Longevity of Steel Pipe Culvert 1

[homerjay]

I am proposing to use a 54" diameter steel pipe as a culvert beneath a railroad. The municipality has a concern about the life of the steel pipe. The pipe is to be installed using a jack and bore method, and the pipe will be about 1/2" thick (not CMP because we must jack and bore). What if any concerns will there be of steel pipe in basiclly inert soil conveying stormwater? There may be some scour concern along the bottom of the pipe.

I am looking for documentation/recommendations that indicate such a pipe is suitable to use as a storm pipe and that it's life can be expected to be 50 - 100 years (if possible, it may not be). Galvanizing may be used, but it becomes more costly and a bit more difficult to construct when pipe sections need to be welded.

Any information or guidance is greatly appreciated.

 

[cvg]

thread338-92147

try this thread

 

[Maury]

In my opinion steel pipe is not suitable for a storm sewer, it won't hold up because of corrosion. Steel pipe will work for a casing pipe, to be jacked under the railroad, with the actual storm sewer then installed inside the casing.

If you don't want to use a casing, then use reinforced concrete jacking pipe. This pipe is constructed with a straight wall (without a bell). A steel cutting edge is mounted to the outside of the leading edge and the pipe is jacked and bored the same as a steel pipe.

 

[RCEJD]

Caltrans (State of California Department of Transportation) has several publications on the life expectancy of steel pipe and life expectancy based on corrosivity, etc.