Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAPESTRY - FDP240016 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - Supporting Documentation (3)
Evaluation of Loading on Sewer Pipe
Colorado Iron & Metal Salvage Yard
Project Name:
Tapestry
Project Location:
903 Buckingham Street
Fort Collins, Colorado
Presented by:
Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC
Project No. 25-1831-0000
Prepared For:
Hartford Acquisitions, LLC
4801 Goodman Street
Timnath, CO 80547
January 17, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Background Information & Design Loads ............................................................. 3
3.0 Calculations .......................................................................................................... 3
4.0 Impact from Falling Material ................................................................................. 4
5.0 Standard Limitations ............................................................................................. 5
Appendix A Calculations
Appendix B Reference Documents
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
1.0 Introduction
Per your request, staff from Magnum Geo-Solutions have reviewed the proposed sewer trench
backfill details for the Tapestry project on Buckingham Street. The proposed sewer line is planned
to cross beneath an active industrial site (Colorado Iron & Metal). Where the pipe will cross the
site, there is a granular, all-weather surface along with piles of scrap steel, and the equipment to
handle it. It is understood that the City of Fort Collins utility department has concerns with the
integrity of the pipe when heavy industrial equipment is driven over the top of the pipe and its fill.
2.0 Background Information & Design Loads
Civil engineering plans for the site indicate that there will be a minimum of 36 inches of cover over
the proposed pipe (Figure 1). Heavy equipment is expected to traverse over the trench on a
regular basis.
For analysis, the following documents were referenced (and attached to this report):
“Burial Depths for PVC Pipe), by the North American Pipe Corporation
“Burial Depth Guidance for PVC Pipe” by Westlake Pipe & Fittings”
“Highway Live Loads on Concrete Pipe” by the American Concrete Pipe Association”
The first two documents reference the Modified Iowa Formula for analysis of pipe stresses and
deflections. The formula was used in this analysis.
For the design load case in the salvage yard, a large loader with a full bucket was utilized. It has
a larger load on a relatively small footprint. For calculations, the required backfill material is CDOT
Class 67 aggregate, which can be considered a Class II soil in the design literature. Moderate
compaction (85% to 95%) was considered.
As reference for the design calculations, the values were compared to verbiage in the “Burial
Depths for PVC Pipe”. That document indicates that for highway loads, “the minimum depth of
bury for PVC pipe with traffic loading is twelve inches from the top of the pipe to the bottom of the
flexible road surface.” The document goes on to say that, “for light to medium aircraft loadings of
up to 320,000 pounds gross weight the minimum depth of bury is two feet.” As noted above, our
minimum depth of bury is 36 inches.
3.0 Calculations
Using the design loader and the Modified Iowa Equation, it was determined that the maximum
pipe deflection is approximately 1.7%, which is well below the 7.5% limit referenced by the PVC
pipe industry. (Refer to the attached calculations). Even if assuming a burial depth of 20 feet (to
represent the scrap steel piles), the calculated pipe deflection is less than 2.5%.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
4.0 Impact from Falling Material
It is understood that there is some concern that dropped / falling material in the yard would
penetrate the soil cover over the pipe and damage the pipe. While no readily available equations
could be found to model this impact, the following were used as frames of reference:
From a geotechnical standpoint, compacted gravel would normally have a blow count in
excess of 10 blows per foot. That means that a 140-pound hammer driving a steel shaft
into the ground would need at least 10 blows to reach a foot of depth.
Online test data published by “Frontiers in Earth Science” describes the penetration depth
of an object depending on its velocity. For an object traveling at 7 meters per second (23
feet per second, the tested penetration is approximately 0.09 meters (<4 inches).
Figure 1: Proposed Pipe Backfill
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
For the penetration testing, if extrapolated to 35 feet per second (equivalent to dropping an object
20 feet), the penetration would be on the order of 6 inches. The caveats to this is that the test
utilized spherical objects. Nevertheless, the depth of penetration is relatively shallow.
5.0 Standard Limitations
This work was prepared with the level of skill and care ordinarily used by engineers practicing in
this area, on this type of project, at this time. No warranty is given, express or implied. If you
have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 970.635.1851.
Respectfully,
MAGNUM GEO-SOLUTIONS, LLC
Wayne Thompson, PE
Senior Engineer
Attachments: Calculation Package (4 pages)
“Burial Depths for PVC Pipe), by the North American Pipe Corporation
“Burial Depth Guidance for PVC Pipe” by Westlake Pipe & Fittings”
“Highway Live Loads on Concrete Pipe” by the American Concrete Pipe
Association”
Figure 2: Test Results for Penetra on of Falling Objects
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
1/20/2025
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
APPENDIX A
Calculations
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
HABITAT FOR HUMANITARY UTILITY COVER
MAGNUM Project No: 25-1831-0000
Origin Date: 1/17/2025
Calcs By: DDE
Checked By: WT
PROJECT INFORMATION PREPARED FOR: Hartford Acquisitions, LLC
ADDRESS: Buckingham Street CONTACT: Jamie Thorpe
CITY, STATE: Fort Collins, CO PHONE: 719.244.6088
NOTE:ENGINEER'S STAMP
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
DateRevision Description By Approved
MA
G
N
U
M
-
R
E
V
A
.
C
A
L
C
H
A
B
I
T
A
T
F
O
R
H
U
M
A
N
I
T
Y
U
T
I
L
I
T
Y
C
O
V
E
R
-
H
A
R
T
F
O
R
D
A
C
Q
U
I
S
I
T
I
O
N
S
.
x
l
s
x
SANITARY SEWER DEFLECTION CALCULATION PACKAGE
PAGE NO.
1. Live Load Calculation 2
2. Sanitary Sewer Pipe Deflection Check 3
3.4Limitations
Copyright © 2009 thru 2021 Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC - All Rights Reserved
PHONE: 970.635.1851 WEB: www.magnumgeo.com ADDRESS: 138 E. 4th Street, Suite E, Loveland, CO 80537
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
1/20/2025
HABITAT FOR HUMANITARY UTILITY COVER
MAGNUM Project No: 25-1831-0000
Origin Date: 1/17/2025
Calcs By: DDE
Checked By: WT
Fill Material Select Granular Fill
Vehicle
Tire Type
Vehicle Operating Weight 78,264 lb
Tire Load, P
Recommended Tire Pressure 69 psi
Tire Contact Area 283.6 in²
Tire Width, a 33.5 in
Tire Contact Length, b 8.5 in
Pipe Depth, H 3 ft
Tire Spread a 10.2 ft
Tire Spread b 4.2 ft
Tire Spread Area, A 42.6 ft²
Impact Factor, IM 0.206
Average Pressure Intensity, W' 3.8 psi
As a conservative estimate, consider a loader with excessive weight on front wheel, plus full bucket
Load in Bucket 50000 lbs
Bucket Distance from front wheels 9 feet
Wheel Base 12.5 feet
Reaction at Front Wheels 125132 lbs
Reaction at Rear Wheels 3132 lbs
Reaction per Wheel 62566 lbs
Average Pressure Intensity, W' 12 psi Extreme Case used for design
VEHICLE LIVE LOAD CALCULATION
Cat 982 XE Wheel Loader
Bridgestone 875/65R29
19,566 lb/tire
MA
G
N
U
M
-
R
E
V
A
.
