Designation: C985M − 15a

Standard Specification for

Nonreinforced Concrete Specified Strength Culvert, Storm
Drain, and Sewer Pipe (Metric)1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C985M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope C618 Specification for Coal Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined
1.1 This specification covers nonreinforced concrete pipe Natural Pozzolan for Use in Concrete
designed for specified strengths and intended to be used for the C822 Terminology Relating to Concrete Pipe and Related
conveyance of sewage, industrial wastes, and storm water and Products
for the construction of culverts. C989/C989M Specification for Slag Cement for Use in
Concrete and Mortars
1.2 This specification is the metric counterpart of Specifi- C1017/C1017M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for
cation C985. Use in Producing Flowing Concrete
NOTE 1—This specification is a manufacturing and purchase specifica- C1116/C1116M Specification for Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
tion only and does not include requirements for bedding, backfill, or the C1602/C1602M Specification for Mixing Water Used in the
relationship between field load conditions and the designated strength of Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
the pipe. However, experience has shown that the successful performance
E105 Practice for Probability Sampling of Materials
of this product depends upon the proper selection of the pipe strength, type
of bedding and backfill, and care that the installation conforms to the
construction specifications. The owner of the concrete pipe specified 3. Terminology
herein is cautioned that he must correlate the field requirements with the
pipe strength specified and provide inspection at the construction site.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms relating to concrete
pipe, see Terminology C822.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Basis of Acceptance
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
A615/A615M Specification for Deformed and Plain Carbon- 4.1 The acceptability of the pipe design shall be determined
Steel Bars for Concrete Reinforcement in accordance with Section 9. After the pipe design has been
A1064/A1064M Specification for Carbon-Steel Wire and accepted, or if the pipe design has been accepted previously in
Welded Wire Reinforcement, Plain and Deformed, for accordance with Section 9, production pipe shall be accepted in
Concrete accordance with 4.2.
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates 4.2 Acceptance on the Basis of Pipe Load and Material
C150 Specification for Portland Cement Tests and Inspection of Manufactured Pipe for Defects—
C260/C260M Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures Determine in accordance with Sections 5, 6, 8, and 11.
for Concrete
NOTE 2—It is necessary that samples be selected at random. For
C494/C494M Specification for Chemical Admixtures for guidance, see Practice E105.
Concrete
C497M Test Methods for Concrete Pipe, Manhole Sections, 4.3 Age for Acceptance—Pipe shall be considered ready for
or Tile (Metric) acceptance when it conforms to the requirements as indicated
C595/C595M Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements by the specified tests.

5. Design and Manufacturing Data

1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C13 on 5.1 The manufacturer shall provide the following informa-
Concrete Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C13.01 on tion regarding the pipe unless waived by the owner:
Non-Reinforced Concrete Sewer, Drain and Irrigation Pipe.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2015. Published October 2015. Originally 5.1.1 Basis of acceptance and supporting data,
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as C985M – 15. DOI: 5.1.2 Designated pipe strength,
10.1520/C0985M-15A.
2
5.1.3 Physical Characteristics—Diameter, wall thickness,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
laying length, and joint details,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 5.1.4 Admixtures,
the ASTM website. 5.1.5 Manufacturing and curing process, and

