N AT I O N A L

No. 20

C O R R U G AT E D

S T E E L

P I P E

A S S O C I AT I O N

Designdatasheet
Design of CSP Manhole Risers

Issued: March 2002

This Data Sheet is for general use only and should not be used without first securing competent engineering advice as to its suitability for any
specific application. The publication of this material is not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of the National Corrugated Steel
Pipe Association that such data and information are suitable for any general or particular use or of freedom from infringement of any patent(s).
Neither NCSPA nor any of its members warrants or assumes liability as to its suitability for any given application. Anyone using this data sheet
assumes all liability arising from such use. Design Data Sheets are for guidance only. They require an experienced P.E. for proper installation.

Design of CSP
Manhole Risers
Manhole Details

SP manholes can be fabricated in various forms to meet

project requirements. Figures 1 and 2 show two types
that may be used. The riser-type shown in Figure 1 is generally used for main line diameters of 48-in. or more. The
shaft-type manhole shown in Figure 2 is generally used for
smaller diameters, and is also advantageous where changes
are made in the main line diameter or alignment. Shaft type
manholes can be placed on a reinforced concrete slab as
illustrated in Figure 3.
With the riser-type manhole, the riser is usually aligned
with the outside of the main pipe rather than centered over
the pipe, so that any vertical loads transmitted can be resisted more effectively by the main pipe. This also allows steps
to be added to the outermost wall with a smooth transition to
Figure 1. Riser-type

the floor. This type can be manufactured in either of two

ways: (1.) a short riser section can be attached to the pipe as
an integral fitting and successive sections field attached to
make up the required riser height, or (2.) if the riser length is
not excessive, say 10 ft or less, it can be fabricated with a
short length of main pipe and installed as a unit.
For either type of construction, where the riser has a total
height of 10 ft or more, a slip joint should be included in the
riser section. Locate the slip joint about 2 ft above the main
line. This will help avoid excessive vertical loads being transmitted from the riser to the main line. Figure 4 shows an
example of a simple riser slip joint. Wooden spacers are used
to keep the joint in the extended position during installation
and backfilling. After the soil is compacted the spacers should
be removed. Other types of slip joints may also be used.

Figure 2. Shaft-type

Standard Cast
Manhold Frame
and Cover

Figure 3. Support Slab

Standard Cast
Manhold Frame
and Cover
Concrete Cap

Concrete Cap
Manhole
Step

Corrugated
Riser

CSP Riser

Manhole
Step
CSP Main Line

CSP Riser

Clip Angles or
Other Detail

CSP Main Line

Reinforced Concrete Pad

Concrete
Base

National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association 13140 Coit Road Suite 320, LB 120 Dallas, TX 75240
972-850-1907 E-mail: csp@[Link] Web: [Link]

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers
Figure 4. Riser Slip Joint

DI

AM
ET

ER

A
MA
NH
OL
E

31/2"

CSP Riser

TOP VIEW
Sheet Extension
O-Ring

51/4"

Soft Wood Spacers

In determining reinforcement needs from these references,

treat the riser as a branch pipe. The effect of any vertical
loads transmitted to the pipe by the riser must be investigated separately. However, if the above recommendations are
followed regarding the use of riser slip joints and adequate
concrete cap bearing area, vertical loads should be small.
Where manholes penetrate concrete paving slabs, it may
also be necessary to investigate the strength of the slab at
that location. Generally, any weakening of the slab caused
by the penetration can be overcome by adding additional
steel reinforcement in the slab adjacent to the hole.

Loadings to Consider

6"

O-Ring
51/4"

Modified Band
SECTION A-A

Figure 6 illustrates potential lateral and vertical loads on

manholes. In the following discussion, the term riser refers
to both the riser portion of a riser-type manhole and the shaft
potion of a shaft-type manhole.
Figure 6. Loads on Manholes

Figure 5 shows typical details used to accommodate manhole covers or grates. In both cases, the concrete cap should
be designed (by the specifying agency) with a bearing area
sufficient to transfer the dead weights (such as cap, grate, or
manhole cover) and any vehicular loads (such as H20 live
loads) directly to the soil rather than to the riser. The required
bearing area will depend on the allowable soil bearing pressure. Also, install the cap to provide a clearance of about 1 in.
between the cap and the riser to allow for settlement.
Where a penetration is made in the main line for a riser, the
need for reinforcement must be considered. Generally, the
need for reinforcement increases with increasing fill height,
increasing diameter, and decreasing wall thickness. As a guide,
refer to NCSPA Design Data Sheet No. 18A, Pipe
Reinforcement at Fittings and Intersections, and ASTM
A998, Structural Design of Reinforcements for Fittings in
Factory-Made Corrugated Steel Pipe for Sewers and Other
Applications. A computer program, CSPFIT, is also available
from NCSPA to automate reinforcement calculations.

a.

