CE 133

Geosynthetics in
Geotechnical
Engineering
 Chapter 05
GEOPIPES
(aka Plastic Pipes)
Definition
Geopipes, also known as “Plastic
Pipes”, is a tubular section made of plastic
placed beneath the ground surface. It is
usually of circular cross-section used
mainly to convey substances which can
flow – liquids and gases (fluids), slurries,
powders and masses of small solid. It can
also be used for structural applications
and hollow pipes are far stiffer per unit
weight than solid members.
Geopipes
Polymer Resins Used in the Fabrication of
Plastic Pipe:

• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polybutylene (PB)
• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
• Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (CAB)
GEOPIPES (Plastic Pipes)
History
• Historically, many market sectors have
relied on metal, concrete, and clay for pipe
products.

• Western Europe became the driving force

behind the implementation of plastics in
pipe systems after the Second World War.
History
The availability of low-cost
"thermoplastics," combined with an
enormous need for infrastructure
replacement, led to a huge increase in the
use of polymers. While these early
thermoplastics could not compete with
traditional iron and steel pipe, that is no
longer the case, with today’s plastics
offering outstanding economic and
environmental opportunities.
 History

Pipes made from polymeric materials are

classified as “flexible” and are deflection
governed as far as their mechanical behavior is
concerned. It is also one of the very first
polymer materials manufactured and used to a
wide extent.
Uses
• As highways, railway and airfield edge – and under-
drains
• As seepage drains in tunnels
• As pore water drains behind retaining walls
• As interceptor drains in seeping soil and rock slopes
• As interceptor drains for groundwater seepage
• For dewatering projects
• In fluid transmission lines by gravity
• In force transmission line under pressure
• In waste water drainage systems
• For piping in leach fields of various types
• In chemical transmission pipelines
 Uses

• In pipe risers in landfill sidewalls

• In pipe manifold systems for landfill gas collection and
removal
• In pipe manifold systems for leachate reinjection into
landfills
• In surface water removal systems in landfill covers
• Fro dredging pipelines
• In primary leachate removal system in landfills and
waste piles
• In secondary leachate removal system in landfills and
waste piles
 Geopipes

They are being used at a tremendously

increasing rate because they offer the user many
significant advantages.

1. Low initial cost

2. Light-weight
3. Easy to install and to join together
4. Numerous prefabricated appurtenances
5. Excellent flow regime and durability
 Geopipes

As with all pipe materials, there are number of

potential failure modes of geopipe that must be assessed
by the design engineer.

• Excessive pipe deflection due to improper backfilling

• Seam separation of joined pipe ends due to ring
compression stress
• Wall crushing due to high overburden stress
• Wall buckling due to external pressure and/or internal
vacuum
 Geopipes

As with all pipe materials, there are number of

potential failure modes of geopipe that must be assessed
by the design engineer.

• Impact cracking pipe in extremely cold environments

• Stress cracking, both slow crack growth and rapid
crack propagation
• Melting or burning due to accidental or intentionally
set fires.
 Chapter 05
Properties and
Test Methods
Physical Properties
 Physical Properties
Wall Thickness
The thickness of smooth wall-constant thickness
can be measure according to ASTM D2122. It is a
straightforward measurement that uses a caliper accurate
to 0.02 mm. The value reported is the minimum wall
thickness pipe at any cross section.

Diameter
Plastic pipes are generally measured by their
outside diameter. The average outside diameter and its
tolerance is based on its nominal size of the pipe.
 Physical Properties
Standard Dimension Ratio

Density
The density or the specific gravity of a pipe is
dependent upon the base polymer. Recognize, however,
that there are distinct ranges of density within of each
polymer type. The range for polymers used to
manufacture plastic pipe falls within the general limits of
0.85 to 1.5.
 Physical Properties
Vapor Transmission
Liquids within a pipe can diffuse through the wall
pipe via vapor diffusion and recondense on the other
side. For thermoplastic materials of the type and
thickness of geopipes, the value will generally be
extremely small.

Polymer Identification
By experience or can sometimes be made by
putting a flame to the sample and noting it’s behavior
during and after it burns.
Mechanical
Properties
 Mechanical Properties
Concentrated Line Load Test
Determination of External Loading Characteristics by
Parallel-Plate Loading
A short (150 mm) length of pipe is placed
between parallel steel plates and loaded in compression
to a given deflection or until failure.