C
A
L
C
H
A
B
I
T
A
T
F
O
R
H
U
M
A
N
I
T
Y
U
T
I
L
I
T
Y
C
O
V
E
R
-
H
A
R
T
F
O
R
D
A
C
Q
U
I
S
I
T
I
O
N
S
.
x
l
s
x
IM = 33(1.0 - 0.125H)/100
Spread a = a + 4 + 1.15H
Spread b = b + 1.15H
W = P(1 + IM)/A
Copyright © 2009 thru 2021 Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC - All Rights Reserved
PHONE: 970.635.1851 WEB: www.magnumgeo.com ADDRESS: 138 E. 4th Street, Suite E, Loveland, CO 80537
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
HABITAT FOR HUMANITARY UTILITY COVER
MAGNUM Project No: 25-1831-0000
Origin Date: 1/17/2025
Calcs By: DDE
Checked By: WT
Pipe Deflection per Modified Iowa Equation
PVC Pipe Diameter 8 in
PVC Pipe Thickness Class SDR35
PVC Pipe Stiffness, PS 46 psi
Overburden Soil Unit Weight 135 pcf
Depth to Top of PVC Pipe 3 ft
Vertical Soil Pressure, P 2.8 psi Pressure on pipe due to weight of soil
Bedding Constant, K 0.1 Recommended in "Burial Depth Guidance" document
Deflection Lag Factor, DL 1.0 1.0 used to represent transient load of equipment
Pipe Bedding Material
Bedding Material Class II
Modulus of Soil Reaction, E'2,000 psi (85% to 95% Compaction)
Live Load, W'12.31 psi extreme case
(Modified Iowa Equation)
Delflection % 1.17 % ≤ 7.5 % OK
MA
G
N
U
M
-
R
E
V
A
.
C
A
L
C
H
A
B
I
T
A
T
F
O
R
H
U
M
A
N
I
T
Y
U
T
I
L
I
T
Y
C
O
V
E
R
-
H
A
R
T
F
O
R
D
A
C
Q
U
I
S
I
T
I
O
N
S
.
x
l
s
x
SANITARY SEWER PIPE DEFLECTION CALCULATION
Coarse-Grained Soils with Little or No Fines
Deflection % = = ..
Copyright © 2009 thru 2021 Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC - All Rights Reserved
PHONE: 970.635.1851 WEB: www.magnumgeo.com ADDRESS: 138 E. 4th Street, Suite E, Loveland, CO 80537
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
HABITAT FOR HUMANITARY UTILITY COVER
MAGNUM Project No: 25-1831-0000
Origin Date: 1/17/2025
Calcs By: DDE
Checked By: WT
MA
G
N
U
M
-
R
E
V
A
.
C
A
L
C
H
A
B
I
T
A
T
F
O
R
H
U
M
A
N
I
T
Y
U
T
I
L
I
T
Y
C
O
V
E
R
-
H
A
R
T
F
O
R
D
A
C
Q
U
I
S
I
T
I
O
N
S
.
x
l
s
x
LIMITATIONS
The design(s) contained in this document may be based upon information provided by other parties. Magnum Geo cannot be
responsible for the accuracy, completeness or applicability of any such information, nor do we warrant the fitness of this
submitted design based upon such information for the intended purpose. Should any of the assumptions used to develop this
conceptual design be incorrect, or should project conditions be found to vary from those assumed, the Engineer of Record should
contact Magnum Geo-Solutions immediately so that appropriate modifications can be made in the design.
Copyright © 2009 thru 2021 Magnum Geo-Solutions, LLC - All Rights Reserved
PHONE: 970.635.1851 WEB: www.magnumgeo.com ADDRESS: 138 E. 4th Street, Suite E, Loveland, CO 80537
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Design Report
Magnum Doc. E-LT001.2
Magnum Project No. 25-1831-0000
APPENDIX B
Reference Documents
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Burial Depths for PVC Pipe
Questions are often asked regarding the maximum depth of bury for PVC pipe, especially PVC sewer pipe. The short
answer to the question of how deep can you bury PVC pipe is “really deep” because the pipe is not the limiting
factor; it is the quality and installation of the embedment material.
FLEXIBLE AND RIGID CONDUIT THEORY
PVC pipe is classified as a flexible conduit. Ductile iron pipe is also considered to be a flexible conduit. Concrete and
clay pipe are classified as rigid conduits. The difference between the two classifications is this: flexible conduits
bend without breaking in response to soil and traffic loads. As these loads come to bear, the flexible conduit
deflects in the vertical direction and extends in the horizontal direction and becomes slightly elliptical in shape. In
this way the vertical soil and traffic loads are transferred horizontally to the embedment material at the sides of the
pipe. Rigid conduits rely on their structural strength to resist the same loading. Once a maximum load is reached
the conduit will fail. This has led to the use of terms such as “crush strength” or “crush rating” for those materials.
Because flexible and rigid conduits react differently under load, the terms crush strength and crush rating do not
apply to flexible conduits such as PVC pipe.
PVC pipe in and of itself will not support very much load without deflecting. As such it is reliant upon the quality of
the embedment material and the compaction of that material to control the amount the pipe deflects. The “stiffer”
the embedment the more support provided for the pipe. The amount that a buried flexible pipe will deflect can be
calculated with the Modified Iowa Equation. This empirical equation and the soil values that are used with it were
derived through extensive testing and evaluation. More information about flexible conduit theory, the Modified
Iowa Equation, and soil and embedment values and their use with PVC pipeline design can be found in the Uni-Bell
PVC Pipe Association technical report UNI-TR-1-97 entitled “Deflection: The Pipe/Soil Mechanism”.
MAXIMUM DEFLECTION
The maximum recommended vertical deflection for PVC pressure pipe (AWWA C900, AWWA C905, ASTM D2241…)
is 5% and for solid wall sewer/drain pipe (ASTM D3034, ASTM F679, ASTM D2729…) it is 7 ½%. Please note that
deflections in excess of these amounts will not cause the pipe to fail. These values were determined by applying a
safety factor of 4:1 to in-soil deflection test results. The tests indicated that PVC pipe becomes and remains elliptical
in shape at in-soil deflections of up to 30%. Deflections of more than 30% result in inverse curvature of the pipe but
no structural failure. In fact the standards to which PVC pipe is made require that deflection tests to 40% of the
inside diameter (or a deflection of 60%) be run on a routine basis to confirm the quality and integrity of the
produced material. The following photographs show the testing of a piece of eight inch, DR18 AWWA C900 PVC
pipe before testing and at the required 40% deflection.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Burial Depths for PVC Pipe
The requirements of the different standards are that, after the test, “There is no evidence of splitting, cracking, or
breaking” of the sample. (AWWA C900-97, Section 4.3.3.4)
CALCULATING PIPE DEFLECTION
It is possible to obtain a computer program based on the Modified Iowa Equation free of charge from The Uni-Bell
PVC Pipe Association (http://www.uni-bell.org/unidown.html). This program can be used to calculate pipe
deflections for a variety of installation conditions and pipe stiffness values. It was used to perform the following
calculations for ASTM D3034 and ASTM F679 pipe bedded in a class II material as defined by ASTM D2321 and
compacted to 95% Proctor density.
