plastic pipe use under highways - index html — · pdf filereport no. cdoh-dtd-r-88- 12...

Report No. CDOH-DTD-R-88- 12

PLASTIC PIPE USE UNDER HIGHWAYS

David B. Woodham

Colorado Department of Highways

4201 E. Arkansas Ave.

Denver, Colorado 80222

F inal Report

May. 1988

Prepared in cooperat ion w ith the

U.S. Department of Transportat ion

Federal Highway Admin istrat ion

The contents of this report reflect the views of

the author who is responsible for the facts and

the accuracy of the data presented herein. The

contents do not necessarily reflect the official

views of the Colorado Department of Highways or

the Federal Highway Administration. This report

does not constitute a standard, specification,

or regulation.

-u-

Technical ~eport Documentation Page

1. Report No. 2. Go.vernment Accession No. 3. Recipient'. Catalog No.

CDOH-DTD-R-88- 12

4. Title and Subtitle S. Report Dote

Plastic Pipe Use Under Highways Mav. 1988 6. Performing Organization Code

1505A h;-7"':~-;-,------------~--------_____ -I8. Performing Organization Report No.

7. Autho,'.)

Ol'lv;cf B. Woodham 9. Performing Organizetion Name and Add,ess

Colorado Department of Highways Division of Transportation Development 4201 E. Arkansas Avenue

CDOH DTD R 88 12 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Co,;tract or Grant No.

r.D::-e=n=:-"v-=e:..:r-l'",-,:,C:.;O~_8::;.0=2=·2=2:""---:---:,-:--________________ --I13. Type of Repo,t and Period Coyered

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Add,ess

U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration 400 Seventh Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20590

1 S. Supplementary Notes

Final Report August 1984-Harch 1988

14. Spon·soring Agency Code

Prepared in cooperation with the U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration

16. Abstract

Plastic storm sewer pipes·were used on 2 projects in Colorado in 1984 and 1985. The installation of the pipes was documented and their performance was observed for 3-1/2 years. No. problems were encountered with the plastic pipes, although they were prone to float if care was not used during backfill and compaction operations. The cost savings due to reduced material costs are significant .

Implementation

The use of plastic pipes in highway drainage will continue on an experimental basis. Fill heights are currently limited to 15 feet. New installations will be monitored under an ongoing study.

17. Key W:.rds 18. Distribution Statement

Plastic Pipe No restrictions: This report is Culverts available to the public through the Storm Sewer National Technical Information Service, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pi~es Springfield, VA 22161

19. Securi?y Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Clossir. (or this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. P,ice

Unclassified Unclassified 16

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed poge outhori%ed

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. BACKGROUND

II. CONSTRUCTION

III. INSPECTONS

IV. COSTS

V. IMPLEMENTATION

APPENDICES

A. site Maps, Plastic Pipe Specifications B. Construction Photographs

iv

6 13

1

1

3

3

4

PIASTIC PIPES UNDER HIGHWAYS

I. BACKGROUND

'!he use of plastic pipes for highway drainage shows promise

of savinj both tilne am money in highway constnIction. 'Ihe weight

of plastic pipes, as campared with steel or concrete can save tilne

am equipment costs when placinj. In addition, plastic pipes are

generally unaffected by corrosive soils or water. Initial concen1S

that the plastic pipes would defonn or fracture under loads from

highways have not been substantiate:l.

Plastic pipes were installed on two projects in Alamosa,

Colorado in September am October of 1984 am in September am October of 1985. Pipe sizes between 8 am 24 inches were used.

'lhi.s report describes the installation of the plastic pipes am reports on their perfonnance over the last 3 years.

II. OJNS'IRUCI'ION

Work began on Project M-6022 (1) in August of 1984. This

project consisted of installinj plastic sewer pipes along 6th

street between Ia veta am Edison Avenues in AlaIroSa.

Project FR 160-2 (39) followed one year later am completed

similar work along state Highway 160 in Alamosa.

Please refer to Apperrlix A for maps of the project sites.

Total quantities of PVC sewer pipes used on the two

projects were as follows:

8 in. PVC 195 lin. ft.






