Drainage Gradients Falls
Guide to calculating Falls & Gradients in Drainage
Drainage Gradients Falls
All horizontal drainage pipes, both above and below ground, should be laid to an adequate gradient.
Gradients
The fall in a pipe may be defined as the vertical amount by which the pipe drops over a distance. The distance can be between sections of pipe or between manholes. The diagram below shows pipe fall and distance.
FALL = GRADIENT X DISTANCE
For example, calculate the fall in a 50 metre section of foul water pipe work if the gradient is to be 1 in 80.
A gradient of 1 in 80 is converted to a number instead of a ratio – 1 / 80 = 0.0125
Fall = 0.0125 x 50
Fall = 0.625 metres or 625mm.
The previous diagram may be completed by adding a pipe gradient.
Falls
The fall in a pipe may be defined as the vertical amount by which the pipe drops over a distance. The distance can be between sections of pipe or between manholes. The diagram below shows pipe fall and distance.
FALL = GRADIENT X DISTANCE
For example, calculate the fall in a 50 metre section of foul water pipe work if the gradient is to be 1 in 80.
A gradient of 1 in 80 is converted to a number instead of a ratio – 1 / 80 = 0.0125
Fall = 0.0125 x 50
Fall = 0.625 metres or 625mm.
The previous diagram may be completed by adding a pipe gradient.
Invert Levels
The invert level of a pipe is the level taken from the bottom of the inside of the pipe as shown.
The level at the crown of the pipe = the invert level + internal diameter of the pipe + pipe wall thickness. It may be necessary to use this in calculations when level measurements are taken from the crown of a pipe
Manholes
Manholes can be manufactured from masonry or precast concrete. Sometimes several precast concrete rings are used to form a manhole which speeds up the on-site construction process. Step irons may be required to assist access for workmen if manhole is below 1.0 metre in depth.
Manholes and access chambers are also manufactured in PVC. An access chamber is not usually large enough to admit a person but is suitable for access by cleaning rods or hose and is used for domestic applications. A common size of plastic access chamber is 450mm diameter.
For the domestic market plastic, fibreglass or galvanised steel lids may be used but cast iron lids are required where traffic crosses.
A back drop manhole is used in areas where the surface level slopes as shown below. If the underground sewer pipe is to stay below ground it must follow the average gradient of the slope. This invariably means that the pipe gradient becomes too steep, resulting in the solids being left stranded in the pipe causing a blockage. The back drop manhole was developed to overcome this problem.
Internal vertical sections of pipe can be used as an easier way to construct a back drop manhole.
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