The calculated values are independent of the pipe size because the pipe stiffness value is the same for all. Notice
that with quality embedment and compaction the calculated deflections of the SDR35 and SDR26 pipes are nearly
identical and are approximately one-third of the recommended maximum value at a depth of sixty feet. These
values can be compared to the same pipe and bedding material but with a compaction of 85% Proctor density.
It can be seen from these comparisons that the quality of the embedment plays a much greater role in the
deflection of the pipe than does the stiffness value. Even with a looser compaction on the backfill the calculated
deflection at sixty feet is within the recommended maximum value of 7.5%.
TRAFFIC LOADS
Traffic loads can be incorporated into these calculations and they are much more of an issue with shallow depths of
bury than deep. What’s more, at depths of 10 feet or more an H20 traffic load can be considered to have a
negligible affect on the pipe. The minimum depth of bury for PVC pipe with traffic loading is twelve inches from the
top of the pipe to the bottom of the flexible road surface. For light to medium aircraft loadings of up to 320,000
pounds gross weight the minimum depth of bury is two feet. These depths assume a minimum 95% Proctor density
with grade I or grade II embedment. Special attention should be given to the selection, placement, and compaction
of shallow bury flexible pipes underneath rigid road surfaces to prevent excessive cracking of the road surface.
SUMMARY
The combination of the pipe stiffness and the soil stiffness enables PVC pipe of all sizes to be utilized at significant
depths of bury in a very efficient and economical manner through the use of common, attentive installation
techniques.
Thickness
Class
Pipe Stiffness,
lb/in2
Bury Depth-
Deflection
Bury Depth-40ft, %
Deflection
Bury Depth-60ft, %
Deflection
SDR35 46 0.88 1.76 2.63
SDR26 115 0.83 1.67 2.50
E’=3000 lb/in2
Thickness
Class
Pipe Stiffness,
lb/in2
Bury Depth-
Deflection
Bury Depth-40ft, %
Deflection
Bury Depth-60ft, %
Deflection
SDR35 46 2.46 4.91 7.37
SDR26 115 2.13 4.27 6.40
E’=1000 lb/in2
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
PVC PIPE AS A FLEXIBLE CONDUIT
PVC pipe is considered a flexible pipe, which means that the
pipe is designed to transfer external loads to the surrounding
soil. The amount of deflection that PVC pipe will experience due
to loading when buried depends largely on the soil stiffness of
the bedding material.
For PVC pipe, pipe stiffness is the ability of a particular pipe to
resist deflection under load. It is measured in lbf/in2 and depends
on the pipe dimension ratio (DR) and the PVC material properties
(specifically the Modulus of Elasticity).
When considering resistance to deflection, the pipe stiffness
(pipe property) and the soil support (compaction, soil material
properties) must be considered. At shallow depths, live loads (i.e.
traffic) will influence the external load on the pipe. As the depth
of burial increases, live loads influence the load less and the
weight of soil contributes more to the external load.
MODIFIED IOWA EQUATION
Pipe Deflection is estimated using the Modified Iowa Formula,
which takes into account the support provided by the surrounding
soil conditions and pipe properties. Further explanation for this
equation can be found in the PVC Pipe Association’s Handbook of
PVC Pipe Design and Construction, Chapters 6 & 7.
Deflection % = ∆Y = (DL KP + KW') 100
D 0.149PS + 0.061E'
Where
DL = Deflection Lag Factor, Dimensionless Factor to for
long-term deflection.
K = Bedding Constant, Dimensionless Accommodates
the response of the buried flexible pipe to the reaction of
the load force derived from the bedding under the pipe.
P = Vertical Soil Pressure due to Prism Load, psi
This is the product of the unit weight of the soil
over the pipe multiplied by the depth of cover.
W' = Live Load, psi - This is the load on the buried pipe from
sources such as highway or railway traffic.
E' = Modulus of Soil Reaction, psi - This is an empirical value,
assigned to a pipe bedding condition which takes into
account the soil classification and the degree of com-
paction of the bedding.
DEFLECTION PERCENTAGE LIMITS
The performance limit for buried PVC pipe is considered to occur
when the external loading on the pipe results in a reverse curva-
ture of the pipe, which occurs at approximately 30% deflection.
The PVC pipe industry suggests a maximum vertical ring deflec-
tion of 7.5% the original base inside diameter, which provides
a 4:1 safety factor to account for manufacturing tolerances,
Modified Iowa Equation accuracies, and uncertainties in choosing
constants and factors. This maximum threshold value is reflected
in ASTM D3034 and ASTM F679. Some utility owners and engi-
neering firms choose to use an even more restrictive value of 5%
deflection, yielding a 6:1 safety factor.
It is important to note that flow area of partially full gravity sewer
pipe is slightly reduced as the pipe is forced from a circle into an
ellipse. If this small change is a concern, we recommend a more
detailed analysis be undertaken.
MINIMUM BURIAL DEPTH
ASTM D2321, Standard Practice for Underground Installation of
Thermoplastic Pipe for Sewers and Other Gravity-Flow Applica-
tions, Section 7.6 states:
“The minimum depth of cover should be established by the
engineer based on an evaluation of specific project conditions.”
“The minimum depth of cover should be established by the
engineer based on an evaluation of specific project conditions.”
“In the absence of an engineering evaluation, the following
minimum cover requirements should be used. For embed-
ment materials installed in accordance with Table 3, provide
cover (that is, depth of backfill above top of pipe) of at least
24 in. or one pipe diameter (whichever is larger) for Class I
embedment, and a cover of at least 36 in. or one pipe diam-
eter (whichever is larger) for Class II, III, and IV embedment,
before allowing vehicles or construction equipment to
traffic the trench surface, and at least 48 in. of cover before
using a hydrohammer for compaction.”
The Unibell PVC Pipe Association Handbook of PVC Pipe, Section
7.8.3 states:
“A minimum cover height of 12 in. is recommended for PVC
(SDR35) pipe subjected to highway loads of up to 18 kip axle.
To prevent cracking of the road surface, special attention should
be given to the selection, placement, and compaction of backfill
material around shallow buried flexible pipe (such as PVC pipe)…”
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
()
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
CALCULATOR
• The Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association has developed the “Buried Pipe Design” software which calculates the expected amount
of deflection for a particular burial situation based on the Modified Iowa Formula. This is available free of charge from their website
(https://www.uni-bell.org/resources/technical-library/software).
