Direct Design of Precast Concrete Pipe for Jacking in Trenchless Construction

ASCE 27-00: Standard Practice for Direct Design of Precast Concrete Pipe for Jacking in Trenchless Construction

For engineers and project managers involved in underground infrastructure, ensuring the integrity and longevity of precast concrete pipe under jacking conditions is paramount. ASCE 27-00 provides the essential framework for achieving this, offering an authoritative guide to the direct design of these critical components in trenchless construction. This standard equips professionals with the knowledge to design robust pipe systems that can withstand the unique stresses associated with jacking operations, thereby minimizing risks and optimizing project outcomes.

What is ASCE 27-00?

ASCE 27-00, "Standard Practice for Direct Design of Precast Concrete Pipe for Jacking in Trenchless Construction," is a seminal standard developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It establishes proven engineering principles and procedures for the direct design of precast concrete pipe specifically intended for jacking applications. Its primary purpose is to provide a rational, research-based approach to designing for the complex soil-pipe interactions and external forces inherent in trenchless installations.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive standard governs the direct design of circular precast concrete pipe used in trenchless construction for conveying sewage, industrial waste, storm water, and drainage, as well as for utilities and access ways. It details methodologies for calculating transverse loads, pressure distributions, stress analysis, and reinforcement requirements, along with considerations for axial forces generated during the jacking process. While it provides guidelines for manufacturing specifications and jacking operations, its core focus remains on the structural design of the pipe itself.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, Design Engineers, Project Managers, and Construction Engineers involved in the design and specification of underground infrastructure.
• • Industries affected: Construction, Public Works, Utilities, and Engineering Consulting firms.
• • Compliance nature: Typically recommended or contractually mandated, rather than universally mandatory by law.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is generally overseen by project owners, reviewing agencies, and through contractual requirements.

Key Requirements Overview

• • The standard requires a direct design approach that accounts for specific soil-pipe interaction phenomena encountered during jacking.
• • Professionals must ensure that the design addresses the full range of transverse loads and their distribution caused by surrounding soil conditions and the jacking process.
• • Key provisions include detailed methodologies for stress analysis and the determination of appropriate reinforcement to resist these complex loading conditions.
• • The standard also outlines considerations for axial forces generated by friction and soil resistance during pipe jacking.
• • It emphasizes the importance of designing joints and pipe sections to maintain structural integrity and watertightness under jacking stresses.

Related Standards & References

ASCE 27-00 often works in conjunction with other industry-leading standards. For instance, the AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges (specifically Section 17) provides a basis for its limit-state design procedures. Furthermore, complementary ASCE standards such as ASCE 15-98 (Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Precast Concrete Pipe Using Standard Installations) and ASCE 26-97 (Standard Practice for Design of Buried Precast Concrete Box Sections) offer related guidance for different buried pipe applications.