Dear Friends,
The lower construction site, which is the location of the parking lot and kitchen/dining hall, recently had some large pipes installed by a contractor. The pipes will solve a drainage problem by channeling stormwater runoff under the driveway and parking lot, and then eastward toward the river.
The size and configuration of the pipe were calculated by our civil engineer so that the driveway will be protected from eroding during a major storm. Our “Reinforced Concrete Cylinder Pipe” (RCCP or RCP) is 24 inches in diameter and constructed from steel-reinforced concrete. This type of pipe is widely used for many types of water transmission. Concrete pipe is the strongest material for subsurface drainage, with a service life of more than 100 years. With this pipe installed under our driveway, there will be no concerns of the pipe breaking when cement trucks drive across it.
Photo of John Deere 210G Excavator being used to dig the trench and install the pipes. The installation of such pipes is challenging because they are weighty and require heavy equipment to move and place them. Workers need to maneuver the pipes with care in order to prevent damage to the ends. The pipe segments must be installed at precise depths and angles so that the storm water will flow through them. The man standing by the pipe is using high-precision surveying equipment to get the pipes situated properly.
Photo of the downstream end of the stormwater pipe. Backfill material is placed carefully along the pipe and compacted thoroughly. The surveying equipment is used to precisely place the piping.
With warmest regards,
Paul Bauer
Chair of ISHA Building & Fund-Raising Committee