CONCRETE SANITARY SEWER PIPES AND MANHOLES FEATURING A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC LINER

Abstract

A prefabricated composite concrete element for use in a corrosive sewer environment. The concrete element has a hollow reinforced cast concrete portion with at least one end having connection details, a premolded corrosion resistant inner plastic liner. The plastic liner lines an interior of the hollow concrete element and the connection details to provide abutting liner faces in an assembled joint to limit exposure through said joint of said concrete portion to corrosive materials arising in said sewer environment. At least two prefabricated composite concrete elements may be assembled end to end at a joint to form a concrete sewer system. Also disclosed are a method of prefabricating such a composite concrete element.

Claims

1. A prefabricated composite concrete element for use in a corrosive sewer environment, said concrete element comprising: a hollow reinforced cast concrete portion with at least one end having connection details; and a premolded corrosion resistant inner plastic liner; wherein said plastic liner lines an interior of said hollow concrete element and said connection details to provide abutting liner faces in an assembled joint to limit exposure through said joint of said concrete portion to corrosive materials arising in said sewer environment.

2. The prefabricated composite concrete element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connection detail includes a notch formed in an end of said concrete portion and said liner extends at least partly into said notch.

3. The prefabricated composite concrete element of claim 1, wherein said connection details are formed on both ends of said concrete portion.

4. The prefabricated composite concrete element of claim 3, wherein said connection details include an outer notch formed at one end of said concrete portion and an inner notch formed at the other end of said concrete portion, wherein at least part of each notch is covered by said liner.

5. The prefabricated composite concrete element of claim 4, wherein said inner notch defines a lined end shoulder, wherein said lined end shoulder is sized and shaped to fit into an abutting lined outer notch of an adjacent element.

6. A concrete sewer system comprising at least two prefabricated composite concrete elements assembled end to end at a joint, each of said at least two prefabricated composite concrete elements comprising: an outer reinforced cast concrete portion; a connection detail at one or both ends of said composite concrete element; and a continuous inner plastic liner defining a corrosion resistant throughbore for transporting wastewater; wherein each said continuous plastic liner lines an interior of said outer reinforced cast concrete portion and conforms to said connection details to permit said assembled concrete elements to form a liner to liner contact face in said joint; and wherein said liner to liner contact face permits said joint to be sealed to contain corrosive elements within said throughbore.

7. The concrete sewer system of claim 6, wherein said joint is sealed with a corrosion proof gasket which is positioned between the respective liners of the assembled concrete elements at said liner to liner contact face.

8. The concrete sewer system of claim 6, wherein the joint is sealed at said liner to liner contact face with an interference fit between the plastic liners of abutting concrete elements.

9. The concrete sewer system of claim 8, wherein the interference fit causes some deformation of the respective liners of the assembled elements to ensure a tight seal between said liners at said joint.

10. The concrete sewer system of claim 9, wherein said interference fit includes providing a taper on one or both of said liners to facilitate said interference fit and tight seal.

11. A method of prefabricating a composite concrete element for a wastewater system, said method comprising the steps of: positioning an outer mold element to define an outer concrete surface of said composite concrete element; positioning a preformed inner plastic liner to define an interior surface of said composite concrete element, said preformed inner plastic liner at least partially further defining end connection details of said composite concrete element, and creating a casting void between said outer mold element and said preformed inner plastic liner; providing at least one inner mold element to support said preformed inner plastic liner in position during concrete casting; filling said casting void with concrete and allowing said concrete to set to form a cast composite concrete element; removing said at least one inner mold element, and then removing said cast composite concrete element from said outer mold element; and curing said cast composite concrete element to form said cured composite concrete element.

12. The method of prefabricating a composite concrete element as claimed in claim 11, further including the steps of providing concrete injection ports in said outer mold element and injecting concrete through said injection ports to fill said casting void formed between said outer mold element and said plastic liner.

13. The method of prefabricating a composite concrete element as claimed in claim 11, further including proving molding blocks to support the preformed liner in position during casting of the concrete.

14. The method of prefabricating a composite concrete element as claimed in claim 13, further including providing a hydraulic ram to position at least one of said molding blocks to support the preformed liner during casting and to withdraw said molding block during said mold removal step.

