ASTM C1091-03a(2022)

Standard Test Method for Hydrostatic Infiltration Testing of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The tests called for herein, for their results, indicate the acceptability of installed vitrified clay pipelines.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method defines procedures for hydrostatic infiltration testing of new installations of vitrified clay pipe lines, to demonstrate the structural integrity of the installed line. Refer to Practice C12.  
1.2 This test method is suitable for testing gravity-flow pipe lines constructed of vitrified clay pipe or combinations of clay pipe and other pipe materials.  
1.3 This test method is applicable to the testing of the pipe lines only. Manholes or other structures should be tested separately.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2022
• ICS: 91.100.25 - Terracotta building products
• Technical Committee: C04 - Vitrified Clay Pipe
• Drafting Committee: C04.20 - Methods of Test and Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM C896-24 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Refers: ASTM C896-17a - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM C896-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM C12-16a - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2016
• Refers: ASTM C12-16 - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 15-May-2016
• Refers: ASTM C896-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2015
• Refers: ASTM C12-14 - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014
• Refers: ASTM C896-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014
• Refers: ASTM C12-13a - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM C896-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM C12-13 - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2013
• Refers: ASTM C896-11 - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM C896-04(2009) - Standard Terminology Relating to Clay Products
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM C12-09 - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Refers: ASTM C12-08 - Standard Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008

Overview

ASTM C1091-03a(2022), published by ASTM International, is the Standard Test Method for Hydrostatic Infiltration Testing of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines. This document outlines procedures to verify the structural integrity of new installations of vitrified clay pipelines using hydrostatic infiltration testing. The method is particularly important for ensuring the acceptability and long-term reliability of gravity-flow pipeline systems constructed from vitrified clay pipe, or combinations of clay pipe and other materials.

This standard is developed in accordance with recognized international principles on standardization, facilitating consistency in pipe testing practices across various regions and projects.

Key Topics

The main topics addressed in ASTM C1091-03a(2022) include:

• Test Scope and Applicability

  • Testing new installations of vitrified clay pipelines for gravity-flow applications
  • Suitable for pipelines constructed solely of clay or in conjunction with other materials
  • Applicable only to the pipeline itself; manholes and other structures are to be tested separately

• Preparation and Cleaning

  • Prior to testing, pipelines should be thoroughly cleaned to ensure the accuracy of the hydrostatic infiltration test
  • Common cleaning methods include using a sewer cleaning ball or high-pressure flushing equipment

• Test Procedures

  • Plugging connection laterals and bracing as needed to withstand test pressure
  • Testing is conducted after trenches are backfilled and compacted, and when the groundwater table is at least 2 feet above the pipe barrel at the lower manhole
  • Groundwater influence should be considered, and, if indeterminate or less than 2 feet, a combination of air and infiltration testing may be used

• Allowable Infiltration Rates

  • Standard infiltration allowance is 50 gallons/inch diameter·mile·day (4.6 L/mm diameter·kilometre·day)
  • Table 1 of the standard provides allowable rates based on pipe size for practical compliance measurement

• Measurement and Acceptance

  • Water infiltration is collected and measured once a steady flow is established
  • If the measured rate meets or is below the allowable limit, the line passes the test
  • Minimal or no measurable flow also indicates a passing result

• Safety and Regulatory Compliance

  • The standard emphasizes the need to address all site-specific safety, health, and environmental considerations before testing

Applications

Hydrostatic infiltration testing to ASTM C1091 is instrumental in:

• Municipal Sewer System Construction: Ensures pipelines are appropriately sealed and structurally sound before being placed into active service
• Infrastructure Quality Control: Used by contractors, engineers, and inspection authorities for quality assurance in sewer, stormwater, and waste water pipeline installations
• Specification Compliance: Meeting industry and project-specific requirements for pipeline infiltration resistance
• Project Handover and Certification: Frequently employed as a prerequisite for certifying completion of public and private utility projects involving vitrified clay pipe

This standard is widely referenced during acceptance testing phases for municipal and private underground pipeline projects.

Related Standards

For complete pipeline integrity assessment, consult these related ASTM standards:

• ASTM C12: Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines - installation guidelines referenced throughout C1091
• ASTM C828: Standard Test Method for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines - alternative or supplementary test for pipeline leakage
• ASTM C896: Terminology Relating to Clay Products - for definitions relevant to pipe testing and material specifications

Summary

ASTM C1091-03a(2022) offers a rigorous, standardized approach to hydrostatic infiltration testing of vitrified clay pipelines, helping maintain performance, prevent leaks, and support the longevity of underground infrastructure. It is an essential reference for engineers, inspectors, and contractors in the pipeline construction and utilities sector. For full compliance and optimal results, pair this standard with related ASTM practices and local regulatory requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: C1091 −03a (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Method for
Hydrostatic Infiltration Testing of Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1091; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This test method defines procedures for hydrostatic 3.1 Terminology C896 can be used for clarifications of
infiltration testing of new installations of vitrified clay pipe terminology in this test method.
lines, to demonstrate the structural integrity of the installed
line. Refer to Practice C12. 4. Summary of Test Method
1.2 This test method is suitable for testing gravity-flow pipe
4.1 This test method shall be performed on lines after
lines constructed of vitrified clay pipe or combinations of clay connection laterals, if any, have been plugged and adequately
pipe and other pipe materials.
braced to withstand the test pressure, and after the trenches
have been backfilled and compacted.
1.3 This test method is applicable to the testing of the pipe
lines only. Manholes or other structures should be tested
5. Significance and Use
separately.
5.1 The tests called for herein, for their results, indicate the
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
acceptability of installed vitrified clay pipelines.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
6. Preparation of the Line
and are not considered standard.
6.1 To ensure the proper seating of the test plugs and the
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
accuracyofthetest,thelinesshouldbecleanedpriortotesting.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
6.2 Examples of methods for cleaning the lines are the
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
sewer cleaning ball and high pressure flushing equipment.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
7. Procedure
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
7.1 The hydrostatic infiltration test procedure is applicable
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
where the measured water table is 2 ft (610 mm) or greater
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
above the pipe barrel at the lower manhole of the test section.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Where the ground water elevation is indeterminate, less than 2
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ft (610 mm) above the top of the pipe barrel, or the line is
partially below the water table, use a combination of both the
2. Referenced Documents
air test and infiltration procedure.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
NOTE 1—The most practical method for testing is Test Method C828,
C12 Practice for Installing Vitrified Clay Pipe Lines
and is recommended. However, where ground water is present and meets
C828 Test Method for Low-Pressure Air Test of Vitrified
the criteria established in , the infiltration test procedure outlined in this
Clay Pipe Lines
practice is recommended.
C896 Terminology Relating to Clay Products
7.2 Determine the allowable infiltration rate for the test
section using Table 1.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee C04 on Vitrified
NOTE 2—What can be called false infiltration represents condensate on
Clay Pipe and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C04.20 on Methods of
the pipe walls.
Test and Specifications.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published September 2022. Originally
7.3 The test rate table is based on the standa
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