Corrugated Steel Pipe

on . Posted in Pipe

Corrugated steel pipe, abbreviated as CSP, is a type of pipe made from thin sheets of steel that are corrugated or shaped into a series of alternating ridges and valleys.  This design gives the pipe added strength and flexibility, making it suitable for various applications, particularly in drainage, culvert systems, and underground infrastructure.

Corrugated Steel Pipe Index

Key Points about corrugated steel pipe

  • Strength  -  The corrugated design increases the pipe's strength and load-bearing capacity.  It can withstand the weight of soil, vehicles, and other external pressures.
  • Flexibility  -  The corrugations allow the pipe to flex and adjust to ground movement or settlement without compromising its structural integrity.
  • Durability  -  Corrugated steel pipe is typically coated or lined to protect it from corrosion caused by exposure to water, chemicals, and environmental factors.
  • Variety of Shapes and Sizes  -  Corrugated steel pipes come in various shapes, including circular, elliptical, and arch shapes, to accommodate different flow and site requirements.
  • Installation  -  Corrugated steel pipes are relatively lightweight compared to other materials like concrete or solid metal pipes.  This makes them easier to transport, handle, and install.
  • Cost Effective  -  Corrugated steel pipe can be a cost effective solution for drainage and culvert applications, especially in situations where a balance between cost, strength, and durability is required.

Corrugated steel pipes are commonly used for culverts, stormwater management systems, underpasses, pedestrian tunnels, and other underground applications.  They are chosen for their ability to manage water flow efficiently, even under heavy loads and in varying soil conditions.  Different coatings and linings are used to increase the durability of corrugated steel pipes, protecting them from the effects of corrosion over time.  Examples include galvanized coatings, polymer coatings, and asphalt coatings.

It's important to note that while corrugated steel pipes have numerous advantages, the specific choice of pipe material and design depends on factors such as the expected traffic load, environmental conditions, hydraulic performance, and local regulations.  Proper design, installation, and maintenance are crucial to ensuring the long-term performance of corrugated steel pipe systems.

 

Cross-Sections of Corrugated Steel Pipe

Shape Image Range of Sizes Common Uses
Round DS CP ROUND 6 in. - 52 ft. Culverts, sub drains, sewers, service tunnels, etc.
All plates same radius.
For medium and high fill (or trenches).
Vertical Ellipse
5% normal
DS CP VERT ELLIPSE 4 ft. - 21 ft. Culverts, sewers, service tunnels, recovery tunnels.
Plates of varying radii, shop fabrication.
For appearance and where back fill compaction is only moderate.
Pipe Arch DS CP PIPE ARCH Span x Rise 17 in. x 13 in.
to
20 ft. 7 in. x 13 ft. 2 in.
Where headroom is limited.
Has hydraulic advantages at low flows.
Corner plate radius, 18 inches or 31 inches for structural plate.
Underpass DS CP UNDERPASS Span x Rise
5 ft. 8 in. x 5 ft. 9 in.
to
20 ft. 4 in. x 17 ft. 9 in.
For pedestrians, livestock or vehicles (structural plate).
Arch DS CP ARCH Span x Rise
5 ft. x 1 ft. 9 1/2 in.
to
82 ft. x 42 ft.
For low clearance large waterway opening, and aesthetics (structural plate).
Horizontal Ellipse DS CP HOR ELLIPSE Span
7 ft. - 40 ft.
Culverts, grade separations, storm sewers, tunnels (structural plate).
Pear DS CP PEAR 1 Span
25 ft. - 30 ft.
Grade separations, culverts, storm sewers, tunnels (structural plate).
High Profile Arch DS CP HI PRO ARCH Span
25 ft. - 83 ft.
Culverts, grade separations, storm sewers and tunnels.
Ammunition magazines, earth covered storage (structural plate).
Low Profile Arch DS CP LO PRO ARCH Span
20 ft. - 83 ft.
Low-wide waterway enclosures, culverts, storm sewers (structural plate).
Box Culvert DS CP BOX CULVERT Span
10 ft. - 53 ft.
Low-wide waterway enclosures, culverts, storm sewers (structural plate).