P = Pipe Deflection (%)

y = measured changed of inside diameter (deflection)(m)
d = initial inside of pipe diameter (m)
 Mechanical Properties
Concentrated Line Load Test
PS = Pipe Stiffness (kPa)
F = force per unit length of pipe (Kn/m)
y = deflection (m)

SF = stiffness factor (kPa.m^3)

r = midwall radius (m)
 Mechanical Properties
Concentrated Line Load Test
 Mechanical Properties
Distributed Load Test
 Mechanical Properties
Distributed Load Test
 Mechanical Properties
Distributed Load Test

• Hydrostatic Pressure test

This test method consists of taking capped
sections of pipes having length that are fives the diameter
of the pipe ( pipes less than or equal 150 mm) and three
times ( for pipes greater than 150 mm in diameter) and
immersing them in a water bath at a constant
temperature of 23 degrees, or as otherwise agreed upon.
The pipes are filled with water and pressurized according
to agreed-upon sequences.
 Mechanical Properties
Distributed Load Test
• Hydrostatic Pressure test
The hoop stress in the pipe is calculated as
follows;

S = hydrostatic design stress (MPa)

P = internal pressure rating that includes a factor of safety
(Mpa)
D = average outside diameter (mm)
t = minimum wall thickness (mm)
Mechanical Properties

Sustained Load (Creep) Resistance

Anyone of the mechanical tests just
described can be modified to sustain a constant
load, and thus the pipe can be forced into creep
mode
Stress Crack Resistance
Since the plastics used for many types of flexible pipes
are semicrystalline (e.g., polyethylene and
polypropylene), there is a propensity for a brittle type
failure, which is called environmental stress cracking or
simply stress cracking.

Environmental stress cracking in plastics means the

failure at room temperature due to continuously acting
external and/or internal stresses in the presence of
surface active substances (known as stress cracking
agents) such as alcohols, soaps, dyes, and agents
containing moisture.
Stress Crack Resistance
Environmental stress cracking test

Specimens are inspected periodically for failure. Cracks

generally develop at the notch, perpendicular to the
notch, and run to the edge of the specimen. Any cracks
constitute failure, not just cracks that reach the edge of
the specimen. Cracks sometimes appear beneath the
surface and are visible as surface depressions. If a
depression develops into a surface crack the time at
which the depression was noted is taken as the time of
failure.
Fatigue Resistance
For plastic type subjected to cyclic loading, fatigue
failure of the pipe or of its joints might be of concern.
Obviously, the frequency, amplitude, wave form, and so
on must be mutually agreed by the parties involved.
Impact Resistance
There have been known brittle failures of plastic pipe
due to impact loads, resulting in shattered pipe.

Test methods
• ASTM D256, “Impact Resistance of Plastics and
Electrical Insulating Materials”
 Izod Impact Test
 Charpy Impact Test
• ASTM D2444, “Impact Resistance of Thermoplastic
Pipe and Fittings by Means of a Tup (Falling Weight)”
Impact Resistance
Abrasion Resistance
The external abrasion of geopipes is not considered to
be concern for most situations of static loads on or within
stable backfill soils. For exposed pipes or water-
submerged pipes, problems could certainly exist.

The internal abrasion of geopipes, however, does occur.

Slurry pipelines, used to convey solid particulates like
dredged soil materials are applications where moving
particles will cause abrasion.
Connection Tests
As with most geosynthetic materials, the connections
between separate geopipes sections can be the weak
link of the completed pipe system.

Test method:
• ASTM D3212
Chemical Properties
Swelling Resistance
The test for liquid absorption and the monitoring of the
amount of swelling of a plastic material is a standard test
(ASTM D570 - Standard Test Method for Water
Absorption of Plastics).
Swelling Resistance
ASTM D570 - Standard Test Method for Water
Absorption of Plastics

Specimen size:
Two inch diameter disks, 0.125" or 0.250" thick.

