Reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) is a time-tested solution for stormwater systems and diverse municipal applications that offers a distinct advantage over flexible pipe materials. Because of its unmatched strength and rigid structure, concrete pipe serves as both structure and conduit, requiring much less backfill and ground cover to meet requirements for structural integrity and flow capacity.
The rigidity and strength of concrete pipe provide many advantages for municipal and transportation applications.
Installation Efficiency
A stormwater system is made up of both the pipe and the soil that surrounds it. Rigid pipes interact with the surrounding soil differently from flexible pipes, which in turn impacts the installation requirements for each type of pipe. The American Concrete Pipe Association compares the different properties and resulting installation requirements for concrete, metal, and plastic pipes in this resource.
Since RCP derives its strength from the pipe material itself, rather than the soil surrounding it, it can be buried in trenches that are less deep than similar-sized flexible pipes would require. Digging trenches deep and wide enough for flexible pipes can take significant time and money, and isn’t possible in all situations, depending on the depth of the bedrock or other environmental challenges.
Overcome Environmental Challenges
RCP’s strength and durability makes it suitable for installation in challenging underground environments, such as those with poor soil quality or high amounts of hydrostatic pressure—situations where flexible pipe materials could be impractical.
RCP can also be buried at greater depths than flexible pipes. RCP has been designed for fill heights up to 150 feet and is commonly buried up to 50 feet deep to accommodate sites with steep slopes or other environmental challenges. In contrast, polypropylene pipes can only be buried up to 39 feet deep, and only in certain scenarios can they achieve that depth without compromising the integrity of the system.
Enhanced Flow Capacity
The inherent strength of concrete pipe means that RCP can be manufactured in larger diameters than other materials, which enables greater flow capacity. This can help reduce flooding and prevent erosion.
With a service life that can exceed 100 years, reinforced concrete pipe is a versatile and reliable stormwater solution. Use County Materials’ Reinforced Concrete Pipe for your next project by contacting our Customer Service Team.