SOIL SUPPORT TABLE
The modulus of soil reaction, E', is the value assigned to the bedding conditions for a PVC pipe installation. The E' value includes the
Bedding Material soil type and the degree of compaction specified for the bedding. The following table shows estimated values for E'
for different soil/compaction conditions:
SOIL TYPE – PIPE BEDDING MATERIAL E' FOR DEGREE OF COMPACTION OF BEDDING, PSI
Description Class Dumped
Slight
<85% Proctor
<40% Relative Density
Moderate
85-95% Proctor
40%-70% Relative Density
High
>95% Proctor
>70% Relative Density
Fine-Grained Soils (LL>50):
Soils with medium to high
plasticity, CH, MH, CH-MH
V No data available, consult a geotechnical engineer or use E’=0
Fine-Grained Soils (LL<50):
Soils with medium to no
plasticity, CL, ML, ML-CL, with
less than
25% coarse-grained particles
IV 50 200 400 1,000
Fine-Grained Soils (LL<50):
Soils with medium to no
plasticity, CL, ML, ML-CL, with
more than 25% coarse-grained
particles
Coarse-Grained soils with fines:
GM, GP, SW, SP, contain more
than 12% fines
III 100 400 1,000 2,000
Coarse-Grained Soils with Little or
No Fines:
GW, GP, SW, SC, contain less
than 12% fines
II 200 1,000 2,000 3,000
Crushed Rock I 1,000 3,000 3,000 3,000
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
PIPE CLASS SELECTION TABLE
The table below shows the thinnest class of gravity sewer pipe that can be used with a particular burial depth and E' and assuming a
maximum deflection of 7.5% and H20 Highway Live Loading.
THINNEST CLASS OF GRAVITY SEWER PIPE WHEN SUBJECTED TO H2O HIGHWAY LIVE LOADING
(MAXIMUM DEFLECTION PERMITTED OF 7.5%)
Depth of
Cover (ft)
Bedding Soil Modulus, E' (psi)
200 400 1,000 2,000 3,000
1 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
2 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
5 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
10 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
15 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
20 SDR26 / PS115 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
25 SDR26 / PS115 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
30 DR21/PS224 SDR26 / PS115 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
35 DR21/PS224 SDR26 / PS115 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
40 DR21/PS224 DR21/PS224 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
45 DR18/PS364 DR21/PS224 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
50 DR18/PS364 DR21/PS224 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
55 DR18/PS364 DR18/PS364 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
60 DR18/PS364 DR18/PS364 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
65 DR14/PS815 DR18/PS364 SDR26/ PS115 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
70 DR14/PS815 DR18/PS364 DR21/PS224 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
75 DR14/PS815 DR14/PS815 DR21/PS224 SDR35 / PS46 SDR35 / PS46
Assumptions: DL=1.0, K=0.1, Backfill Weight=120 lb/ft3, Live Load=H20 Highway
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
DEFLECTION PERCENTAGE TABLES
The following 3 tables show the expected amount of pipe deflection for a specific burial depth, E', pipe class, and H20 Highway Live
Loading based on values calculated using the Modified Iowa Equation. For values that exceed 7.5%, a stiffer class of PVC pipe must be
used or the bedding soil conditions must be improved.
PIPE DEFLECTION (%) FOR GRAVITY SEWER PIPE AT VARIOUS DEPTHS AND BEDDING CONDITIONS
SUBJECTED TO H20 HIGHWAY LIVE LOADING
Depth of
Cover (ft)
Bedding Soil Modulus, E' (psi)
200 400 1,000 2,000 3,000
SDR35
PS46
SDR26
PS115
SDR35
PS46
SDR26
PS115
SDR35
PS46
SDR26
PS115
SDR35
PS46
SDR26
PS115
SDR35
PS46
SDR26
PS115
1 7.0 4.5 4.3 3.2 2.0 1.7 1.0 1.0 0.7 0.7
2 3.8 2.5 2.3 1.7 1.1 0.9 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4
5 3.1 2.0 1.9 1.4 0.9 0.8 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3
10 4.4 2.8 2.7 2.0 1.2 1.1 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.4
15 6.6 4.3 4.0 3.0 1.8 1.6 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6
20 8.7 5.7 5.3 4.0 2.5 2.1 1.3 1.2 0.9 0.8
25 10.9 7.1 6.7 5.0 3.1 2.7 1.6 1.5 1.1 1.0
30 13.1 8.5 8.0 6.0 3.7 3.2 1.9 1.8 1.3 1.2
35 15.3 9.9 9.3 7.0 4.3 3.7 2.3 2.1 1.5 1.5
40 17.5 11.4 10.7 8.0 4.9 4.3 2.6 2.4 1.8 1.7
45 19.7 12.8 12.0 9.0 5.5 4.8 2.9 2.7 2.0 1.9
50 21.9 14.2 13.3 10.0 6.1 5.3 3.2 3.0 2.2 2.1
55 24.1 15.6 14.7 11.0 6.8 5.9 3.6 3.3 2.4 2.3
60 26.2 17.0 16.0 12.0 7.4 6.4 3.9 3.6 2.6 2.5
65 28.4 18.5 17.3 13.0 8.0 6.9 4.2 3.9 2.9 2.7
70 30.6 19.9 18.7 14.0 8.6 7.5 4.5 4.2 3.1 2.9
75 32.8 21.3 20.0 15.0 9.2 8.0 4.9 4.5 3.3 3.1
Assumptions: DL=1.0, K=0.1, Backfill Weight=120 lb/ft3, Live Load=H20 Highway
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
PIPE DEFLECTION (%) FOR CIOD PRESSURE PIPE AT VARIOUS DEPTHS AND BEDDING CONDITIONS
SUBJECTED TO H20 HIGHWAY LIVE LOADING
Burial Depth
(ft)
200 400 1,000 2,000 3,000
DR14
PS815
DR18
PS364
DR14
PS815
DR18
PS364
DR14
PS815
DR18
PS364
DR14
PS815
DR18
PS364
DR14
PS815
DR18
PS364
20 1.2 2.5 1.1 2.1 0.9 1.4 0.7 0.9 0.5 0.7
25 1.6 3.1 1.4 2.6 1.1 1.8 0.9 1.2 0.7 0.9
30 1.9 3.8 1.7 3.2 1.4 2.2 1.0 1.4 0.8 1.1
35 2.2 4.4 2.0 3.7 1.6 2.5 1.2 1.7 1.0 1.2
40 2.5 5.0 2.3 4.2 1.8 2.9 1.4 1.9 1.1 1.4
45 2.8 5.6 2.6 4.8 2.1 3.3 1.5 2.1 1.2 1.6
50 3.1 6.3 2.9 5.3 2.3 3.6 1.7 2.4 1.4 1.8
55 3.4 6.9 3.1 5.8 2.5 4.0 1.9 2.6 1.5 1.9
60 3.7 7.5 3.4 6.4 2.7 4.3 2.1 2.8 1.6 2.1
65 4.1 8.2 3.7 6.9 3.0 4.7 2.2 3.1 1.8 2.3
70 4.4 8.8 4.0 7.4 3.2 5.1 2.4 3.3 1.9 2.5
75 4.7 9.4 4.3 7.9 3.4 5.4 2.6 3.5 2.1 2.6
Assumptions: DL=1.0, K=0.1, Backfill Weight=120 lb/ft3, Live Load=H20 Highway
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
www.westlakepipe.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
©2022 Westlake Pipe & Fittings All rights reserved PI-TB-009-US-EN-0522.1
www.westlakepipe.com
Westlake Pipe
& Fittings
PIPE DEFLECTION (%) FOR IPS PRESSURE PIPE AT VARIOUS DEPTHS AND BEDDING
CONDITIONS SUBJECTED TO H20 HIGHWAY LIVE LOADING
Burial Depth
(ft)
200 400 1,000 2,000 3,000
DR21
PS224
DR21
PS224
DR21
PS224
DR21
PS224
DR21
PS224
20 3.7 2.9 1.8 1.1 0.8
25 4.6 3.6 2.2 1.3 1.0
30 5.5 4.3 2.6 1.6 1.2
35 6.4 5.0 3.1 1.9 1.3
40 7.3 5.8 3.5 2.1 1.5
45 8.2 6.5 4.0 2.4 1.7
50 9.1 7.2 4.4 2.7 1.9
55 10.1 7.9 4.9 2.9 2.1
60 11.0 8.7 5.3 3.2 2.3
65 11.9 9.4 5.7 3.5 2.5
70 12.8 10.1 6.2 3.8 2.7
75 13.7 10.8 6.6 4.0 2.9
Assumptions: DL=1.0, K=0.1, Backfill Weight=120 lb/ft3, Live Load=H20 Highway
REFERENCES:
ASTM D3034. Standard Specification for PSM Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Sewer Pipe and Fittings. May 2016.
