Installing Factory-Made Corrugated Steel Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications

A798/A798M - 13: Standard Practice for Installing Factory-Made Corrugated Steel Pipe for Sewers and Other Applications

Ensuring the long-term performance and structural integrity of buried infrastructure is paramount. For civil engineers and construction professionals tasked with installing corrugated steel pipe (CSP) for sewers and other vital applications, adhering to industry-leading practices is essential. ASTM A798/A798M - 13 provides the authoritative guidance needed to achieve robust and reliable installations, safeguarding public safety and infrastructure longevity.

What is A798/A798M - 13?

ASTM A798/A798M - 13 is a comprehensive standard practice developed by ASTM International. It outlines the essential procedures, material considerations, and soil placement techniques required for the proper installation of factory-made corrugated steel pipe and pipe-arches. This standard aims to ensure that CSP systems function as intended, leveraging the surrounding soil as an integral component of the overall structural system.

Scope & Purpose

This standard governs the installation of corrugated steel pipe and pipe-arches manufactured according to ASTM A760/A760M or A762/A762M specifications. It details best practices for both trench and embankment installations, focusing on foundation preparation, bedding, and the critical aspect of soil backfill. While the standard provides guidance on structural design principles as outlined in Practice A796/A796M, it does not cover the design calculations themselves. Safety protocols are the responsibility of the user, and specific density requirements for soil backfill must be established in project specifications.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Civil Engineers, Construction Managers, Site Supervisors, Field Technicians, and Inspectors involved in subsurface utility and infrastructure projects.
• • Industries affected: Construction, Municipal Services, Transportation, Utilities, and any sector requiring buried conduit systems.
• • Compliance nature: While not always legally mandatory, compliance is highly recommended and often contractually required by project owners and governing bodies to ensure quality and performance.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically overseen and verified by project engineers, resident inspectors, and municipal or transportation authority representatives during construction.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard lays out proven methods to ensure successful CSP installations. Key provisions include:

• • Foundation Preparation: Professionals must ensure a uniformly supportive foundation beneath the pipe, free from sharp variations and deleterious materials. Rock encountered must be properly excavated and replaced.
• • Bedding Material: The standard requires bedding materials to be free of oversized aggregates, frozen lumps, organic matter, and corrosive substances, protecting the pipe from damage.
• • Soil Backfill: It emphasizes that the soil surrounding the pipe is a critical structural element. Proper placement and compaction of backfill material are essential for the pipe's load-bearing capacity.
• • Handling and Joining: Provisions address the careful handling of CSP to prevent damage to coatings and the proper joining of pipe sections to maintain alignment and ensure watertightness.
• • Pipe-Arch Considerations: Specific guidance is provided for pipe-arches, highlighting the need for excellent soil support at their corners.

Related Standards & References

ASTM A798/A798M - 13 works in conjunction with several