Test Procedure:
For the water absorption test, the specimens are dried in
an oven for a specified time and temperature and then
placed in a desiccator to cool. Immediately upon cooling
the specimens are weighed. The material is then
emerged in water at agreed upon conditions, often 23°C
for 24 hours or until equilibrium. Specimens are
removed, patted dry with a lint free cloth, and weighed.
Swelling Resistance
ASTM D570 - Standard Test Method for Water
Absorption of Plastics

Data:
Water absorption is expressed as increase in weight
percent.
Percent Water Absorption = [(Wet weight - Dry weight)/
Dry weight] x 100
Chemical Resistance
Most manufacturers have a good database on the
chemical resistance of their pipe materials to commonly
conveyed liquids. Heterogeneous liquids, like landfill
leachates and heap leach chemicals, however, can be
somewhat problematic.
Chemical Resistance
ASTM D543

Specimen size:
Specimens are by the agreement of those concerned
and may include tensile bars, disks, flex bars etc.

Test Procedure:
Multiple specimens, at least 5, are typically used for
each material/chemical/time/strain condition. Specimens
can be weighed and measured prior to contact with the
chemical reagent. To simulate end use stress in the test
samples, strain jigs designed for ASTM izod bars or
ASTM Type I tensile bars are used.
Chemical Resistance
ASTM D543

Test Procedure (continuation):

Depending upon the type of contact anticipated for the
test sample, the exposure to the chemical agent could
be immersion, wipe, spray, or saturated gauze. The test
samples are then sealed in a container, and either left at
room temperature or placed in an oven. After the agreed
upon period of time, the specimens are removed and
evaluated for desired properties such as change in
weight, appearance or tensile properties vs. controls.
The most typical physical strength properties evaluated
are tensile strength and elongation.
Chemical Resistance
ASTM D543

Data:
Reports often include visual evidence of decomposition,
swelling, clouding, crazing, cracking, and/or change in
physical properties such as tensile strength and
elongation.
Ultraviolet Light Resistance
All plastics will suffer from ultraviolet degradation if left
exposed to sunlight for long enough. Thus, with timely
cover, geopipes (with properly formulated compounding
materials including antioxidat and carbon black) should
not be of concern as far as ultraviolet degration is
concerned.

Outdoor Tests
• ASTM D4355, “Deterioration of Geotextiles from
exposure to Ultraviolet Light ad Water (Xenon-Arc
Type Apparatus)
• ASTM G53, “Operating Light and Water Exposure
Apparatus (Fluorescent UV-Condensation Type)
Thermal Properties
Thermal Properties
The coefficient of thermal expansion is important in
geopipes. If temperatures are allowed to fluctuate, the
pipe will go into either compression (for cold
temperatures) or expansion (for warm temperatures). In
case of compression, tensile stress buildup at the
connections may be of concern. For expansion, side wall
pressures and the accommodation of the extra length
may be of concern. These are all very much site
conditions.
Construction
Methods
These are the Construction Methods
used in Geopipes:

1. Subgrade Preparation

2. Connections

3. Placement

4. Backfilling Operations
 1. SUBGRADE PREPARATION
Plastic Pipe is usually placed in a prepared
trench or within other prepared subgrade materials. If
soil is the subgrade, as it usually is, the compaction
should be 95% of Standard Proctor compaction so as to
minimize the deformation of the pipe in service.
Pipe trenches are often overexcavated so that bedding
soil of cohesionless nature can bring the grade up to
the plan elevation. Sufficient trench length should be
available such that pipe laying can continue in a
uniform manner. Decisions related to such factors
(stability and sloughing) will depend greatly on:
1. soil type
2. depth of trench
.
If the pipe is to be placed directly on a
geomembrane ( as in the leachate system), the
full depth drainage stone should be placed
before pipe installation. Small excavations of at
least the diameter of the pipe are then made,
and then the pipe is placed in these shallow
excavations.
Underground Installation Methods for Plastic
Pipes by various organizations:
1. ASTM D2774 Underground Installation of
Thermoplastic Pressure Piping
2. ASTM F481 Standard Practice for
Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
3. AWWA M23 PVC Pipe Design and
Installation
4. PPI TR8 Installation Procedures for
Polyethelyne Plastic Pipe
5. PPI TR31 Underground Installation of
Polyolefin Piping
2. CONNECTIONS
These are the 4 methods in Geopipe
End Connections

