ANSI/ASAE S261.

7 FEB1989 (R2011)
Design and Installation of Nonreinforced Concrete
Irrigation Pipe Systems

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ANSI/ASAE S261.7 FEB1989 (R2011)
Approved September 1989; reaffirmed February 2011 as an American National Standard
Design and Installation of Nonreinforced Concrete
Irrigation Pipe Systems
Developed by the Concrete Irrigation Pipe System Committee; approved
by the Soil and Water Division Standards Committee; adopted by ASAE
1957; revised 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, June 1968, May 1974, December
1978; reconfirmed December 1979, March 1981, March 1982, December
1982; revised December 1983; revised editorially February 1984;
reconfirmed December 1988; revised February 1989; approved as an
American National Standard September 1989; reaffirmed by ASAE
December 1994, December 1995; reaffirmed by ANSI October 1996;
reaffirmed by ASAE 2001; reaffirmed by ANSI January 2001; reaffirmed
by ASAE December 2001, February 2006; revised editorially February
2006; reaffirmed by ANSI March 2006; reaffirmed January 2011 by
ASABE; reaffirmed by ANSI February 2011.
Keywords: Concrete, Definitions, Irrigation, Pipe
1 Purpose and scope
1.1 This Standard is intended as a guide to engineers in the design and
installation of low or intermediate pressure nonreinforced concrete
irrigation pipelines and for the preparation of detailed specifications for a
particular installation. It is restricted to pipelines with vents or stands
open to the atmosphere or closed pipelines operating at less than 6 m
(20 ft) of head. It is not intended to serve as a complete set of design
criteria and construction specifications.
1.2 The systems designed and/or installed under this Standard shall
utilize pipe conforming to one or more of the following types of
nonreinforced concrete irrigation pipe.
1.2.1 Pipelines with mortar joints. The pipe shall conform to the
requirements of ASTM Standard C118, Specifications for Concrete Pipe
for Irrigation or Drainage.
1.2.2 Pipelines with rubber gasket joints. The pipe and gaskets shall
conform to ASTM Standard C505, Specifications for Nonreinforced
Concrete Irrigation Pipe with Rubber Gasket Joints.
1.2.3 Cast-in-place pipelines. The pipe shall conform to American
Concrete Institute Standard 346, Specifications for Cast-in-Place
Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe.
2 Definition of terms
2.1 Appurtenances
2.1.1 Float valve: A valve, actuated by a float in a stand, which
automatically controls pressure in the downstream pipeline.
2.1.2 Gate: A device used to control the flow of water to, from or in a
pipeline. It may be opened and closed by screw action or by slide action;
the latter is used in short lengths of pipeline and only where pressures
and velocities in the line are so low that sudden closure will not cause
excessive water hammer. Types of gates, indicative of the place they will
be used, are:
2.1.2.1 Line gate: A hub-end screw-type or butterfly gate which is
installed in the pipeline.
2.1.2.2 Stand gate: A gate in a stand which covers an inlet into or outlet
to or from a pipeline and which controls water flow in the pipeline. It may
be either a screw or a slide type. A screw-type is used at the outlet from
a pipeline into the stand. A slide gate has a device to lock it in any
desired position.
ASABE STANDARDS 2011 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011
2.1.3 Inlet: An appurtenance to deliver water to a pipeline system.
2.1.3.1 Gravity inlet: A structure to control the flow of water from an
open conduit into a pipeline. It may be combined with a baffle, gate,
screen and/or a sand trap.
2.1.3.2 Pressure inlet: A structure where water enters a pipeline system
from a pump or pressure system.
2.1.4 Outlet: An appurtenance to deliver water from a pipe system to the
land or to any surface pipe system. An outlet may consist of a valve, riser
pipe, and/or an outlet gate. Several types of outlets are defined as
follows:
2.1.4.1 Alfalfa valve: An outlet valve attached to the top of a riser with
an opening equal in diameter to the inside diameter of the riser pipe and
an adjustable lid or cover to control water flow. A ring around the outside
of the valve frame provides a seat and seal for a portable hydrant. Some
alfalfa valves have a small air-release valve in the cover to provide
drainage following irrigation for mosquito abatement; it also provides
supplemental air release during pipeline filling. They are often set 25 to
50 mm (1 to 2 in.) below ground surface to reduce erosion.
2.1.4.2 Modified alfalfa valve: This valve is similar to an alfalfa valve
except that the outside ring is omitted. Only portable hydrants which fit
directly over a riser pipe can be used with this outlet.
