Thrust blocking prevents pipe movement when a pressure system is activated and pressurized.

A thrust block prevents separation of joints and pipe movement by transferring the resultant
thrust force at a bend to the undisturbed soil behind the thrust block. The bearing strength of
the soil is expressed in pounds per square foot. Therefore, the area behind the thrust block
must engage enough soil area to resist the resultant thrust force at a change in direction.
A properly designed thrust block involves much more than dumping a load of concrete behind a
bend. The design involves consideration of undisturbed soil, soil-bearing strength, test
pressure, pipe size, fitting configuration and trench depth to determine the bearing area of the
thrust block. Then, an installer must form up and pour the proper block. Care must be taken to
prevent the concrete from covering the joints at fittings, the weep holes in hydrants and
operating mechanisms of valves.
Thrust blocking is required at all points of change of direction in the pipe line. Most blocking is
done where a fitting, valve, or hydrant is installed. Tees, bends, plugs, hydrants, and other
appurtenances and fittings require thrust blocks to restrain the pipe. Thrust blocks are used at
these locations to prevent damage to the pipe caused by unsupported pipe movement. If thrust
blocks are not provided, the pipe would be free to move causing joint separation, leakage, and
damage to other connected structures or pipes. Thrust blocks in water mains are created in the
following ways:
• Where the pipe changes direction horizontally or vertically;
• where the pipe changes in size;
• at dead ends;
• at restrictions; and,
• when valves or hydrants are closed quickly.

Thrust blocking should be used on all gasket joint pipe (push-on joint) and fittings since there
are great thrusts developed whenever there are changes in direction in the pipeline, dead ends,
pipe sizes and valves. These thrusts can blow the joints apart, creating major problems.
The thrust block should be placed against undisturbed, fully compacted earth. It should have
sufficient area on the soil side to restrain the thrust. The fitting should be placed over a large
enough area to keep stresses on the fitting at a minimum. It should be designed knowing the
intensity of the thrusts developed in the pipe and the load-bearing strength of the soil. Using the
following tables, you can calculate the size of the thrust block for various pipe sizes.
Usually good compacted backfill will provide the necessary anchor for side thrust. Concrete
blocking is the most commonly recommended method of blocking. Concrete is placed directly
on the fitting against the line of thrust. The concrete must also pour against undisturbed earth.
The size of the blocking will vary with the size of pipe, working pressure exerted, type of fitting,
degree of flow direction change, and the soil conditions. PVC pipe is flexible and may pulsate
under pressure variations. This does not harm the pipe or that part which is enclosed in
concrete. It may cause wear at the interface of the concrete block and the backfill. For this
reason, pipe and fittings should be wrapped with a one mill or heavier plastic sheeting prior to
being embedded in concrete to prevent any possible damage.