Different Types of Pipes.

Pipes are used for carrying gas, cold and hot water, and other liquids
from one place to another safely. Different types of pipes are used in
different circumstances.

Pipes types are selected on the basis of work and suitability, and their
prices are also taken into account.

For plumbing and water supply, some of the commonly used and best
pipes are as under:

1. Cast iron Pipe.

2. G.I Pipe.
3. Wrought Iron Pipe.
4. Steel Pipe.
5. Copper Pipe.
6. Plastic Pipe.
7. Asbestos Cement Pipe
8. Concrete Pipe.
9. Vitrified Clay Pipe.
1. Cast Iron Pipe:
Cast Iron pipe is widely used for city water-distribution
systems because of its high resistance to corrosion and consequent
long life.
Cast iron pipe is made from pig iron. Such pipes are normally made
from 5 cm to 120 cm in diameter.
Under normal conditions, a cast iron pipe can be expected to last 100
years.
The usual length of a pipe section is 12 ft, but lengths up to 20 ft can be
obtained.

Cast iron pipe is made in several thickness classes for various pressures
up to a maximum of 350 psi.

Cast-iron pipes are usually dipped in a bituminous compound for

protection against corrosion and to improve their hydraulic qualities;
larger sizes may be provided with a lining of cement mortar.
A common joint for cast iron pipe is the bell and spigot. A few strands
of jute are wrapped around the spigot before it is inserted into the bell,
and then more jute is packed into the joint.

Finally, the space between the bell and spigot is tilled with a molten
lead, which is tightly caulked into the joint after cooling.

Patented compounds of sulfur and other materials and neat cement

mortar are also used for joints. These materials are cheaper than lead,
but the joints are usually less flexible.

The flanged pipe is used for pumping stations, filter plants, and other
locations where it may be necessary to disjoint the pipe.

Flanged couplings must be fitted perfectly and provided with a gasket if

they are to be watertight.

These couplings are bolted together and designed to avoid the careful
fit required of ordinary hanged couplings and to permit flexibility in
pipe placement.

One of the most common is the Dresser coupling.

Cast iron pipes are also cheap and economical. These pipes can be
joined easily and can be cut and bored easily too.
They are durable up-to 100 years of life but, as time passes, their
strength of carrying water decreases. They cannot bear pressure more
than 7 kg per square centimeter:

The cast iron pipes are generally cut with chisel and hammer, but for a
better cutting cutter and hack saw can be used.

Following methods are used to join a cast iron pipe.

(i). Bell and Spigot Joint.

(ii). Hanged Joint.
(iii). Expansion Joint.

2. Galvanized Iron Pipe (G.I).

G.I pipes are made of mild steel sheet. Its length-wise joint is Welded
Seam Type. G.I pipe is used to supply water, gas or any other liquid
inside the building.
These types of pipes are prepared from 12 mm ( 0.5 inches) to 15 cm ( 6
inches) in diameter. They are available in 6 meters ( 20 feet) length.
The thickness of the wall of its sheet is different according to their
diameters. After preparing this pipe, it is dipped in zinc solution. This
action is known as Galvanizing. In this way, the pipe is saved from
rusting.

The average age of this pipe is 10 years. They can be joined easily,
cutting, threading, and bending them is also an easy task. They are
joined with the help of a socket.

These pipes are light-weighted and cheap. Acidic and alkaline waters
affect these pipes badly.

3. Wrought Iron Pipe.

These types of pipes are like G. I. Pipes. They are also used to carry
water, gas or certain other liquid from one place to another.

The only difference between wrought iron pipe and G.I is that wrought
iron pipes are prepared by welding wrought iron sheet. In addition,
seamless pipes are also made.
The weight of such pipe is less. Cutting, threading, and bending of this
pipe is quite easy. To join such pipes following joints are used:

(i) Socket Joint

(ii) Flanged Joint
(iii) Welded Joint
Wrought iron pipes are made from 12 mm(0.5 inches) to 15 cm (6
inches) in diameter.

4. Steel Pipe.
Steel pipes are used to carry water, gas or certain other liquid from one
place to the other under pressure. These pipes are made from steel
sheets.

Small pipes have welded joint along the length which is not visible.
Large pipes have riveted joint or welded joint.

After making such pipes, they are dipped in Zinc solution. This action is
called Galvanizing and is used to prevent the pipe from rusting. The
average age of such pipes is from 25 years to 50 years.
These pipes are light in weight. They can be joined by a welded joint.
They are placed on Open Supports. They are also joined by Flanged
Joint.

Such pipes can be bent easily. Acidic water and alkaline water can rust
these pipes. Repair of this type of pipe is difficult. They can also be
pressed by external pressure due to their less wall thickness.

5. Copper Pipe.
Copper pipes are made of small diameter. Since copper does not admit
rust, so these pipes are durable. However, as copper is costly,
therefore, they are used in limited places.

These types of pipes are generally used to carry hot water or steam.
They do not bend or sag even at high temperature.
Copper is a mild metal. Therefore, copper pipes can be bent easily.
They are joined by Flanged Joint and Union Joints.