15. The method of prefabricating a composite concrete element as claimed in claim 11, further including the step of producing the composite concrete elements within a mass production facility at controlled conditions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the invention with reference, by way of example only, to the following drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a composite concrete element according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing connection details at both ends;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the composite concrete element of FIG. 1 in a casting position according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing connection details at one end;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the composite concrete element of FIG. 1 assembled together with the composite concrete element of FIG. 3;

[0040] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of three of the composite concrete elements of FIG. 1 assembled together in a field installation position;

[0041] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention showing self-lubricating gasket in a joint between two composite concrete elements about to be assembled together;

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the joint of FIG. 6 after the two composite concrete elements are assembled together;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a joint between two composite concrete elements according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a composite concrete element with a tapered top according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a flat cap for use with the composite concrete element with tapered top of FIG. 9, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0046] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a second anchor configuration between the cast concrete and the liner according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The present invention is described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof as shown in the appended drawings. While the present invention is described below including preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional implementations, modifications, and embodiments which are within the scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed herein.

[0048] A corrosion resistant, composite concrete element 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. Most preferably the composite concrete element 12 is precast in a controlled factory environment. The composite concrete element 12 may be dimensioned to be a pipe, or a manhole product, such as a manhole base or riser. In general, the configuration of the connection elements formed into one or both ends of the composite concrete element 12 will be similar, with the length of the body varying according to whether it is a long pipe or a short riser for example. In this specification, the term connection details refers to the configuration of the attachment ends of each composite concrete element 12, which configuration includes complementary shapes to allow one composite concrete element 12 to be assembled to the next composite concrete element 12 in an interlocking, or nesting manner. In some cases, the connection details may take the form of a bell and spigot configuration. Further, it will be understood that the present invention comprehends that the composite concrete element 12 can be any shape, and have any suitable dimensions. Although most commonly the composite concrete element 12 will be circular in cross-section, it can also be precast into a rectangular or square cross-sectional configuration of any predetermined cross-sectional area to suit the desired end application. Such a flexibility in shape and design according to the present invention arises from the preferred manufacturing method as described in more detail below.

[0049] The composite concrete element 12 includes a hollow reinforced concrete portion 14, which constitutes the bulk of the composite concrete element 12, and a liner portion 16. The concrete portion 14 is preferably formed from a concrete which is best suited for use in a wastewater or sewer system. Most preferably low slump high strength concrete is used which may include certain additives to enhance the strength or workability of the concrete such as water reducing agents, air entrainment and super plasticizers. The concrete is preferably cast in a mold and around reinforcing bars 13, which may be formed into a cage, for providing tensile strength to the composite concrete element 12 in a known manner. The size, amount, shape and location of the reinforcing bars 13 will vary depending upon the size, shape and intended application of the composite concrete element 12, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. As shown, the concrete portion 14 has a top end 18 and a bottom end 20. The connection details include a top notch 22 formed at the top end 18 facing an outside face 24 of the composite concrete element 12, and a bottom notch 26 formed at the bottom end 20 facing an inside face 29 of the concrete portion 14.

[0050] The liner portion 16 is preferably formed in advance from plastic, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in a separate molding step. A preferred plastic is one which is substantially chemically resistant to the sewer gases and typical acidic by-products thereof. Therefore, while HDPE is preferred, the present invention comprehends that other forms of thermoplastics may also be used, provided they provide sufficient resistance to chemical degradation of the type arising from wastewater systems. By way of example, the liner portion 16 may be molded in a roto molding machine which spins a mold to distribute the plastic being formed into a uniform thickness about the periphery of the mold. Once forced by centrifugal forces into the desired shape through spinning, the plastic is allowed to cool and harden in the desired shape before being removed from the mold. HDPE is also preferred due to its inherent strength, but the liner is not a load bearing element as described below and so its thickness can vary. Generally, a liner portion 16 of between ¼ inch and ¾ inch in thickness is preferred. Other thicknesses are also comprehended by the present invention provided that the liner portion 16 is reasonably durable on the one hand and yet economical in terms of the amount of plastic used on the other hand. In some cases, a multi-part mold may be required to allow the liner portion 16 to be removed from the roto mold once hardened. Other methods of molding are also comprehended by the present invention, such a thermal injection molding and the like, but for large tubular liners, roto-molding is preferred.

