Curved Alignment

Changes in direction of sewer lines are usually

Figure 1 Deflected Straight Pipe
accomplished at manhole structures. Grade and align-
ment changes in concrete pipe sewers, however, can be
incorporated into the line through the use of deflected L
straight pipe, radius pipe or specials. t L
2
DEFLECTED STRAIGHT PIPE Pull
With concrete pipe installed in straight alignment
and the joints in a home (or normal) position, the joint
Bc D
∆
space, or distance between the ends of adjacent pipe 1/2 N
sections, is essentially uniform around the periphery of
the pipe. Starting from this home position any joint may t
be opened up to the maximum permissible on one side
while the other side remains in the home position. The
difference between the home and opened joint space
is generally designated as the pull. The maximum per-
missible pull must be limited to that opening which will
provide satisfactory joint performance. This varies for R
different joint configurations and is best obtained from
the pipe manufacturer. ∆
The radius of curvature which may be obtained by 1/2 N
this method is a function of the deflection angle per joint
(joint opening), diameter of the pipe and the length of
the pipe sections.
The radius of curvature is computed by the equa-
tion:
L
R= (1)

(
2 TAN
1 ∆
2 N
)
Figure 2 Curved Alignment Using Deflected

Straight Pipe
where:
R = radius of curvature, feet
L = length of pipe sections measured along
the centerline, feet ∆
P.I.
∆ = total deflection angle of curve, degrees ∆
/N
N = number of pipe with pulled joints ∆
/N
∆ = total deflection of each pipe, degrees L
∆
/N
N
∆
1 D /N
From Figure 1, the deflection angle is further
L

2 N
2

defined as: .
C ∆
/N
P.
P.

1 ∆ = SIN-1 PULL or SIN-1 PULL (2)

T.

2 N 2(D + 2t) 2Bc al f ∆/

m o N
RA

or ion g ∆/
where: N ct in
DI

N
ire y
US

∆
PULL = joint opening, inches D La
D = inside pipe diameter, inches
t = wall thickness, inches
Bc = outside pipe diameter, inches

American Concrete Pipe Association • (972) 506-7216 • FAX (972) 506-7682 • www.concrete-pipe.org 
© November 2002 ACPA Design Data 21
 The joint opening and pipe length required to provide
a curved pipeline alignment may be calculated using = total deflection angle of curve, degrees
the unit values found in Table 1 on page 3. The table N = number of radius pipe
tabulates the radius of a pipeline constructed of stan- L = standard pipe length being used, feet
dard eight-foot laying length pipe with a 1/2-inch joint = total deflection angle of each pipe
opening (PULL). Other pipeline radii may be calculated N
by changing, first, the joint opening, and if necessary, From Figure 3, the radius of curvature can be expressed
the pipe laying length. An eight-foot laying length is in terms of the drop and is given by the equation:
standard for most concrete pipe manufacturers. Other

( )
lengths may require special manufacturing procedures. = +
L(D total
2t) deflection
D angle of curve, degrees
Changes in the design radius are directly proportional to R =N = number - of +radius
t pipe (6)
DROP 2
the pipe laying length and inversely proportional to the L = standard pipe length being used, feet
joint opening. The specific pull per pipe joint is found by
the equation: ( L
R =NBc= total
DROP 2 )
-1
deflection angle of each pipe (7)

PULLx = ( ) ( )(
Lx
L8
Ru
Rx
PULL8 ) (3)
From Figure 3, the radius
DROP
in terms = drop
of the
LBc of curvature can be expressed
R+andB is given by the equation:
c/2
(8)
Rx = (Lx/L8)(PULL8/PULLx) Ru (4) where:

where: Bc = outside diameter of the pipe, feet
PULL = the joint opening
Figure 5 presents R/Bc ratios for drops from one
Ru = the Unit Radius (Taken from Table 1) inch through 15 inches and commonly manufactured
Lx = Length of deflected pipe pipe lengths. Since the maximum permissible drop
for any given pipe is dependent on manufacturing
Specific radii may be calculated by the following pro- feasibility, it is essential to coordinate the design of
cedure: radius pipe with the pipe manufacturer. Many manu-
• Select the unit radius of curvature for the speci- facturers have standardized joint configurations and
fied diameter pipe from the chart. deflections for specific radii and economics may be
• Increase or decrease the joint opening (PULL) realized by utilizing standard radius pipe.
in Equation 1 to obtain the design radius. If the As illustrated in Figure 4, when concrete pipe is
required joint opening exceeds the pipe manu- installed on curved alignment using radius pipe, the
facturers recommendations, select a pipe with a pipe sections are oriented such that the plane of the
shorter laying length. Four and six foot are com- dropped joint is tangent to the theoretical circular curve.
mon non-standard pipe lengths. Check with the Projection of the joints do not converge at a common
pipe manufacturer for availability of non-standard point, but are tangents to a common circle of diameter
lengths. equal to the length of pipe sections. The point of curve
• Recalculate the pull for the shorter pipe. (P.C.) is at the midpoint of the last straight pipe and the
As illustrated in Figure 2, when concrete pipe is installed point of tangent (P.T.) is one half of the standard pipe
on curved alignment using deflected straight pipe, the length back from the straight end of the last radius pipe.
point of curve (P.C.) is at the midpoint of the last unde- The required number of pieces of radius pipe is equal
flected pipe section and the point of tangent (P.T.) is at to the length of the circular curve in feet divided by the
the midpoint of the last pulled pipe. centerline length of the radius pipe (L-1/2 DROP). Where
RADIUS PIPE possible, minor modifications in the radius are normally
Radius pipe, also referred to as bevelled or mitered pipe, made so this quotient will be a whole number.
incorporates the deflection angle into the pipe joint. The Minimum radius of curvature obtained from equa-
pipe is manufactured by shortening one side of the pipe. tions (1) and (5) are approximate, but are within a range
The amount of shortening or drop for any given pipe is of accuracy that will enable the pipe to be readily installed
dependent on manufacturing feasibility. Because of the to fit the required alignment. A reasonable amount of field
possibility of greater deflection angles per joint, sharper adjustment is possible for radius pipe by pulling the joints
curvature with correspondingly shorter radii can be ob- in the same manner as with deflected straight pipe.
tained with radius pipe than with deflected straight pipe. BENDS AND SPECIAL SECTIONS
As in the case of deflected straight pipe, the radius of Special precast sections can be used for extremely
curvature which may be obtained by radius pipe is a short radius curves which cannot be negotiated with
function of the deflection angle per joint, diameter of the either deflected straight pipe or with conventional radius
pipe, length of pipe sections and wall thickness. pipe. Sharper curves can be handled by using special
The radius of curvature is computed by the equation: short lengths of radius pipe rather than standard lengths.

