Buried Pipe

A successful buried Conley Piping System requires proper fabrication, curing and handling. Equally important is trench design, bedding, backfill, and soil coverage of the pipe system. Fiberglass pipe and fittings are sensitive to impact loads and must be handled accordingly. Refer to the Conley Installation and Fabrication Manual for shipping, handling, storage and inspection of Conley Fiberglass Pipe page 1. For dimensional data and tables of pipe weights refer to the Conley Products section. Conley Piping Systems use a straight socket adhesive joining system that is totally restrained. Except in cases of very high pressure and/or temperature, thrust blocks at changes in direction are not required. For burial applications, Conley Fiberglass pipe is considered to be a flexible conduit. Buried piping is considered to be continuously anchored and therefore very stable. Conley piping requires typical burial requirements for fiberglass pipe, i.e., shaped trench bottom, select granular bedding and backfill compacted to 90% Proctor Density and pavement or sleeves to provide load distribution for live loads. In double containment piping systems, the containment pipe will remain at essentially ground temperature so thrust blocks are not normally required. Trench, bedding, and backfill materials are all specified and controlled to provide the required support for the pipe under the burial loads.

A. Trench Design and Burial Depths

One purpose of the trench is to provide working space while installing the pipe. Nominal trench widths are listed in the table below. Table 1 Nominal Trench Widths
Pipe Size (in) 1 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 24 30 Minimum (in) 18 18 18 18 18 18 20 23 25 28 31 33 36 39 44 52 Maximum (in) 26 26 26 27 27 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 48 56

The maximum and minimum burial depths vary with diameter, soil conditions, loading conditions and pipe schedule. On the conservative side of planning and with a backfill modulus or shear strength of 1,500 lbs/ft2, the minimum burial depth of pipe under unpaved areas is two feet. This depth of cover assumes a tandem axle wheel load of 34,000 pounds. For soils that do not meet the shear strength of 1,500 lbs/ft2 or if the axial load is higher than the standard the minimum pipe burial depth will be greater than 3 feet. The minimum burial depth may be reduced if the pipe is buried under concrete or asphalt. Maximum burial depths are usually limited to 20-ft, but may be greater if the trench and bedding are designed for greater depth.

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Figure 1 Table 2 Bedding and Backfill Materials Recommendation

Stiffness category
(Reference for AWWA M45)

Backfill Material
Crushed rock 15% or less sand, maximum 25% (passing 3/8inch sieve and maximum 5%) Clean coarsegrained soils (12% or less ) Coarse-grained soils (more than 12%) Fine-grained soils (30% or less)

Compaction (%)

necessary
No compaction required

SC1

SC2

75-85

SC3

85-95

Figure 2

SC4

More than 95

B. Bedding & Backfill

Typical burial requirements for fiberglass pipe require a fully supported and uniform trench bottom, avoiding sharp angular rocks and or voids in the bedding material. Full longitudinal support must be met. If more than one pipe is to be laid in a trench at least six inches of properly supported backfill should separate the two pipe lines. Generally, the most successful bedding and pipe zone embedment material is crushed rock or pea gravel under the SC1 Stiffness Category per ASTM D2487 Standard Classification of soils for Engineering Purposes. S1 material will provide good support for the pipeline even if it is only dumped rather than compacted. Still it is better to work the bedding material into the critical zone of the trench as shown below in Figure 3.

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Figure 5 Typical Pipe Under Roads

D. Pipe Through Concrete Walls or Structures

Pipe passing through existing concrete structures can be sealed using a grout and should be protected with a concrete or metal sleeve. If concrete is to be poured over Conley pipe, do not exceed the external pressure rating of the pipe. Refer to Products section for values. (One foot of concrete head is equal to approximately 1 psig of external pressure on the pipe.) Pipe passing through buried walls or structures requires a larger steel protective sleeve filled with a flexible filler at least 2" in thickness. Figure 4

Figure 3

C. Pipe Under Roads

If Conley pipe is used under a roadway, a concrete or metal sleeve is generally recommended to protect the pipe from excessive loads. Pipe wear pads are usually installed to protect the pipe from abrasion.

Figure 6 Piping Penetration

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E. Testing
Refer to testing procedures in the Installation & Fabrication Manual.

F. Thrust Blocks
Thrust blocks- are normally used with non restrained joints or in areas with extremely soft or poor soil conditions. For more detailed information concerning burial conditions refer to ASTM D3839 and Fiberglass Pipe Design Manual of Water Supply Practices AWWA M45.

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GLOSSARY bedding backfill material placed in the bottom of the trench on which to lay the pipe; the bedding may or may not include part of the haunch zone (see Figure 1). crown the top of the pipe. haunch zone soil directly beneath the pipe (see Figure 1). haunching backfill material placed on top of the bedding and under the springline of the pipe (see Figure 1). in situ soil native natural soil in which a trench is excavated for pipe installation. Proctor density the maximum dry density of soil compacted at optimum moisture content and with standard effort in accordance with ASTM D698. stiffness category classification of soils according to ASTM D2487 and ASTM D2488 in situ conditions. springline the horizontal centerline of the pipe (see Figure 1).

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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Piping products have unique characteristics and must be installed using sound, proven procedures. To avoid serious personal injury it is imperative that all installers / fabricators familiarize themselves thoroughly with the information contained in the Installation & Fabrication Manual material before fabricating the product. It is imperative that all installers / fabricators strictly follow the fabrication and testing procedures set forth in this manual, paying particular attention to all safety warnings, cautions and procedures. All installers / fabricators must read and thoroughly familiarize themselves and follow all instructions, cautions and warnings addressing heat tapes, adhesive kits or any Conley manufactured products, and on any other tools or products used. Improper installation may cause serious injury to person and property. Follow all general safety practices and procedures that include proper use of protective clothing, cleanliness of the work area, surfaces tools, etc., and maintain proper ventilation. Conley is committed to excellence and strives to offer the finest products available. From time to time, products, literature, etc., may change. Conley reserves the right to modify or change designs or manufacturing procedure on any of its products and to make changes to its specifications, descriptions, literature and materials without incurring any obligation to furnish notice of such changes, and without incurring an obligation to furnish or install such changes on products previously sold. Illustrations as shown in any Conley catalog are representations of a given size, but do not necessarily apply to all sizes in all cases. Visit Conley at www.Conleyfrp.com for the latest information, or contact Conley at 800-331-5502. This document is not intended to express any warranty of any type whatsoever and shall not alter, change, or add to Conleys Terms and Conditions including Conleys warranty and its disclaimer of implied warranties.

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