Stormwater management systems protect roads and buildings from flooding by quickly carrying away large volumes of water. This critical piece of infrastructure must be designed with adequate flow capacity to handle major rain events without becoming overwhelmed or displaced.
Elliptical reinforced concrete pipe manufactured by County Materials is a time-tested solution for stormwater systems that can help overcome site challenges.
Existing infrastructure and environmental considerations of a project site can sometimes result in depth restrictions. In these situations, if a high flow capacity is also required, pipes made from flexible materials may not meet the project’s requirements. According to the American Concrete Pipe Association, flexible pipe must be installed with ground cover at a depth that equals or exceeds its diameter. For example, a 48-inch-diameter flexible pipe will need 48 inches of cover.
Elliptical RCP offers an effective solution for these situations. Because of its rigid design and inherent structural strength, concrete pipe can be installed with less ground cover than lower-density pipes. Even when installed at shallower depths, the weight of elliptical RCP helps it resist flotation, keeping stormwater infrastructure in place even if ground cover over the pipe is washed away. The elliptical shape helps to further minimize the depth requirements of the system, allowing elliptical RCP to be buried at a shallower depth than flexible pipe without compromising its flow capacity or the stability of the system.
The Elk River High School stormwater system upgrade highlighted the advantages of elliptical RCP. The school needed a stormwater management solution that would carry runoff through the property, but faced elevation requirements and excavation restrictions that eliminated many pipe materials. Elliptical RCP met the needs of this project by providing high flow capacity at a shallow depth.
County Materials’ elliptical RCP is available in sizes from 18-inch circular diameter equivalent up to 120-inch equivalent.
Use Elliptical Reinforced Concrete Pipe for your next project by contacting our Customer Service Team at (800) 242-7733.