 

Design Specifications

Agency Specification
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges-Division 1, Section 12 LRFD Bridge Design Specifications - Section 12
ASTM Standard Practice for Structural Design of Corrugated Steel Pipe, Pipe Arches, and Arches for Storm and Sanitary Sewers and Other Buried Applications - ASTM A796
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering - Section 4.9

 

Diameter for Corrugated Steel Pipe

Inside Diameter Corrugation Pattern
4" to 18" 1 1/2" x 1/4"
12" to 84" 2 2/3" x 1/2"
36" to 144" 3" x 1"
36" to 144" 5" x 1"
  • Corrugated steel pipe is usually comes in 20' and 24' lengths. But shorter or longer lengths can be provided.

 

Installation Specifications

Agency Specification
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges-Division II, Section 26 LRFD Bridge Construction Specifications
ASTM Standard Practice for Installing Factory Made Corrugated Steel Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications - ASTM A798
Standard Practice for Installing Corrugated Steel Structural Plate Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications - ASTM A807
AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering - Section 4.12
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture -
Natural Resources
Conservation Service Construction Specification Section 51 Paragraph 6 Service
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture -
Forest Service
Specification for Construction of Roads and Bridges, Section 603.04 through 603.08.
Federal Lands Highway FP92 Section 602.03, 602.05, 602.07, and 602.08

 

Material Description and Specifications

Material Group No. Description Specification
Zinc Coated
sheets & coils
Steel base metal* with 2 oz per ft2 zinc coating AASHTO M218 - ASTM A929M
Polymer Coated Sheets and Coils Polymer coatings applied to sheets* and coils* , 0,010 in. both sides AASHTO M246 - ASTM A742M
Aluminum Coated
coils - type 2
Steel base metal* coated with 1 ox. per ft2 of pure aluminum AASHTO M274 - ASTM A929M
Sewer and
Drainage Pipe
Corrugated pipe fabricated from any of the above sheets of coils. Pipe is fabricated by corrugating continious coils into helical form with lock seam or welded seam, or by rolling annular corrugated mill sheets and riveting or spot welding seams:
1. Galvanized corrugated steel pipe
2. Polymeric pre-coated sewer and drainage pipe
3. Aluminized Type 2 corrugated steel pipe
4. Structual plate pipe


AASHTO M36 - ASTM A760M
AASHTO M245 - ASTM A762M
AASHTO M274 - ASTM A760M
AASHTO M167 - ASTM A761M

Ashalt Coated Steel Sewer Pipe Corrugated steel pipe of any of the types shown above with a 0.050 in. asphalt coating AASHTO M190 - ASTM A849
Invert Paved Seel Sewer Pipe Corrugated steel pipe of any one of the types shown above;
1. Ashalt coated pipe with 0.050 in. ashpalt coating and pavement poured in the invert to cover the currgation by 1.8 in.
2. With a field applied 3 in. (3250 psi) concrete invert or 1 1/2 in. high strength (9600 psi) concrete invert.
3. With polymer material applied 0.050 in. above the crest in the invert.
AASHTO M190 - ASTM A849

ASTM A849

ASTM A849

Fully Lined Steel
Sewer Pipe
Corrugated steel pipe of the types shown above:
1. With an internal asphalt lining centrifugally spun in place.
2. With an internal concrete lining in place.
3. Corrugated steel pipe with a smooth steel liner integrally formed with the corrugated shell or.
4. Corrugated steel pipe with a single thickness of smooth sheet fabricated with helical ribs porjected outward or.
5. With concrete pavement and linings installed in the field.

AASHTO M190 - ASTM A849
AASHTO M36 - ASTM A849
AASHTO M36 - ASTM A760M

AASHTO M36 - ASTM A760M
ASTM A979M

Cold Applied Bituminous Coatings Mastic or coal tar base coating of various viscosities for field or sho coating of corrugated pipe or structural plate. AASHTO M243 - ASTM A849
Gaskets and
Sealants
1. Standard O-ring gaskets
2. Sponge neonprene sleeve gaskets
3. Gasketing strips, butyl or nioprene
4. Mastic sealant
ASTM D1056

ASTM C361

 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Abrasion Levels

Level Type Description
Level 1 Non-Abrasion No bed load regardless of velocity or storm sewer application.
Level 2 Low Abrasion Minor bed loads of sand and gravel and celocities of 5 ft/sec or less.
Level 3 Moderate Abrasion Bed loads of sand and small stone or gravel with velocities between 5 and 15 ft/sec.
Level 4 Severe Abrasion Heavy bed loads of gravel and rock with velocities exceeding 15 ft/sec.

 

Piping Designer Logo 1

Tags: Pipe Materials