ASTM F679. Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Large-Diameter Sewer Pipe and Fittings. March 2015.
AWWA C900. AWWA C900-16: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pressure Pipe and Fabricated Fittings, 4"(100mm) through 60"(1,500mm)
ASTM D2241. Standard Specification for Poly(Vinyl Chloride)(PVC) Pressure-Rated Pipe (SDR Series),
Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association. Handbook of PVC Pipe Design and Construction. 5th Ed. Chapters 6 & 7.
This Technical Bulletin is published for general informational purposes only and is not intended to imply that these materials, procedures, or methods, are suitable for any particular
job or should be relied on by the user. Materials, procedures, or methods may vary according to the particular circumstances, local building code requirements, design conditions, or
statutory and regulatory requirements. While the information in this Technical Bulletin is believed to be accurate and reliable, it is presented without guarantee or responsibility on the
part of Westlake Pipe & Fittings. User is solely responsible for usage of any material, procedure, or method contained herein.
BURIAL DEPTH GUIDANCE FOR PVC PIPE
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Highway Live Loads on Concrete Pipe
Foreword
Thick, high-strength pavements designed for heavy
truck traffic substantially reduce the pressure transmitted
through a wheel to the subgrade and, consequently, to
the underlying concrete pipe. The pressure reduction is
so great that generally the live load can be neglected.
In 1926, Westergaard presented a paper summarizing
the results of an extensive study of the effects of loading
conditions, subgrade support, and boundary conditions
on concrete pavements(1). These results formed the
basis by which Westergaard developed a method to
calculate the stresses in concrete slabs. Based upon the
work of Westergaard and others, the Portland Cement
Association, (PCA), developed a method to determine
the vertical pressure on buried pipe due to wheel loads
applied to concrete pavements(2). The PCA method is
presented in the American Concrete Pipe Association,
ACPA, “Concrete Pipe Handbook” (3) and “Concrete Pipe
Design Manual”(4).
Intermediate and thin thicknesses of asphalt or
flexible pavements do not reduce the pressure transmitted
from a wheel to the pavement subgrade to any significant
degree. For these pavements, there is no generally
accepted theory for estimating load distribution effects,
and, therefore, these pavements should be considered
as unsurfaced roadways.
Design of Highway Loads in the US often follows the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials, AASHTO, critieria. The AASHTO LRFD Bridge
Design Specifications specifies the applicable highway
loads and their distribution through the soil.
This Design Data addresses the method of
determining the live load pressure transmitted through
unsurfaced roadways to circular, elliptical and arch
concrete pipe in accordance with the criteria of the
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications .
IntroduCtIon
To determine the required supporting strength of
concrete pipe installed under intermediate and thin
thicknesses of asphalt or flexible pavements, or relatively
shallow earth cover, it is necessary to evaluate the effect
of live loads, such as highway truck loads, in addition
to dead loads imposed by the soil and surcharge loads.
LIve Loads
If a rigid pavement or a thick flexible pavement
designed for heavy duty traffic is provided with a sufficient
buffer between the pipe and pavement, then the live load
transmitted through the pavement to the buried concrete
pipe is usually negligible at any depth. If any culvert
or sewer pipe is within the heavy duty traffic highway
right-of-way, but not under the pavement structure, then
such pipe should be analyzed for the effect of live load
transmission from an unsurfaced roadway, because of
the possibility of trucks leaving the pavement.
dead Loads
Various methods for analyzing soil dead loads, which
have been developed over the years, are presented in the
ACPA “Concrete Pipe Technology Handbook”(7).
surCHarge Loads
A common type of surcharge load is additional soil
fill placed after the pipe has been installed for a period
of time. If the surcharge load is a building or other
surface load, the resultant uniformly distributed load
can be converted to an equivalent height of fill, and then
evaluated as an additional soil load. When concrete pipe
has been installed underground, the soil-structure system
will continually show an increase in load capacity. Data
on concrete pipe, which have been removed from service
and tested, indicate an increase in concrete strength
and an increase in load carrying capacity of 10 to 40
percent. Settlement and consolidation will improve the
soil structure surrounding the pipe, which also improves
load carrying capacity.
LIve Loads
The AASHTO design loads commonly used in the
past were the HS 20 with a 32,000 pound axle load in
the Normal Truck Configuration, and a 24,000 pound
axle load in the Alternate Load Configuration (Figure 2).
The average pressure intensity caused by a wheel load
is calculated by Equation 3.
The AASHTO LRFD design loads are the HS 20
with a 32,000 pound axle load in the Normal Truck
Configuration, and a 25,000 pound axle load in the
Alternate Load Configuration (Figure 2).
Design Data 1
1American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
IMPaCt FaCtors
The AASHTO LRFD Standard applies a dynamic
load allowance to account for the truck load being non-
static. The dynamic load allowance, IM, is determined
by Equation 1:
IM = [1]100
33(1.0 - 0.125H)
where: H = height of earth cover over the top of the
pipe, ft.
Load dIstrIButIon
The surface load is assumed to be uniformly spread
on any horizontal subsoil plane. The spread load area
is developed by increasing the length and width of the
wheel contact area for a load configuration as illustrated
in Figure 3 for a dual wheel; in Figure 4 for dual wheels of
two trucks in passing mode; and in Figure 5 for two dual
wheels of two Alternate Load configurations in passing
mode. On a horizontal soil plane, the dimensional
increases to the wheel contact area are based on height
Figure 1 aasHto wheel Load surface
Contact area (Foot Print)
table 1 LrFd wheel surface Contact area
Figure 2 aasHto wheel Loads and wheel
spacings
table 2 LrFd wheel Contact area
dimensional Increase Factor
16000 lb. HS 20 Load12500 lb. LRFD Alternate Load
1.67 ft.(20 in.)
