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The following materials are usually suitable for use in embedment:

  • Sand with uniformity coefficient CU ≥ 3

  • Very sandy gravel with maximum particle size of 0.8 in (20 mm), sand content > 15% and uniformity coefficient CU ≥ 3

  • Uniform gravel

  • Crushed sand-gravel mixtures with the maximum aggregate size 0.4 in (11 mm) for pipes < DN 35 in (900 mm) and maximum particle size 0.8 in (20 mm) for pipes ≥ DN 40 in (1000 mm).

If the excavated soil material …

What kind of soil is usually suitable for use in the embedment zone?

Table 2 in [ASTM D2321-20:2020] groups soils into soil classifications based on soil stiffness when compacted.

(Table: Soil classes according to ASTM D2321-20)

Table 3 in ASTM D2321-20 encompasses the recommendations for installatin and use of soils for foundation, embedment and backfill.

(Table: Description of Embedment Material as per ASTM D2321-20)

(Image: Cracks orginating at a point with reference to [Young84] [Image: S&P GmbH])

To prevent point loads, the maximum aggregate size of components in the embedment zone is defined as follows:

  • 1 in (22 mm) for DN ≤ 8 in (200 mm);

  • 1.5 in (40 mm) for DN > 8 in (200 mm) up to DN ≤ 24 in (600 mm);

  • 2.5 in (60 mm) for DN > 24 in (600 mm)

The quality of the bedding substantially affects the carrying capacity, serviceability, reliability, and the intended service life of the installed pipes, along with the settling behaviour of the soil.

The bedding layer must provide an even pressure distribution under the pipe, and support its entire length, in order to prevent damage due to point loading stresses.

(Image: Crack formation in a clay pipe)
(Image: Laser profile survey)
(Image: Pipe cracking …

Why is the bedding so important?

The quality of the bedding substantially affects the carrying capacity, serviceability, reliability, and the intended service life of the installed pipes, along with the settling behaviour of the soil.

By the placement of bedding the following points should be considered:

  • The static requirements must be strictly observed.

  • Ensure sufficient clearance is dug for pipes with a bell and spigot connections (see image).

For concrete pipes, there are four installation types as per [[American Concrete Pipe Association Recommended Standard Installations]], which provide an optimum range of soil-pipe interaction characteristics. These four types of installations vary with the type of material (based on soil characteristics) and level of compaction, and the material utilized in constructing the four principal zones surrounding the lower half of the pipe (middle bedding, …

The image below presents the standard open cut installation of concrete pipes according to [[American Concrete Pipe Association Recommended Standard Installations]].

(Image: Standard trench installation according to ACPA)
1 - Clearance between pipe and trench wall shall be adequate to enable specific compaction, but not less than DO /6
2 - Outer bedding material and compaction each side, same requirements as haunch
3- Middle bedding loosely placed uncompacted …

Depending on the installation type for the concrete pipe, there are different bedding thicknesses and compaction requirements for the bedding area. The table below presents the [[American Concrete Pipe Association Recommended Standard Installations]] soil and minimum compaction requirements.

(Table: Soil and minimum compaction requirement corresponding to installation type as per ACPA Standard Installation)

Bedding factors are needed to relate the in-place supportive strength to the more severe plant test strength in cases where the pipe strength used in the design has been determined by plant testing. By definition, the bedding factor is the ratio of the strength of the pipe under the installed condition of loading and bedding to the strength of the pipe in the plant test [[Yoo,Parker&Kang2005]].

Bf=MTEST / MFIELD

Where:

Bf = bedding factor

MTEST = maximum …

The bedding factors, as they relate to the standard installation types and pipe diameter, are presented below.

(Table: Bedding factors, embankment conditions as per ACPA)

The following table presents the bedding types A, B, C and D as specified in the "Concrete and Box Culverts Installation" Guideline by [American Concrete Pipe Association (2017)].

(Table: Bedding types for concrete pipe installation using the open cut method as specified by ACPA)

The images below present embankment bedding class A for circular concrete pipe (both in inches and millimeters).

(Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (inches) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class A, concrete cradle) (Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (millimeters) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class A, concrete cradle)

The images below present embankment bedding class B for circular concrete pipe (both in inches and millimeters).

(Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (inches) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class B, shaped subgrade with granular foundation and granular foundation) (Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (millimeters) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class B, shaped subgrade with granular foundation and granular foundation)

The images below present embankment bedding class C for circular concrete pipe (both in inches and millimeters).

(Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (inches) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class C, granular foundation) (Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (millimeters) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class C, granular foundation)

The images below present embankment bedding class D for circular concrete pipe (both in inches and millimeters).

(Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (inches) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class D, flat subgrade) (Image: Embankment bedding circular pipe (millimeters) according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH] – Class D, flat subgrade)

The images below present trench beddings for non-circular concrete pipe.

(Image: Trench beddings (inches) horizontal elliptical pipe according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH])

(Image: Trench beddings (inches) vertical elliptical pipe according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH])

(Image: Trench beddings (inches) arch pipe according to [ACPA] [Image: visaplan GmbH])

The following image presents the terminology used in PE pipe installation using the open cut method according to the [[Plastic Pipe Institute]].

(Image: Pipe trench for PE piping according to [Plastic Pipe Institute] [Image: visaplan GmbH])

1- Final backfill
2- Embedment
3- Undisturbed native soil
4- Secondary backfill
5- Primary initial backfill
6- Bedding/embedment
7- Foundation (may not be required)
8- Crown

The Plastic Pipe Institute recommends that [[ASTM D2321–05]], [[AASHTO Section 30]] and [[CAN/CSA B182.11]] should be followed for good practices for the installation of thermoplastic pipes. Accordingly, any organization or agency, such as federal, state, county and city, have the task to determine their own set of governing standards applicable to the installation of HDPE pipes.

Bedding is required to establish line and grade and to provide firm, …

Class IA materials should not be used where groundwater flow is anticipated unless a geotextile trench wrap is used to prevent soil migration. Class III materials are suitable when moisture content is controlled [[Plastic Pipe Institute]].

To equalize load distributions along the invert of the pipe, 4 in (0.1 m) of bedding should be placed and compacted on the foundation [[Plastic Pipe Institute]].

Generally, the bedding equal to one-third the pipe …

According to [[ASTM D2321–05]], the soil types applied in foundation can be identically suitable in other processes of embedment. In pipe bedding process, soil IA, IB, II, and III are installed and compacted in 6 in maximum layers. Level final grade by hand. Minimum depth is 4 in (6 in in rock cuts).

Soil IV is only suitable in dry trench conditions and other parameters are identical with the above.

Please refer back to page 259 for an overview of …

Pipe bedding must be level throughout the pipe’s foundation and the material shall be placed and consolidated under the pipe, avoiding both vertical and lateral displacement [[HOBAS CCFRPM Guide]].

In the case of saturated soil with groundwater, the bedding material must be free of fines. The trench shall be refilled and backfilled in 12 in (30 cm) layers. Each layer must be compacted separately. The pipes must be stable and proper compaction achieved. …

For proper installation of Centrifugally Cast Fiberglass Reinforced Polymer Mortar (CCFRPM) pipe, bell holes have to be provided at each joint for proper joint assembly and alignment. If the trench bottom is excavated below grade, it should be backfilled to grade and compacted as required to provide firm pipe support [[HOBAS CCFRPM Guide]].

The image on the right presents the correct vs. incorrect installation of bell holes. Special care must be taken …