Considerations For The Use of Precast Concrete Inlets & Manholes

ePipe
Considerations for the Use of

Precast Concrete Inlets & Manholes
www.concrete-pipe.org
An educational document from the American Concrete Pipe Association for users and specifiers
As labor and overhead costs have increased and project

schedules have shortened, the use of precast concrete inlets
and manholes has become increasingly common in storm
drainage systems. Plant manufactured precast concrete
products offer consistent quality, precise fitment and greatly
reduced time of delivery and installation when compared to a
cast in place alternative. These benefits are magnified when
jobsite changes occur. Changes can be made with the exchange of a component or two rather than the demolition and
replacement of an entire cast in place structure. However, the
use of precast inlets and manholes is not as simple as accepting precast as an alternate to cast in
place. There are some differences in the cast in place installation process v. the installation process for
precast structures.
Pipelines connecting to structures are installed on a designed foundation and
bedding. To eliminate differential settlement the foundation under both types
of structures and the backfill surrounding the structures must be properly compacted. While cast in place structures are poured over installed pipe, precast
structures are often installed before the pipe is laid or the structure is slid over the
exposed end of an installed pipe. Both methods typically leave the area underneath the pipe extending out from the structure, devoid of backfill. Failure to compact the backfill material under the pipe and provide adequate support may lead
to differential settlement between the structure and the adjacent pipe. While the
2015 American Concrete Pipe Association, all rights reserved.
Resource # e-021
02/15
ePipe
www.concrete-pipe.org
An educational document from the American Concrete Pipe Association for users and specifiers
differential settlement generally does not have any significant structural

effect on the precast structure it can have serious effects on streets,
curbs sidewalks and pipelines connected to or in the near proximity of
the structure.
There are two methods to seal the penetration where a pipe enters
a precast structure: grouted or rubber seal connections. Grouted connections are rigid and work well with a similarly rigid pipe. Flexible pipe
products are not good candidates for a rigid sealing material like a grout.
As the flexible pipe deflects and changes shape, a void often develops
between the rigid grout and the reshaped flexible pipe. A rubber sealed
connection by means of a boot or gasket is acceptable for rigid and flexible pipe materials. Many flexible seals are available to the industry from a number of highly regarded manufacturers. These seals,
when installed per manufacturers recommendations, can be expected to retain an excellent soil and
water resistant seal. Many such seals are pressure rated for watertight seals. Often, it is necessary to
increase the size of the precast structure to allow room for the insertion of the rubber connector.
The Texas Department of Transportation has a good resource for precast inlets & manholes at the
following link. http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/cmd/cserve/standard/bridge/preguide.pdf. The
TxDOT guide addresses some basic issues such as the following comments about sizing a base unit:
Size
The size of the base is determined by the pipe that must connect into it. For the precast bases, the
connecting pipe will always frame into the base unit wall, meaning the entire pipe sits in the wall. As
such, it is imperative to take into consideration the O.D. of the pipe, not just the I.D., when sizing the
base. Pg 11
As well as providing best practices comments regarding the use of flexible connectors when using
flexible pipe products:
Flexible connectors are required when using alternate pipe materials such as HDPE or CMP; they
may be used on RCP. Pg 27
By recognizing the differences between precast and cast in place structures a designer of a storm
drainage system can be confident of achieving a long-term, cost effective solution when specifying
precast structures. Please contact your local precaster regarding specific products available in your
market area.
2015 American Concrete Pipe Association, all rights reserved.
Resource # e-021
02/15

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ePipe

Considerations for the Use of

As labor and overhead costs have increased and project

differential settlement generally does not have any significant structural

2015 American Concrete Pipe Association, all rights reserved.

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