Reinforced concrete pipes, despite the availability of steel and polymer products on the modern market, have not ceased to be popular. They are usually used in the process of installing highways. They are able to withstand heavy loads.
Scope of application
Reinforced concrete pipes are common in civil engineering. Most often they are used when laying septic tanks, through 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 such as supports, foundations and much more.
Varieties of reinforced concrete pipes
Reinforced concrete pipes are classified according to some features. Thus, they can be pressureless. Such products are used to transport liquids by gravity. They must not be used in conditions that involve significantliquid pressure. At the same time, 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 type of product is produced according to a special technology, which provides for the implementation of crimping, which improves quality characteristics. Pressure reinforced concrete pipes have a large wall thickness, which sometimes reaches 10% in relation 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 pressure modifications (5-20 atmospheres), they are used for liquids that do not differ in an aggressive environment. In production, products with a diameter of 40-160 cm are especially common.
Reinforced concrete pipes are also classified according to the maximum laying depth. It is possible to distinguish 3 groups, each of which assumes a distance from the surface of the earth within 2, 4 and 6 m.
Reinforced concrete socket pipes
This pipe looks like a traditional plastic or cast iron sewer. In order to make the pairing of such products airtight, seals should be used. Socket-type products are easy to install, which makes them so common. In this case, the diameter of the jointslarger than the main diameter. Such products can be either pressure or non-pressure.
Marking of reinforced concrete products
In order to understand what products you have in front of you - reinforced concrete non-pressure socket pipes or others, you need to understand the markings. Thus, the first numbers that can be seen on non-pressure products equipped with a socket indicate the size of the internal section, the data are indicated in centimeters. While the second combination can be used to understand what the length of the pipe is, by the way, it is indicated in decimeters. The last digit is the bearing capacity, which indicates the allowable installation depth.
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 side, sole or docking station on the pipe, you can see the marking TB, TP, TS, respectively. But folded products may have the following markings: TF, TFP, TBFP, TO, TE and others.
Pros of reinforced concrete products
Reinforced concrete non-pressure or pressure pipes have a lot of advantages, the first of which involves high strength and reliability of products. These qualities are due to a special production technology. It is centrifugal casting that makes it possible to obtain such durable products. Vibrocompression is also used during manufacturing. Additional advantages of reinforced concrete pipes are low cost,which is explained by not so high production costs; as well as the ability to withstand temperature changes. In addition, the pipes can be operated over a wide temperature range. They can be used in harsh environments. Concrete does not corrode and also does not rot, which makes consumers choose it much more often compared to steel. Among the advantages, experts highlight the dielectric qualities 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 the work more costly. In addition, for the smooth passage of liquids, in some cases there is a need to lubricate the inner surface of the pipes with a special composition, which implies additional labor costs.
GOST 6482-88
Manufacturing standards are regulated by GOST: reinforced concrete pipes according to it must meet the water resistance characteristics, in addition, they must undergo an internal hydrostatic pressure within 0.05 MPa. Concrete must be resistant to frost. In addition, the pipes should be based on 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 go beyond the scope of GOST 13015.0 are not allowed. The water resistance of the pipe walls must comply with class W4. Water absorption should not exceed 6% by weight. Steel A-I and A-III (GOST 5781) can be used as a reinforcing cage.
Characteristics of reinforced concrete pipes
All quality characteristics of reinforced concrete pipes are regulated by the mentioned GOST, reinforced concrete non-pressure pipes should not have cracks on the walls, otherwise they cannot be used in work. Shrinkage cracks, the width of which does not exceed 0.05 mm, act as an exception. Completeness is also determined by the standards. So, pipes that are marked TB, TSP, TBP, as well as TS must be sold and delivered to the buyer along with rubber-based sealing rings. Quality is also determined by the correctness of marking, which indicates that the manufacturer clearly followed the rules prescribed in GOST. The marking must be applied to the outer surface of the socket, the marking can also be on one end of the seam type pipe.
Diameters of reinforced concrete pipes were indicated above and are very diverse. For laying a particular system, you can select 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 made of another material. After all, concrete pipes can pay for themselves during their service life without requiring repairs for a long time.
Reinforced concrete socket pipes are quite convenient when laying, which is why they are used most often, butbefore self-installation of the system, you should consult with a specialist.