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C985M − 15a
5.1.6 Handling Reinforcement: pipe as a nonstructural manufacturing material. Synthetic fibers
5.1.6.1 Type of reinforcement, applicable reinforcement (Type II and Type III) and nonsynthetic fiber (Type I) designed
specification, and grade. and manufactured specifically for use in concrete and conform-
5.1.6.2 Placement, placement tolerance, diameter, spacing ing to the requirements of Specification C1116/C1116M shall
and cross-sectional area of circumferential, longitudinal, and be accepted.
special reinforcement. 6.1.7 Water—Water used in the production of concrete shall
be potable or non-potable water that meets the requirements of
6. Materials and Manufacture Specification C1602/C1602M.
6.1 Materials: 6.2 Manufacture:
6.1.1 Concrete—The concrete shall consist of cementitious 6.2.1 Mixture—The aggregates shall be sized, graded,
materials, mineral aggregates, admixtures, if used, and water. proportioned, and mixed with cementitious materials, water,
6.1.2 Cementitious Materials: and admixtures, if any, to produce a thoroughly-mixed concrete
6.1.2.1 Cement—Cement shall conform to the requirements mixture of such quality that the pipe will conform to the design
for portland cement of Specification C150, or shall be portland and test requirements of this specification.
blast-furnace slag cement, portland-limestone cement, or 6.2.2 Handling Reinforcement—Circumferential handling
portland-pozzolan cement conforming to the requirements of reinforcement shall be provided in all pipe larger than 900 mm
Specification C595/C595M, except that the pozzolan constitu- in diameter.
ent in the Type IP portland pozzolan cement shall be fly ash. 6.2.2.1 Placement—Where one line of circular reinforce-
6.1.2.2 Fly Ash—Fly ash shall conform to the requirements ment is used, it shall be placed between 30 and 50 % of the
of Specification C618, Class F or Class C. wall thickness from the inside surface. Where two lines of
6.1.2.3 Slag Cement—Slag cement shall conform to the circular reinforcement are used, each line shall be so placed
requirements of Grade 100 or 120 of Specification C989/ that the protective covering over the circumferential reinforce-
C989M. ment in the wall of the section shall be 25 mm.
6.1.2.4 Allowable Combinations of Cementitious 6.2.2.2 Splices—If the splices are not welded, the reinforce-
Materials—The combination of cementitious materials used in ment shall be lapped not less than 20 diameters for deformed
the concrete shall be one of the following: bars, and 40 diameters for plain bars and cold-drawn wire.
(1) Portland cement only, When splices are welded and are not lapped to the minimum
(2) Portland blast-furnace slag cement only, requirements above, there shall be a minimum lap of 50 mm
(3) Portland-pozzolan cement only, and pull tests of representative specimens shall develop at least
(4) Portland-limestone cement only, 50 % of the minimum specified strength of the steel.
(5) A combination of portland cement or portland- 6.2.2.3 Spacing—Handling reinforcements shall be indi-
limestone cement and fly ash, vidual hoops or shall be formed into a cage or cages. It shall be
(6) A combination of portland cement or portland- distributed along the length of the pipe section, or one half of
limestone cement and slag cement, the minimum reinforcement shall be allowed to be placed in
(7) A combination of portland cement or portland- each of the extreme quarters of the length of a 2.4-m or less
limestone cement, slag cement, and fly ash, or pipe section, or one third of the minimum reinforcement shall
(8) A combination of portland-pozzolan cement and fly be allowed to be placed in each third of the length of a longer
ash. than 2.4-m pipe section. Additionally, at least 75 % of the
6.1.3 Aggregates—Aggregates shall conform to the require- minimum area shall be located not less than one fifteenth of the
ments of Specification C33/C33M, except that the requirement length of the pipe section from any portion of the joint.
for gradation shall not apply. 6.2.2.4 Area—The minimum area of circumferential han-
6.1.4 Admixtures—The following admixtures and blends are dling reinforcement shall be equal to 0.06 (D + t)2 in square
allowable: mm per m of pipe, where “D” equals the designated diameter
6.1.4.1 Air-entraining admixture conforming to Specifica- in mm and “t” equals the wall thickness in mm.
tion C260/C260M; 6.2.2.5 Special Designs—The manufacturer shall be al-
6.1.4.2 Chemical admixture conforming to Specification lowed to submit special designs to the owner for approval.
C494/C494M; Approval shall be based on structural calculations or on load
6.1.4.3 Chemical admixture for use in producing flowing tests. The minimum ultimate three-edge bearing load shall be
concrete conforming to Specification C1017/C1017M; and equal to the weight of the pipe and shall be sustained by the
6.1.4.4 Chemical admixture or blend approved by the pipe after cracking at the top, bottom and sides the full length
owner. of the pipe. The pipe shall also meet the strength requirements
6.1.5 Steel Reinforcement—Reinforcement shall consist of of Section 7 and Section 10 or 11, or both.
welded wire reinforcement conforming to Specification 6.2.3 Joints—The joints shall be of such design and the ends
A1064/A1064M for steel wire and welded wire reinforcement, of the concrete pipe sections so formed that when the sections
plain and deformed, for concrete. If billet steel is used, it shall are laid together they will make a continuous line of pipe with
be used conforming to Specification A615/A615M. a smooth interior free from appreciable irregularities in the
6.1.6 Fibers—Synthetic fibers and nonsynthetic fibers shall flowline, all compatible with the permissible variations given
be allowed to be used, at the manufacturer’s option, in concrete in Section 8.

