Two of the most important factors to consider when designing sustainable community infrastructure are durability and life cycle cost.
Many factors contribute to an asset’s life cycle cost, which refers to the total cost of an asset over its service life, from initial construction costs through operating, maintenance, and replacement costs. Infrastructure that is designed to endure harsh conditions can remain in service for decades, reducing the frequency of replacement.
Durability of Concrete Pipe
Reinforced concrete pipe is the preferred choice for sanitary and stormwater systems across the country because of its long service life. Designed and manufactured to withstand a complete range of underground environments and effluent profiles, reinforced concrete pipe maintains structural integrity over a service life of 70 to 100 years, requiring minimal repairs. Concrete pipe doesn’t burn, melt, rust, tear, buckle, or deflect, which helps it withstand extreme weather and natural disasters like wildfires.
Additionally, concrete pipe integrates well with system expansions or alterations, even years after installation. As a community’s needs change, they can often expand or alter their concrete stormwater and sewer infrastructure without having to replace existing pipes.
Low Life Cycle Cost of Concrete Pipe
Concrete pipe offers a low life cycle cost due to its low maintenance requirements and long service life, which limits replacement costs. Because concrete does not steadily depreciate over time or require additional investment in repairs, maintenance, or replacement, the cost of ownership during its lifetime is less than alternate materials.
In fact, concrete has been shown to become stronger and more resilient over time, which means it can sometimes be reused for future infrastructure upgrades or reconfigurations, saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. Concrete pipe is also fully recyclable at no added cost to the consumer, reducing the cost of infrastructure replacement at the end of its service life.
County Materials supports communities in achieving their sustainability goals by manufacturing long-lasting concrete construction products. Use our concrete pipe and precast products for your next project by contacting our team.