By Grant Lee on
10/13/2009 7:46 AM
Precast concrete pipe outperforms plastic or metal conduits for stormwater and sanitary sewer applications. Concrete’s rigidity and mass allow for easy and secure placement in the trench, without disrupting line or grade. Plus, precast concrete pipe joints are easily assembled, which helps minimize the time needed for installation. Precast concrete pipe is the best option when installation time matters, or when the soil poses challenges to installation.
Since concrete pipe is a rigid product that is often more than 85% dependent on the pipe strength and approximately 15% dependent on the strength derived from the soil envelope, installation is made easy. The installation of plastic or metal pipes can take longer than precast concrete pipe. That’s because the structural and hydraulic integrity of flexible pipes rely heavily on how well the surrounding soil is prepared at installation. Widely accepted Standard Installations provide options for installing concrete pipe that are not options for flexible pipe.
It is important to fully understand the differences between rigid and flexible pipe installations, especially when time is a factor in the construction schedule and long-term performance is an element of a municipality's asset management program.
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