The Leak-tightness of the joints in a pipe installed by driving This is verified through design review, manufacturing control, inspection of joints prior to installation, monitoring during driving, and leak tests on the section or the completed pipeline. The objective is to confirm that the pipe joints do not exhibit leaks, displacement, pinching, damage to elastomers, or loss of watertightness due to internal pressure, external pressure, the water table, or angular deviations.
In projects of pipe ramming, microtunneling y infrastructure crossings, this verification must be coordinated with the pipe's strength class, the type of joint, the maximum thrusts, the distribution rings, the bend radius, and the pipeline's operating conditions.
The UNE-EN 1610:2016 standard applies to the construction and testing of drainage systems and sewer networks, and EN 1916 specifies requirements and test methods for precast concrete pipes with flexible joints, including pipes for pipe jacking or microtunneling, according to the technical data sheets provided by the standards organizations consulted.
What is checked at a driven pipe joint?
Sealing performance does not depend solely on the elastomer. The seal functions as a system consisting of a pipe, a plug, a spigot, a gasket, a pressure-distribution ring, tolerances, pressure, and alignment.
| Element | What Is Reviewed | Risk if it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Elastomer or flexible gasket | Continuity, position, cleanliness, compatibility, and absence of damage | Leaks, pinching, or displacement |
| Ends of the tube | Geometry, cracks, dents, pitting, or defects | Loss of support or seal |
| Distribution ring | Position, thickness, and uniform contact | Concentration of Loads and Edge Damage |
| Angular deviation | Compatibility with the actual route | Leak or Loss of Tightness |
| Internal pressure | Pipe Service Condition | Leaks to the Outside |
| External pressure | Water table or ground water pressure | Water entering the interior |
| Driving Force | Loads Transmitted During Installation | Deformation, displacement, or joint damage |
Checks to Be Performed Before Driving
Before beginning the installation, check the components that ensure a watertight seal:
- Technical data sheets for the pipe and the gasket.
- Test pressure and operating pressure.
- External pressure due to the water table.
- Dimensional tolerances for the tube.
- Condition of plugs, sockets, and contact surfaces.
- Chemical compatibility of the elastomer.
- Cleaning the joint area.
- Proper installation of the distribution ring.
- Permissible angular capacity.
- Procedure for installing and lubricating the gasket, if applicable.
- Factory test reports or manufacturer's certificates.
- Construction Testing Plan.
For curved piles, this review must be integrated with the Verification of the angular capacity of the joints, because a seal may be leak-tight when in its straight position but may lose performance if it operates beyond its allowable deflection.
Monitoring During the Piling Process
During pile driving, watertightness is ensured by verifying that the joints are not subjected to unexpected stresses, displacements, or deformations.
The following are monitored:
- Actual thrusts versus allowable thrusts.
- Alignment and elevation.
- Cumulative angular deviation.
- Guidance corrections.
- External pressure or the presence of water.
- Behavior of distribution rings.
- Issues with pipe assembly.
- Check for visible damage at the ends before pushing.
- Record of each installed pipe.
- Stoppages, impacts, or abnormal events.
The seal's integrity may be compromised by eccentric forces, misalignment, lack of cleanliness, damage to the elastomer, improperly installed rings, or bending beyond expected limits.
Routine Leak Tests
The applicable test depends on the type of pipeline, pipe material, diameter, operating pressure, project standards, and the owner's requirements.
| Essay | What it checks | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| Try it with water | Leaks under pressure or at a specified level | Sewage, drainage, gravity-fed or low-pressure pipelines |
| Air Test | Pressure loss in selected pipes | Sections where regulations and the landowner permit it |
| Leak Test | Water seepage from the ground | Areas with a high water table |
| Exfiltration Test | Water flowing out of the pipe | Sewage, drainage, or water supply systems |
| Spot Gasket Test | Localized leak at a joint | Accessible diameters or accessible joints |
| Visual inspection or CCTV | Visible defects, misalignments, or leaks | Acceptance of sections not open to inspection or supplementary inspection |
| Pressure Test | Durability and Leak-Tightness in Pressurized Piping Systems | Supply, pressurized lines, or pressurized pipelines |
In sewer and drainage systems, UNE-EN 1610 is used as a reference for the construction and testing of buried pipelines; for precast concrete pipes with flexible joints, EN 1916 includes leak-tightness test methods and covers pipe jacking and microtunneling within its scope.
When Testing Takes Place: Factory, Construction Site, and Acceptance
Leak-tightness can be verified at three levels:
1. Factory Inspection
Verify that the piping, gaskets, and materials comply with the manufacturing specifications: geometry, tolerances, elastomers, strength, system leak tightness, and quality documentation.
2. Monitoring During Installation
Check that each pipe is properly positioned, that the joint is not damaged during pushing, and that the thrusts, deflections, and distribution rings remain within acceptable limits.
3. Final Stage Test
Check the pipeline for leaks before acceptance. This can be done in sections, between manholes, at specific joints, or along the entire length of the pipeline, depending on the diameter, accessibility, and contractual requirements.
How to Interpret the Results
The results of a leak test are evaluated by comparing the measured data with the criteria defined in the project, regulations, or the owner’s specifications.
The following are reviewed:
- Pressure loss.
- Volume of water added.
- Trial period.
- Level of infiltration or exfiltration.
- Visible leaks.
- Leak Detection.
- Condition of joints.
- Behavior under internal or external pressure.
- Temperature conditions and stabilization.
- Incidents during the race.
If the result is not satisfactory, the cause must be identified before accepting the section: misaligned joint, damaged elastomer, crack, installation defect, damage from driving, excessive bending, failure of the wall penetration, connection to the manhole, or pipe defect.
Risks of Not Checking for Leaks
A leaky seal can cause:
- Water entering the pipeline.
- Leakage of wastewater or transported fluid.
- Fine-particle drag.
- Cleaning the area around the pipe.
- Deferred seats.
- Loss of hydraulic capacity.
- Corrosion or premature degradation.
- Environmental damage.
- Rejection upon acceptance of the work.
- High costs for subsequent repairs.
At crossings under roads, railways, waterways, urban areas, or marine environments, the watertightness of joints can also affect permits, maintenance, and the safety of the infrastructure being crossed.
Information Required for Design or RFQ
To define or review the leak-tightness test for joints in a driven pipe, the following information should be provided: pipe material, diameter, section length, joint type, elastomer data sheet, internal operating pressure, external pressure or water table level, intended use of the pipeline, applicable regulations, owner’s requirements, bend radius, allowable angular deviation, maximum anticipated thrust, pressure distribution ring, internal accessibility, available manholes, proposed test method, test pressure, duration, acceptance criteria, CCTV or visual inspection, factory certificates, and as-built documentation.
Request a Technical inspection of the leak-tightness of joints in pipes installed by driving Before finalizing the piping specifications, the test procedure, or the acceptance of the section.
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