0.83 ft.(10 in.)b
a
HS 20 Load
LRFD Alternate Load
4000 lb.4000 lb.
6 ft.
6 ft.6 ft.4 ft.
14 ft.
14 ft.
to
30 ft.
HS 20 Load
4000 lb.4000 lb.
16000 lb.16000 lb.16000 lb.16000 lb.
12500 lb.12500 lb.
HS 20 & LRFD Alternate Loads
12500 lb.12500 lb.
16000 lb.16000 lb.
6 ft.14 ft.
4 ft.
The HS 20, 32,000 pound and the Alternate Truck
25,000 pound design axle are carried on dual wheels
(Figure 1). The contact area of the dual wheels with the
ground is assumed to be a rectangle (Figure 1), with
dimensions presented in Table 1.
a(width), ft(in.)b(length, ft(in.)
1.67(20)0.83(10)
soil type dimensional Increase Factor
LRFD select granular 1.15H
LRFD any other soil 1.00H
2American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
of earth cover over the top of the pipe as presented in
Table 2 for two types of soil.
As indicated by Figures 3, 4 and 5, the spread load areas
from adjacent wheels will overlap as the height of earth
cover over the top of the pipe increases.
Live load will also dissipate through the concrete pipe
itself resulting in an effective length that resists this load
as demonstrated in Figure 7. The effective supporting
length of pipe is:
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Ro) [2]
where: RO = outside vertical rise of pipe, feet
The governing wheel load configuration is thus
table 3 LrFd Critical wheel Loads and spread dimensions at the top of the Pipe
a combination of the overlap in live load pressures
distributed through the soil, as well as any instance where
the effective lengths from adjacent tires overlap within the
pipe itself as shown in Figure 8. These conditions
have been summarized in Table 3.
At shallow depths, the maximum pressure will be
developed by an HS 20 dual wheel, since at 16,000
pounds it applies a greater load than the 12,500 pound
Alternate Load (Figures 2 and 3). At intermediate depths,
the maximum pressure will be developed by the wheels
of two HS 20 trucks in the passing mode, since at 16,000
pounds each, the two wheels apply a greater load than
the 12,500 pounds of an Alternate Load wheel (Figures 2
and 4). At greater depths, the maximum pressure will be
developed by wheels of two Alternate Load configuration
trucks in the passing mode, since at 12,500 pounds each,
the four wheels apply the greatest load (50,000 pounds)
(Figures 2 and 5).
desIgn MetHod
The design method encompasses 4 steps.
1. Obtain the following project data:
Pipe shape, size and wall thickness.
Height of cover over the concrete pipe, and type of
earth fill.
LRFD or other criteria.
2. Calculate the average pressure intensity of the wheel
loads on the soil plane on the outside top of the
pipe.
3. Calculate the total live load acting on the pipe.
4. Calculate the total live load acting on the pipe in
pounds per linear foot.
vehicle traveling Perpendicular to Pipe
H, ft P, lbs spread a, ft spread b, ft Figure
Live Load distribution
of 1.15 x H for select
granular Fill
H + 1.15DO < 2.05 16,000 a + 1.15H b + 1.15H 3
2.05 - 1.15DO < H < 5.5 32,000 a + 4 + 1.15H b + 1.15H 4
5.5 < H 50,000 a + 4 + 1.15H b + 4 + 1.15H 5
Live Load distribution
of 1.0 x H for other
soils
H + 1.30DO < 2.30 16,000 a + 1.00H b + 1.00H 3
2.30 - 1.30 DO < H < 6.3 32,000 a + 4 + 1.00H b + 1.00H 4
6.3 < H 50,000 a + 4 + 1.00H b + 4 + 1.00H 5
vehicle traveling Parallel to Pipe
Live Load distribution
of 1.15 x H for select
granular Fill
H < 2.03 16,000 a + 1.15H b + 1.15H 3
2.03 < H < 5.5 32,000 a + 4 + 1.15H b + 1.15H 4
5.5 <H 50,000 a + 4 + 1.15H b + 4 + 1.15H 5
Live Load distribution
of 1.0 x H for other
soils
H < 2.33 16,000 a + 1.00H b + 1.00H 3
2.33 < H < 6.3 32,000 a + 4 + 1.00H b + 1.00H 4
6.3 < H 50,000 a + 4 + 1.00H b + 4 + 1.00H 5
Figure 3 spread Load area - single dual wheel
a
Spread
a
H ft.
b
Spread
b
Directi
o
n
o
f
T
r
a
v
e
l
Spread Load Area
Wheel Load Area
3American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Figure 4 spread Load area - two single dual wheels of trucks in Passing Mode
Figure 5 spread Load area - two single dual wheels of two alternate Loads in Passing Mode
a
4.0 ft.
Spread
a
a
H ft.
b
b
4.0 ft.
Sprea
d
b
Directi
o
n
o
f
T
r
a
v
e
l
Distributed Load Area
WheelLoad Areas
Wheel Load Areas
1.67 ft
.
4.0 ft.
Spread
a
a
H ft.
b = .83
f
t
.
Sprea
d
b
Directi
o
n
o
f
T
r
a
v
e
l
Distributed Load Area
WheelLoad Areas
Wheel Load Areas
4American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Project data
Pipe shape and internal dimensions are shown on
the project plans. Complete information on dimensional
details are included in ASTM Specification C 14 for
nonreinforced circular concrete pipe(8), C 76 for reinforced
concrete circular pipe(9), C 506 for reinforced concrete arch
pipe(10) and C 507 for reinforced concrete elliptical pipe(11).
Internal size, wall thickness and outside dimensions
are presented in Tables 6, 7 and 8 for circular, arch and
elliptical pipe respectively.
The minimum earth cover over the concrete pipe
can be obtained from the project plans. The type of fill
material required under, around and over the concrete
pipe will be noted on the project plans or detailed in the
contract documents.