Specifications used for the plastic sewer pipes can be

found in Apperxlix A.

The procedure for placing the plastic pipes was no

different that that used for other pipes. In most cases the

pipes could be placed in the trench by harD. The project

engineer reported that the plastic pipes are more prone to

damage than concrete or steel pipes but that given :reasonable

care the plastic pipes are sufficiently durable and in

addition, are nn.Ich easier to harDle. '!he only difficulty

experienced with the plastic pipes was during the backfill

operation. Because of the light weight of the pipes, they

te.rrled to "float" as the backfill material was placed and

tamped alongside the pipes. Tanping had to be minimized

until enough fill material was on top of the pipe to weight

it down. However, on these two projects, no significant

deviations from the inte.rrled pipe grades cx::curred.

(Please see the construction photographs in Apperxlix B)

In this situation, the backfill soil's ql'timurn moisture

content should be carefully detennined in order to :reach

the required ccmpaction with minimum tanping.

-2-

III. mSPECI'IONS

'!he plastic pipes were inspected several tiInes after

cc:npletion of the two projects. On two attenpts, inspections

were not possible due to high ground water am repairs to the

pumping stations. visual inspections were done fran the

manholes am inlets am photographs were taken when possible

to d.ocunent the condition of the pipes. No damage or

defonnations were observed during any of the inspections

and the ems of the pipes all appeared in good condition with

no chips or visible cracks.

IV. OOSTS

'!he costs (per lineal foot) of the plastic pipes used on

these two projects am comparison costs of other materials are

shown belCM.

Description Plastic Reinforced Corrugated * ** ** (Diameter) Pipe Concrete Steel

($) (~) (~)

8 in. 5.63 NA NA

12 in. 8.70 17.50 17.00

15 in. 11.90 22.40 22.54

18 in. 16.52 22.74 18.00

21 in. 14.50 24.14 NA

24 in. 24.65 30.30 36.00

NA Particular pipe was not included in any projects in 1984/1985 *

** weighted average of pipes installed in Alamosa projects.

weighted average frcm 1984 & 1985 Colorado Cost Data Manuals.

-3-

'Ih.e cost savings due to the reduced material costs on these

two projects was over $52,000. It is expected that cost savings

were also realized as a result of the lighter weight and easier

hanlling of the pipes. On the other ham, it is possible that

same additional costs were inalrred due to the contractors I

unfamiliarity with the plastic pipes. In either case, it seems

conservative to say that the material cost savings alone justify

further consideration of plastic pipe use.

V. IMI?LEMEN'lM'ION

At this time there a~ to be no reason for disallowing

the use of plastic pipes in highway constnIction. '!he plastic

pipes will continue to be an experimental feature until

sufficient lorg-term data has been acquired. Several questions

remain about the long-term perfonnance of the plastic pipes:

- Do plastic pipes creep? If so, under what fill heights

does this beoame a problem? What is the rate of creep?

will the larger plastic pipes now being manufactured

(> 24") creep IlDre?

- Are there construction techniques which can elllninate

"floating" during backfill operations.

- Are connections between pipes as durable as the pipes?

- Is ultraviolet degradation (on ern sections) a lorg-tenn

problem?

-4-

'!he use of plastic pipes nay prove especially cost effective in

areas where corrosive soils or water are prevalent. To date, no

failures of plastic pipes have been reported on any projects in

Colorado.

'!he Colorado Deparbnent of Highway's CUlvert Ccmnittee is

actively see.1d.n;J additional sites to place plastic culvert

pipes but fill heights are currently liInited to 15 feet.

'lhese new sites will be monitored tmier an o~ing study as

they are installed. Future evaluations will consist of

monitoring the constru.ction and corxlucting periodic inspections

of the pipe dimensions and integrity. Once the perfonnance of

the plastic pipes has been adequately documented, the choice of

pipe naterial- concrete, steel or plastic will be largely

detennined by price.

-5-

APPENDIX A

site Map for Project M-6022(1) Plastic Pipe Specifications for Project M-6022(1)

site Map for Project FR 160-2(39) Plastic Pipe Specifications for Project FR 160-2(39)

-6-

I "-.J

· 1

.' 7:CF.

