Testing Protocol For Manhole Coatings

Proceedings CIGMAT-2012 Conference & Exhibition
Testing Protocol for Manhole Coatings

R. Saravanan and C. Vipulanandan, Ph.D., P.E.
Center for Innovative Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT)
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-4003
Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: (713) 743-4278
Abstract: Since coatings are being applied to leaking manholes, it is critical to evaluate the coating
performance near filed conditions. Hence a test protocol has been developed to test the coating under
varying hydrostatic pressure to determine effectiveness of coatings to control leak with minimal
deformation and/or blisters. Also the tensile bonding of the coating to the substrate will be quantified.
1. Introduction
Manholes are used to access and also to allow aeration of drain or sewer systems conveying sewage or
surface water under gravity. During rainy season, the hydrostatic pressure on the concrete manhole due
to raising water table could increase and the manhole should be strong enough to withhold such high
water pressure. The bonding between manhole and coating must be high enough to prevent water
infiltration into the manhole. For testing the performance of manhole coatings, at present no there is
accepted method available. Coatings are used to rehabilitate manholes and other infrastructures and
hence will be subjected to the external hydrostatic pressure. Hence the performance of the coatings
must be evaluated using full-scale tests. The performance of the coating of manhole could be perfectly
evaluated by observing the movement of coating under various hydrostatic pressures. The hydrostatic
pressure can be applied gradually up to a pressure of 11 psi.
2. Objectives
To develop a test protocol to evaluate the performance of coatings applied to leaking manholes.
3. Literature Review
ASCE document on Manhole Inspection and Rehabilitation (Hughes, 2009) identifies several methods
for repairing manholes such as coating, lining the surface of manholes and chemical grouting. The
document recommends a minimum thickness of coating of at least 0.05 inch. For coatings and liners the
document recommends the following ASTM standards for surface preparation. (ASTM D 4258 for
surface cleaning concrete for coating; ASTM D 4259 for surface preparation of abrading concrete). This
document also summarizes a couple of more guidance (SSPC SP-13 & ICRI 03732) for the
performance and inspection of concrete surface preparation. For polymer coating thickness
measurement, it recommends ASTM D 4414 which specifies standard practice for measurement of wet
film thickness by Notch gauges. It also recommends ASTM D 4787 test method for continuity
verification of sheet linings applied to concrete substrates. For testing pull-off strength of coatings, it
recommends (i) ASTM D 4541 or (ii) ASTM D 7234. EPA document summarizes various products
used for manhole rehabilitation (Sterling et al., 2009). However in this report no test method has been
recommended to evaluate the performance of the products used. WEF manual discusses about coating
systems and structural linings used for rehabilitation of manholes (Oman, 2000). It recommends ASTM
C 267 test which deals with standard methods for chemical resistance of mortars, grouts and monolithic
surfacing and polymer concretes. Also it recommends ASTM C 321 for testing bonding of coating
applied on concrete which is the same method that was used by CIGMAT for the past 15 years.
However this manual did not mention any test method for testing the performance of coating under
hydrostatic pressure.
4. The Summary of the Test Protocol is as Follows:
(i) The manhole is kept under water for at least 7 days before applying the coating.
(ii) Prepare the ends of the manhole to seal the edges for leaks during testing.
1
Proceedings CIGMAT-2012 Conference & Exhibition
(iii) After applying the coating, the manhole is placed in a full scale test chamber. Hydrostatic pressure
will be applied by filling the annular space between the outside chamber and manhole.
(iv) Initial readings of coating with respect to the steel rods will be taken using a vernier caliper
(accuracy of noted 0.001”).
(v) As specified, the hydrostatic pressure will be gradually increased and the deformation of the coating
will be closely observed by measuring the spacing between the steel rod and coating (Figure 1).
(vi) Leaking of water through the coatings will be quantified.
Figure 1: Vernier caliper used for deformation measurement
(vii) The tensile bonding strength of the coating to the manhole material (example concrete, clay brick)
will be determined using the CIGMAT CT-3 testing method.
5. Conclusion
Since this protocol includes full scale pressure testing on coated manholes and quantifying the bonding
characteristic of coatings, the performance of manhole coating can be evaluated using this test protocol.
6. Acknowledgement
This study was supported by CIGMAT with partial funding from various industries. Sponsors are not
responsible for any of the findings.
7. References
Hughes J.B., (2009). “Manhole rehabilitation and Inspection”, Manhole rehabilitation of the pipeline
division of the American Society of Civil Engineers, ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering
Practice No.92, Edition 2.
Sterling R., Wang L., and Morrison R., (2009). “White Paper on Rehabilitation of Wastewater
Collection and Water Distribution Systems” ,U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA/600/R-09/04,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Oman P., (2000). “Epoxy issues in manhole rehabilitation projects” Water Engineering and
Management-Vol. 147, Issue 4, 28-30.

Testing Protocol For Manhole Coatings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Testing Protocol For Manhole Coatings

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Testing Protocol For Manhole Coatings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Proceedings CIGMAT-2012 Conference & Exhibition

Testing Protocol for Manhole Coatings

Figure 1: Vernier caliper used for deformation measurement

You might also like