1. Butt welding method is used for

thick-walled HDPE pipe and is exactly
the same as that used in the natural gas
pipe industry (ASTM D2657)
2. Electric-socket welding is similar to
butt welding. In contrast, PVC pipe is
usually chemically seamed using a
solvent on the pipe ends before
pressure joining them together
(ASTMD2672)
3. Screw connection - can only be made if the
plastic pipe thickness is adequate to form or
machine the pipe ends to accept one another.
To make a tight connection, gaskets are
sometimes used, which reside in slotted seats
of the thicker section of the connection. To
make a leak-free connection it is possible to
extrusion seam the outside separation for
smaller diameter pipe and the inside for very
large diameter pipe.
4. Sleeve couplings - are used to connect the
ends of all profiled wall pipe and some solid
wall pipe. Each of these couplings must be
mated to the type of pipe for which they are
designed.
4. PLACEMENT

The placement of plastic pipe in a prepared

trench, after it has been seamed into an
essentially continuous length, is very rapid
and straightforward. The major considerations
that must be addressed is ambient
temperature. Plastic pipe will expand and
contract in direct relationship to the
temperature and the pipe’s material
coefficient of linear expansion or contraction.
5. BACKFILLING OPERATIONS
1. Primary backfill -is important and requires special
care in its placement in the haunch areas beneath the
pipe

-usually granular soil with adequate fines to provide

good placement stability

- if soil is not placed beneath the pipe, there will be

voids, and when the pipes will be loaded, the voids will
cause the pipe to deform

-the backfill soil cannot contain oversized materials

2. secondary backfill
- provides support and load transfer to the top
of the pipe and support for the subsequent
backing operations
- the soil type is often one grade class lower
than the primary backfill
- the thickness of this layer should be at least
half of the diameter of the pipe itself and
preferably equal to the diameter
-can be mechanized but never on a lift
thickness less than 300mm
 GEOGRIDS
APPLICATIONS,
CASE STUDIES
GEOPIPE APPLICATIONS
I. AGRICULTURE & IRRIGATION

 Flood Irrigation (Suction & Delivery

pipes in pump sets)
 Sprinkler Irrigation (Crops, Lawns, Golf
course, Gardens)
 Drip irrigation(Plantations, Orchards,
Nurseries)
GEOPIPE APPLICATIONS
II. WATER SUPPLY

 Potable water supply

 Water mains
 Distribution
 Service Pipes
GEOPIPE APPLICATIONS
III. SEWAGE & INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT
DISPOSAL

 Domestic Sewage System

 Sanitary System
 Petrochemical Industry
 Fertilizer Industry
GEOPIPE APPLICATIONS
IV. DUCTING

 Air-conditioning & Refrigeration

 Extraction of Fumes
 Telecommunication, as conduits for OFC

V. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

 Conduits for Cables

GEOPIPE APPLICATIONS
V. DRAINAGE PIPES

 Surface & Rain water

 Waste Water Mains
 Sub-soil water
Lake Oswego Submerged Gravity Flow Pipeline
THE PROJECT
More than 40 years ago, the city of Lake
Oswego, Oregon constructed a Lake Interceptor
Sanitary Sewer system from concrete and cast iron
pipe. More than 90 percent of this piping lay within
Oswego Lake and its associated bays and canals. After
nearly half a century of serving the Lake Oswego
community, the system needed to be upgraded and
expanded to cover additional acreage for the city’s
growing population. After receiving recommendation
from the city’s engineers, Lake Oswego chose to
replace the existing submerged gravity flow pipeline
rather than to install the pipeline around the lake.
Lake Oswego Submerged Gravity Flow Pipeline
THE SPECIFICATIONS
Performance Pipe provided 10,800 feet of 42-
inch for the main sewer line, 8,000 feet of 30 inch for
the buoyancy float pipe, and 2,000 feet of 24- and 22-
inch pipe for laterals, of high density polyethylene pipe
(HDPE). This new system is engineered to resist
corrosion, withstand earthquake impacts and endure
drought and flood conditions for more than 100 years.
It combined pile-supported pipe with a submerged,
buoyant, gravity-flow pipeline; Performance Pipe
provided materials for all project aspects, including the
main sewer line, the buoyancy float pipe, laterals and
pipe support cradles for storage and transit.
Lake Oswego Submerged Gravity Flow Pipeline
THE SOLUTION
Performance Pipe’s HDPE pipe was selected
for the project based on its flexibility, resistance to
corrosion and leak‐free reliability. The new interceptor
is the first of its kind that utilizes a submerged HDPE
pipe held under the lake’s surface by ground anchors
for conveyance of wastewater. Custom-measured and
fabricated stainless steel tethers connect the ground
anchors to tether brackets that hold the main pipe and
additional buoyancy pipe in place at specified grades to
allow wastewater to flow by gravity to the wastewater
treatment plant.
Lake Oswego Submerged Gravity Flow Pipeline
THE BENEFITS
Compared to other options considered by the
city, the price tag for the in‐lake system using HDPE was
approximately $20 million less than an around‐the‐lake
pumped system. Additionally, the overall
environmental impact of this project is much lower
than many projects of a similar scale. Using the gravity-
flow pipeline consumed fewer natural resources for
construction and will take less energy to operate, which
in turn creates a smaller carbon footprint for the
system.
Palo Alto Water Distribution System Upgrades
THE PROJECT