2.1.4.3 Orchard valve: An outlet valve installed inside a riser pipe with
an adjustable cover or lid for flow control similar to an alfalfa valve.
However, because the valve opening is smaller than the inside diameter
of the riser, its flow capacity is less. The top of the riser may be (1) at or
slightly below ground surface, (2) 150 to 300 mm (6 to 12 in.) above
ground surface with a notch in the side, or (3) similarly above the ground
with two or more outlet or distributing gates installed in the side of the
riser.
2.1.4.4 Portable hydrant: An outlet used for connecting surface pipe to
an alfalfa valve outlet.
2.1.4.5 Surface pipe outlet: An outlet for attaching surface pipe to a
riser without using a portable hydrant.
2.1.4.6 Swivel-arm distributor: This outlet has a valve and two short
arms of gated pipe which swivel upward from the top of a riser (usually
a steel pipe riser). When chained to a center post, they are removed from
the cultivation path, and when dropped, the gates distribute the water into
furrows.
2.1.4.7 Outlet gate: Usually a slide gate, or other type of gate, which is
used to control the flow of water from an outlet.
2.1.4.8 Capped riser or pot: A riser extending above ground with a
watertight cap over its top and outlet gates on its sides slightly above the
ground surface (capped riser). To accommodate more outlet gates, a pot
with a diameter larger than that of the riser pipe is sometimes installed
on the top of the riser (capped pot). Die-cast screw-type valves are
sometimes used on capped pots instead of outlet gates. Outlet gates
must be placed on the outside of a capped riser or pot and tend to
produce an erosive jet of water, which the die-cast valves eliminate. The
outlets should normally be operated at heads less than 1.2 m (4 ft) to
reduce erosion.
2.1.4.9 Open pot: An outlet consisting of an orchard valve installed in
the top of a riser with a section of larger diameter pipe mortared to the
riser and extending above it. Two or more outlet gates are mounted on
the sides of the pot.
1
2.1.5 Stand: A structure formed from vertical sections of pipe or from
cast-in-place concrete (box stand). It may service as a pump stand, gate
stand, or float valve stand. It may also function as a vent or sand trap,
or both. When gates are not required inside the stands, the stand may be
capped and have a smaller vent pipe rising to a height of the hydraulic
gradeline plus freeboard. Float valve stands are used on steep slopes
and where the water supply rate can be varied to provide automatic
control.
2.1.6 Vent: An appurtenance to the pipeline which permits the passage
of air to or from the pipeline.
2.2 Hydraulic terms: Hydraulic terms shall be as defined in the
American Society of Civil Engineers Manual of Engineering Practice No.
11, except as noted below:
2.2.1 Freeboard: The vertical distance above the elevation of the
hydraulic gradeline at working head to the tops of vents or stands.
2.2.2 Surge: That transient or cyclic phenomenon wherein water flowing
in conduits at atmospheric pressure becomes unsteady with a rocking or
oscillating motion as it moves from one steady state condition to another.
It may be initiated by valves opening or closing, by pumps turning on or
off, or by entrainment and release of large volumes of air.
2.2.3 Water hammer: That phenomenon which occurs when the velocity
of water flowing in pipelines is rapidly changed, usually by a rapid or
sudden gate or valve closure, starting or stopping of a pump, or sudden
release of air. The resulting pressure waves pass through the water at
high velocities and can produce very high momentary positive and/or
negative pressures. Water hammer is not to be confused with surge
which occurs in systems open to the atmosphere, although under certain
conditions both may be initiated simultaneously.
2.2.4 Design working head: The vertical distance that water will rise in
a vent or stand above the centerline of the pipeline at design flow at any
point in the system. On pipeline profiles the maximum working head will
be, at any point, the vertical distance from the centerline of the pipeline
to a straight line drawn between the tops of consecutive vents and/or
stands. Thus, the maximum working head is the design working head
plus freeboard.
3 Design criteria
3.1 Pipeline
3.1.1 Safety factors
3.1.1.1 External load limit. Although loads are generally light on this
type of installation, where there are excessively high fills over the pipe,
a safety factor of at least 1.25 shall be applied to the three-edge-bearing
test in computing allowable heights of fill over precast nonreinforced
concrete pipe. The loads shall be determined by the methods outlined in
