Title: Setting the Standard In Concrete Pipe

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Publication: CIA

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Date: 2/13/2011

Abstract:
Australian Standards set out to define conditions in which concrete structures will provide the service life that is required of them, without undue maintenance. To assure the required service life for precast reinforced concrete pipe, the Australian Standards for this product, AS/NZS 4058 “Precast concrete pipes (pressure and non-pressure)” and AS/NZS 3725 “Design for installation of concrete pipes”, include specification and guidelines for manufacture, durability, design and installation. Using these Standards appropriately will result in a system that lasts in excess of 100 years. However, the Standards are independent of other codes relating to concrete structures, as these codes do not take into consideration the unique manufacturing, durability, design and installation criteria that apply to reinforced concrete pipe. In particular, durability criteria specified in standards for other types of concrete structure are tailored to practical considerations of concrete construction unrelated to the manufacture of reinforced concrete pipes, and do not correspond with rates of deterioration which have been the subject of scientific study. This paper investigates why the use of Australian Standards for the correct manufacture, design and installation of reinforced concrete pipe to achieve the durability required is necessary and should not be compromised by utilising other, non-relevant codes of practice