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Maximum Depths of Cover

for American Mechanical Joint Pipe
ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51

2 1 1 2 3 Mj Max Depths Of Cover Print

This table tabulates the maximum depth of cover for the five types of laying conditions, along with corresponding nominal wall thickness and maximum rated working pressure, all for special thickness class 53 ductile iron pipe. AMERICAN mechanical joint pipe is available only in special thickness class 53.

Minimum allowable depth of cover is 3’.
For depths less than 3’, consult AMERICAN.

Size (in.) Thickness (in.) Laying Conditions –
Maximum Depth of Cover (ft.)1
Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 5
4 0.32 1002 1002 1002 1002 1002
6 0.34 78 89 1002 1002 1002
8 0.36 55 63 71 88 1002
10 0.38 40 46 53 66 87
12 0.40 33 39 45 57 76

1 An allowance for single H-20 truck with 1.5 impact factor is included for all sizes and all depths of cover.

2 Calculated maximum depth of cover exceeds 100’.

Standard Laying Conditions

ANSI/AWWA C150/A21.50
ANSI/AWWA C151/A21.51

2 1 1 1 5A Ft Laying Conditions Print

Flat-bottom trench.1 Loose backfill. (Not recommended for 14" and larger pipe.)

2 1 1 1 5B Ft Laying Conditions Print

Flat-bottom trench.1 Backfill lightly consolidated to centerline of pipe.

2 1 1 1 5C Ft Laying Conditions Print

Pipe bedded in 4” minimum loose soil.2 Backfill lightly consolidated to top of pipe.

2 1 1 1 5D Ft Laying Conditions Print
Pipe bedded in sand, gravel or crushed stone to depth of 1/8 pipe diameter, 4” minimum. Backfill compacted to top of pipe. (Approximately 80% Standard Proctor, AASHTO T-99.)
2 1 1 1 5E Ft Laying Conditions Print

Pipe bedded to its centerline in compacted granular3 material, 4” minimum under pipe. Compacted granular or select material2 to top of pipe. (Approximately 90% Standard Proctor, AASHTO T-99.)

1 “Flat-bottom” is defined as undisturbed earth.

2 “Loose soil” or “select material” is defined as native soil excavated from the trench, free of rocks, foreign material and frozen earth.

3 Granular materials are defined per the AASHTO Soil Classification System (ASTMD3282) or the Unified Soil Classification System (ASTM D2487), with the exception that gravel bedding/backfill adjacent to the pipe is limited to 2" maximum particle size per ANSI/AWWA C600.

Mechanical Joint Pipe
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