May 15, 2013

PVC Pipe – Ideal for Deep-Bury Projects

Some utilities are hesitant to use PVC pipe in deep-burial applications. This reluctance is based more on misconception than on engineering principles, since PVC pipe has been used for many years at depths in excess of 50 feet.

The attached technical brief concentrates on the science of the subject. Click here to read.

PVC Pipe Stands Up to Large Earth loads

Some engineers insist on using iron pipe over a certain depth – while the rest of the sewer main is PVC – because they fear PVC won’t hold up under large dead loads.

The fact is that buried PVC pipe does not act alone – it receives support from the surrounding soil. The combined pipe/soil structural system allows PVC pipe to be buried at depths not possible for “stronger” rigid pipes.

Long Life for Deep Bury

The two example projects in the document show that deep-bury PVC pipe continues to function well over time: one installation is from 1995 (18 years) and the other from 1986 (27 years).

Regards,

John F. Houle, P.E.
Technical Director | Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association
Corporate Headquarters
2711 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1000 | Dallas, TX 75234
T. 972.243.3902 ext. 1020 | C. 972.832.1333 | F. 972.243.3907
www.uni-bell.org