Chapter 10

Pipeline Installation
Missouri Livestock Watering Systems Handbook Pipeline Installation

CHAPTER 10 STOCKWATER PIPELINE INSTALLATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 10.1 TRENCHING 10-1

10.1.1 Backhoe Constructed Trench 10-1
10.1.2 Trencher Constructed Trench 10-1
10.1.3 Backfilling and Maintenance 10-1
10.1.4 Road Crossings 10-3
10.1.5 Stream Crossing 10-3
10.1.6 Safety 10-3
PART 10.2 PIPE JOINTS 10-4
PART 10.3 INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION 10-4
PART 10.4 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT 10-4

FIGURES

Figures 10.1 Water Bar 10-2

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Missouri Livestock Watering Systems Handbook Pipeline Installation

CHAPTER 10
PIPELINE INSTALLATION

10.1 TRENCHING

10.1.1 Backhoe Constructed Trench

Backhoe trenches are usually a minimum of 12 inches wide depending on depth. The
material frequently comes out of the trench as clods, large chunks and rocks.

It is important to backfill immediately over the pipe with 4 to 6 inches of soil that is free
of large rocks and clods. This sometimes can be done by carefully selecting from the
excavated material.

If adequate material isn’t available, then material such as sand or lime should be
imported and placed around the pipe to a depth of 4 to 6 inches over the top of the pipe.

10.1.2 Trencher Constructed Trenches

When conditions permit, trenching for pipelines which are buried from 2 to 3 feet are
usually done with a narrow 4 to 6 inch wide chain trencher. Where there is little gravel
or rocks and the ground is not too wet, these trenchers bring up well pulverized soil that
makes good backfill material. The material is usually bulldozed back in the trench with a
trencher mounted blade. Where rocks are not present, any of this material may be
backfilled directly around the pipe. There is no practical way to compact the fill in these
narrow trenches. Within two to five years the backfill material will usually consolidate
to the maximum extent.

10.1.3 Backfilling and Maintenance

There will be low spots in the trench backfill when the material consolidates. These can
be a hazard to livestock, humans, and equipment and are frequently a starting point for
gully erosion.

There are three things that always should be done to minimize these problems:

1. Make it clearly understood by the landowner that there must be maintenance of the
backfill each year for several years. This maintenance will consist of adding fill to
low spots and repairing any erosion that may occur.

2. When backfilling, mound the soil over the trench to the maximum extent possible.

3. Construct "water bars" at right angles to the trench at periodic intervals. These are
simply very small diversion dikes across the trench at locations where the trench is
traveling up or down the slope. The purpose of these diversions is to prevent
concentration of water in the trench and erosion of the backfill. Figure 10.1
illustrates a water bar.

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10.1.4 Road Crossings

All backfill material must be compacted by some adequate means at road crossings. It
may be easiest to import sand or fine gravel to fill the trench at road crossings. Rodding
and hand tamping can be used to consolidate this granular material. Saturating the
material will assist in compaction. Stronger pipe or better backfilling requirements can
be evaluated by Area Engineer using TR-77.

10.1.5 Stream Crossing

Crossing a stream with a pipeline may be relatively simple depending on several factors -
width, depth, drainage area and especially composition of the bottom.

Selection of a stable portion of the stream will be important and alignment of the pipeline
might need to be changed from a preferred location in order to accommodate this.
Construct the stream crossing first then bring the rest of the pipeline to it.

Cross a gravel or earth bottom stream at a right angle and dig to the maximum depth
possible. Freezing probably won’t be a problem but the use of burst proof pipe should be
considered if the possibility exists.

Crossing a solid rock bottom stream in the Ozarks is another proposition. A lot of
thought should go into selection of site and method. One method, which has worked, is
to jack hammer a trench across the rock bottom. A trench, a foot deep and as wide as the
backhoe bucket, has been successful. Place the water pipe in a larger section of heavy,
thick walled pipe, preferably steel, for protection and backfill with a mix of fines and
larger material. Pouring some concrete over the larger pipe might be considered also.
Again consider using burst proof pipe and shut off valves in case of problems.

