Basic Installations for Reinforced Concrete Arch Pipe

Abstract

Beginning in 2018, the precast concrete pipe producers of the Minnesota Concrete Pipe Association (CPA) worked with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT) to update the standards for reinforced concrete arch pipe. The Minnesota DOT standard plates include steel reinforcement areas for both circumferential steel and transverse steel (stirrups) where required. The latest Minnesota DOT standards include pipe classes in accordance with AASHTO M206 (or ASTM C506) as well as some larger sizes and higher strength classes that are not included in the AASHTO standard. The reinforcement designs for these larger sizes were performed in accordance with the 8th Edition of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications and were formulated to encompass the worst of either the loads from the field installation, or the testing loads in three-edge bearing. The three-edge bearing test requirements tended to govern the required steel area for transverse reinforcement. However, the field conditions governed the extent to which the transverse reinforcement needs to extend out from the invert of the pipe.