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View Full Version : Crush strength of schedule 40 pvc pipe


frankds
Aug 5, 2008, 04:42 AM
I'm planning on using 4" pvc schedule 40 pipe for a waste line which will be located approx 24" under our driveway.
On occasion we have very heavy triaxle trucks using the drive way.
Am I okay with the schedule 40 pvc for it's strenght not to crush from the weight of the trucks?
Some folks have said it's perfectly fine, other have suggested schedule 80 pvc pipe. Thanks

speedball1
Aug 5, 2008, 05:27 AM
My research turned up 3000 lbs. for a crush strength. However you have to factor in that this pipe will be 2 feet under a reinforced concrete driveway so the weight will be distributed. If you're still worried you could convert to schedule #80 under the drive but I think you'll be just fine with schedule #40.
Good luck, Tom

albinfla
Aug 5, 2008, 05:59 AM
I agree with speedball1. However, if your driveway is not concrete you may want to re-consider. Or you may want to sleeve the pipe. On utility construction, any pipe 3" or larger requires 36" of cover here in Florida. I have put a schedule 40 steel pipe sleeve over a PVC pipe under gravel roads that have tractors, truck etc. running over them. That line was 24" deep.

If the driveway is soft enough, eventually it will probably flatten the steel pipe too. But, if your driveway is concrete. Schedule 40 should be fine.
Al

Milo Dolezal
Aug 5, 2008, 06:10 AM
UniBell Labs test PVC. Here is a link that will answer your question(s) about the product:

http://www.uni-bell.org/faq.html#q2