Another consideration could be running that section (across the stream) above ground at
a height well above the expected high water mark. Allowance would need to be made for
drainage and shutting down during freezing weather and/or non-use periods.

Keep in mind some larger streams will need all necessary permits before construction is
started.

10.1.6 Safety

It is very important to have some knowledge of the location of buried pipelines, electric
cables and telephone lines. A landowner usually knows the approximate location of
major buried lines but may or may not know of lines to out buildings, etc. A call to the
utility company and/or Missouri One Call by the landowner even in the planning stage
might save some problems later. Before construction starts it’s a necessity if anything
major is suspected. The Missouri One Call toll free number is 1-800-344-7483.

Another safety consideration should be the depth of trenches. If trenches are deep
enough and/or soil conditions appear to be making the sides unstable, connecting pipe
joints, hydrants, etc. together and then lowering into the trench should be considered.
Allow time for glue joint to set prior to lowering into trench. OSHA requirements shall
be followed when men are working in trenches.

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10.2 PIPE JOINTS

Experience has shown that the most common cause of pipeline failure is joint failure.
Particular care must be taken to make joints in the manner specified in the specifications
and as recommended by the manufacturer. Only materials approved for use with the
specific type and rating of pipe may be used.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other rigid plastic pipes are usually joined using glued
joints. Only solvents and glues designed for specific plastic type must be used. They
also should be rated for temperature and conditions existing at the time of construction.
Some appear to work better than others in colder than normal conditions, while others
will also bond on damp pipe (used on gravity systems). A solvent cleaning and
preparation process should always be done if recommended. Connections must be
stabbed full depth into fittings. Pipe intended for pressure systems should have
“pressure” joints, these are about 2 times as long as those for gravity systems thus
allowing more surface for glue joint.

Polyethylene and other flexible plastic pipe is often connected with "stab" joints. Stab
joints must be properly clamped. Two stainless steel band clamps are recommended per
each side of joint or four per connection. Snaking the pipe in the trench helps keep the
pipe from pulling apart.

Plastic pipe such as that used by ground source heat pump installers is usually welded by
a special welder if a local installer is available.

Joints should be checked by pressure, either air or water. If the pressure tank is already
installed on a pressure system, it should be left open at least 2 hours and longer if
possible.

Plastic pipe connected together and placed in a trench while warm will contract as it
cools off. This can pull joints apart and is the reason that care should be taken to place
pipe when it is cool or allow for the contraction by snaking or other means. Backfill
should never be placed when the weather is significantly below freezing.

10.3 INSPECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

Frequent inspection during construction of stockwater pipelines may not need to be

performed by the field office. We should make a point to view each contractor's work
while pipe is actively being laid at least once during the construction season. If there are
an unusual number of problems occurring from job to job, then more frequent visits must
be made. We must provide enough inspection to assure that pipe is being installed in
accordance with the drawings and specifications.

A good way to get more inspection is to enlist the aid of the landuser. The landuser has a
vested interest in seeing that a good job is being done. Spending some time with the
landuser explaining exactly what to look for during construction can pay big dividends.

10.4 MEASUREMENT FOR PAYMENT

Contractors usually keep track of the number of pipe lengths that are installed and then
base their measurement of the installed length of pipeline on the total pipe lengths
counted. The laid length is not the same as the total of nominal pipe lengths. The laid
length may be 1 to 2 percent shorter than the nominal length. Pipe section lengths are not

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consistently the same and there are length differences caused by couplings and fittings.
Damaged or broken sections also seem to end up in the count.

The final payment length should always be measured when the pipe is in place.
Frequently this is done with a measuring wheel. Sometimes a tape, chain or string
measurer is used. If a wheel is used, measurements should always be run up the line and
then back again. If the two measurements do not agree within two percent, the length
should be remeasured. The pipeline total should be the average of at least two
measurements. If a contractor's measurements are accepted, it should be on the basis of
actual measurement, not a count of pipe sections.

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