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 C985M − 15a
6.2.4 Lift Holes—When agreed upon by the owner, lift eyes met by a representative sample. In no case, however, shall the
or holes shall be allowed to be provided in each pipe for the cover over the circumferential reinforcement be less than 13
purpose of handling. mm.
8.2.3 Laying Length Tolerances—The length of any section
7. Physical Properties of pipe shall not vary more than 13 mm from a specified or
7.1 Pipe Strength—Pipe strength may be either a designated designated design length. The length of two opposite sides of
strength or a cracking strength. The designated strength is that any section of pipe shall not vary more than 6 mm or 2 % of the
specified as the minimum load required to produce the cracking designated diameter, whichever is larger.
strength when tested in three-edge bearing in accordance with 8.2.4 Wall Thickness Tolerances—The wall thickness shall
Test Methods C497M. The cracking strength is the actual not be less than the thickness specified under 5.1.3 by more
maximum load observed in the three-edge bearing test, and than 5 % or 3 mm for pipe 300 to 600 mm in diameter,
shall be assumed to have been reached when any continuous whichever is greater; and by more than 5 % or 5 mm for pipe
visible crack caused by the test load exceeds 300 mm in length larger than 600 mm in diameter, whichever is greater. Local-
measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. ized variations in wall thickness exceeding those specified
above shall be accepted if the physical test requirements
NOTE 3—For pipe made without handling steel, the designated strength
is the minimum load required to produce the ordinary nonreinforced pipe
specified herein are met. A wall thickness greater than that
load at ultimate failure. For safety reasons, do not look for a visible crack required by the design is not a cause for rejection, except that
during a three-edge bearing test of pipe without reinforcing. such pipe shall not be used for tests required in Section 4.
7.2 Test Equipment and Facilities—The manufacturer shall 8.2.5 Straightness Tolerances—Pipe intended to be straight
furnish, without charge, all samples, facilities, and personnel shall not vary in alignment more than 10 mm/m of length.
necessary to carry out the tests required by this specification.
9. Acceptance of Design
7.3 Test Methods—The tests for crushing strength shall be
made in accordance with Test Methods C497M. When alter- 9.1 Acceptance by Tests of Specimens—Three to five repre-
native methods of load testing are specified, tests shall be made sentative specimens, or special test pipe that are shorter than
in accordance with the alternative requirements. standard production pipe, as agreed upon by the owner and
manufacturer, shall be tested to cracking strength and the
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations results recorded. Compute the values in 9.1.1 and 9.1.2 for the
8.1 Standard Diameters—Pipe shall be manufactured in the cracking strength.
standard designated internal diameters listed in Table 1. 9.1.1 Compute the estimated standard deviation, s, by Eq 1
or Eq 2, that yield identical values, as follows:
NOTE 4—Diameters other than those shown in Table 1 may be
available. When such sizes are required, the owner shall contact the s5 =@ ( ~ X 2 X ! # / ~ n 2 1 !
i
2
(1)
manufacturers in the project area.
8.2 Design Tolerances—Except as specified in this section, s5 =@ ( X i
2
2~ i
2
( X ! /n # / ~ n 2 1 ! (2)
all permissible design tolerances shall be provided under where:
requirements in Section 5.
Xi = observed value of the load to develop the cracking
8.2.1 Diameter Tolerances—The internal diameter shall not
strength,
vary from the designated diameter by more than 65 mm for X̄ = average (arithmetic mean) of the values of Xi,
pipe 300 mm in diameter; by more than 66 mm for pipe 375 X̄s = computed minimum allowable arithmetic mean,
or 450 mm in diameter; by more than 68 mm for pipe 525 mm n = number of observed values.
in diameter; by more than 610 mm for pipe 600 to 900 mm in
diameter; and by more than 61 % for pipe larger than 900 mm 9.1.2 Compute the minimum allowable arithmetic mean, X̄s,
in diameter. by Eq 3. In Eq 3, the value of the estimated standard deviation,
8.2.2 Handling Reinforcement Placement Tolerances—The s, shall be as calculated by Eq 1 or Eq 2 or equal to 0.07L,
maximum variation in the nominal position of the reinforce- whichever is greater.
ment shall be 610 % of the wall thickness or 616 mm, X̄ s 5 L11.07 s (3)
whichever is greater. Pipe having variations in the position of
the reinforcement exceeding those specified above shall be where:
accepted if the three-edge bearing strength requirements are L = specification limit (designated strength)
9.1.3 The pipe design shall be acceptable if the arithmetic
TABLE 1 Standard Designated Internal Diameters, mm mean X̄ for the cracking strength is equal to or greater than the
100 600 900
computed values of X̄s, and if all the tested specimens meet or
150 675 1050 exceed the specification limit.
200 750 1200
250 825 1350 9.2 Alternative Acceptance Method—The manufacturer
300 1500 shall be allowed to request approval of designs based on
375 empirical evaluations of the strength of the pipe including, but
450
525 not limited to, designs based on interpolation between designs
approved in accordance with 10.1, or designs evaluated on the