The City of Palo Alto used HDPE for the first

time in 2008 to rehabilitate their aging water
distribution system. By replacing pipelines and
expanding the current infrastructure, the City of Palo
Alto could provide a leak-free water system with
additional capacity. Each year, the city replaces an
average of three miles of their water system as
portions of the pipelines reach the end of their useful
lives.
Palo Alto Water Distribution System Upgrades
THE SPECIFICATIONS

For the expansion and replacement of the

system, Performance Pipe provided 33,500 feet of 8-12
inch mains. The city decided to use HDPE as the
replacement material because of their previous
successes with polyethylene in their gas distribution
system and the durability of the material. The pipe
would be installed using a combination of open cut and
horizontal directional drilling (HDD) methods.
Palo Alto Water Distribution System Upgrades
THE SOLUTION
Performance Pipe manufactured the
necessary 8-, 10- and 12-inch high density pipe for the
pipeline project. The city, because of its experience
with using polyethylene in its gas distribution system,
was looking forward to the opportunity to install a
fused system using HDD construction techniques. “In a
recent leak survey of the entire gas system we found
zero leaks on PE mains.” By choosing HDPE pipe, Palo
Alto was able to increase the strength of the system,
reduce the possibility of leaking at joints, and limit
future maintenance activity while reducing installed
cost by utilizing HDD.
Palo Alto Water Distribution System Upgrades
THE SATISFIED CUSTOMER

Both the workers with the City of Palo Alto

and the third-party contractors commented on the
ease of installation of the HDPE provided by
Performance Pipe. Because of this, and the willingness
of Performance Pipe and their manufacturers to work
with the city on overcoming design obstacles, the city
plans to completely replace future water systems
rather than connect to existing service lines made of
other materials.
City of Tallahassee HOBAS Pipe Replacement
THE PROJECT

In August 2008, Tropical Storm Fay hit

Tallahassee, causing widespread flooding and causing
over 14-inches of rain to spill into sewage pump station
basins. This massive storm created dramatic flow
increases, pump failures and power fluctuations
resulting in three main breaks in a two-mile section of
the Force Main beneath the Capital Circle Roadway.
City of Tallahassee HOBAS Pipe Replacement
THE SPECIFICATIONS

The city wanted a repair solution that would a)

minimize traffic disruption to the heavily trafficked
Tallahassee roadway, b) avoid pump upgrades at the
existing upstream lift stations and c) maximize the
hydraulic carrying capacity of the repaired section. Pipe
bursting trenchless repair was the most logical choice;
however bursting HOBAS piping had never been
attempted before.
City of Tallahassee HOBAS Pipe Replacement
THE SOLUTION

To withstand the pipe bursting installation

methods, Performance Pipe’s PE 4710 36-inch DIPS DR
13.5 was selected as the pipe material based on its
increased density, high tensile strength, and high
resistance to slow crack growth. A 280-foot pipe
bursting pilot project was conducted to ensure the
viability of the process. Upon successful completion of
the pilot project, Performance Pipe provided an
additional 7,400 linear feet of pipe to complete the
repair.
City of Tallahassee HOBAS Pipe Replacement
THE BENEFITS
This project demonstrated that large diameter
HOBAS piping can be successfully replaced through
pipe bursting construction methods. The benefits of
utilizing pipe bursting repair methods when compared
to traditional open cut installation included: reduced
design time, reduced construction time, minimal
disruption to traffic and local businesses, minimal
excavation and restoration of the existing roadway, and
reduced construction costs. By utilizing Performance
Pipe’s 36-inch DIPS 13.5 PE 4710 pipe and the pipe
bursting method, the city realized a $250,000 cost
savings for the two mile project.