The Committee on the Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Concrete Box Sections met in Tucson, Arizona September 16-17 in conjunction with the ASTM C-13 committee to discuss the development of two new standards—Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Precast Concrete Low-head Pressure Pipe Using Standard Installations and Standard Guidelines for Design and Construction and Installation of Precast Concrete Pipe and Box Sections. In addition, the committee also discussed the existing ASCE 15-98 Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Precast Concrete Pipe Using Standard Installations.
The ASCE Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Precast Concrete Pipe Using Standard Installations (SIDD) focuses on the direct design of buried precast concrete 
pipe using Standard Installations, and reviews the design and construction of the soil/pipe interaction system that is used for the conveyance of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water, and drainage. To account for the interaction between pipe and soil envelope when determining loads, pressure distributions, moment, thrust and shear, this volume presents the SIDD method for buried precast concrete pipe. Excavation, safety, foundation, bedding, sheathing removal and trench shield advancement are among those construction requirements for precast concrete pipe designed by the SIDD method that are presented here. This standard practice may be used as a reference in preparing project specifications based on the SIDD method. Four types of standard embankment installations and four types of standard trench installations are covered in the standard. The limits state design procedure specified for the design of pipe is consistent with the procedures outlined in the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. The commentary provides supporting background data.
The committee has also produced ASCE 26-97 Standard Practice for Direct Design of Buried Precast Concrete Box Sections, covering the direct design of buried one-cell precast reinforced concrete box sections for the conveyance of sewage, industrial 
wastes, storm water and drainage, and to serve as tunnels. The design and analysis method accounts for the interaction between the box sections and soil envelope in calculating loads, pressure distributions, moment, thrust and shear in the box section, and includes a procedure for calculating the required reinforcement. Load effects are determined separately for each loading. The structural design of one-cell precast reinforced concrete box sections is based on a limits state design procedure that accounts for strength and serviceability criteria and is consistent with the procedures outlined in Section 17 of the AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges. The design criteria include: structural aspects, such as flexure, thrust, and shear strengths; handling and installation; fatigue limits; and crack width control. The design of a one-cell precast reinforced concrete box section is based on the assumption that specified design bedding and installation requirements will be achieved during construction of the installation. Owners and owners’ engineers will find this Standard useful in preparing contract documents based on the direct design method.
ASCE 27-00 Standard Practice for Direct Design of Precast Concrete Pipe for Jacking in Trenchless Construction was also developed by this committee. This Standard covers design and recommended installation procedures for precast concrete pipe for jacking in trenchless construction intended for the conveyance of sewage, industrial wastes, storm water and drainage and for utilities and access ways. The structural design of concrete pipe is based on a limits state design procedure that accounts for strength and serviceability criteria and is consistent with the procedures in Section 17 of the AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. The design criteria include: structural aspects, such as circumferential flexure, thrust, shear and radial tension strengths; crack width control; longitudinal thrust produced by jacking; and requirements for handling and installation.
To learn more about the committee, order copies of the standards, or get involved contact Marvin Oey at moey@asce.org or 703-295-6397.
Construction Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers