TRENCH DESIGN

Minimum cover Table below provides minimum cover. Table Minimum Cover Installation condition Open country Vehicle loading No pavement !ealed pavement #nsealed pavement Construction e%uipment &m'an(ments Cover over Pipe Crown (mm) 300 4 0 "00 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 recommendations for

The minimum covers listed may be reduced by specific protection techniques such as load bearing beams over the top of pipe; increased compaction of backfill around the pipe or protection conduiting. Trench Widths In general, the width of trenches should be kept to the minimum that enable construction to readily proceed. (Refer to figures below The width of trenches uses with !" may be reduced from those used with other pipe types by #ointing above ground in the case of butt or electrofusion welding and then feeding the #ointed pipe into trench. $imilarly, small diameter pipe in coil form can be welded or mechanically #ointed above ground and then fed into the trench. The minimum trench width should allow adequate tamping of side support material and should be not less then %&& greather then the diameter of the pipe. In very small diameter pipes this may be reduced to trench width of twice the pipe diameter. The ma'imum trench width should be as possible depending on the soil conditions. This is necessary for bith economics and the develop side support. (here wide trench or embankments are encountered then the pipe should be installed on a )*mm layer of tempered or compacted bedding material as show on the cross section diagrams. (here possible a sub trench should be constructed at the base of the main trench to reduce the soil loads developed. Bedding !ipe should be added on a continuous layer, )*mm thick, of materials complying with the following requirements+ ,. $and, free from rocks or other hard or sharp ob#ects retained on a ,-.%mm sieve. %. .ravel grading up to a ma'imum si/e of ,*mm. -. The e'cavated material free from rocks and broken up such that it contains no clay lumps greater than )*mm which would prevent edequate compaction. Side Su ort 0aterial used for side support should comply with the requirements of the bedding materials. The side support material should be evenly tamped in layers of )*mm for pipes up to %*&mm diameter and ,*&mm for pipes of diameters -&&mm and above. Bac!"ill 1nce of sidefill has been placed and compacted as required over the top of pipe, backfill material may be placed using e'cavated material.

E#TERN$% %&$DING
2nderground pipes behave as structural elements and as such are required to withstand e'ternal loads from various sources. The actual loading on the pipe may be caused by one or nore of the following ,. %. -. '( "arth loads in either trench or embakement installation. Imposed loading either concentrated point loading or uninformly distributed loading such as in footings or foundations. Traffic loads from aircraft, railway and motor vehicles. Earth %oads a. Trench :or fle'ible pipes the ma'imum load bearing capacity is determined by the deflection of the pipe from the original diameter. 2sually, the ma'imum allowable deflection has been *; of the pipe outside diameter. This value originally related to the limit applied to cement lined steel pipe as being the limit before the lining cracked under loading. In case of homogeneous fle'ible pipes such as !" this limited has no engineering basisi and may be e'ceeded without structural demage. :or such pipes a deflection of %&; 1.8. may be tolerated without structural distress. In several countries deflection values of ) and ,%.*; 1.8. are used for design purposes. The actual ma'imum design value adopted may be selected by the designer taking into account the particular requirements of the installation, such as the need to pass mechanical cleaning equipment down the bore of the pipe. :or a pipe deflection at *; 1.8. the hydraulic capacity of the pipe is <<.<; of the capacity of the same pipe as a perfect circle. In this case the deflection is calculated as follows+

W ) Ct *BD
b. "mbankment

W ) Ce *D+

+(

Im osed %oads 2niformly distributed load a. Trench

W ) CuB,
b. "mbankment The load 2 is e'pressed as an equivalent height of fill and added to the embankment height.

h)
-( Tra""ic %oads

, *

. )
where+ ' 3 8 3 T 3 "c 3 "= 3 ( 3

'(/.'012%DR3D4T5-W Ec60(07'/E83D4T5-

*)C

M I

diametral deflection (m mean pipe diameter (m pipe wall thickness (m electic modulus of pipe material (0pa 0odulus of soil reaction (0pa load acting on pipe (45m

The symbols e'pressed in these formulae for evaluating the loads acting on the pipes are as follows+ ( 3 load on pipe (k45m 6 3 load coefficient 3 impact factor l 3 7ength of pipe over which concentrated load acts (m 0 3 concentrated load (k4 8 3 mean pipe outside diameter (m 9 3 trench width (m 2 3 uniformly distributed load (k!a w 3 density of fill (t5mE.ternal %oad Resistance :le'ible pipe such as !" resist e'ternal loading by a combination of ring stiffness of the pipe and the soil support developed as aresult of deflection of the pipe under loading. The deflection invokes passive soil support and provides the ma#or portion of the total installed pipe stregth The amount of passive soil support is determined by the type of soil and the amount of compaction in the soil at the side of the pipe.

