SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS 700-1
Part 700
DRAINAGE AND SELECTED UTILITY ACCESSORIES — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS
701.01 Description.
This work includes the construction or reconstruction of pipe culverts and storm drains in reasonably close conformity with the required dimensions and details. This work also includes providing and installing a drainage hood at the outlet of a drainage structure (pipe inlet) at the required locations.
701.02 Materials.
Non-Metallic Pipe. Provide concrete, fiber, and plastic pipe that complies with Subsection M04.01. Provide smooth interior , corrugated polyethylene pipe and smooth interior , corrugated polypropylene pipe that complies with Subsection M04.01.7. Metal Pipe. Provide ductile iron pipe that conforms to Subsection M04.02.1. Flared End Sections. Ensure that c oncrete flared end sections are manufactured according to the required details. Provide Class X concrete that conforms to SECTION 601. Inspection of Pipe Materials and Manufacturing Plants. Submit a Quality Control Plan for manufacturing plants for review and approval by the Engineer. When the location of a plant permits, the Engineer may inspect the plant for compliance with the approved QCP and these Specifications. Bedding Materials. Class A Bedding consists of Class B plain Portland cement concrete that conforms to SECTION 601. Class B Bedding consists of gravel borrow that conforms to Subsection M01.04. Class C Bedding consists of crushed stone or crushed or screened gravel that conforms to Subsection M01.04.
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
700-2 SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS Portland Cement Mortar. Provide mortar that conforms to Subsection M04.03.5. Drainage Structure Hood. Use materials that conform to the following criteria, appear on the RIDOT Approved Materials List, and/or be an approved equal: • Ensure that t he metal hood complies with SECTION M04 and the manufacturer’s requirements. • Use p lastic hoods made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe grade material or approved equal. • The hoods may be glass reinforced resin composite. Ensure that the hoods are an appropriately sized product. • The use of hood units from alternat ive manufacturer(s) are subject to approval by the Engineer. Hoods not meeting all standards of this specification will not be considered. All expenses incurred to verify that an alternative hood perform s equally to the above referenced product shall be borne by the Contractor.
701.03 Construction Methods.
Layout. Ensure that t he engineering layout, whether furnished by the Department or the Contractor, includes offset staking for the proposed trench every 50 ft or less from structure to structure. Field conditions may require exceptions for the distance between stakes. Mark stakes with stationing on the pipe line side of the stake parallel to the installation, offset distance on the side opposite the pipe line, and depth of cut marked on the side facing the open trench. Transfer this information to transverse batter boards every 50 ft with line and grade clearly marked and the target set. The Contractor, at its option, may perform pipe layout using the laser beam method. When site conditions preclude the use of traditional survey methods, use the laser beam method. Grade, for the purpose of this Section, is defined as the design invert elevation for all pipelines. Trench Excavation. Excavate trenches according to SECTION 205. Bedding. Ensure that pipe bedding conforms to one of the classes specified in Subsection 701.02.5. Class A bedding consists of a continuous concrete cradle. Shape Class B and Class C bedding to fit the bell of the pipe to the height specified. Install the pipe in compacted bedding material at least 12 in. in thickness and pre-shaped to accommodate
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS 700-3 the bell of the pipe. After the pipe has been installed, backfill the trench and compact with bedding material to a height equal to at least one-half the diameter of the pipe. Laying Pipe. Begin the pipe laying at the downstream end of the pipe line. Place the bell or groove ends of pipe facing upstream to allow for proper overlap of the pipe seams . Place flexible pipe with the longitudinal laps or seams at the sides. Lay paved or partially lined pipe so that the longitudinal centerline of the paved segment coincides with the flow line. When elliptical pipe with circular reinforcement or circular pipe with elliptical reinforcement is used, install the pipe so that the manufacturer’s marks designating top and bottom of the pipe are not more than 5 degrees from the vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the pipe. Ensure that pipe is properly secured and covered when using flowable fill or in areas of stormwater storage to avoid pipes rising or lifting. Joining Pipe. Rigid pipe may be a bell and spigot or tongue and groove design unless one type is specified. Use a method of joining pipe sections so that the ends are fully entered and the inner surfaces are reasonably flush and even. Use mortar joints that have an excess of mortar to form a bead around the outside of the pipe and that is finished smooth on the inside to the spring line of pipe larger than 30 in. For grouted joints, use molds or runners to retain the poured grout. Install rubber ring gaskets to form a flexible watertight seal. Install reinforced concrete pipe 36 in. or greater in diameter with both rubber gaskets and a Portland cement mortar joint. When Portland cement mixtures are used, protect the completed joints against rapid drying by suitable cover material. Join ductile iron pipe according to the recommendations of the manufacturer. Join plastic pipe by plastic sleeve couplings, welded to the pipe by appl ying an appropriate adhesive as recommended by the manufacturer. Inspect pipe before any backfill is placed. For any pipe determined by the Engineer to be out of alignment, unduly settled, or damaged , remove the pipe and re-lay or replace at no additional cost to the Department. Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe and Smooth Interior Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe. The following additional requirements apply to these classifications of pipe.
