Reinforced Concrete Non-Cylinder Pipe (RCNCP) C302
Strong to the Core.
In nominal diameters from 36″ to 144″, with standard laying lengths of 12′ to 20′ depending upon diameter.
First used in the early 1900s, reinforced concrete non-cylinder pipe (RCNCP) C302 consists of one to three circumferential reinforcing cages of steel wire or bars, steel joint rings with skirts and a high-strength concrete structural core. The steel joint rings and reinforcing cage assembly are embedded in Portland cement concrete using a vertical casting process.
In addition to providing significant structural strength, the concrete encasement provides a passivating alkaline environment that protects the embedded steel components from corrosion for the life of the product.
RCNCP is suitable for working pressures up to 55 psi. The pipe is manufactured per the AWWA C302 Standard and is designed in accordance with the AWWA Manual M9.
C302 Features
Zinc-Metallized Steel Joint Rings
Utilizes the same zinc-metallized steel joint rings as our high‑pressure pipes, providing a durable, tight joint interface at each pipe end.
Rigid Conduit Design
Reinforced concrete section engineered for structural rigidity and load resistance, maintaining shape and performance under design soil and live loads.
Hydraulics
Vertical wetcast manufacturing delivers a uniformly smooth interior surface, providing a Manning’s “n” of 0.009 to 0.011 when making hydraulic design calculations. Also, for maximum sustained flow characteristics, a conservative Hazen-Williams “C” value of 140 is used.
Integral Corrosion Protection
High‑pH Portland cement concrete creates an alkaline environment that passivates encased steel components, enhancing long‑term corrosion resistance.
Advantages:
- Zero infiltration and exfiltration with tight joints.
- Corrosion‑resistant zinc‑metallized joints suitable for sensitive sites.
- Fast installation with a rigid conduit design; no special bedding or backfill needed in normal soils.
- Fewer joints and quicker assembly thanks to longer pipe lengths.
- Reliable in multiple applications, e.g., force mains, treatment plants, and subaqueous installations.
- Long service life with low maintenance due to durable reinforced concrete construction.
- Consistent quality backed by strict AWWA C302 manufacturing standards.
Typical C302 Applications
- Sanitary force mains and trunk gravity pipelines
- Wastewater: single-pass tunnel applications (e.g., microtunnel)
- Wastewater treatment and pollution control plants
- Inverted siphons
- Vertical MH piping or shaft piping
- Detention (underground) tanks
- Water and/or wastewater intakes / outfalls (subaqueous pipelines)
- Combined sewer overflow (CSO)
- Irrigation pipelines
Installation Types
- Open trench installation
- Tunnel and trenchless installation
- Pipe jacking and microtunneling
Key Installation Considerations and Components
- Rubber-gasketed steel joints for watertight connections
- Concrete core makes it ideal for jacking forces
- Rigidity limits bedding and backfall requirements
Thrive Under Pressure.
The widest range of precast, pressure, and trenchless pipe solutions in North America, backed by industry-leading engineering and logistics. Thompson Pipe Group delivers all that.