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Installation FAQs

INSTALLATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have have questions about concrete pipe or box culverts, you're in the right spot.  If you can't find what you are looking for, though, don't hesitate to reach out and someone from the ACPA will reach out and help find you a solution.

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INSTALLATION

How much of a gap am I allowed between joints? Joints are manufactured with various geometries and tolerances, and therefore the best way to determine an acceptable joint gap is to work with the manufacturer and define the best solution that will work for your project.
What’s the tightest radius I can make with RCP? Joints are manufactured with various geometries and tolerances, and therefore the best way to determine the radius is to contact the manufacturer.
Why can’t concrete pipe and thermoplastic pipe and corrugated steel pipe be installed the same way? Concrete pipe is a rigid structure and does not behave the same as a flexible pipe (thermoplastic and corrugated steel tubes).  Concrete pipe is a rigid structure that depending on the installation type can support majority of the applied loads.  Flexible pipe is no more than a conduit that requires compacted import material to hold it in place and support the applied loads.  For rigid pipe and flexible conduits to meet the design life of a project, the bedding and backfill is designed and installed differently.
What needs to be considered when transporting and unloading concrete pipe? Each shipment of pipe is loaded, blocked and tied down at the plant to avoid damage during transit. However, it is up to the receiver to make certain, damage has not occurred in delivery from the plant to the construction site. The ACPA's Concrete Pipe & Box Culvert Installation Manual to guide contractors in the onsite handling and installation of concrete pipe.