Corrugation structure for pipe

Abstract

A corrugated pipehas a plurality of corrugation structurespositioned adjacent one another. The corrugation structurescomprise an inner cylindrical wall, two annular wall portionsthat extend outwardly from the inner cylindrical wall, and a bowed annular wall portionthat is connected to the outer endsof the two annular wall portions. The corrugation structureincludes a centroidand at least a portion of the inner surfaceof the bowed wall portionhas a radius Rcentered on the centroidand at least a portion of the outer surfaceof the bowed wall portionhas a radius Rcentered on the centroid. The cavitydefined by the corrugation structurehas an inner surface with an inner radius R, Rthat is equal to or greater than one half the thickness Tof the inner cylindrical wall. The profile of the corrugation structureis configured to optimally accept forces caused by backfill soil positioned over the pipe. A method of manufacturing a corrugated pipeincludes manufacturing a first, a second, and a third corrugated pipe, with each pipe having an inner diameter ID and an outer diameter OD. The inner diameter ID is chosen such that the first pipecan be telescopically inserted into the second pipeand the second pipecan be telescopically inserted into the third pipe. A method of shipping a plurality of different diameter pipes is also provided.