[0051] The prefabricated corrosion resistant plastic liner portion 16 includes a first top step 30 to cover the top notch 22 of the concrete portion 14, and a top face 32. Together to the top step 30 and the top face 32 of the liner portion 16 cover the top end of the concrete portion 14. The liner portion 16 also includes a side wall 34 which fully covers the inside face 29 of the concrete portion 14. Engagement anchors 36 may be molded into the outside face 24 of the liner portion 16 extending from the side wall 34, into the inside face 29 of the concrete portion 14 as shown. Although shown as part triangular in cross-section, the size, shape and positioning of the engagement anchors 36 can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. All that is desired is to improve the cast connection between the liner portion 16 and the concrete portion 14. Further, in some cases the engagement anchors 36 may not be required, depending on the size and shape of the concrete portion 14 and the matching liner portion 16.

[0052] The liner portion 16 also includes a second lower step 38 to cover the bottom notch 26 of the concrete portion 14. Most preferably the liner portion 16 including the first top step 30, side wall 34, and the second lower step 38 is formed as a single continuous part, to cover and thereby protect the concrete portion 14 underneath from corrosive gasses and liquids arising within the wastewater. Although the liner portion 16 is preferably molded as an integral part, the present invention comprehends molding the liner portion 16 in one or more parts, which can be assembled together into the desired configuration, providing however that the assembled parts are joined in such a way as to protect the underlying concrete portion 14 from coming into contact with the corrosive sewer gasses, liquids or other materials within the wastewater flowing through the composite concrete element 12.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 the liner portion 16 covers all surfaces of the concrete portion 14, except for an outer face 40 and an open bottom face 42 adjacent to the bottom notch 26. The advantage of this open bottom face 42 will be explained below. In particular the present invention comprehends that the liner portion 16 extends over the top and bottom notches 22,26 of the concrete portion 14, forming the connection details so as to provide corrosion resistance through a joint formed between two composite concrete elements 12 assembled together.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the composite concrete element 12 of FIG. 1 in a molding position. In the molding position, the composite concrete element 12 is molded in an upside-down position relative to the position it is placed or used in the field (or more particularly as shown in FIG. 1). Prior to molding, the reinforcing bars 13 are positioned in a desired location within a mold space 46. The outer face 40 of the concrete portion 14 is defined by an outside mold jacket 44, which may be made from steel or the like. The liner portion 16 is then placed inside of the outside mold jacket 44 to complete the mold space 46, which contains the reinforcing bars 13, if any. In most cases the liner portion 16 is then supported on the inside by an inner steel mold core 48. Mold blocks 50, 51 are placed behind the liner portion 16 to support the liner portion 16 located at the connection details against deflection under the influence of the concrete as it fills the mold space 46. Alternatively, one or more hydraulic cylinders 49 in the inner steel mold core 48 may be used to support the liner portion 16 to form, for example, the bottom notch 26 (which in the molding step appears at the top of the drawing as noted above). It can now be understood that the liner portion 16 is fully supported in the mold against deflection during concrete casting.

[0055] In one embodiment, one or more concrete pump ports 52 are formed in the outside mold jacket 44 to allow the concrete to be pumped in to the mold space 46 around the reinforcing bars 13 and between the liner portion 16 and the outside mold jacket 44. It can now be appreciated that the open bottom face 42 of FIG. 1 is now a “top face” in FIG. 2. This open bottom face 42 allows for the mold to be filled to a predetermined amount and provides one or both of a way to introduce further concrete into the mold space 46 and a visual check to ensure that the mold space 46 is full of concrete to encourage void free molding of the concrete element 12. A shaker table or other vibration devices may be used to ensure that the concrete is evenly and completely disbursed within the mold space 46 and around the reinforcing bars 13. Once the cast concrete has set sufficiently in the mold, the molding elements (i.e. the inner steel mold core 48, the outside mold jacket 44, and mold blocks 50,51, if used) can be stripped and the composite concrete element 12 can be sent to a steam curing room for final curing, for example.

