details of jointing procedures reference may
be made to IS 783-1985.
In all pressure pipe lines the recesses at the ends
of the pipe shall be filled with jute braiding dipped
in hot bitumen. The quantity of jute and bitumen
in the ring shall be sufficient to fill the recess
in the pipe when pessed hard by jacking or any other
suitable method.
The number of pipes that shall be jacked together
at a time depends upon the dia of the pipe and the
bearing capacity of soil. For small pipe upto 250mm
dia, six pipes can be jacked together at a time.
Before and during jacking care should be taken to
see that there is no offset at the joint. Loose
collar shall be set up over the joint so as to have
an even caulking space all round and into this caulking
space shall be rammed a 1:1.5 mixture of cement
and sand just sufficiently moistened to hold together
in the form of a cold when compressed in the hand.
The caulking shall be so firm that it shall be difficult
to dirve the point of a penknife into it. The caulking
shall be employed at both the ends in a slope of
1:1. In the case of non-pressure pipes the recess
at the end of the pipes shall be filled with cement
mortar 1:2 instead of jute braiding soaked in bitumen.
It shall be kept wet for 10 days for maturing.
6.8.3 Pressure Test
When testing the pipe line hydraulically, the line
shall be kept filled completely with water for a
week. The pressure shall then be increased gradually
to full test pressure as indicated in 6.4.4.2 and
maintained at this pressure during the period of
test with the permissible allowance incidated therein.
For further details reference may be made to IS
458-1971.