42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
(OP)
Performing a joint test on a 42" RCP in the field is giving issues where the water is leaking out of the pipe from the inside of the pipe. Basically the water is traveling along the reinforcement inside of the pipe and finding small voids to come out of. So far there has been no water found leaking from the outside but I have concerns that the testing isn't working properly due to the leaking water.
My questions are:
1. Is there some kind of general requirements that the manufacturer is not meeting that is causing this issue?
2. What kind of manufacturing requirements are there at the joints to prevent water from piping along the reinforcement so the RCP can be tested properly?
My questions are:
1. Is there some kind of general requirements that the manufacturer is not meeting that is causing this issue?
2. What kind of manufacturing requirements are there at the joints to prevent water from piping along the reinforcement so the RCP can be tested properly?





RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
The tests are done periodically. Each individual pipe is not hydrostatic tested.
Sounds like poor quality control by the manufacturer.
RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
http://www.concrete-pipe.org/pdf/2007-11-Concrete-...
If there is any leakage, the material should fail the test.
RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
In any case, it sounds as though the manufacture of this pipe may have resulted in some unintended voids or honeycombing, including where the concrete has not flowed or been vibrated around and to intimately embed the reinforcement cage (while leakage and inflow in the modern world is generally not good, I guess this may not be all that unusual for at least non-cylinder pipes?)
RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
It turns out on this particular project there was a mistake by the manufacturer as they usually provide a watertight coating on pipes that undergo field joint testing to allow the joint to be tested without the internal leak that was being experienced. These pipes were supposed to have it but somehow they missed it.
RE: 42" RCP Joint Testing Issues
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com