[0056] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a composite concrete element 60 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, rather than having connection details at both ends of the composite concrete element 60, connection details are only provided at a top end 61. As can now be understood the composite concrete element 60 is a base element for a manhole, catch basin or the like. It includes a liner portion 62 and a concrete portion 64. Reinforcing steel bars are shown at 66. The liner portion 62 may include engagement anchors 68. An outer notch 70 is formed in the concrete portion 64 to make a connection detail and the liner portion 62 includes a step 72 which covers the top connection detail or outer notch 70. The outer side face 74 and the bottom face 76 of the concrete portion 64 are left uncovered, namely are not covered by the liner portion 62, as they are on the outside will not be exposed to the potentially corrosive wastewater contained within the composite concrete element 60. The composite concrete element 60 may also be molded upside down in a manner similar to that described above for composite concrete element 12.

[0057] It will be noted that the top connection detail of composite concrete element 60 is substantially identical to the top connection detail of composite concrete element 12. This is to provide a uniform connection detail that permits different composite concrete elements 12, 60 to be easily assembled together in the field. FIG. 4 shows the composite concrete element 12 of FIG. 1 assembled together with the composite concrete element 60 of FIG. 3. A reference line L has been added for clarity. It is preferred that the composite concrete elements 12, 60 are easily connectable to one another, to facilitate their assembly together in the field. As shown, this can be facilitated by making the face 80 at the top connection detail 82 inside of the reference line L, while making the face 84 at the bottom connection detail 86 outside of the reference line L. How close the faces 80 and 84 are to the reference line L will determine what gap tolerance is present in the joints between the assembled composite concrete elements 12, 60. In some cases it may be preferred to mold the faces 80 and 84 with a small draft, or taper with a narrower diameter at the top and a larger diameter at the bottom to facilitate a tight fit between adjacent composite concrete elements 12, 60. What is desired is to have a tight fit but one which is easy to assemble under field conditions.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows a plurality of composite concrete elements 90, 92, and 94 connected together in a horizontal assembly 96. It can now be appreciated how using the preferred liner portion and connection details described above provides for a continuously lined assembly with a complete corrosion resistant liner, namely one which extends into the joints between adjacent composite concrete elements. According to the present invention the joints are sealed against infiltration of corrosive elements thus preventing any exposed concrete from coming into contact with such corrosive elements.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a joint according to the present invention. In this case a small shoulder 100 is formed in the outer face 102 of the lower composite concrete element 104 and in the liner portion 106 covering the outer face 102. A draft, or taper 108 is more clearly shown in the upper composite concrete element 110 which has a liner portion 112. A complimentary draft, or taper may also be present in the outer face 102. A gasket 116, such as a self-lubricating gasket, can be placed abutting, or resting on the shoulder 100. FIG. 7 shows the joint formed when the abutting composite concrete elements 104 and 110 are assembled together. As shown, the gasket 116 is located between the lined and abutting faces of the two concrete portions to prevent corrosive materials from being able to leak between the abutting liner portions 106 and 112 and out of the joint formed therebetween.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a liner portion 120. In this case the liner portion 120 extends above the top edge 122 of the lower composite concrete element 124 as a liner extension portion 126. The lower connection detail of the top composite concrete element 128 includes a notch 130 in the concrete portion 136 which is lined by a liner portion 132. The liner extension portion 126 of the lower liner portion 120 is sized and shaped to fit into the lined notch 130. A gasket 134 may be provided between the liner portions 120 and 132 to prevent leakage of corrosive materials through the joint. While similar in concept to the previous embodiments, in that the liner portions overlap and conform to the connection details to prevent the corrosive materials from penetrating through the joint, this embodiment is more fragile in that the liner extension portion 126 of the liner portion 120 projects outwardly as a lip, and so must be protected from harm during shipping, handling and assembly of the composite concrete element 124.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a tapered part of a manhole 140 according to the present invention, including a liner portion 142 as described above in respect of FIG. 7. As shown the liner portion 142 includes an extension 144 above the top 145 of the manhole 140. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a top 150 for a manhole which includes a liner portion 152. A liner extension portion 154 may preferably be provided as shown to extend the liner portion 152 above the top 150. When assembled the top 150 sits on the manhole 140 and the liner extension portions 144 and 154 overlap and are in an abutting relationship.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows a further anchor configuration according to the present invention. In this embodiment the liner 160 is shown on an inside face 162 of a cast concrete part 164. An outer face 166 of the concrete part 164 is defined by a mold element 168. A block 170 supports an upper step 172 and a lower block 174 supports a lower step 176. In this drawing the lower block 174 is shown withdrawn from the step 176. It will be understood that this part 164 is preferable molded or cast in an orientation upside down from that shown in this figure.

