A Vital Component Ignored
Every day in the United States, millions of people pass over manholes, either on foot or in vehicles, without noticing them. In fact, it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that those in the water/wastewater industry paid much attention either – the old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” seemed to apply. Now the industry is recognizing just how vital manholes truly are to the country’s infrastructure and how their failure could ultimately lead to big problems throughout the U.S.
A Vital Component Ignored
It is no secret that the infrastructure in the U.S. is aging and deteriorating, yet manholes have been an overlooked component of the sanitary sewer system. Why is that the case? Budgetary constraints, more pressing issues, such as failing pipelines, and a lack of focus on collection systems as a whole are all factors in the decades of neglect suffered by the nation’s manholes. For a long period of time, manholes were not seen as a potential source of failure. The failure of pipelines presented bigger, more immediate consequences, so condition assessments of manholes were put on the back burner. However, once these more immediate needs were addressed, the deterioration of manholes began to be observed. And with over 20 million manholes in the U.S., this issue could not be ignored any longer.
Manholes are the entryways into sanitary sewer systems. Their purpose is to provide access for inspection and maintenance which makes it all the more ironic that they have been overlooked for so long. The manhole invert, which is the bottom of the structure, is the extension of the pipe inlets. They are particularly susceptible to leaks. The bench, the sloped floor between the invert and the wall of the barrel, can deteriorate from abrasion and corrosion. The barrel itself is prone to corrosion, which can lead to structural instability. Manhole rings are susceptible to movement from traffic loads, soil movement and the freeze/thaw cycle. Overall, each component of a manhole is at a high risk of failure from normal wear and tear, not to mention factors such as exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or poor construction.
Recognizing the Manhole Problem
Some studies have shown that a majority of groundwater and surface water that enters the sewer system does so from manholes, making them the potential weak links in the system. There are definite consequences if deteriorating manholes are not repaired. From the operations standpoint, infiltration from groundwater impacts the collection system as a whole. From a structural standpoint, if there is a lot of corrosion within the manhole, cave-ins on roads can occur. It certainly makes more sense to address the issue of deteriorating manholes before they become safety hazards, either from manhole lids falling through the structure, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the road, or an entire street giving way or sewers flowing beyond their capacity. It seems that cities have finally realized that fixing pipelines is futile if the manholes within the system are deteriorating and leaking. (It goes without mentioning that the fear of lawsuits over collapsing roadways is probably a consideration as well).
The good news is that, as far as manholes are concerned, there are design repairs that, if made properly, can significantly maximize the life span of manholes. There are resources available to rehabilitate almost any defect that can be found in a manhole. The key is well trained and experienced applicators who understand that manholes are constructed of various materials that have different structural characteristics and require different rehabilitation methods.
Manholes: A History
Before rehabilitation methods can be addressed, it is necessary to take a look back at the history of manholes. Manholes have been in existence in the United States for over 200 years, with some dating back to the pre-Civil War era. At that time, bricks and mortar were the common materials used to construct manholes; however, some were built with stone, such as cobblestone or rocks. Now, when looking at these structures, many have a lot of brick still intact, but very little mortar. Depending on the location and condition of the manhole, inspections can uncover a significant amount of root intrusion which contributes to infiltration. In some extreme cases, soil can be seen. In the bottom area of the structure, deterioration of the bench can sometimes be observed. In this case, there may be separations or voids between penetrating pipes into the manhole structure.
Typical Cobble Stone & Brick Construction Manholes
Although many of these manholes are deteriorating, there are some that have stood the test of time. The life cycle of these manholes is a testament to the craftsmanship of the builders, especially considering that the bricks were hand-laid. These men were artisans – the pride they took in their work is evidenced by the very fact that many of these manhole structures are still in existence.
During the mid-20th century, there was a shift away from brick and mortar manholes to precast concrete. Areas of spalled concrete and exposed aggregate are typical for manholes built during this time. In manholes with PVC liners, some are in good condition and others are in various stages of deterioration. In some cases, it is apparent that corners were cut during the construction process. For example, at the manhole rim, the upper termination point of the liner, it is not uncommon to see the liner peeling away from the concrete.
For the most part, the typical life span of precast concrete manholes is 50 years. This means that now is the time when manholes built in the 1950s and 60s are beginning to fail. These manholes need to be inspected and any problems need to be addressed as soon as possible.
In the later 20th century, some manholes were constructed with cast-in place concrete. The condition of this type of manhole typically depends on the quality of the installation process. For example, if reinforcing steel was used, how much concrete cover is over the steel? Those manholes with adequate or more than adequate cover are still in good condition for the most part, and with proper inspection and maintenance, can have a life cycle of 40-50 years. Those with inadequate cover are already beginning to deteriorate.
The life cycles of both cast-in place and precast concrete manholes depends primarily on two factors: the severity of H2S exposure and the quality of the construction. H2S eats away at concrete and causes corrosion, and ultimately, the failure of the manhole structure. Construction also plays a big role in the condition of a manhole. Poor construction methods along with poor inspection or lack of can lead to the premature failure of the concrete or lining, which in turn, can lead to leaking joints. During rain events, this becomes an issue of capacity.
Current Manhole Construction
In the world of manhole construction today, materials such as HDPE, concrete with corrosion reducing additives and plastics are used. Newly constructed concrete manholes are rarely seen without liners. Better specifications are utilized, and this along with improved construction practices, typically means that newly constructed manholes will have a life cycle of 50+ years. However, the lasting power of liners, depends on the contractor – a poorly installed liner can fail within the first 10 years.
Some new manholes have HDPE liners installed. HDPE has its merits; it is a stout material that is manufactured to be thicker than PVC liners. Concrete manholes with properly installed HDPE liners can last 40-50 years without deterioration.
