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Email PageDitches, Culvert Pipe
A culvert is a pipe that carries water from one side of a road, driveway, railway or other obstruction to the other. Culverts will be buried at some depth below the surface, aligned so as to permit passage of water with minimum obstruction to the watercourse. Culverts also provide access to commercial developments, homes, farms or livestock facilities, or under haul roads used for mining or forestry.
Culverts are generally short in length and open at both ends and often must withstand substantial traffic loads. While the installation does not require a large quantity of pipe, the installed drainage structure is extremely important to the overall of the road/drainage interface.
Benefits of HDPE corrugated pipe in culvert applications:
- Withstands traffic loads - Culverts are often buried in shallow cover situations where traffic creates a high 'live load' influence on the pipe. Properly installed HDPE corrugated pipe can withstand AASHTO HS-25 loads with a minimum1 ft (0.3 m) of cover for pipe 48-inch (1200 mm) and smaller, or 2 ft (0.6 m) of cover for larger pipe diameters.
- Economical installation - HDPE corrugated pipe installs quickly and economically and with less traffic disruption than other materials. The light weight of the product eliminates the need for heavy material-handling equipment. Pipe joints can be made quickly with bell-and-spigot or mechanical coupling bands.
- Withstands aggressive environments - HDPE corrugated pipe performs well in environments that damage other materials. Acidic soil and runoff, a common problem in some areas, can shorten the life of corrugated steel or concrete pipe to just a few years. HDPE corrugated pipe will last for decades in the same environment and is often the product of choice to reline or replace other drainage products that have deteriorated. HDPE is also highly resistant to abrasion unlike pipe manufactured from metal and concrete. Liners and coatings are unnecessary and are not used on HDPE corrugated pipe.
- Proven and accepted - HDPE corrugated pipe has been in use for more than 40 years. Initially used in agricultural applications, the addition of a smooth interior expanded its use into more rigorous applications in the 1980's. HDPE corrugated pipe is an established, proven product for many markets and applications.
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