Avoiding pipeline failure

Concrete pipelines

When laying a pipeline, avoid concrete pipeline failure by:

eliminating bends, supporting horizontal and vertical pipelines to avoid extra loads on pipe clamp, securing 90° bends in pipes with leg clamped to ground
securing vertical lines to the building and not to cranes, hoist towers, scaffolding and formwork
checking all metal pipes and components with AS 2550.15 Cranes - Safe use - Concrete placing equipment (non-Queensland Government link)
flexible hoses must not be at risk of being run over by other plant and equipment on site

More detailed information on the concrete pipeline failure is outlined in Section 4.1.3 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.

When using quick release pipe clamps on fixed lines, make sure that:

the pipe clamps used are able to maintain the maximum concrete pressure in the pipeline from the pump
the locking pins are used and engaged
pipe clamps with no provision for locking pins should not be used
all pipe clamps are regularly inspected and replaced if deformed or damaged
clamps are locked according to manufacturer¿s instructions and not by hammering the quick released clamp lever or other methods causing metal fatigue

For more detailed information on avoiding concrete pipe clamp failure, check Section 4.1.3 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.

When inserting anchor brackets on the concrete delivery pipe, the concrete pumper should:

anchor brackets and tie downs should be used at no more than 3 metre intervals on the concrete delivery pipe
the number of bolts to secure an anchor bracket should be in accordance with
AS 2550.1 : Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use - General requirements (non-Queensland Government link)
when using friction type ¿drill-in¿ anchors, these should be high-load slip, torque controlled type with a safety factor of 3 to 1
chemical anchors are pull out load tested to 125% of their working load with a safety factor of 3 to 1 based on their failure load
securing pipes overhead (i.e. so that the bracket anchors are loaded in pure tension) with ¿through bolts¿ that extend through the concrete slab rather than drill-in type anchors
if drill-in type anchors are used overhead they should all be pull out load tested to 125% of their working load

Where excessive pipe movement occurs in temporary laid lines due to surging action of the pump, use:

extra anchorage methods to restrict line movement, especially at bends and elbows; or
install a short wire-braided high pressure rubber hose between concrete pump and pipelines.

For more detailed information on anchor brackets and pipe movements, check Section 4.1.3 of the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice 2005.

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