ASAE Engineering Practice EP260, Design and Construction of
Subsurface Drains in Humid Areas.
3.1.1.2 Pressure. Maximum working head for cast-in-place pipelines
shall be 4.5 m (15 ft) above the centerline of the pipe. Maximum working
heads for precast nonreinforced concrete pipe with mortar joints shall not
exceed one-fourth the certified hydrostatic test pressure as prescribed in
ASTM Standard C118, Specifications for Concrete Pipe for Irrigation or
Drainage, and for pipelines with rubber-gasket joints, one-third the
certified hydrostatic test pressure as prescribed in ASTM Standard C505,
Specifications for Nonreinforced Concrete Irrigation Pipe with Rubber
Gasket Joints.
3.1.1.3 Soil conditions
3.1.1.3.1 Concrete pipelines shall not be installed on sites where the
sulfate salt concentration exceeds 1.0% as water soluble sulfate in soil
samples, or 4000 parts per million (ppm) sulfate in groundwater samples.
Concrete pipe shall be made with cement of the type shown for the
following conditions:
2 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011
Water soluble Groundwater
sulfate in soil, sulfate,
Cement % ppm
Type V 0.2 to 1.0 1000 to 4000
(Tricalcium aluminate <8%)
Type II 0.1 to 0.2 150 to 1000
(Tricalcium aluminate <5%)
Not restricted 0.1 150
Portland pozzolan cement, Types IP or IP-A, or Portland blast furnace
slag cement, Types IS(MS) or IS-A(MS), (see ASTM Standard C595,
Specifications for Blended Hydraulic Cements) also may be used for
exposures which require Type V or Type II cement.
3.1.1.3.2 Cast-in-place pipe shall be used only in stable soils or soils that
have been stabilized as in Section 3.3 of ACI Standard 346,
Specifications for Cast-in-Place Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe, where the
trench form conforms to the trench requirements per Chapter 3 of the
above-referenced standard.
3.1.2 Friction loss. Friction loss for mortar-jointed, rubber-gasket, or
cast-in-place pipelines shall be computed using Scobeys concrete pipe
equation with a coefficient of retardance K s = 0.310 or Mannings
equation with roughness coefficient n= 0.013. For extra smooth rubber-
gasket pipe, the Scobey coefficient of retardance may range up to
K s = 0.370 and the Mannings roughness coefficient down to n= 0.011.
Minor losses can be computed in accordance with current practices.
3.1.3 Pipeline velocities. Velocities in pipelines normally shall not
exceed 1.5 m/s (5 ft/s).
3.2 Stand requirements
3.2.1 Stands shall be placed at each inlet to a concrete irrigation pipe
system and at such other points as required. All stands shall be installed
on a base adequate to support the stand and to prevent undue
movement or stress on the pipeline. All stands shall serve as vents in
addition to their other functions as follows:
3.2.1.1 They shall avoid entrainment of air.
3.2.1.2 They shall provide 0.3 to 1.5 m (1 to 5 ft) of freeboard.
3.2.1.3 Stands constructed of concrete pipe having diameters greater
than 600 mm (24 in.) shall use Class II Reinforced Concrete Pipe as
specified in ASTM Standard C76, Specifications for Reinforced Concrete
Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe, or be designed for the anticipated
heads.
3.2.1.4 Stands cast-in-place shall contain vertical steel reinforcing on not
more than 300 mm (1 ft) centers and horizontal reinforcement to provide
steel areas equal to or greater than the least values specified for Class
II Reinforced Concrete Pipe in ASTM Standard C76, Specifications for
Reinforced Concrete Culvert. Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe.
3.2.1.5 The tops of all stands should be covered with an expanded metal
or equivalent grate and shall be at least 1.2 m (4 ft) above the ground
surface. If visibility is not a factor, stands may be lower if covered or
equipped with adequate trash/safety guards.
3.2.2 Pump stands. Pump stands shall be:
3.2.2.1 Concrete box stands with vertical sides suitably reinforced to
withstand handling and installation, and operating stresses.
3.2.2.2 Nontapered stands of concrete pipe suitably reinforced to
withstand handling and installation stresses.
3.2.2.3 Nontapered concrete pipe stands, capped and having a vent
pipe to the height of the hydraulic gradeline plus freeboard.
3.2.2.4 Steel cylinder stands mortared to a single section of concrete
pipe riser.
3.2.3 The centerline of the pump discharge pipe shall have a minimum
offset from the centerline of the outlet pipe equal to the sum of the
diameters of the inlet and outlet pipes.
ASABE STANDARDS 2011
3.2.4 Check valves shall be used in the pump discharge line wherever
the potential backflow from the pipeline would be sufficient to drain the
pipeline or damage the pump.
3.2.5 Construction shall be such as to insure that the vibration from the
