The city of Marshfield, Wis., decided to replace 3,100 ft of precast concrete storm sewer installed in 1929 to accommodate design changes to a new storm sewer system and other concerns not related to the condition of the pipe. The 85-year-old pipeline showed no sign of deterioration due to salt or deicing chemicals, and had withstood the test of time.
The city did not consider anything other than pre-cast concrete pipe for the replacement storm sewer system. Long-term value was a priority, and reinforced concrete’s durability and structural integrity made it ideal for this project.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, plastic pipe has a material service life of less than 50 years, and aluminum pipe and corrugated metal with coatings has a maximum 50-year service life. Concrete pipe to can last 1.5 to two times longer. Precast concrete pipe is non-flammable, and will not rust, tear, buckle or deflect.
The new pipeline system included 716 ft of 38-by-60-in. horizontal elliptical pipe; 1,290 ft of reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) ranging in size from 18 to 36 in. in diameter for the new storm sewer under Maple Street; and 1,064 ft of 12- and 15-in.-diameter RCP for inlet leads. Old concrete pipe sections were reused in other projects. Some were sold to local property owners for use as culverts. The city considered reusing pipe sections for other municipal projects.
