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.
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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.
12 in. PVC 88 lin. ft.
15 in. PVC 2780 lin. ft.
18 in. PVC 1455 lin. ft.
21 in. PVC 480 lin. ft.
24 in. PVC 1552 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.
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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.
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'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?
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'!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.
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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)
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See .I1anOOfQ ~- ' ;':'\J - I I •• STANDARD SYMBOLS
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STATE · DEPARTMENT OF DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS-STATE
HIGHWAYS
-tfAl. ooua ..
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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 ..........
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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.
Subsection 604.08 shall include the following:
Pay Item Pay Unit
to Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) Linear Foot
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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.
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s .. Standa,d M-IOO-I 10' STANDARD SYMBOLS
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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 . ,,' '.- ' _ •.
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'LAM. SU,.."AU OF" UUHNGIII: QUUTI1"IES AIIO IIIUflftC QUANTITIES
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CITy .OF ALAMOSA
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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:
Subsection 604.02 shall include the following:
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.
Subsection 604.08 shall include the following:
Pay Item Pay unit
.. Plastic Pipe Sewer (Polyvinyl Chloride) Linear Foot
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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 .
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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.
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Photo 3. 21" JM PVC Sewer Pipe. PIpe was easily chipped if mishandled.
Photo 4. 21" Pipe at grade in bottom of trench.
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