( )
L D These may be computed in accordance with the methods
R= - +t (5) discussed for radius pipe. Certain types of manufactur-
∆ 2 ing processes permit the use of a dropped joint on both
TAN
N
where:
 American Concrete Pipe Association • (972) 506-7216 • FAX (972) 506-7682 • www.concrete-pipe.org
Design Data 21
ends of the pipe, which effectively doubles the deflection. radius of curvature for a 1/2-inch pull is 408
Special bends, or elbows can be manufactured to meet feet. The required pull for 170 feet is:
any required deflection angle and some manufacturers
produce standard bends which provide given angular
deflection per section.
One or more of these methods may be employed to
meet the most severe alignment requirements. Since


PULLX = (7.58 )(408
170)( )
1/2 = 1.125"

To evaluate the required drop for radius pipe

manufacturing processes and local standards vary, to negotiate the roadway curvature, it is first
local concrete pipe manufacturers should be con- necessary to calculate the R/Bc ratio:
sulted to determine the availability and geometric
R = 170 =
configuration of special sections. 40
Bc 4.25
The following example illustrates proper use of the
Tables and Figures.
Enter Figure 5 on the vertical scale at R/Bc 40.
Given: A 42-inch diameter concrete pipe storm Proceed horizontally until the line represent-
sewer is to be installed on curved alignment ing L = 7.5 feet is intersected. At this point the
corresponding to the roadway curvature. horizontal scale shows the required drop to be
The pipe will be manufactured in 7-1/2 foot 2.2 inches. Or
lengths with a 4-1/2-inch wall thickness. The
(7.5) (4.25)
curve data for the roadway curb is: Drop = = 0.185 ft. = 2.2 in.
point of intersection station P.I. = 50+00 170 + 4.25/2
point of curve station P.C. = 49+29.6
point of tangent station P.T. = 50+63.1 Answer: Radius pipe with a 2-1/4-inch drop would be
total deflection angle ∆ = 45° required. It is important to consult local
radius of curvature R = 170 feet concrete pipe manufacturers to determine
the feasibility of manufacturing a 42-inch
Find: The required pull per joint for deflected straight diameter pipe with the required drop.
pipe or the required drop for radius pipe.
Solution: From Table 1, for a 42-inch diameter pipe, the

Figure 3 Radius Pipe Figure 4 Curved Alignment Using Radius Pipe

L L
L
2
t

D ∆
P.C.
L

∆
2

t N
T.

DROP
P.

Radius
yin n
La tio
g

∆ True
of irec

Radius
D

L Point
t
R 90 +
∆ L
N 2
90 D
Projection of joints
do not converge at
∆ Drop common point, but
N Common method of are tangents to a
common circle
manufacturing radius pipe. whose diameter
is equal to pipe length.

Table 1 Unit Radius of Curature For 8-Foot Straight Deflected Pipe With 1” Pull
Size 12 15 18 20 24 27 30 33 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96
Radius 128 156 184 212 240 268 286 364 352 408 464 520 576 632 688 744 780 856 912

American Concrete Pipe Association • (972) 506-7216 • FAX (972) 506-7682 • www.concrete-pipe.org 
Design Data 21
 Figure 5 Radius of Curature For Radius Pipe
100
90

80

Le
ng
th
70

L
=
16
'
60

12
'
10
50

'
8' .5'
7

40
6'
4'

30

20
R/Bc Ratio

Outside
Inside Diameter
Diameter Bc, Feet
D, Inches B wall
24 2.50
27 2.79
30 3.08
33 3.38
36 3.67
10 42 4.25
48 4.83
9 54 5.42
60 6.00
8 66 6.58
72 7.17
7 78 7.75
84 8.83
90 8.92
6 96 9.50
102 10.08
108 10.67
5 114 11.08
120 11.67
132 12.83
144 14.00
4

3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Drop in Inches

 American Concrete Pipe Association • (972) 506-7216 • FAX (972) 506-7682 • www.concrete-pipe.org
Design Data 21 DD-21 (11/2002) 500 Printed in U.S.A.
Technical data herein are considered reliable, but no guarantee is made or liability assumed.