>s the number of combination of parameters encountered in installations is so vast the designer will need computer facilities to evaluate the economic solution of pipe class and installation conditions. >s indicated previously, the ma#or support in the installed pipelines is derived from the supporting soil and attention of the designer is drawn to modifying the Type of standard compaction as the prefered method of increasing the load resistance of the pipeline. The standard levels of compaction and the inteded usage areas are as follows+ (a Type , The highest level of compaction as used in highway and road pavements and requires mechanical compation techniques. (b Type % The level of compaction attained by thorough hand road hand tamping methods normally use trench and embankment condition for sewer and drain applications. (c Type -

The level of compaction attained where the sidefill is not compacted and side support arises from natural soil consolidation. 4ormally used in stormwater and pressure pipe

applications where no additional e'ternal loads are encountered.

SITE 9RE9$R$TI&N
Trench 9re aration Trench should be e'cavated as narrow as possible. The trench floor should be trimmed to grade and all rocks, tree roots and other hard ob#ects removed. (here pipes are installed under embankment conditions the same precautions adopted for trench installation required. $imilarly, where pipes are installed on the natural surface, the pipeline route must be clear of obstructions and whre required, sufficient space be allowed for e'pantion5constraction movement. Trench Width The trenches e'cavations should be kept as narrow as possible to minimi/e e'ternal loading and reduce installation costs. The minimum width should allow for adequate compaction and table below lists the recommended trench widths. Table Trench Widths Pipe )iameter *inimum width (mm) (mm) 40 340 0 3 0 "3 3"3 $ 3$ $ 3$ +0 3+0 ,4,0 ,"0 4-00 00 -- 0 0 3 $ 400 .00 4 0 . 0 00 +00 "30 ,,30 $,0 ,-,0 .00 ,300 +00 ,400 ,000 , 00 ,-00 ,$00 (here ustable soil condition are encountered, it may be necessary to shore up trench wall or cutt a sub?trench into the floor of the main trench Trench De th 0inimal cover depths are determined by the impossed load and grading requirements of pipeline design. (here possible pipes should be installed under minimum depth conditions and as a guide, the values listed in table above (see Trench 8esign chapter . Bedding Material 9edding materials used in both trench and embankment installations shall follow guidlines and should be+ ,. %. -. $and or soil free from rocks greater than ,*mm in si/e and clay lumps greater than )*mm. .ravel, or crushed rock of suitable grading up to a ma'imum si/e of ,*mm. "'cavated material free from rocks and brocken up such that it contains no clay lumps greater than )*mm which would prevent adequate compaction.

Side Su ort $ide support material to the same requirements as the bedding material should be built up evenly at both sides of the pipe in layer s no greater than ,*&mm. It is essential that the level of compaction in side support meets the desaign levels for large diameter pipes operating under non pressure conditions. The side support material must be continued over the top of the pipe to minimum height &* ,*&mm.

(here trenches are constructed in poor soil conditions and shoring is necessary, the trench shields should be progressivelly withdrawn as sidefill is increased. >ny holes or voids left by shoring must be filled and compacted to the same level as the rest of the sidefill.

%.

-.

The highest level of compaction (requiring mechanical compaction and used in highway and road pavement construction. Type % The level of compaction attained by through hand tamping methods and is level normally used in non pressure applications such as sewers. Type The level of of compaction attained by natural consolidation of backfill material. 4ormally used for stormwater and pressure pipe installations where no additional e'ternal loading is encountered.

:or embankment installations the fill should be brought up evenly on the both sides of the pipe in layers of ,*&mm. The sidefill should surround the pipe by -&&mm on either side of the pipe or twice the diameter of the pipe whichever is the greater. :or heavy load conditions it may be preferable to part fill the embankment and then cut a sub trench into the partially completed embankment. This will have the effect of lessening the e'ternal loads acting on the pipe and offer greater protection from construction traffics. Bac!"ill The reminder of trench or embankment fill may be made with e'cavated material with the first -&&mm of fill proceeding in ,*&mm layers. :ill material should be free from large rocks or other site refuse and not used as a trip unwnated materials. 6ontamination of the pipe can occur where dumping of site rubbish takes place in trench or embankment fill. Com action standard >s !" pipes are classified as fle'ible it is essential that the appropriate level of compaction of side support material is attained for large diameter non pressure applications. >s a general guides the level of compaction for the particular application should be as follows+ ,. Type ,

THR,ST B%&C:ING
!" pipes and fittings #oined by butt welding or other end load bearing #oint system do not normally require anchorage. (here seal #ointed pipes are used or fabricated fittings welded from !" pipe segments are installed, then anchorage support must be provided at change of direction, valves and end points. (see figures bellow :or blank end, tees and valve R)9$ '01:or reducer R) 9 3$';$+5 '01The velocity or kinetic thrust applies only at changes of derection and may be calculated by+

R ) +*$?+ sin

> '017 +

where ( 3 > 3 A 3

fluid density (kg5minside pipe cross section area (mm% flow velocity (m5s small in

The velocity thrust is generally comparasion to the pressure thrust.