pump discharge pipe is not carried to the stand.
3.2.6 Velocities in stands
3.2.6.1 Downward water velocities shall not exceed 0.6 m/s (2 ft/s)
where air could be entrained. In no case shall such velocities exceed the
average pipeline velocity. Velocity of water entering a stand should not
exceed 0.9 m/s (3 ft/s).
3.2.6.2 If the size of the stand is decreased above the pump discharge
pipe, the top vent portion shall be of such inside cross-sectional area
that, if the entire flow of the pump were discharging through it, the
average velocity would not exceed 3.0 m/s (10 ft/s).
3.2.7 Sand traps. Pump stands serving as sand traps shall have a
minimum inside diameter of 760 mm (30 in.) and shall be constructed so
that the bottom is at least 600 mm (24 in.) below the invert of the outlet
pipeline. Suitable provisions for removing sand shall be provided.
3.2.8 Gate stands
3.2.8.1 Gate stands shall be cast-in-place or constructed from concrete
pipe. Reinforcing requirements under paragraphs 3.2.1.3 and 3.2.1.4
apply.
3.2.8.2 Gate stand dimensions shall be sufficient to accommodate the
gate or gates required. Figure 1 Air vent for underground pipelines
3.2.8.3 Gate stands shall serve as vents.
3.2.8.4 Gate stands shall be of sufficient size that gates are accessible
for repair. distance of at least one pipeline diameter up from the centerline of the
pipeline as shown in Fig. 1. Above this, the vent may be reduced to 1/60
3.2.9 Float valve stands. Float valve stands shall be of sufficient of the cross-sectional area of the pipeline, but not less than 50 mm (2 in.)
diameter to provide accessibility for maintenance and to dampen surge. diameter pipe shall be used.
(The wide-open head loss for the valve approximates 2.4 velocity heads
for the single disk type and 1.9 velocity heads for the double disk type.) 3.3.5.2 Vents shall have a minimum freeboard of 0.3 m (1 ft) above the
hydraulic gradeline at design flow. The maximum height shall not exceed
3.3 Vent requirements the maximum working head of the pipe.
3.3.1 Locations. Vents shall be placed: 3.3.6 Mechanical air vents. Mechanical air vents, as described below,
3.3.1.1 At the downstream end of each lateral. may be used in lieu of open vents. Actual orifice sizes are generally
3.3.1.2 At a design point downstream from where there is opportunity for smaller than the nominal (thread) size of the vents.
air entrainment and inadequate opportunity for escape of that air. 3.3.6.1 Noncontinuous, large-volume air-release valves are needed
3.3.1.3 At high points and downward changes in grade in the direction of upstream of check valves, at the entrance of all downhill sloping
flow where air can be entrapped. pipelines, at all high points and breaks in downward grade greater than
10 deg, 6 m (20 ft) upstream of pipe ends, and at least every 400 m
3.3.1.4 Downstream from all shutoff valves for vacuum relief.
(1320 ft) along the pipeline. Minimum orifice sizes are given in Table 1.
3.3.2 The design point in paragraph 3.3.1.2 shall be determined by the
3.3.6.2 Vacuum-relief valves are needed upstream from check valves,
equation
downstream from in-line gates, downstream from pipeline inlets
controlled by a gate, and at all high points. Table 2 should be used to
LCVD determine orifice sizes.
where 3.3.6.3 Continuous-acting air-release valves shall be used as specified
in paragraphs 3.3.1.2 and 3.3.2, at all high points, at all points of
L distance downstream from the air-entraining stand transition between partially full flow and completely full flow, every 400 m
C 5.8 when L, D, and V are in meters and meters per second, (1320 ft) maximum and preferably every 200 m (660 ft). They are not to
respectively; and C=1.8 when L, D, and V are in feet per be used in lieu of noncontinuous valves where large volumes of air are
second, respectively
V maximum design velocity
D inside diameter of the pipe
Table 1 Minimum orifice size for large-volume air-release valves
3.3.3 Any stand shall substitute for a vent.
3.3.4 There shall be considered an opportunity for air entrainment at all Pipe diameter Minimum orifice diameter
gravity inlets and at pump stands where the pump might possibly pump
air. When pumping from wells, if there is a downdraft of air into the well mm in. mm in.
casing while the pump is in operation, the well shall be considered to 150 6 50 2.0
pump air. In such case, a vent shall be placed immediately downstream 250 10 55 2.2
from the pump stand if the average downward velocity in the stand from 380 15 80 3.2
the pump to the pipeline exceeds 0.3 m/s (1 ft/s). 500 20 100 4.0
3.3.5 Size 760 30 125 5.0
910 36 165 6.5
3.3.5.1 The cross-sectional area of the vent shall be at least half the
cross-sectional area of the pipeline (both inside measurements) for a

