Portland Cement Concrete Underground Pipelines

Portland cement concrete pipes are exceptionally durable under normal conditions of use in temperate climate. Concrete pipes made in accordance with the relevant British Standard Specifications are of good quality concrete and therefore are seldom attacked by ground or ground water nor by the effluent they carry. However, physical damage that allows access of moisture to reinforcement will cause corrosion of the steel and in the long term this may result in a serious reduction in the useful life of the pipeline. Where the ground in which the pipes are laid, or the effluent carried by the pipeline contains compounds aggressive to concrete, there are materials and methods available to protect the pipeline. Reinforcing steel embedded in pipes which comply with National Specifications is protected by the cement paste for a very long period unless the surrounding concrete suffers physical damage or chemical attack.