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gradient may be defined as fall divided by distance.
GRADIENT = FALL / DISTANCE
For example is a 24 metre section of drainage pipe has a fall of 0.30 metres,
calculate the gradient.
Gradient = 0.30 / 24
Gradient = 0.0125
This can be converted into a gradient written as a ratio or 1: some number.
Gradient = 1 / 0.0125 = 80
Gradient = 1 in 80
The above formula may be rearranged for Fall if the gradient is known:
FALL = GRADIENT X DISTANCE
For example, calculate the fall in a 50 metre section of foul water pipework if the
gradient is to be 1 in 80.
A gradient of 1 in 80 is converted to a number instead of a ratio.
1 / 80 = 0.0125
Fall = Gradient x Distance
Fall = 0.0125 x 50
Fall = 0.625 metres or 625mm.
The previous diagram may be completed by adding a pipe gradient.
Invert Levels
The Invert Level of a pipe is the level taken from the bottom of the inside of the pipe
as shown below.
Manholes
A manhole or access chamber is required to gain access to a drainage system for
un-blocking, cleaning, rodding or inspection. A typical manhole is shown below.
Manholes may be manufactured from masonry or precast concrete. Sometimes
several precast concrete rings are used to form a manhole which speeds up the
on-site construction process. Normally deep manholes below1.0 metre in
depth require step irons to assist access for a workman.
Manholes and access chambers are also manufactured in PVC. An access
chamber is not usually large enough to admit a person but is suitable for access
by cleaning rods or hose and they are used for domestic applications, a common
size of plastic access chamber is 450mm diameter. For the domestic market
plastic, fibreglass or galvanised steel lids may be used but cast iron lids are
required where traffic crosses.
A back drop manhole is used in areas where the surface level slopes as shown
below.
If the undergroung sewer pipe is to stay below ground it must follow the average
gradient of the slope. This invariably means that the pipe gradient becomes too steep,
resulting in the solids being left stranded in the pipe therefore causing a
blockage.
To overcome this problem the back drop manhole was developed, as shown
below.
An easier way to construct a back drop manhole is to use an internal vertical
section of pipe as shown below.
For additional information and guidance please see the following document.
It is important that the sewage enters the tank through the drainage pipe via
gravity. A deeper invert may be needed to allow for this.
Gradients
Having too steep a gradient will separate the liquids from the solids as the
sewage is flowing at a much quicker rate. This will then cause a build up of
solids, leading to a blockage within the pipe.
However having a gradient that is not steep enough can also cause similar
problems.
If you cannot discharge via gravity or if the outlet pipe is above the inlet, then
a pumped outlet will be required to pump the effluent over the gradient and
into a watercourse or soakaway.
For example, if you have a 2 feet drop or rise on a horizontal distance of 105
feet you divide the 2 together and multiply by 100 to get the percentage
gradient of the slope.
2 / 105 = 0.01904761904762 then multiply that by 100 which would give you
a 1.9% gradient.
How to find the the Invert level?? I have 2 manholes the one has IV level 1.5m , the pipe
size is 200mm and the distance between 2 manholes is 20mtr.. slope 1:100. how to find
Invert level of the 2nd manhole?? thanks!! the slope of 1:100 is correct??
Pipe diameter will have no influence in the outcome since the invert is the "inside surface of
the bottom of the pipe".
1:100 across 20m gives 0.2m fall from one manhole to the next. Thus relative to the
original manhole the next one will be 200mm lower.
However, you will need to adjust for the soil surface "slope" or contour condition unless you
can survey back to the same datum.
By the way, check the calculations. It may be different if the 20m is from (centre to centre)
or (edge to edge) and where in the manholes the invert levels were taken.
You will then have the invert level in your second chamber - you then go 8 metres back from that.
You can convert your gradient to a ratio by dividing it into 1 - much more understandable. 1/0.025 = 1 in
40 - this is the usual fall (or rise) for a 4 inch pipe.
Your fall is 1 in 40 - so for every 40 mm you drop 1 mm. So for your 8m length of pipe you will drop
200mm. If you are starting at your sewer connection, you will be rising, of course to get the level of the
first invert.