A decision regarding whether the AASHTO LRFD or
other criteria will be used should be obtained from the
project authority.
average Pressure Intensity
The wheel load average pressure intensity on the
subsoil plane at the outside top of the concrete pipe is:
w = [3]A
P(1 + IM)
where: w = wheel load average pressure intensity,
pounds per square foot
P = total live wheel load applied at the surface,
pounds
A = spread wheel load area at the outside top
of the pipe, square feet
IM = dynamic load allowance
From the appropriate Table 3, or 4, select the critical
wheel load and spread dimensions for the height of earth
cover over the outside top of the pipe, H. The spread live
load area is equal to Spread a times Spread b. Select the
appropriate dynamic load allowance, using Equation 1.
total Live Load
A designer is concerned with the maximum possible
loads, which occur when the distributed load area is
centered over the buried pipe. Figure 6 illustrates the
dimensions of the spread load area, A, related to whether
the truck travel is transverse or parallel to the centerline
of the pipe. The total live load acting on the pipe is :
where: WT = total live load, pounds
w = wheel load average pressure intensity,
pounds per square foor (at the top of the
pipe)
Figure 6 spread Load area dimensions vs
direction of truck
Spread a
Pipe
Pipe Centerline
Di
r
e
c
t
i
o
n
o
f
T
r
a
v
e
l
Direction of Travel
Spr
e
a
d
a
Spread b
Sp
r
e
a
d
b
L = dimension of A parallel to the longitudinal
axis of pipe, feet
For vehicles traveling perpendicular to
the pipe, L = spread a
For vehicles traveling parallel to the pipe,
L = spread b
S L = outside horizontal span of pipe, DO, or
spread wheel load area, A, transverse to
the longitudinal axis of pipe, whichever is
less, feet
total Live Load in Pounds per Linear Foot
The total live load in pounds per linear foot, WL, is
calculated by dividing the Total Live Load, WT, by the
Effective Supporting Length, Le (See Figure 7), of the
pipe:
where: WL = live load on top of pipe,
pounds per linear foot
L e = effective supporting length of
pipe (see Equation 2 and Figure 7), feet
WT = wLSL [4]
WL = [5]Le
WT
5American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Figure 7 effective supporting Length of Pipe
L
Wheel Surface Contact Area
Pipe Centerline4
3R0 R0
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Bc)
H
Figure 8 Load spread through soil and Pipe
4 ft
3/4 RO
H
RO
table 4 summary of LrFd Live Loads Calculated in examples
example d, in Load soil Fill H, ft P, lbs Live Load, plf
1 30 Perpendicular Select Granular 2 32,000 3,272
2 30 Parallel Select Granular 2 16,000 2,162
3 30 Perpendicular Other Soil 2 32,000 3,407
4 30 Perpendicular Select Granular 6 50,000 855
eXaMPLes
Four Example calculations are presented on the following pages to illustrate the four steps of the Design Method,
and the effect of varying the depth of fill and the type of fill. The live loads per linear foot calculated in the four
Examples are summarized in Table 4. 5
6American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
eXaMPLe 1
given: A 30-inch diameter, B wall, concrete pipe is to
be installed as a storm drain under a flexible
pavement and subjected to AASHTO highway
loadings that run perpendicular to the pipe. The
pipe will be installed in a trench with a minimum
of 2 feet of cover over the top of the pipe. The
AASHTO LRFD Criteria will be used with Select
Granular Soil.
Find: The maximum live load on the pipe in pounds
per linear foot.
solution:
1. Review project data.
A 30-inch diameter, B wall, circular concrete pipe has
a wall thickness of 3.5 inches, therefore the outside
diameter of the pipe, DO, and Ro are 3.08 feet. The height
of earth cover is 2 feet. Use AASHTO LRFD Criteria with
Select Granular Soil Fill.
2. Calculate average pressure intensity of the live load
on the plane at the outside top of the pipe.
From Table 3, the critical load, P, is 32,000 pounds from
two HS 20 single dual wheels in passing mode, and the
Spread Area is:
A = (Spread a)(Spread b)
A = (1.67 + 4 + 1.15 x 2)(0.83 + 1.15 x 2)
A = (7.97)(3.13)
A = 24.9 square feet
From Equation 1:
I.M. = 33(1.0 - 0.125H)/100
I.M. = .2475 (24.75%)
From Equation 3:
w = P(1 + IM)/A
w = 32,000(1 + .2475)/24.9
w = 1,603 lb/ft2
3. Calculate total live load acting on the pipe.
From Equation 4:
WT = wLSL
Since the truck travels transverse to pipe centerline.
L = Spread a = 7.97 feet
Spread b = 3.13 feet
DO = 3.08 feet, which is less than Spread b, therefore
SL = 3.08 feet
WT = 1603 x 7.97 x 3.08 = 39,300 pounds
4. Calculate live load on pipe in pounds per linear foot.
Ro = 3.08 feet
From Equation 2:
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Ro)
Le = 7.97 + 1.75(.75x3.08) = 12.01 feet
WL = WT/LeWL = 39,300/12.01 = 3,272 pounds per linear foot
eXaMPLe 2
given: Same as Example 1, except the live load runs
parallel to the pipe.
Find: The maximum live load on the pipe in pounds
per linear foot.
solution:
1. Review project data.
A 30-inch diameter, B wall, circular concrete pipe has
a wall thickness of 3.5 inches, therefore DO and RO are
3.08 feet. Height of earth cover is 2 feet. Use AASHTO
LRFD Criteria with Select Granular Soil Fill.
2. Calculate average pressure intensity of the live load
on the plane at the outside top of the pipe.
From Table 3, the critical load, P, is 16,000 pounds from
an HS 20 single dual wheel, and the Spread Area is:
A = (Spread a)(Spread b)
A = (1.67 + 1.15 x 2)(0.83 + 1.15 x 2)
A = (3.97)(3.13)
A = 12.4 square feet
From Equation 1:
I.M. = 33(1.0 - 0.125H)/100
I.M. = .2475(24.75%)
From Equation 3:
w = P(1 + IM)/A
w = 16,000(1 + .2475)/12.4
w = 1,610 lb/ft2
3. Calculate total live load acting on the pipe.
From Equation 4:
WT = wLSL
Since the truck travels parallel to pipe centerline.
7American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Spread a = 3.97 feet
L = Spread b = 3.13 feet
BC = 3.08 feet, which is less than Spread a, therefore
SL = 3.08 feet
WT = (1603)3.08 x 3.13 = 15,500 pounds
4. Calculate live load on pipe in pounds per linear foot.
Ro = 3.08 feet
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Ro)
Le = 3.13 + 1.75(.75x3.08) = 7.17 feet
WL = WT/LeWL = 15,500/7.17 = 2,162 pounds per linear foot
eXaMPLe 3
given: Same as Example 1, except use AASHTO LRFD
Criteria with Other Soils Fill.
Find: The maximum live load on the pipe in pounds
per linear foot.
solution:
1. Review project data.
A wall B 30-inch diameter circular concrete pipe has
a wall thickness of 3.5 inches, therefore the outside
diameter of the pipe, DO, and Ro are 3.08 feet. Height of
earth cover is 2 feet. Use AASHTO LRFD Criteria with
Other Soils Fill.
2. Calculate average pressure intensity on the plane at
the top of the pipe.
From Table 3, the critical load, P, is 32,000 pounds from
two HS 20 single dual wheels in passing mode, and the
Spread Area is:
A = (Spread a)(Spread b)
A = (1.67 + 4 + 1.00 x 2)(0.83 + 1.00 x 2)
A = (7.67)(2.83)
A = 21.71 square feet
From Equation 1:
I.M. = 33(1.0 - 0.125H)/100
I.M. = .2475
From Equation 3:
w = P(I + IM)/A
w = 32,000(1 + .2475)/21.71
w = 1,839 lb/ft2
3. Calculate total live load acting on the pipe.
From Equation 4:
WT = wLSL
Since the truck travels transverse to pipe centerline.