See .I1anOOfQ ~- ' ;':'\J - I I •• STANDARD SYMBOLS

""'-I;

STATE · DEPARTMENT OF DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS-STATE

HIGHWAYS

-tfAl. ooua ..

~ ,-

OF COLORADO PLAN AND PROFILE OF'PROPOSED

FEDERAL AID PROJECT NO. M 6022 (I)

6 TH. STREET. LA VETA EAST-ALAMOSA ALAMOSA COUNTY

tclLbG" CI'UllI ..........

c:w III..M. lIN. -110 fT .

......... , {::~ :a: rr: ==--.... u. III ~ " ... AI MIDI GP NIISttID 110M

City of Itlanosa

... II

S"EET NO. I 2 3

f-' 6

. 7 8

9-/() 11

12 IJ-U 15-/6

q"

78f1.Jf!/icnot LenqtIJ and ' Des/on Daft

N (if.]

5TATlON '~y

",..,r. '18.{)I(I() &,in116O?Jf<

t,CtJO.o ~t()l()()£nd f1~Zlfl

701111 2.txJO.o

~ L111.1'T. I'\~

~v

iiI#"/~<! /.#rI9/h) 2hJO 0.579

1Je5i4H Clita ~~Pffmw ........... ~&rildt! S.IIS'" If/llimumS1.l1~ N ....... ff,'nitt;um J. W 1_' . N . ...... MatIf/1ll#l~Iqt1~ ·ZSI1!:II.

·'1--':::': ... rx"VJ:' 1 I 1 UIJ1 -{- 1111''''' I ~ \Sfa.Or(}() , 5fa.20f{j) ~ Begin 1'16022(1) End 11[£)22(1) II!

• 2f)fl/C~c,,"'yc,."'llt rgt~:T 11'1'6. . IIDr- 980

r.,7 At. K,1OW. .AtM. P.M

ON'-· I/O

,77t 1/11£/ WCST IIV£. ro £J)I.totllllE. ( "aU III "La /lOT" "o0 ONV- '10

II II ...

of' i .~",. • 1UU.,..u

--- -- -

1"=: '="1 :~:: I MIOClII 'Y AS CONSTRUCTED - .. ····n

100 1Il.....".5 c=J.E_c::J - c:::J §! I _ .. _5 I I

INDEX 01' SHEETS

Tilk 6JJe<l .ntl Td./lIi.n of ltnyth dntl Des/yn 0..14. 5f1Jnda,ill'IiHos list ljpiC4/ S.ctions, Cur6 I t:u~ JloI .. /~ 7NlFk ~ _IJHY";"'-¥. Sum""":! of """ox;",." O ... fifies. lie_of [xisti,?! SlJrfllCl.!J- So,f.cllI!} PlsR.IId s.n._ary of ["rIb_" QUI,"fI~/'&.

Cu,b, 611ffu, c.o-It "-'I""" t QmsInN:/itn (Mho! p,rkIl6 • Sf",du,e Q"",'iles. ""'" ~d Prill/ie SIIe.t •• Typiul MIlIlhtIIe c-..ctl."". Mild,Y:! M8nbDIa and Cross Sod;" '" Typic., Pr_~·

bel.il '" M6nAok Sp •• ill. IN.i"",.. "'R. /)s/en!i<nl ""'" Z, OutlBf /)et./711nd S4kty lI.ck.

_ .. -APPItOVdl

-------................. _Cl_ I'ItOrAa CXlW\.nED

... co.1IU:TlD .... ANI _III

7~1

~~

REVISION OF SECTION 604 STORM SEWERS

COLORADO PROJECT NO. H 6022(1)

July 18, 1984

section 604 of the Standard Specifications is hereby revised for this project as follows:

Subsection 604.02 shall include the following:

Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) and fittings shall conform to the following:

Pipe diameters of 15 inches or less shall conform to ASTH D 3034 with an SDR 35 wall thickness • . Eight inch diameter pipe conforming to AWWA Standard C 900 will be allowed.

Pipe diameters greater than 15 inches shall conform to ASTH F 794.

Pipe shall not be exposed to the sun's direct rays during shipping or storage.