[0063] Anchor elements 178 are formed on a concrete contacting face 180 of the liner 160. In this embodiment there are provided t-shaped openings 182 into which the wet concrete flows, in a mirror image of the anchors of the prior embodiment. Although the anchor elements 178 can vary what can be now understood is that the present invention provides for a form of anchor element formed on an outside face of the liner, which permits the wet concrete to flow around a complex shape such that when the concrete hardens a portion of the plastic anchor is trapped in the set concrete to form a secure attachment. It will be appreciated that the liner 160 is molded as a tube (with a center line shown as 184) which tube shape will have some natural hoop strength. Thus, depending upon the diameter of the tube and the thickness of the plastic liner 160, the anchors elements 178 described above may not be necessary in all cases. However, to ensure a good connection some form of anchoring is generally preferred.

[0064] It can now be appreciated that a plurality of composite concrete elements can be assembled together easily in the field into a complex plastic lined sewer system. The connection details allow one composite concrete element to be inserted and assembled to an adjacent composite concrete element by simple positioning of the composite concrete elements. Provided any foreign matter such as dirt or debris is cleaned off the connection details before one composite concrete element is thrust into another, the plastic liner portion will provide a corrosion resistant liner for the throughbore, which liner extends well into the joint. Further the plastic liner portion, comprising a relatively low friction surface compared to bare concrete will facilitate the slipping of one composite concrete element into the other. The plastic can act as a form of low friction lubrication to facilitate the easy assembly of the composite concrete elements.

[0065] When a corrosion resistant sealing gasket is used to seal the joint, the corrosive elements will be contained within the throughbore of the sewer system and will not be able to penetrate the joint to come into contact with any bare or exposed concrete. In this manner, the sewer system is protected from rapid degradation of the concrete due to the corrosion process outlined above. In certain cases, and in certain configurations the joint may be tight enough to prevent corrosive materials from penetrating through the joint even in the absence of a corrosion resistant gasket. For example, depending upon molding tolerances a more extreme taper may provide a form of interference fit between the abutting liner portions which interference can be accommodated by a deformation of the plastic liner to form a sealed joint. Whereas a concrete to concrete joint cannot accommodate an interference fit, a plastic liner to plastic liner joint may be able to, through plastic deformation. Thus, the present invention comprehends joints both with and without gaskets, provided that the joint resists the penetration of corrosive elements therethrough.

[0066] It can now be understood that the present invention provides a continuous corrosion resistant liner for the inside surfaces of a sewer system. The present invention takes advantage of a relatively inexpensive plastic material which can be molded into a relatively thin liner for a reasonable cost. In this manner the present invention avoids the use of expensive polymer concrete. The present invention further provides for a composite element which can be premanufactured and molded in a single molding step, in easily controlled factory conditions. The present invention is therefore suited for manufacturing in volume, which also helps reduce the costs per unit.

[0067] While reference has been made to various preferred embodiments of the invention other variations, implementations, modifications, alterations and embodiments are comprehended by the broad scope of the appended claims. Some of these have been discussed in detail in this specification and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art, including different sizes and shapes of the composite concrete elements as described above. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize these additional variations, implementations, modifications, alterations and embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the present invention, which invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[0068] What is believed to be important is to provide a relatively inexpensive liner on individual premanufactured elements configured in a way to provide sealed joints between attached elements to prevent exposed concrete of the sewer system from coming into contact with sewer or wastewater materials which can cause a chemical degradation of the concrete.