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TESTING Plant Testing Quality control testing is routinely employed in the concrete pipe plant to ensure that the pipe produced meets all applicable project specifications. Concrete pipe plants certified by the Illinois Department of Transportation must adhere to rigorous testing requirements. Quality control tests in all concrete pipe plants are performed in accordance with ASTM C 497. ASTM C 497 Standard Test Methods for Concrete Pipe, Manhole Sections, or Tile ASTM C 497 specifies the three-edge bearing test as the method of determining the maximum D-load of the pipe. In the three-edge bearing test, a piece of pipe, chosen at random, is supported on two lower bearing strips and loaded from above through an upper bearing block. The pipe is loaded until a crack is produced having a width of 0.01 inch throughout a continuous length of 1 foot. If so desired, the actual compressive strength of the concrete can be determined by performing a compressive strength test on a core removed from the pipe. If the pipe for a particular project must meet the requirements of C 443, a hydrostatic test may be performed to ensure joint integrity. This test is performed by subjecting the joint between two pipes to an internal hydrostatic pressure of 13 psi for 10 minutes in both straight and deflected alignment. Field Testing In special circumstances, when infiltration or exfiltration rates are a concern, one of the following field tests may be performed to demonstrate the integrity of the sewer line. ASTM C 969 Infiltration and Exfiltration Acceptance Testing of Installed Precast Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines C 969 covers procedures for testing installed precast concrete sewer lines using either water infiltration or exfiltration acceptance limits to demonstrate the integrity of the installed materials and construction procedure. ASTM C 1103 Joint Acceptance Testing of Installed Precast Concrete Pipe Sewer Lines C 1103 covers procedures for testing the joints of installed precast concrete pipe sewer lines, when using either air or water under low pressure to demonstrate the integrity of the joint and the construction procedures. This practice is used for testing 27" and larger diameter precast concrete sewer lines utilizing rubber gasket sealed joints. Smaller diameter sewer lines are typically tested by infiltration, exfiltration (C 969). |Home| |About ICPA| |Meet Our Staff| |Join ICPA|
Illinois
Concrete Pipe Association |