, High Density Polyethylene Pipe shall be "Spiro lite" , Class 100 as manu;factured by Spiral Engineered Systems, 4094 Blue Ridge Industrial Parkway,

,\Noreross, Georgia 30071. Pipe joining shall be according to the manufacturer's recommendations for storm sewer systems.

Subsections 604.03. 604.04 and 604.06 shall include the following:

Installation of ?lastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) .0£ High Density Polyethylene Pipe shall conform to ASTH D 2321.


Pay Item Pay Unit

to Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) Linear Foot

-8-

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS COLORADO PROJECT NO. H 6022(1)

July 18, 1984

This project contains bid items for Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) in a-inch, 12-inch. is-inch, is-inch, 21-inch and 24-inch diameters. The following materials may be substituted for the plastic pipe sewer (po~yvinyl chloride) on an equal diameter basis.

1. High Density Polyethylene Pipe conforming to the Revision of section 604.

2. Concrete Pipe conforming to Section 604.

The sUbstitution shall be complete in place at the prices bid for Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride).

Only one type sewer pipe in diameters greater than a inches shall be used on the project. The Contractor shall state at the preconstruction conference the type of pipe he intends using.

-9-

s .. Standa,d M-IOO-I 10' STANDARD SYMBOLS

'1 ...... o L '.

........ ..

' .'

' ".: .-

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LrlUM .10 DU,I. IATi

STATID" .UP 'U". fI ua.En" •

".000" UO-GaIO_U. II.', 112.51

4S00.DO~

14.0' 1'110 ,. IID-EU" • u.n." 01 UO-D010-", II.', U1.JO

'orAlS r 4500.10'

• SUIU'AIl!. I LlIlUIll .ur

'GADVAf In AItD 'lOSS LUITII ,nOO.GD

IUln InA

NAU"U",UIUII'I;UIIt't[ MAlIlI",,,.UO[ "AU IIUII SSO HQIIIIIIITAL IIAII/IUII SSO II'UfI:Al IIAIIIIUII IUIIiIl SII[(D 200S OUIU Tlunc 1011III(

• -14P 03 ' So-.D.lOl .

SID ' >llOO' lSIt' N 0"'·',7'0 o\DT-" . loo

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,

i .• n '"

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"IL($

, '.nl!

STATE DEPARTMENT OF DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS-STATE

HIGHWAYS OF COLORADO

""Od" "0 FR 160-2(39)

AS CONSTRUCTED

" '.~ .

T

PLAN AND PROFILE. OF PROPOSED . " : '. FEDERAL' AID ' PROJECT NO.·PR 160~2(39)

" STATE HIGHWAY NO. ISO 'ALAMOSA : COUNTY

.... ~.

-sCALD Of '.'NAI.: 'Duw.'NCis ON 1tLAN. I IN. '. 50 'T:

~ ·~RDF~. { : ::: .::0 :i ~L' -' . GRADE UNE ON MDIFIU IS 5H.04'N '" GRADE Of' ANISHED JIOAO. / :", _5. LEN!iTI1 o. """"ECT} 4!SOOFt.-O e5Z Ndt!> "

Nn'. LENGTH Of" 'AOJECT . ,,' '.- ' _ •.

' SHEET ~o.:

,', .. . .:-i,l '

u. ", II ') '

," 1-" ..... ·:\~I. · Ill '

11) .

.11.111

H) .

: §l' I REVISIONS I I INDEX OF SHEETS

TI'l l '/ SIC(U .<,' __ . . .' ~TAlIlIIll~ pu., ~IS," ' ."U:AL SECI.I"'''.