L = Spread a = 7.67 feet
Spread b = 2.83 feet
DO = 3.08 feet, which is greater than Spread b,
therefore
SL = 2.83 feet
WT = 1,839 x 7.67 x 2.83 = 39,900 pounds
4. Calculate live load on pipe in pounds per linear foot.
Ro=3.08 feet
From Equation 2:
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Ro)
Le = 7.67 + 1.75(.75 x 3.08) = 11.71 feet
WL = WT/LeWL = 39,900/11.71 = 3,407 pounds per linear foot
eXaMPLe 4
given: Same as Example 1, except minimum depth of
fill is 6 feet.
Find: The maximum live load on the pipe in pounds
per linear foot.
solution:
1. Review project data.
A wall B 30-inch diameter circular concrete pipe has a wall
thickness of 3.5 inches, therefore the outside diameter
of the pipe, DO, and Ro are 3.08 feet. Height of earth
cover is 6 feet. Use AASHTO LRFD Criteria with Select
Granular Soil Fill.
2. Calculate average pressure intensity at the outside
top of the pipe.
From Table 3, the critical load, P, is 50,000 pounds
from two single dual wheels of two Alternate Load
Configurations in the passing mode, and the Spread
Area is:
A = (Spread a)(Spread b)
A = (1.67 + 4 + 1.15 x 6)(0.83 + 4 + 1.15 x 6)
8American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
A = (12.57)(11.73)
A = 147.45 square feet
From Equation 1:
I.M. = 33(1-0.125H)/100
I.M. = 0.0825
From Equation 3:
w = P(1 + I.M.)/A = 50,000(1 + 0.0825)/147.45
w = 367 lb/ft2
3. Calculate total live load acting on the pipe.
WT = wLSL
Since the truck travels transverse to pipe centerline.
L = Spread a = 12.57 feet
Spread b = 11.73 feet
DO = 3.08 feet, which is less than Spread b, therefore
SL = 3.08 feet
WT = 367 x 12.57 x 3.08 = 14,200 pounds
4. Calculate live load on pipe in pounds per linear foot.
Ro = 3.08 feet
From Equation 2:
Le = L + 1.75(3/4Ro)
Le = 12.57 + 1.75(0.75x3.08) = 16.6 feet
WL = WT/LeWL = 14,200/16.6 = 855 pounds per linear foot
table 6 dimensions of
Circular Concrete Pipe
wall a wall B wall C Internal Minimum Minimum Minimum
diameter, wall wall wall inches thickness, thickness, thickness,
inches inches inches
12 1-3/4 2 -
15 1-7/8 2-1/4 -
18 2 2-1/2 -
21 2-1/4 2-3/4 -
24 2-1/2 3 3-3/4
27 2-5/8 3-1/4 4
30 2-3/4 3-1/2 4-1/4
33 2-7/8 3-3/4 4-1/2
36 3 4 4-3/4
42 3-1/2 4-1/2 5-1/4
48 4 5 5-3/4
54 4-1/2 5-1/2 6-1/4
60 5 6 6-3/4
66 5-1/2 6-1/2 7-1/4
72 6 7 7-3/4
78 6-1/2 7-1/2 8-1/4
84 7 8 8-3/4
90 7-1/2 8-1/2 9-1/4
96 8 9 9-3/4
102 8-1/2 9-1/2 10-1/4
108 9 10 10-3/4
114 9-1/2 10-1/2 11-1/4
120 10 11 11-3/4
126 10-1/2 11-1/2 12-1/4
132 11 12 12-3/4
138 11-1/2 12-1/2 13-1/4
144 12 13 13-3/4
150 12-1/2 13-1/2 14-1/4
156 13 14 14-3/4
162 13-1/2 14-1/2 15-1/4
168 14 15 15-3/4
174 14-1/2 15-1/2 16-1/4
180 15 16 16-3/4
table 7 dimensions of arch
Concrete Pipe Minimum equivalent Minimum Minimum wall round size, rise, span, thickness, inches inches inches Inches
15 11 18 2-1/4
18 13-1/2 22 2-1/2
21 15-1/2 26 2-3/4
24 18 28-1/2 3
30 22-1/2 36-1/4 3-1/2
36 26-5/8 43-3/4 4
42 3-15/16 5-1/8 4-1/2
48 36 58-1/2 5
54 40 65 5-1/2
60 45 73 6
72 54 88 7
84 62 102 8
90 72 115 8-1/2
96 77-1/4 122 9
108 87-1/8 138 10
120 96-7/8 154 11
132 106-1/2 168-3/4 10
table 7 dimensions of elliptical
Concrete Pipe equivalent Minor Major Minimum wall
round size, axis, axis thickness, inches inches inches inches
18 14 23 2-3/4
24 19 30 3-1/4
27 22 34 3-1/2
30 24 38 3-1/4
33 27 42 3-3/4
36 29 45 4-1/2
39 32 49 4-3/4
42 34 53 5
48 38 60 5-1/2
54 43 68 6
60 48 76 6-1/2
66 53 83 7
72 58 91 7-1/2
78 63 98 8
84 68 106 8-1/2
90 72 113 9
96 77 121 9-1/2
102 82 128 9-3/4
108 87 136 10
114 92 143 10-1/2
120 97 151 11
132 106 166 12
144 116 180 13
9American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5
Technical data herein is considered reliable, but no guarantee is made or liability assumed.
references
1. Westergaard, H.M., “Stresses in Concrete
Pavements Computed by Theoretical Analysis”,
Public Roads, April, 1926.
2. “Vertical Pressure on Culverts Under Wheel Loads
on Concrete Pavement Slabs”, Portland Cement
Association, 1944.
3. “Concrete Pipe Handbook”, American Concrete
Pipe Association, 1998.
4. “Concrete Pipe Design Manual”, American
Concrete Pipe Association, 2000.
5. “Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges”,
American Association for State Highway and
Transportation Officials.
6. “LRFD Bridge Design Specifications”, American
Association for State Highway and Transportation
Officials.
7. “Concrete Pipe Technology Handbook”, American
Concrete Pipe Association, 1993.
8. ASTM Standard C 14, “Specification for Concrete
Sewer, Storm Drain, and Culvert Pipe”, American
Society for Testing and Materials.
9. ASTM Standard C 76, “Specification for Reinforced
Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe”,
American Society for Testing and Materials.
10. ASTM Standard C 506, “Specification for
Reinforced Concrete Arch Culvert, Storm Drain,
and Sewer Pipe”, American Society for Testing and
Materials.
11. ASTM Standard C 507, “Specification for
Reinforced Concrete Elliptical Culvert, Storm
Drain, and Sewer Pipe”, American Society for
Testing and Materials.
10American Concrete Pipe Association • www.concrete-pipe.org • info@concrete-pipe.org
dd 1 (07/09)© 2009 american Concrete Pipe association, all rights reserved.
Docusign Envelope ID: AB59BF1D-8917-444D-BBF5-524E0913EBD5