METHOD STATEMENT:

CONSTRUCTION & CASTING OF CONCRETE MANHOLES

1.1 PIPE TRENCH EXCAVATION

● Once necessary OHS measurements has been implemented, trial trenches to be carried out to check
for existing utilities to avoid any crashing or damaging of services. Refer to the Method Statement -
Trial Trenches for additional detail of the activity.
● If any existing services was detected that were not already located during the trial trenches stage, the
service clashing with the newly proposed works to be diverted or protected as required by the
utilities authority and in coordination with the Engineer/Employer.
● After confirming that there are no underground obstructions, trench excavation to start in line with
the required shoring as per pipeline depth and in line with the levels set out by the surveyor and
confirmed by the Engineer/Employer, the levels that will be required to mark and identify are the
following:
○ OGL - Original Ground level (for cut / fill measurement purposes).
○ IL- Pipe invert level - to identify the required depth of excavation, taking in to consideration
pipe wall and bedding thickness.
○ CL- Cover Level- to identify the total depth of a pipe trench as necessary.
○ BD IL - Backdrop Invert Level.
○ SL - Soffit Level.
● Nominal trench widths for single pipelines shall be defined as 1.50 times the diameter plus 500mm,
subject to a minimum trench width of 750mm. Nominal trench widths for two or more pipes in the
same trench (laid in parallel with similar invert levels) shall be defined as the sum of the internal
diameters plus 450mm between the pipes, plus 750mm. Repeat as necessary.
● The bedding is in base of the standard drawings bedding, and it shall contain no sharp stones and be
composed of aggregates to a size and grading approved by the Employers Representative.

21-J011E-AMC484 Rev0 19.03.2024

 METHOD STATEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION & CASTING OF CONCRETE MANHOLES

Figure 1: Trench excavation

Table 1: Aggregate size

21-J011E-AMC484 Rev0 19.03.2024

 METHOD STATEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION & CASTING OF CONCRETE MANHOLES

● All surplus material to be dumped in an area which is priory agreed jointly and to be used for
backfilling where required.
● If two pipes to be laid side by side in the same trench but at different levels, the deeper pipe to be
laid, jointed, completed and backfilled then the upper pipe laying to take place

1.2 PUMPING & DEWATERING

All excavated pits and trenches shall be free from water at all times. Dewatering equipment will be provided
to pump out all the water if required.

1.3 PIPE LAYING

1.3.1 Unloading /Storing
● Pipes and specials to be unloaded gently and with care to avoid any damages to the pipe coating or
lining.
● For uPVC pipes smaller than 300mm diameter they may be handled manually and those equal or
larger than 300mm diameter shall be lifted using a single fabric or large diameter rope sling. The
pipe shall not be stacked any higher than 5 layers.
● For GRP pipes they shall be supported on cradles at least 100mm wide, conforming to the shape of
the pipe placed at not more than 3 meters centres. The number of layers in a stack shall not exceed 5.
● The unloading and storage of all pipes shall be in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations
following the Engineer’s approval of pipe supplier and manufacturer.

1.3.2 Pipe Laying & Jointing

● Shall be laid and jointed in accordance with all relevant recommendations of the manufacturer. Any
variations between the manufacturer’s recommendations and this specification shall be highlighted
and ruling will be given with the Engineer’s/Employer’s agreement.
● After setting out all the levels will be checked jointly by surveyor and the Engineer/Employer.
● Pipes shall be kept free from all debris and other containment. Each pipe shall be carefully placed
into the prepared bed. All jointing of pipes to be done after the pipe has been laid and not before.
● Gravel will be placed below and surrounding the laid pipes as specified before. Geo-textile layer will
be laid with a minimum overlap of 500mm per project’s specifications.
● Gravel will be placed carefully by the use of an excavator bucket lowered into trench and spread
equally. Height will be governed by depth of trench and access and generally lowered as far as
possible into the trench.
● When pipes pass through walls a flexible joint is to be fitted, situated as close as possible to the
outside face and permitting a minimum deflection between adjacent pipes. The completed joint shall
be capable of accepting the following ranges of deformation when subjected to internal pressure
without losing its seal at the specified test pressure, without direct contact between spigot and
socket/coupling and without inducing stresses or strains in the pipe material beyond the safe working
limits.

21-J011E-AMC484 Rev0 19.03.2024

 METHOD STATEMENT:
CONSTRUCTION & CASTING OF CONCRETE MANHOLES

Table 2: Minimum allowable angular deflection for flexible joints

● The length of the next pipe (rocker pipe) away from the structure shall be as follow: for 150mm to
600mm nominal diameter pipes the length should be 0.6m, for nominal diameter over 600mm to
750mm pipes the length should be 1m and for over 750mm nominal diameter pipes the length should
be 1.25m.

Figure 2: Rocker pipe

● All fittings and accessories shall be of same material and quality as the pipe and jointing shall be of
the spigot and socket cemented type where solvent cement is applied to both parts. After pushing the
pipe into the socket the joint shall be allowed to set for at least 10 hours.

1.3.3 Pipe Cutting

● Pipes used for adjustment and short length shall be ordered from the manufacturer. Cutting and
rejoining is only allowed when butt joints are used or a calibration machine is available and
approved by the manufacturer.

21-J011E-AMC484 Rev0 19.03.2024