CfNfULflOTU/' .

s~ ... i~ '/)' ~~ ctUAITI'TUS/

, :: ~Ullt~~;~ lIu"",i ~ln < . './ T.,JUTION Df · noa:" SUf' SYITty '.,

lAIII·LUio,· OF" CD"tUTE tuu·, $U"[I. SIDUI,l.LII:,""· . ::: :;;~:(:!ll::~D~C:.:~~:Si.I:I~~~~:O~:1 SLO"

. u ,nSTlIUU "ID tOUTIutTillit ,U"lt tOIHIQL DEYltU

'AnLATIOIS Of IU"OYALS A". LUMTUG. 5U,ACIIII. o•

'LAM. SU,.."AU OF" UUHNGIII: QUUTI1"IES AIIO IIIUflftC QUANTITIES

. 'l,,1 AID "OflllE 3Mtf.U./

DElUl OF SIInlt UA'Gi[ LAiES ... 0 INTEltSILCTlO.ll T • ..,." II; DA'A.I'

LlGItTUICI nAIS /

I~I-IU 081$ ·' ·";AfAt. c~.u r~"c':/~p· .I''#I"'''~ ." .... P/I'~· ·

"/CIf' .,' •• I ,

. ~.'

~ I MAIN ~'~I==I'-' i I " • _ I'ort G_lon~ --i

~ mmTIll\\m\~I~~~~ DIVISION OF ttlGHWAl'S

CITy .OF ALAMOSA

. 0 ', '; 1500 e

'".""mFeel

T. 37N .• R.IOE.

",",OV[DI

~M-tC~ ,MtEf ENGIIC.IER 'oll::£5

DATE

It$ CONSTRUC1'[D IN'ORMATION

CONTRACTOR A ( r Ca« r re ca . ~ENGIN". ttl 7 0). J.; (ProjKl_R •• i •• ,."

PRO""ECT tT""TED , . ..,." £

I'ROJtcT COMPl.ITIED~

.5 caNSTRUCT':::"'~::: ttl) /2..L ~,,"",. '"aft<

Tln.r. DATE

DJST. 5/ .JLH

REVISION OF SECTION 604 STORM SEWERS

June 7, 1985

COLORADO PROJECT NO. FR 160-2(39)

Section 604 of the Standard Specifications is hereby revised for this project as follows:


Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) and fittings shall conform to the fOllowing:

Pipe diwmeters of 15 inches or less shall conform to ASTK D 3034 with an SDR 35 wall thickness.

Pipe diwmeters greater than 15 inches shall conform to ASTK F 794.

Pipe shall not be exposed to the sun's direct rays during shipping or storage.

High Density Polyethylene Pipe shall be ··Spirolite", Class 100 manufactured by Spiral Engineered Systems, 4094 Blue Ridge Industrial Parkway, Norcross, Georgia 30071. Pipe joining shall be according to the manufacturer's recommendations for sto~ sewer systems.

Subsections 604.03. 604.04 and 604.06 .shall include the following:

Installation of Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) of High Density Polyethylene Pipe shall conform to ASTM D 2321.


Pay Item Pay unit

.. Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) Linear Foot

-11 -

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS COLORADO PROJECT NO. FR 160-2(39)

June 7, 1985

This p~oject contains bid items fo~ Plastic Pipe Sewe~ (Polyvinyl Chlo~ide) in lS-inch, l8-inch. and 24-inch diamete~s. The following mate~ials may be sUbstituted fo~ the Plastic Pipe Sewe~ (Polyvinyl Chlo~ide) on an equal diamete~ basis.

1 . High Density Polyethylene Pipe conforming to the Revision of Section 604-Storm Sewe~s. in these Special P~ovisions.

2 . Conc~ete Pipe conforming to Section 604 of the Standa~d Specifications.

The sUbstitution shall be complete in place at the p~ices bid fo~ Plastic Pipe Sewe~ (Polyvinyl Chlo~ide) .

Only one type sewe~ pipe shall be used on the p~oject. The" Cont~acto~ shall state at the p~econst~ction confe~ence the type of pipe he intends to use .

-12 -

APPENDIX B

Photographs of the Construction, Project M-6022(1)

-13-

Photo 1. 21" JM PVC Sewer Pipe. Note that sealant was required to fill gaps under the gasket.

Photo 2. Bell-end of 21" JM PVC Sewer Pipe.

-14-

Photo 3. 21" JM PVC Sewer Pipe. PIpe was easily chipped if mishandled.

Photo 4. 21" Pipe at grade in bottom of trench.

-15 -

Photo 5.

Photo 6.

21" JM PVC Sewer Pipe. completed.

21" Pipe after backfill.

-16-

Backfill partially

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