Pavement

c.

d.

(Eq. 1)

where w (pcf) is the soil density (usually taken as 120 pcf),

and pLL is the live load pressure (see AISI Handbook). From
the Rankine equation, the lateral load, ph (psf), at the same
depth is
ph = Ka pv

1" MIN.

b.

Lateral loads on the riser (or shaft) can be estimated from

the active lateral soil pressure, which is a function of the vertical pressure adjacent to the liner due to earth load, water
load, and surface live loads. The riser should be designed for
this external pressure, just as if it were a horizontal pipe.
Where the water table is below the riser, the vertical pressure, pv (psf), at any depth, H (ft), below the ground surface
can be calculated from
pv = wH + pLL

Figure 5. Manhole Cover Detail

Manhole or Catch Basin

Water
Table

(Eq. 2)

Concrete Cap
CSP Riser

where Ka, the active earth pressure coefficient, is expressed

in terms of the internal friction angle of the soil, , by
1sin
Ka =
1+sin

(Eq. 3)

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers
The angle and hence Ka varies with soil type and compaction. For average construction conditions, assume = 30
and thus Ka = 0.33. In this case, as indicated by Equation 2,
the horizontal pressure will be only about 1/3 the vertical
pressure.
Where the water table is above the bottom of the riser, the
water pressure provides another source of lateral load. In this
case the lateral load, ph (psf), may be calculated from

sity of the soil in the zone that was previously below the water
table increases, thereby inducing settlement. Thus, dragdown
loads can develop over time when there is settlement of the
soil around the riser relative to settlement of the riser support.
Determination of such loads is a site-specific consideration
that depends on soil profiles and soil properties.
Information developed on piling can be used as a guide
where it is necessary to calculate such loads. The maximum
dragdown force that can be developed can be estimated from
the following equation (see Merritt, Standard Handbook for
Civil Engineers, McGraw-Hill):

ph = w Hw+Ka {wH [10.33(Hw / H)]+pLL} (Eq. 4)

where w (pcf) is the water density (62.4 pcf), Hw (ft) is the
height of the water table above the point of calculation, and
the other terms are as previously defined. The term
[10.33(Hw / H)] converts the normal soil density into its
buoyant density.
Vertical loads on the riser that must be considered include
surface loads (wheel loads) applied directly over the manhole, the weight of the concrete cap and manhole cover, and
the dead load (self weight) of the riser. In some cases, dragdown loads along the barrel of the riser may be important.
Vertical loads should be compared to the axial strength of the
riser. Also, they should be used to design the base slab for
shaft-type manholes.
Vertical wheel loads and the weight of the concrete cap
and cover can be neglected where the cap is designed to
transmit these loads directly into the soil. Otherwise, include
a load of 16,000 lb for AASHTO H20 or 20,000 lb for
AASHTO H25. Obtain cap and cover weights from manufacturers data. The riser dead load can be determined from
tabulated weights for a variety of corrugation profiles and
wall thicknesses (see AISI Handbook). The effects of these
vertical loads on the main pipe can be neglected when a slip
joint is used in the riser near the main pipe.
Dragdown loads develop when the soil surrounding the
riser moves downward more than the riser itself, transmitting
a vertical load to the riser through friction. Such a condition
could arise where fill is placed over compressible subsoils
(clays, silts, or peats). A similar condition can arise where the
water table is substantially lowered, because the effective den-

Qs = pv As

(Eq. 5)

where Qs = dragdown force, lbs

pv = average vertical soil pressure along height of
riser, psf
= 0.20 to 0.25 for clay; 0.25 to 0.35 for silt; and
0.35 to 0.50 for sand.
As = surface area of riser, sq. ft = DH
D = diameter of riser, ft
H = height of riser, ft
This is a version of the so-called method; is a function
of the effective friction angle and other factors. For a more
detailed approach related to specific soil properties, see the
AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