The pressure used in the calculations should be the ma'imum working or test pressure applied to the line. Bearing %oads o" Soils The indicative bearing capacity of various soil types are shown in table below+ Table< Bearing %oads o" Soils !oil type 3oc( and sandstone (hard thic( layers) 3oc(5solid shale and hard medium layers 3oc(5poor shale6 limestone 7ravel and coarse sand !and5compacted6 /irm6 dry Clay5hard6 dry Clay5readily intented Clay1!andy loam Peat6 wet alluvial soils6 silt !a/e 0earing Capacity (N1mm2) ,00 4 ,0 +0 4 ,04 -4 4 ,04 -0 4 ,04 , 4 ,04 , 4 ,04 ,- 4 ,04 + 4 ,04 nil

The figure above are for hori/ontal thrusts and may be doubled for downward acting vertical thrusts. :or upward acting vertical thrusts the weight of the trust block must counteract the developed loads. In shallow (BC&&mm cover, installations or in unstable conditions of fill, soil support may be considerably reduced and a complete soil analysis may be needed. The loads arise from two sources; static pressure force and the kinetic or velocity force. The pressure thrust may be calculated by+ or Thrust Bloc! Si=e Calculations ,. "stablish the ma'imum pressure to be applied to the line. %. 6alculate the thrust developed at the fitting being considered. -. 8evide (% by the safe bearing capacity of the soil type against which the thrust block must bear. E.am le< (hat bearing area of thrust block is required for a ,C&mm $8R?,-.C <& bend in hard, dry clayD ,. 0a'imum working pressure of $8R?,-.C pipe is ,%.* bar (,.%* 0pa . Test pressure is

R ) +9$ sin
where+ R 3 ! 3 > 3 @ 3

> '01+

resultant thrust (k4 pressure (0pa inside pipe cross section area (mm% angle of fitting (

,.* ' (! %. -.

3 3

,.* ' ,.%* 0pa ,.E)* 0!a. clay is

R 3 %!>sin @ ,&?- 3 F.F',&F4 % 9earing capacity of hard, dry ,*',&F45m%. 9earing area of thrust block + (F.F',&F 5(,*',&F 3 0(+7m+

Thrust blocks may be concrate or timber. (here cast insitu concrate is used, an adequate curing period must be provides to allow strength development in the concrate before is introduced to the pipeline.

$B&?E GR&,ND INST$%%$TI&N

!" pipes may used in above ground installations for pressure and non pressure applications in both e'posed an protected locations. 9lack !" pipe may used in direct sunlight e'posure conditions without any additional protection. (here other colour !" pipes are used, then the pipe must be protected from sunlight. The effect of elevated temperatures on the pressure class rating must be taken into account by the designer. This includes locations where temperature build up can occur, such as wall cavities and roof spaces in buildings. !" pipes should not be installed close to elevated temperature sources such as steam lines or radiator without adequate thermal insulation. Hori=ontal Su ort Distance !" pipe systems require support in above ground installations with the spacing of the supports depending on the specific gravity of fluid being carried, the operating temperature and the grade of !". Table below gives recommended support spans for G8!" pipe conveying water temperature at %&6. Table Recommended Ma.imum S acing o" Su ort "or HD9E 9i es Conve@ing Water Pipe )iameter Cover over (mm) Pipe Crown (mm) ," 08-0 0830 083 3083. 40 0843 0 084 "3 08 0 $ 08"0 +0 08"$ ,08$ ,"0 ,800 -00 ,8,0 -,8, - 0 ,83 ,8 0 400 ,8", 4 0 ,8$3 00 ,8. "30 -8, $,0 -83 .00 -8 +00 -8.0 ,000 380 ,-00 38 0 Su ort $upport should be located pipeline and fittings or valves. use of a membrane made from !", !A6 or rubber sheeting. The location of supports and hangers should be carefully designed to allow for any thermal e'pansion or contraction without stressing the pipe, #oints or fittings. (here fluids of high specific density are carried or where temperatures approach C&6 then the pipes should be continuously supported on metal channel or flat sections with membrane protection between pipe and support. $nchorage (here pipes are installed on the natural surface, anchorage at changes of direction must be capable of withstanding the thrust forces. E. ansion and Contraction :or above ground pipelines, e'pansion and contraction movements should be taken up by the pipeline where possible, without e'pansion #oints. This may be achieved in lines laid directly on the natural surface by snaking the pipe during installation and allowing the pipe to move freely in survice. :or service restrained by building elements, the supports and anchorages shall be arranged to permit thermal movement along each straight line of pipe. (here e'pansion #oints are installed they should be indepedently supported. E. osed 9i e*or! 9lack pipe may be used above in direct sunlight without any additional protection. The use of other colours is not recommended in above ground installation in direct sunlight. $uch applications may lead to progressive degradation due to thermal and ultra violet radiation and result in loss of colour, impact strength and contamination of potable water installations due to algae growth. In these cases the pipes must be protected by shielding the pipework. :or installations where mechanical demage may be encountered from impact due to equipment, then the encountered from impact due to equipment, then the pipework must be protected by guards or cladding. Aire Rating !" pipe systems will support combution and as such are not suitable for use in fire rated /ones in buildings without protection.

evenly

along

the

$upport should provide a bearing surface of ,%& under the base of the pipe and the interface between the pipe and the support should be protected from mechanical demage to the pipe by

In multi-storey buildings PE systems penetrating floor cavities must be enclosed in fire rated service ducts.