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
700-4 SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS
a.Limitation of Use. Only use polyethylene and polypropylene pipe where the top of the pipe is at least 3 ft below the finished grade.
b.B edding. Ensure that the bedding for pipe diameters less than or equal to 24 in. is Class B or Class C as defined in Subsection 701.02.5, except ensure that Class B has 100 percent pass the 3-in. sieve. The Engineer will approve the choice of material in writing. Ensure that the bedding for pipe diameters greater than 24 in. is excavatable Class I controlled low strength material (CLSM), as defined in Subsection 603.01.1.
c.Trench Excavation and Backfill. Ensure that t rench excavation conform s to SECTION 205. ● Where the Engineer determines that the excavation is in an area with a high water table, place a separation filter fabric that complies with Subsection M20.01 against the bottom and sides of the excavation to completely enclose the pipe embedment material, with a minimum 12-in. overlap to a minimum height of 12 in. above the top of the pipe. After the Class C pipe embedment material is placed and compacted, lap the filter fabric to enclose the material. ● Excavate the trench to a minimum depth of 4 in. below the specified bottom invert of the pipe in soil trenches and 6 in. in rock trenches. Place and compact bedding to a height of 1 in. above the specified bottom invert of the pipe. Shape the surface of the bedding to fit the contour of the pipe. Install the pipe and support or constrain the pipe to prevent its movement as the trench is filled and the material compacted. Place and compact bedding material simultaneously on both sides of the pipe within the pipe zone. Use hand tamping as needed to fill and compact the haunch zone of the pipe. Ensure that the placement and compaction occur simultaneously on both sides of the pipe to prevent damage to or movement of the pipe. Place the bedding material in 6- in. compacted lifts to a minimum of 12 in. above the top of the pipe (initial backfill). Place the final backfill in lifts no greater than 6 in. after compaction. ● With the approval of the Engineer, CLSM , Classification I, as defined in Subsection 603.01.1, may be used as pipe embedment and for the remaining backfill.
d.Testing. No sooner than 30 days after the completion of the compaction of the backfill, conduct mandrel testing or hand measurement s of the pipe under the direction of the Engineer. Testing may be required for up to 25 percent of the total length of pipe. The Engineer will determine the actual sections of pipe to be tested. Conduct mandrel testing for pipe diameters of 24 in. or less. Ensure that the mandrel is rigid steel, with a pulling ring at each end, an odd number of legs ( nine legs minimum), and an effective diameter at least 95 percent of the base inside diameter. The base inside diameter is the nominal pipe size less a 1.5 -percent fabrication tolerance. Remove any pipe through which the mandrel fails to pass, and replace the pipe. Conduct mandrel testing or hand measurement s for diameters greater than 24 in. up to and including 36-in. diameter pipe.
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS 700-5 Conduct hand measurements of deflection for pipe diameters greater than 36 in. every 5 linear feet of a selected length of pipe. The following Table presents the m inimum diameter measurements, which are based on a 5-percent maximum deflection and a 1.5- percent manufacturer’s fabrication tolerance. Nominal Pipe Diameter Allowable Deflected Diameter 27 in. 25.26 in. 30 in. 28.07 in. 36 in. 33.69 in. 42 in. 39.30 in. 48 in. 44.92 in. 54 in. 50.53 in. 60 in. 56.15 in. Removed pipe may be reused as the replacement pipe only if approved by the Engineer. Otherwise, remove the damaged pipe from the work site. All costs associated with mandrel or hand measurement testing, including the replacement of deflected pipe and any delays that are incurred, will be at no additional cost to the Department. Backfilling. After the pipe is installed, backfill the trench with material according to SECTION 205. When the top of the pipe is exposed above the top of the trench, place and compact the embankment material for a distance on each side of the pipe equal to at least twice the horizontal inside diameter of the pipe or 12 ft, whichever is less, and to a minimum height of 3 ft above the pipe. Place and compact the material simultaneously on both sides of the pipe for the full width of the roadbed according to SECTION 205. Do not allow construction traffic over the pipe until 3 ft of compacted backfill is in place over the pipe. Above this elevation, place and compact the embankment according to Subsection 202.03.2. Replacement of Unsuitable Material. When the Engineer determines that the material at the bottom of trenches is unsuitable for the support of drainage pipes, provide additional excavation. Remove unsuitable material to a depth not to exceed 3 ft. When the unsuitable material has been removed, level and refill the bottom of the excavation with the appropriate class of bedding. Place Class B bedding in 8- in. lifts, and compact to 90 percent of its maximum dry density according to Subsection 205.03.5. Grade the final compacted lift in the replacement operation to the original design elevation of the bottom of trenches. Unauthorized Excavation. If the bottom of any trench has been excavated below the required grade indicated, restore the grade by refilling with a well-compacted bedding material.