There are also some manholes built out of HDPE rings. There are several advantages of this type of construction: 1) It doesn’t require the installation of a liner, 2) It is relatively lightweight, which means that a lot more of it can be loaded onto a truck, translating into money saved and 3) The handling of the material is much easier – heavy equipment is not necessary. It is most likely that HDPE ring manholes can last 75-100 years.
Manhole Inspections: The Key to Rehabilitating Failing Manholes
With over 20 million manholes in the nation and many of them in poor condition, what can be done? The first step is to inspect the manholes to determine their condition. The best practice for the manhole inspection is to use a combination of technology and getting down into the trenches. An initial investigation can be conducted with the use of a CCTV camera. If a particular area appears to be in good shape, further investigation is not required until the next round of maintenance checks. If the area appears to be in poor or questionable condition, then a confined space entry into the manhole is performed. An inspector can pound on concrete and “get a feel” for more than just what the camera shows. However, technology is extremely helpful in this part of an initial manhole inspection. Viewing the manhole via camera limits the number of confined space entries, keeping workers safe and costs down.
Manhole inspectors are like detectives – consistency is necessary in all aspects of investigation in order to make the most of the clues. The inspector needs to look closely at all defects and document his/her visual observations. This is why NASSCO’s Manhole Assessment Certification Program (MACP) is valuable in manhole inspections. This program allows for consistency of documentation and a repeatable process for evaluation. In this way, a long-term approach to manhole deterioration throughout sewer systems can be undertaken rather than simply reacting when problems arise.
The goals of MACP coding are to define attributes and features of the structure, document and explain defects, develop ratings for each applicable component of the manhole – structural rating, O&M rating, I/I rating – and record dimensional data that can be used for selecting rehabilitation methods. This standardized method for reporting the results of condition assessments keeps everyone on the same page, promotes cost efficiency and avoids unnecessary rehabilitation work.
Rehabilitation Methods
In most cases, rehabilitation of the manhole is chosen over replacement due to cost and logistics. The cost associated with excavation is huge, and in many cases, coordination with all utilities in the area is required. A representative from each agency may have to be involved, which can be a scheduling and logistical nightmare. The permit process may also be prohibitive to manhole replacement, not to mention the potential impact on the community. For these reasons, among others, rehabilitation of the manhole is the path of least resistance.
When determining what rehab methods to use for a particular manhole, it is important to note that a one size fits all approach is not the best idea. No two manholes are identical. Site specific considerations such as physical location, access and right of way can be different for two manholes suffering from the same internal corrosion issues. Fully understanding the physical conditions of the manhole will help guide the rehab process. For example, where is the manhole located? Poor access to a manhole can greatly impair the ability to rehab not only that particular manhole, but can impair the ability to maintain the entire collection system. Are there any traffic control measures that need to be considered? What about flow issues, elevated H2S levels or moisture? Will it be necessary to ventilate and dehumidify? Is there root intrusion and/or infiltration? What are the cost constraints? How long does the rehab need to last? A 50-year fix isn’t necessary if the replacement of the manhole is planned for 10 years down the road. Being armed with the answers to these questions will help ensure that the rehab process goes smoothly.
Depending on the answers to the above questions and the specific defects of the manhole, coatings, liners or a combination of both may be used to fix the damage. When it comes to coatings, spray applied epoxies, urethanes and cementitious coatings that are calcium aluminate based are all used in rehab work. Other options include repairing existing liners with a similar material. Arrowlock® is a PVC-like material that uses mechanical adhesion to repair failing T-Lock® liners. There are also other products, such as Linabond®, that uses a chemical adhesion process to achieve the same type of repair. At times, a combination of methods may be appropriate. For example, failing T-Lock® may be cut out and the concrete beneath coated. If using a combination method such as this, the two rehab methods need to work well together, with a proper interface occurring between the coated concrete and the remaining liner.
Full replacement or installation of structural liners, such as Poly-Triplex® Liners comes into play in situations where a coating simply isn’t enough to fix the problem. The old liner is replaced with a new structurally reinforced cure-in-place liner.
Regardless of the rehabilitation method that is chosen for a particular manhole, the goal is to create a corrosion barrier prevent to manhole deterioration. Although the main consequence of a failing manhole is inflow/infiltration, in extreme cases, dangerous conditions can result from a corroded, deteriorating manhole.
This article is the first of a two-part series on manholes. The second article will discuss rehabilitation techniques and specifications in more detail, as well as take a look at the future of manholes throughout the country.
Denis Pollak brings more than 38 years of experience in the Wastewater Industry, including thirty years with the award winning Leucadia Wastewater District and eight years as a consultant for condition assessment and flow monitoring projects throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas and the Pacific Rim. Denis has been responsible for Collection System Operations and Maintenance, including 12 pump stations, and Construction project management with annual budgets exceeding $5 Million, including major rehabilitation of several pumps stations, the construction of a dual force main system and the construction and commissioning of a 1 MGD water reclamation treatment plant. A member of the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) for over twenty years, he has served as the CWEA’s State President in 2003 and was a member of the WEF’s House of Delegates. A graduate of Palomar College, Denis has taught wastewater classes at both Palomar and San Diego Mesa Colleges. He has conducted workshops in all aspects of Collection System O&M, including compliance and spill response, as well as capacity assurance, condition assessment, and pipeline rehabilitation.
Denis Pollak
Condition Assessment Manager
Oakland, San Diego, Houston, Seattle
8291 Aero Place, Suite 110, San Diego, CA 92123
Phone (858) 380-4146 Fax (858) 576-0004
www.vaengineering.com