6. Plastic Pipe.
These pipes – which includes rubber and P. V. C. pipes – are used for
the supply of water, acidic water, and alkaline water. Hot water should
not be carried out.

These pipes are joined using a thread joint or socket is joined with a
solution. Such pipes are not rusted. They are light in weight. Cutting,
bending, and jointing are easy for these pipes.
These types of pipes have good resistance against electric current. They
become useless on increasing temperature. They also become useless
on being tempered by nail, etc.

7. Asbestos Cement Pipe.

The asbestos pipe is made from asbestos, silica, and cement converted
under pressure to a dense, homogeneous material possessing
considerable strength.
The asbestos fiber is thoroughly mixed with the cement and serves as
reinforcement.
This type of pipe is available in diameters of from 4 to 36 inches in 13-ft
lengths. The pipe is made in various grades, the strongest being
intended for internal pressures up to 200 psi.
The asbestos pipe is assembled by means of a special coupling which
consists of a pipe sleeve and two rubber rings which are compressed
between the pipe and the interior of the sleeve.

The joint is as resistant to corrosion as the pipe itself and is flexible

enough to permit as much as 12° deflection in laying pipe around
curves.

An asbestos-cement pipe is light in weight and can be assembled

without skilled labor. It can be joined to cast-iron pipe with lead or
sulfur-base compounds.

It is easily cut and can be tapped and threaded for service connections.
The hydraulic efficiency of an asbestos pipe is high.

However, the rubber-joint seals may deteriorate if exposed to gasoline

or other petroleum products.

The pipe is easily damaged by excavating tools and does not have much
strength in bending.
They are used to carry water under low pressure.
These pipes are soft from the inside. That is why their performance is
better. They are not rusted and are cheap as well.

8. Concrete Pipe.
The Pre-cast Concrete pipe is available in sizes up to 72 inches
diameter, and sizes up to 180 inches have been made on special order.

Precast Concrete pipes are reinforced except in sizes under 24 inches

diameter. The reinforcement may take the form of spirally wound wire
or elliptical boom.

In large pipes, the reinforcement usually consists of two cylindrical

cages. The precast concrete pipe is usually made by rotating the form
rapidly about the pipe axis.

The centrifugal force presses the mortar tightly against the forms and
results in high-density watertight concrete.

For low heads, the concrete pipe is usually joined with a mortar caulked
bell-and-spigot joint, but for high pressures, the lock joint or some
other special joint is required.
For heads above 100 ft, a welded steel cylinder is often cast in the pipe
for water-tightness.

Because of the better control in its manufacture, a pre-cast concrete

pipe is usually of higher quality and not need to be so thick as a cast-in-
place pipe of the same size.

Because of the need to move plant and forms over long distances, cast-
in-place pipe is relatively expensive and is normally used only for pipe
sizes not available in precast form or where transportation difficulties
make use of precast pipe impossible.

For gravity flow, the no-joint concrete pipe has been developed in
California.

This pipe has been constructed in sizes 24 to 72 inches. A special pipe-

laying machine with a slip form is used.

Rates of production vary from 40 to 120 ft/hr. Though this pipe is not
reinforced, the experience record to date has been good.

A concrete pipe should last at least 35 to 50 years under average

conditions. Alkaline water may cause rapid deterioration of thin
concrete sections.

Concrete pipes carrying wastewater may be subject to sulfide corrosion

and may be short-lived unless proper precautions are taken.

Concrete Pipes are generally used these days. They are used even in
low as well as high pressure. Plain concrete pipes are made for low
pressure, and R. C. C. ( Reinforced Cement Concrete) pipes are made
for high pressure.

Plain concrete pipes can bear Water-head up to 15 meters ( 50 feet) R.

C. C. pipes can bear Water-head up to 75 meters ( 230 feet). For
pressure more than this, pre-stressed pipes are made.

Less expenditure is required for their maintenance. Rust does not

affect these pipes, and they can be made at will.
Such pipes are heavy. So, their transportation is difficult. It is also
difficult to repair them.

9. Vitrified Clay Pipe.

Vitrified Clay Pipe is not often used as pressure pipe, but is widely used
in sewerage and drainage for flow at partial depth.

The main advantage of vitrified clay pipe is that it is virtually corrosion-

free, has a long life, and its smooth surface provides high hydraulic
efficiency.

Use of vitrified clay pipe under pressure is usually prevented by its low
strength in tension and the difficulty of securing watertight joints.

The most common joint for vitrified clay pipe is the bell-and-spigot
flexible compression joint in which precision mated surfaces are in tight
contact with one another.

Rubber-sleeve couplings held in place with corrosion-resistant steel

bands are occasionally used with a plain-end clay pipe,

…but more often the joints of this type of pipe are left open to permit
passage of water either into or out of the pipe.
Vitrified Clay pipe is most commonly made of 3-ft lengths, but 2, 2.5,
and 4-ft lengths can be obtained.

Inside diameters vary by 2 inches increments from 4 to 12 inches and

by 3 inches increments above 12 inches.

Clay pipe in diameters greater than 36 inches is rarely used.

Because of the dimension changes, while the pipe is in the kiln, liberal
tolerances in all dimensions are necessary.