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
700-6 SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS No payment will be made for unauthorized excavation. Furnish, place, and compact the bedding material to refill the trench to grade at no additional cost to the Department. Drainage Structure Hood. Perform the construction according to the manufacturer’s requirements and with SECTIONS 701 and 702. Use a hood that forms a baffle that prevents debris and reduces pollutants from flowing out of the catch basin. Ensure that the drainage structure hood protrudes a minimum of 6 in. or one-third of the effluent pipe diameter below the invert. Securely attach the hood to the catch basin and/or pipe, and seal the hood to the structure per the manufacturer’s requirements. Provide vent holes at the top of the hood to allow airflow. Provide Shop Drawings, computations, and any necessary documentation for the drainage structure hoods. Drainage structure hoods will be approved by the Engineer in writing 14 days before its delivery onsite.
701.04 Method of Measurement.
Pipe Culvert and Storm Drain. Pipe Culvert and Storm Drain, both new and re- laid, including Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe and Smooth Interior Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe, will be measured in linear feet of continuous runs of pipe installed. Pipe with sloped or skewed ends will be measured along their inverts. Flared End Section. Flared End Section will be measured by the number of units installed. Branch Connections and Elbow. Branch Connections and Elbow will be included in the length of measurement for pipe. If stated in the Contract documents , branches and elbows may be measured by the number of pieces installed. For measurement, the end of pipe in closed structures will be considered flush with the inside face of the structures. At masonry headwalls, the end of pipe will be considered flush with the face of headwalls. Bedding Material. Class A, B, C , and CLSM Bedding Material will be measured by the number of cubic yards of each type of bedding placed. When bedding is specified and no measurement method is shown in the Contract, bedding material will be measured within the horizontal pay limits specified for Trench Excavation under Subsection 205.04.2(a), and vertically from 12 in. below grade to a height of 50 percent of the diameter of the pipe, excluding the volume occupied by the pipe.
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS 700-7 Class A, B, or C bedding material placed to backfill authorized excavation of unsuitable material below grade will be measured within the horizontal pay limits as referenced above and vertically to the depth of authorized excavation. Drainage Structure Hood. The Drainage Structure Hood will be measured by the number of each drainage structure hood installed.
701.05 Basis of Payment.
The Department will pay for the completed and accepted quantities as follows. Pay Item Pay Unit Pipe Culvert and Storm Drain LF Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe LF Smooth Interior Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe LF Flared End Section EA Branch Connection and Elbow EA Class A Bedding CY Class B Bedding CY Class C Bedding CY Drainage Structure Hood EA Pipe Culvert and Storm Drain. The Contract prices constitute full compensation for: • A ll trench excavation (except for Trench Excavation – Rock, Trench Rock Excavation – Mechanical, and excavation of unsuitable material below grade) to a depth equal to the invert of the proposed pipes when bedding material is not required or to a depth sufficient to receive the appropriate layer of bedding material when this material is required • T he shaping of either the bottom of the trench or the top of bedding material to receive the bell of the pipe • A ll dewatering, including pumping, draining, or bailing • L aying, setting , and jointing all pipe, pipe couplings, fittings , and gaskets, including connections to existing drainage structures or pipes • F ilter fabric • P lacing and compacting backfill • D esign, furnishing, placing, and removing all temporary timber or steel sheeting, bracing, shoring, or trench protection • T he disposal of all excess or unsuitable excavated materials • A ll incidentals required to finish the work
Part 700 — Drainage and Selected Utility Accessories August 2025
700-8 SECTION 701 — PIPE CULVERTS AND STORM DRAINS Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe and Smooth Interior Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe. In addition to the above for Pipe Culverts and Storm Drains , the Contract price constitutes full compensation for all pipe embedment material, CLSM, buoyancy constraint, post -installation mandrel testing or hand measurements, remedial work, including all labor, equipment, tools, and incidentals required to finish the work. Trench Excavation Rock, Trench Rock Excavation — Mechanical. Trench Excavation – Rock, Trench Excavation – Mechanical, and excavation of unsuitable material below grade will not be included in the Contract unit prices for the various types and sizes of Pipe Culverts and Storm Drains but will be paid for separately as set forth in Subsection 205.05.2. Flared End Section. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment for furnishing and placing the units and for all incidentals required to finish the work. Branch Connection and Elbow. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, and equipment for furnishing and placing the units and for all incidentals required to finish the work. Bedding Material. Class B bedding material, and all Class C and CLSM used for the installation of Smooth Interior Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe and Smooth Interior Corrugated Polypropylene Pipe, will be paid for under the applicable Pipe Culvert, Storm Drains, or Flared End Sections Contract items and will not be paid for separately. An exception relates to the replacement of unsuitable material, for which Class B bedding will be paid for separately as set forth in Subsection 205.05.4. The Contract prices constitute full compensation for all labor, materials , and equipment for pro- viding the bedding material(s) and for all incidentals required to finish the work. Drainage Structure Hood. The price constitutes full compensation for all labor, materials, equipment, tools, furnishing and placing each hood, and all other incidentals necessary to finish the work, complete and accepted.
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Source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction (Blue Book), 2022 (Aug 2025 compilation) Edition. Pages 326–333 of 951. View official source ↗