ASABE STANDARDS 2011 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011 3

 Table 2 Minimum orifice size for vacuum relief at high points

Pipe diameter, mm (in.) 150(6) 250(10) 380(15) 500(20) 760(30)

Percent slope Minimum air inlet orifice diameter

mm in. mm in. mm in. mm in. mm in.

1 1.5 0.6 55 2.2 90 3.5 115 4.6 175 6.8
2 25 1.0 60 2.4 100 3.9 130 5.2 200 8.0
3 30 1.2 70 2.8 105 4.2 145 5.7 220 8.6
4 40 1.6 75 3.0 110 4.4 155 6.1 235 9.2
6 50 2.0 85 3.3 120 4.8 160 6.3 260 10.2
10 55 2.2 90 3.6 135 5.3 175 7.0 315 12.5
20 60 2.4 100 4.0 160 6.3 210 8.4 370 14.5

NOTE: If there is a possibility that water will flow in both directions from a high point, the vacuum-relief orifice diameter at that point would be the value from this table
for the direction having the greatest slope away from the point, multiplied by 1.4.

to be released or vacuum relief is required. The actual orifice size is
based upon the pipeline flow rate as shown in Table 3.
3.3.6.4 Where it would not be possible or practical to drain a pipeline to
replace or repair mechanical air vents, a shutoff valve should be installed
between the pipe and the valve.
3.4 Anchors and thrust blocks
3.4.1 Abrupt changes in pipeline grade or alignment require a stand of
diameter greater than the pipeline or an anchor or thrust block to absorb
any axial, side, or vertical thrust of the pipeline. An abrupt change shall
be considered to be:
3.4.1.1 An angle of 45 deg or greater when the maximum working head
is under 3.0 m (10 ft).
3.4.1.2 An angle of 30 deg or greater when the maximum working head
is between 3.0 and 6 m (10 and 20 ft).
3.4.1.3 An angle of 15 deg or greater when the maximum working head
is 6 m (20 ft) or more.
3.4.2 Anchors shall be used and designed as necessary to restrain any
vertical thrust of the pipeline.
3.4.3 Thrust blocks shall be constructed of concrete placed to fill the
space between the pipe and the undisturbed earth at the side of the
trench on the outside of bends and tees as shown in Fig. 2, such that the
block is in a direct line with the force resulting from the change in pipeline
alignment. Plastic soil cement with at least one part cement to ten parts
sandy or coarser texture soil similarly placed may be used.
3.4.4 The depth of the thrust blocks shall be equal to the full outside
diameter of the pipe and shall have a minimum thickness of 150 mm (6
in.). The length normal to the direction of thrust is determined by the
equation
HD a
LC sin
B 2
where
L length of thrust block
C 16 when H, L, D and B are in meters and kilopascals, respec-
tively; and C100 when H, L, D, and B are in feet and pounds
per square foot, respectively
H maximum working head
D inside diameter of the pipe
B allowable passive pressure of the soil
a deflection angle of the pipe bend
3.4.5 The pipe shall be clean and wet when placing the thrust block to
provide a good bond between concrete and pipe. Where adequate soil
tests are not available the allowable passive soil pressure shall be
considered to be 24 kPa (500 lb/ft2).
4 Installation
4.1. Size and location. The pipe and appurtenances shall conform to
the standards specified and shall be located and constructed as shown
on the design plans and in the construction specifications.
4.2 Placement
4.2.1 The pipelines shall be placed at sufficient depth below the land
surface to permit covering the pipe a minimum of 0.6 m (2 ft) unless
shallower covering is specified for rocky areas or other local conditions.
If shallower covering is specified, provisions made shall be to protect the
line from damage by vehicular traffic. Greater depths of cover shall be
specified when the soil is subject to deep cracking or when other local
conditions indicate a need.

