The simple concrete pipe – not many people stop to take notice of them, yet they are all around us, performing essential functions and forming integral parts of the infrastructure and environments we take for granted. In fact, they’re not so simple after all. As Cobro Concrete explains, these mainstays of construction and engineering have been designed to withstand even the toughest conditions, often performing their functions, rain or shine, for decades.
Concrete Pipes – Built to Last Under All Conditions
Knowing that concrete pipes are intended to remain sturdy and intact regardless of everything that South Africa’s heat, cold and unpredictable weather patterns can throw at them, we manufacture them with careful attention to every aspect of their formulation, casting, curing and testing.
In South Africa, the biggest risks to the longevity of concrete pipes include corrosion, caused by soil acidity, fast, debris-laden flows of water and other substances which cause damage to the inside of pipes, and groundwater pressure.
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How Concrete Pipes Are Made to Withstand Environmental Conditions
To stand up to these conditions, concrete pipes are created with special attention to material quality and mix formulation. For example, we at Cobro Concrete create our pipes using a carefully planned mix of cement, sand and aggregates. Calcareous aggregates are the best for preserving pipes, especially in sewer installations. It is also important to strike exactly the right balance between cement and water. Too much water in the mix can reduce concrete’s durability.
When casting concrete pipes for maximum resilience, the best techniques include centrifugal casting with vibration and compaction. Steel reinforcements may also be used to make pipes stronger and increase their load-bearing capacity. Once cast, concrete pipes must be left for at least four days to allow the concrete to achieve its full strength. Testing regimes include crushing strength tests and hydrostatic testing, to ensure that the pipes can bear the requisite amounts of pressure and can carry the necessary quantities of water.
Read our blog to find out more about concrete pipes, how they are made, and how they serve the needs of construction, engineering and water delivery industries.
Get in Touch with Cobro Concrete Today
Cobro Concrete is the only supplier you need for all concrete components for construction, engineering and infrastructure development. We supply a wide selection of concrete products, from pipes to catchpit covers and much more.
Contact us for more information about our quality pre-cast concrete products.
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