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 C985M − 15a
basis of tests other than the three-edge bearing test method. 12.1.1 Fractures or cracks passing through the wall or joints,
Acceptance of design tests need not be performed for each except that a single crack not exceeding 50 mm in length at
contract or order. either end of a pipe or a single fracture or spall in the joints not
exceeding 75 mm around the circumference of the pipe nor 50
10. Acceptance of Pipe by Load Testing mm in length into joint shall not be considered cause for
10.1 Lot Sampling—The owner shall randomly select from rejection unless these defects exist in more than 5 % of the lot.
the lot a sample of the size listed in Table 2. 12.1.2 Defects that indicate mixing and molding not in
10.2 Designated Strength Testing: compliance with 6.2.1.
10.2.1 At the manufacturer’s option, each specimen of the 12.1.3 The ends of the pipe are not normal to the walls and
sample shall be tested to the designated strength. If all center line of the pipe, within the limits of variations given in
specimens reach the designated strength, without visible cracks 8.2.3.
as defined in 7.1, in length, the lot shall be accepted. 12.1.4 Cracks sufficient to impair the strength, durability, or
10.2.2 If any of the test specimens do not reach the serviceability of the pipe.
designated strength, the lot shall be resampled and tested in 12.1.5 Surface defects that indicate honeycombed or open
accordance with 10.3. texture that would adversely affect the function of the pipe.
10.2.3 After testing as prescribed in the preceding sections, 13. Disposition of a Rejected Lot
any of the test specimens that were not cracked, or otherwise
13.1 A lot of pipe which fails to meet the criteria for
structurally damaged, shall be allowed to be included in the lot
acceptability shall be allowed to be utilized in accordance with
for shipment.
a procedure mutually agreed to by the manufacturer and the
10.3 Cracking Strength Testing: owner. The procedure may demonstrate improvement in the
10.3.1 Test each specimen to the cracking strength. When lot, statistically calculate a reduced strength for the lot, or
all specimen test strengths are equal to or greater than that develop an acceptable disposition. The manufacturer shall bear
specified, the lot shall be accepted. all expenses incurred by the procedure.
10.3.2 When one or more specimen test strengths are less
than that specified, the values for X̄ and s shall be computed 14. Repairs
and substituted into the applicable equation given in Table 2. 14.1 Pipe shall be allowed to be repaired, if necessary,
When the arithmetic mean X̄ is equal to or greater than the because of occasional imperfections in manufacture, or acci-
computed value of X̄s, the lot shall be acceptable. dental injury during handling, and will be acceptable if, in the
10.3.3 When the arithmetic mean X̄ is less than the com- opinion of the owner, the repaired pipe conforms to the
puted values of X̄s, the lot shall be rejected for that strength. requirements of this specification.
10.4 Use of Design Test Data—When the pipe tested in 15. Certification
Section 10 were selected at random from a production lot, the 15.1 When agreed upon in writing by the owner and the
test data shall be allowed to be used in the acceptance analysis manufacturer, a certification shall be made the basis of accep-
of that lot. tance. This shall consist of a copy of the manufacturer’s test
11. Inspection report or a statement by the manufacturer, accompanied by a
copy of the test results, that the pipe has been sampled, tested,
11.1 The quality of materials, process of manufacture, and
and inspected in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.
the finished pipe shall be subject to inspection by the owner.
Each certification so furnished shall be signed by the manu-
Pipe that is observed to have cracks or other defects in form or
facturer or an authorized agent.
dimensions in excess of the limits permitted in this specifica-
tion shall be discarded and replaced. 16. Product Marking
12. Rejection 16.1 The following information shall be legibly marked on
each section of pipe:
12.1 Pipe shall be subject to rejection for failure to conform 16.1.1 The designated pipe strength in pounds per linear
to any of the specification requirements. Individual sections of foot and specification designation,
pipe shall be allowed to be rejected because of any of the 16.1.2 The date of manufacture,
following: 16.1.3 The name or trademark of the manufacturer, and
16.1.4 Identification of the plant.
TABLE 2
Sample Equation
16.2 Marking shall be indented on the pipe section or
Lot Size Equation painted thereon with waterproof paint.
Size No.
0 to 300 3 X̄s = L + 1.08 s (4)
310 to 500 4 X̄s = L + 1.09 s (5) 17. Keywords
501 to 800 5 X̄s = L + 1.10 s (6)
801 to 1300 7 X̄s = L + 1.16 s (7) 17.1 concrete pipe—nonreinforced; culvert; sewer pipe;
storm drain; three edge bearing strength

