SERVICE CONNECTIONS

When a pipe connects to a rigid structure such

as a building, manhole or junction chamber, the
bedding and foundation for the connecting pipe
section should be highly compacted to minimize
differential settlement. Differential settlement can
result in the pipe being sheared or cracked at the
connection. Special connectors are available which
provide flexibility between the connecting pipe and
the structure.
5 0 American Concrete Pipe Association •
www.concretepipe.org
CURVED ALIGNMENT
Changes in direction of sewer lines are usually
accomplished at manhole structures, while grade
and alignment changes in concrete pipe sewers
can be incorporated into the line through the use
of deflected straight pipe, radius pipe or specials.
Since manufacturing and installation feasibility are
dependent on the particular method used to negotiate
a curve, it is important to establish the method
prior to trench excavation. For deflected straight
pipe the joint of each pipe section is opened up on
one side while the other side remains in the home
position. The difference between the home and
opened joint space is generally designated as the
pull. The maximum permissible pull must be limited
to that opening which will provide satisfactory joint
performance. This varies for different joint
configurations
and is best obtained from the pipe manufacturer.
Radius pipe, also referred to as beveled or mitered
pipe, incorporates the deflection angle into
the pipe joint. The pipe is manufactured by
shortening
one side of the pipe. The amount of shortening
for any given pipe is dependent on manufacturing
feasibility. Because of the possibility of greater
deflection angles per joint, sharper curvature with
correspondingly shorter radii can be obtained with
radius pipe than with deflected straight pipe.
When establishing alignment for radius pipe, the
first section of radius pipe should begin within one
half of a radius pipe length of the point of curvature,
and the last section of the radius pipe should
extend one half of a radius pipe length beyond the
point of tangent, as shown in the illustration
Alignment