Reinforced concrete pipes, despite the presence on the modern market of steel and polymer products, have not ceased to be popular. They are usually used in the process of installation of highways. They are able to undergo heavy loads.
Application area
Reinforced concrete pipes are common in civil engineering. Most often they are used when laying septic tanks, along which industrial and domestic effluents migrate. Due to the fact that such pipes have a significant diameter, they are widely used in the installation of main collectors. They are indispensable in the arrangement of storm sewer systems. Such pipes can have a different profile, which allows them to be used when installing various structures according to the type of supports, foundations and much more.
Varieties of reinforced concrete pipes
Reinforced concrete pipes are classified according to some criteria. Thus, they can be pressure-free. Such products are used to transport liquids by gravity. They should not be used under conditions that involve significant pressure of liquids. However, such pipes can withstand high mechanical loads, and also have excellent strength characteristics.
The second classification of reinforced concrete pipes is pressure products used in the installation of highways that operate at high loads in the form of internal pressure. This variety of products is produced using a special technology, which provides for crimping, which improves quality characteristics. Pressure reinforced concrete pipes have a large wall thickness, which sometimes reaches 10% with respect to the inner diameter.
There are also pipes for special purposes, the diameter of which sometimes reaches 2 m with a length of 5 m. Such products are especially durable. As for pressure pipes, they can have one of four modifications in pressure (5-20 atmospheres), they are used for liquids that do not differ in an aggressive environment. Particularly common in production are products whose diameter is in the range of 40-160 cm.
Reinforced concrete pipes are classified by the maximum depth. There are 3 groups, each of which assumes a distance from the earth's surface within 2, 4 and 6 m.
Bell-shaped reinforced concrete pipes
Such a pipe has the form of a traditional plastic or cast iron sewer. In order to make the pairing of such products leakproof, sealants should be used. Socket-type products are easy to stack, which makes them so common. Moreover, the diameter of the joints is larger compared to the main diameter. Such products can be both pressure and non-pressure.
Reinforced concrete marking
In order to understand what products are in front of you - reinforced concrete non-pressure bell-shaped pipes or others, it is necessary to understand the marking. Thus, the first figures that can be seen on non-pressure products equipped with a bell indicate the value of the internal section, the data are indicated in centimeters. Whereas by the second combination it is possible to understand what is the length of the pipe, it, by the way, is indicated in decimeters. The last digit is the bearing capacity, which indicates the permissible depth of installation.
If a reinforced concrete culvert pipe can be used when laying a pressure type system, then it will have the letter abbreviation TN. If there is a flange on the pipe, a sole or a docking unit on it, you can see the markings of TB, TP, TS, respectively. But folded products may have the following markings: TF, TFP, TBFP, TO, TE and others.
Advantages of reinforced concrete products
Reinforced concrete pressureless or pressure pipes have many advantages, the first of which involves high strength and reliability of products. These qualities are due to the special production technology. It is centrifugal casting that allows to obtain such durable products. During manufacturing, vibration compression is also used. Additional advantages of reinforced concrete pipes are their insignificant cost, which is explained by not so high production costs; as well as the ability to undergo temperature extremes. In addition, the pipes can be operated at a wide temperature range. They can be used in harsh environments. Concrete is not susceptible to corrosion and does not rot, which makes consumers choose it much more often than steel. Among the advantages, experts highlight the dielectric quality of the material, this helps to eliminate stray currents. Such products will last more than half a century.
Cons of reinforced concrete pipes
Reinforced concrete non-pressure and pressure pipes have some disadvantages. Sometimes for their installation there is a need to use special equipment, which makes carrying out work more costly. In addition, for the unhindered passage of liquids, in some cases there is a need to lubricate the inner surface of the pipes with a special composition, which involves additional labor costs.
GOST 6482-88
GOST is regulated by the manufacturing standards: reinforced concrete pipes along it must meet the water resistance characteristics, in addition, they must undergo an internal hydrostatic pressure within 0.05 MPa. Concrete should be resistant to frost. In addition, the basis of the pipes should be heavy concrete prepared in accordance with GOST 26633, its compressive strength should be equal to B25.
The mentioned compressive strength can be changed, but deviations that are outside the scope of GOST 13015.0 are unacceptable. The water resistance of the pipe walls must be in accordance with class W4. Water absorption should not exceed 6% by weight. As a reinforcing cage , steel A-I and A-III can be used (GOST 5781).
Characteristics of reinforced concrete pipes
All the quality characteristics of reinforced concrete pipes are regulated by the mentioned GOST, pressure-free reinforced concrete pipes should not have cracks on the walls, otherwise they cannot be used in work. As an exception, shrinkage cracks are the width of which does not exceed 0.05 mm. Completeness is also determined by standards. So, pipes that are labeled TB, TSP, TBP, as well as TS, must be implemented and delivered to the buyer along with sealing rings made on the basis of rubber. Quality is also determined by the correctness of the marking, this indicates that the manufacturer clearly followed the rules prescribed in GOST. Marking should be applied to the outer surface of the socket; the designation may also be at one end of the seam type pipe.
The diameters of reinforced concrete pipes were indicated above and are very diverse. To lay this or that system, you can choose products with certain parameters. Do not think that if during installation you have to spend money on heavy equipment, then the system will be much more expensive than the one that is based on pipes from another material. After all, concrete pipes are able to pay for themselves during the life of the operation, without requiring repair for a long time.
Reinforced concrete bell-shaped pipes are quite convenient for installation, which is why they are used most often, but before installing the system yourself, you should consult a specialist.