Concrete pipes and methods for the manufacture thereof

Abstract

A concrete pipe and methods for forming the same are presented by this invention. The pipe includes an inner and outer sleeve separated by a spacer ring which creates a void therebetween. Concrete is poured within this void to solidify the pipe structure. The spacer ring is formed by a plurality of interlocking ring forms which have nesting members to allow for the interconnection thereof. In an alternative embodiment, interlocking forms are employed to form both the inner and outer surface of the pipe. These alternative forms provide convex nesting numbers which form internal conduits between the inner and outer surfaces that accept reinforcing members or connection members to interlock the forms to one another. Concrete is then filled in these conduits and between the void of the inner and outer surfaces to solidify the pipe construction. Both embodiments may employ a plurality of elbow forms to form a bell-mouth which connects with the end of an adjacent pipe. Both of these constructions provide the advantage of longer length pipes thereby reducing the overall cost of installing a pipe network system. Additionally, a better seal is obtained by this construction which reduces the amount of silt and debris that can accumulate within the pipe, thereby enhancing the flow characteristics of the pipe.