Table 3 Minimum orifice size for continuously-acting air-release valves at

different pipeline flow rates.

Flow rate Orifice size

L/s gpm mm in.

025 0400 2.5 0.1
2550 400800 4.0 0.15
50100 8001600 5.0 0.2
100150 16002500 6.0 0.25
150 2500 10.0 0.4
Figure 2 Thrust blocking for irrigation pipelines

4 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011 ASABE STANDARDS 2011

4.2.2 Where trenches are excavated in soils containing rock or other
hard materials, or in soils subject to appreciable swelling and shrinking
on wetting or drying, or where the trench bottom is unstable, the trenches
shall be overexcavated and backfilled with imported materials to
sufficient depth to provide a suitable base. If water is in the trench, it shall
be drained away or controlled in a manner to prevent damage to any joint
mortar and to maintain a suitable base.
4.2.3 Provisions in paragraphs 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 apply to mortar-jointed
and rubber-gasket pipe. Placement for cast-in-place pipe shall be as
specified in ACI Standard 346, Specifications for Cast-in-Place
Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe.
4.2.4 Rubber-gasket pipe shall not be placed with the joints rammed
together so tight that longitudinal compression develops from wetting
expansion of the pipe. If in doubt about any particular joint design, the
end of the spigot shall be pulled back from the shoulder of the bell a
distance not exceeding approximately 1.5 mm (0.06 in.).
4.3 Joints and connections
4.3.1 Joints shall be mortar or rubber gasket, as specified and where
required. All joints shall be constructed to leave the inside of the pipeline
and appurtenances free of any obstruction which would reduce capacity
below design standards.
4.3.2 Mortar for joints and bands shall consist of not less than one part
Portland cement to two parts of fine sand. Up to 10% lime may be added
to make a very plastic mortar, if desired. The plastic mortar should have
a consistency such that it will readily adhere to the underside of the pipe
surface and can be easily squeezed into the joints. Mortar should be
discarded if not used within 30 min after mixing with water.
4.3.3 The ends of pipe sections at all joints and connections shall be
washed or brushed clean and thoroughly wetted immediately prior to
placing the mortar. Care should be taken to assure that all joints and
connections are filled with mortar before joining to attain at least a 6 mm
(0.25 in.) thick mortar joint and that excess mortar is wiped from the
inside of the pipe. The external bands shall be complete around the
circumference of the pipe and no less than 10 mm (0.4 in.) thick at the
joint.
4.3.4 Joints in stands and connections to appurtenances shall conform
to the requirements of ASTM Standard C118, Specifications for Concrete
Pipe for Irrigation or Drainage, or ASTM Standard C505, Specifications
for Nonreinforced Concrete Irrigation Pipe with Rubber Gasket Joints.
4.3.5 Stoppage and horizontal joints for cast-in-place pipelines shall
conform to the requirements of ACI Standard 346, Specifications for
Cast-in-Place Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe. Connection joints shall be
prepared by cleaning and freeing of loose or defective concrete,
coatings, and foreign material. The contact faces of the pipe and fittings
shall be wetted and the fitting mortared into place using bonding mortar
as specified in the above-referenced standard.
4.4 Curing and backfilling
4.4.1 Mortar-jointed pipe
4.4.1.1 The initial soil backfill, with the moisture content specified in
paragraph 4.4.1.3, shall be noncohesive of a texture coarser than clay.
(Soil will not ribbon in fingers when wet, or shall not have more than 30%
by weight of material finer than 2 .) It shall be free from rocks or other
pieces larger than 75 mm (3 in.), broken concrete, timber, roots, and
other debris. The backfill shall be placed around the pipe in lifts uniformly
on both sides to prevent displacement and consolidated to densities as
given in the project specifications. The backfill shall cover the pipe to a
depth of at least 150 mm (6 in.) for the full width of the trench and not
more than seven sections of pipe behind the laying. If laying ceases for
2 h or more, the initial backfill shall be brought up to and cover the last
completed joint. Backfilling while mortar bands are still plastic is
permissible. If complete backfilling is not done at this time, the
completion shall be delayed at least 20 h, but must be completed to the
minimum specified cover or 0.6 m (2 ft), whichever is less, before water
is put into the line.
ASABE STANDARDS 2011 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011