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 C985M − 15a
APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. ACCEPTANCE OF PIPE BY LOAD TESTING

X1.1 Given Xi X i2
138 19 044
X1.1.1 The acceptability of 600 sections of 1500-mm inside 220 48 400
diameter pipe will be determined in accordance with Section 231 53 361
11. The designated pipe strength is 58.4 kN/m. With a wall 229 52 441
213 45 369
thickness of 172 mm, the pipe weighs 2230 kg/m. For proof of ^ Xi = 1031 2
^ Xi = 218 615
design specimens and production lots, the pipe is manufactured 2
in 2.4-m lengths. ~( X ! i 5 ~ 1031! 2 5 1 062 961

X1.2 Example 1
X̄ 5 ~ ( X /n ! 3 100
i

X̄ 5 ~ 1031/5 ! 3 100
X1.2.1 Sample Selection—From the lot, randomly select a X̄ 5 206 kN
sample of five specimens (n = 5) in accordance with Table 2.
X1.3.3 Standard Deviation—Calculate the standard
X1.2.2 Test Results—Test the specimens, and record the
deviation, s, using Eq X1.2, which is in a simpler form for
observed values of the cracking strengths, X1: 249, 220, 231,
calculations:
229, and 213 kN.
X1.2.3 Specification Limit—Since Xi is in kN, convert the s5 =@ ( X i
2
2~ i
2
( X ! /n # / ~ n 2 1 ! (X1.2)
specification limit (designated strength), L, to kN.
s 5 =@ 218 615 2 1 062 961/5 # / ~ 5 2 1 !
L 5 58.4 3 2.4 5 140 kN (X1.1)
X1.2.4 Acceptability—Since all of the observed values of s 5 38.8
cracking strength are greater than the specification limit
X1.3.4 Calculation of X̄s—Calculate the minimum allow-
(L = 140), the lot of pipe is acceptable.
able arithmetic mean, cracking strength, X̄ s, by Eq X1.3:
X1.3 Example 2 X̄ s 5 L11.10s (X1.3)
X1.3.1 Test Results—If in X1.2.2 the observed value of 249
kN had been 138 kN, it would be less than the specification X̄ s 5 14011.10 3 38.8
limit (L = 140), and acceptability of the lot must be determined
in accordance with Section 11. X̄ s 5 183 kN
X1.3.2 Calculation of X̄—Calculate the arithmetic mean, X̄, X1.3.5 Acceptability—Since the X̄ (206) is greater than X̄s
of the observed cracking strength values: (183), the lot of pipe is acceptable.

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