Evaluation of drainage pipe by field experimentation and supplemental laboratory experimentation : interim report No. 2.

PDFTech ReportResearch Report No. FHWA-LA-78-115Research Project No. 72-1SSLouisiana HPR 0010(001)Field testsDrainageLaboratory testsDrain pipeDurabilityMetal pipeTest sectionsSteel pipeCoatingsCorrosionGalvanized metalsLouisianaLouisiana. Department of Transportation and Development. Office of HighwaysKinchen, Richard W.Temple, William H.Lacinak, Henry W.Louisiana. Department of Transportation and Development. Office of HighwaysUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionLouisiana's Office of Highways reacts to a major problem when it attempts to shape and control drainage patterns along its right-of-ways. The Office's design engineers meet this challenge through proper section design and appropriate application of drainage structures.Perhaps the most common structure that these design engineers use is the drainage pipe-primarily concrete and metal. This study is investigating the durability properties of metal drainage pipe in Louisiana, where durability of such pipe as important as strength because of harsh environs which promote corrosion.Since 1973, eleven types of steel and aluminum test culverts have been installed at 11 test sites. Research personnel periodically inspect the full-scale culverts in the field and further evaluate field samples in the laboratory. Research personnel selected the test sites based on geographical location and on the pH and electrical resistivity values of the soil and effluent.This interim report relates field and laboratory observations concerning the condition of the test pipes after four years of in-service exposure. It was found that the asbestos-bonded, asphalt-coated, galvanized steel pipe was performing better than the other ten types of culverts in resisting corrosion. All of the coatings on the various test culverts are showing signs of distress at the highly corrosive test sites