4.4.1.2 Mortar joints shall be protected from rapid drying and from
damage to plastic mortar while backfilling. To facilitate curing and to
provide protection from drying, the mortar bands may be coated with a
liquid membrane-forming compound conforming to ASTM Standard
C309, Specifications for Liquid Membrane-Forming-Compounds for
Curing Concrete, or the joint may be covered with plastic sheeting or
other approved materials conforming to ASTM Standard C171,
Specifications for Sheet Materials for Curing Concrete. The sheet
materials also provide some protection to soft or plastic mortar during
backfilling.
4.4.1.3 Soil in the initial backfill shall be thoroughly and uniformly moist
with a moisture content of no more than 4% drier nor 2% wetter than
optimum for maximum compaction, except that for granular soils, the
moisture content shall be no less than optimum nor more than 5% wetter
than optimum. Deep irrigation along the trenchline three days to one
week prior to trenching may be required.
4.4.1.4 Longitudinal cracking or ripping can occur when appreciable
differences in temperature and moisture occur between laying and
operating conditions which cause excessive pipeline expansion and
longitudinal stress. Pipe should not be laid cold nor very dry relative to
operating conditions. Pipe that is laid hot (hotter than is comfortable to
handle) can shrink and cause leaky joints.
4.4.1.5 All openings into nonrubber-gasket pipelines shall be covered or
closed to prevent air circulation, except while work is actually in progress,
and shall be kept closed until the pipeline is completed and is to be filled
with water.
4.4.2 Cast-in-place pipelines. Curing and backfilling of cast-in-place
pipelines shall be in accordance with the provisions of ACI Standard 346,
Specifications for Cast-in-Place Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe.
4.4.3 Rubber-gasket nonreinforced pipelines. Backfilling over rubber-
gasket nonreinforced concrete pipe shall be done in lifts and to densities
specified in the project specifications.
4.5 Testing
4.5.1 All pipelines shall be tested to demonstrate that they function
properly at the specified design capacity. At or below agreed design
capacity there shall be no objectionable surge or water hammer. To be
objectionable there shall be either:
4.5.1.1 Continuing, unsteady delivery of water.
4.5.1.2 Damage to the system.
4.5.1.3 Detrimental overflow from vents or stands.
4.5.2 Pipelines shall be tested for leaks by observation during normal
operation after a period of 2 weeks of continuous operation with the
pipeline full of water. However, unless mutually agreed upon, this leak
test shall not be performed on cast-in-place pipe until the pipeline has
undergone an initial 28-day curing period. All visible leaks shall be
repaired. Losses shall not exceed 4.5, 1.5 or 0.6 cm3/cm2 (0.15, 0.05 or
0.02 ft3/ft2) of inside surface area per 24 h for cast-in-place, mortar-
jointed, and rubber-gasket pipelines, respectively. Water for testing
mortar-jointed and cast-in-place pipelines shall be within a temperature
range of 10 C (18 F) of the probable water operating temperature
unless otherwise mutually agreed upon.
4.6 Basis of acceptance. Unless otherwise specifically agreed to, the
acceptability of the pipeline shall be determined by inspections to
determine compliance with the provisions of this Standard with respect to
the design of the pipeline and appurtenances, the materials used,
workmanship, and the minimum installation requirements. Compliance
shall not be binding for conditions related to earthquake or land
settlement damage (except from improper trench bottom preparation or
inadequate foundations for structures), external damage not caused by
the parties involved, or leakage of mortar-jointed or cast-in-place pipe
caused by water of temperature less than 50 F (10 C).
Cited Standards:
ACI 346, Specifications for Cast-in-Place Nonreinforced Concrete Pipe
5
ASAE EP260, Design and Construction of Subsurface Drains in Humid
Areas
ASTM C76, Specifications for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain,
and Sewer Pipe
ASTM C118, Specifications for Concrete Pipe for Irrigation or Drainage
ASTM C171, Specifications for Sheet Materials for Curing Concrete
ASTM C309, Specifications for Liquid Membrane-Forming Compounds
for Curing Concrete
ASTM C505, Specifications for Nonreinforced Concrete Irrigation Pipe
with Rubber Gasket Joints
ASTM C595, Specifications for Blended Hydraulic Cements
References
Manual of Engineering Practice No. 11. American Society of Civil Engineers. New
York. NY.

6 ANSIASAE S261.7 FEB1989 R2011 ASABE STANDARDS 2011