History of Reinforced Concrete Low-Head Pressure Pipe Design

Abstract

ASTM C361, Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Low-Head Pressure Pipe, was first published in 1955. At that time and for several decades, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) published a similar document (USBR M-1, Standard Specifications for Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe) based on a similar set of design processes but with differing loading and design assumptions. Consolidation of the two standards was desired by industry and the USBR. Through improved analysis methods and further evolved rational design procedures that take into account improved material properties, the current ASTM C361 standard incorporates the present state of these design concepts and has been adopted by the USBR. The evolution of the design process is presented for user reference.