Vertical (Axial) Strength of Riser

Estimated values of the resistance of risers to end load collapse for different wall profiles and thicknesses are given in
Table 1. For a riser of diameter D (in.), multiply the values
shown by the circumference (D or 3.14D) to obtain the
value for that riser. Vertical loads, particularly those caused
by surface loads and the riser dead load, should be limited to
the axial strength divided by a safety factor of 1.5.
In regard to dragdown forces, the strength of the riser will
play a role in determining the magnitude of the load.
Essentially, as the corrugations in the riser compress under
increasing load, this deformation (decrease in corrugation

Table 1. Axial Strength of Risers (lb/in. of circumference)

3
4

x 34 x 712
x 712

3
4

x 1 x 1112
x 1112

Specified
Thickness, in.

2 x

3 x 1
5 x 1

0.064

200

100

0.079

300

150

90

68

0.109

500

250

150

112

2
3

1
2

60

45

0.138

800

400

240

180

0.168

1100

550

330

248

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers

In-Line, Shaft-Type Manhole.

pitch or rib width) tends to relieve dragdown forces because

it decreases relative settlement. A dragdown force greater
than the strength of the riser cannot be developed. Therefore,
the strength of the riser serves as an upper bound on
any calculated dragdown force.

120 pcf), so the total vertical pressure is 1920 psf. At 5 ft of

cover the vertical live load is 200 psf and the earth load is
600 psf (5 ft x 120 pcf), so the total vertical pressure is 800
psf. Using the greater value of 1920 psf, and Equations 2 and
3, the horizontal pressure is 634 psf ( Ph = 0.33 x pv = 0.33 x
1920 psf). A check using ASTM A796, AASHTO
Specifications, or AISI Handbook tables, shows that a specified thickness of 0.064 in. meets all structural requirements
for this loading consideration. Note that the 634 psf lateral
pressure is equivalent to a height of cover on a horizontal
pipe of 5.3 ft (634 psf / 120 pcf). Thus, a standard fill height
table can be used with the 5.3 ft equivalent height of cover
to rapidly determine the required thickness.
Vertical Loads. From tables in the AISI Handbook, a
metallic coated 36 in. diameter pipe, 223 x 12 x 0.064 in.,
weighs 29 lb/ft. Assuming a riser height of 6 ft (5 ft plus 14
the main line diameter = 5 + (48 / 12) / 4), the riser weight
is 174 lb (6 ft x 29 lb/ft). If the manhole top details are estimated to have a weight of 1000 lb, the total dead load is
1174 lb (174 lb + 1000 lb). If the concrete cap at the top of
the riser is not designed to transmit the top loads directly to
the soil, an H20 wheel load of 16,000 lb must be accommodated. In this case the dead load plus live load would be
17,174 lb (1174 lb + 16,000 lb).
From Table 1, the axial strength of a 223 x 12 x 0.064 in.
riser is 200 lb/in., which results in a total axial strength of
22,608 lb (3.14 x 36 in. x 200 lb/in.). The safety factor would
then be 1.32 (22,608 / 17,174), which is less than the desired
value of 1.5. A riser with a 0.079 in. wall thickness weighs
36 lb/ft and has a vertical strength of 300 lb/in. of circumference, so the total axial strength is 33,912 lb (3.14 x 36 in.
x 300 lb/in.). The total dead plus live load would be 17,216
lb (36 lb/ft x 6 ft) + 1,000 lb + 16,000 lb). The safety factor

Design Examples
Example A
Problem. A 48 in. diameter main line will have 1 to
5 ft of cover and be subjected to H20 highway loadings. It will have a 223 x 12 in. profile with a specified
thickness of 0.064 in. The water table is below the
top of the main line. Dragdown conditions are not
anticipated because of the modest depth of cover and
the uniformity of soil type within this depth. The
backfill will have a compacted unit weight of 120 pcf
and an internal friction angle of 30 degrees.
Determine the required wall thickness for a 36 in.
diameter riser of the same profile, and check reinforcement requirements for the main line.
Lateral Loads. At 1 ft of cover the vertical live
load is 1800 psf, and the earth load is 120 psf (1 ft x

Offset, Shaft-Type Manhole on a Slab.

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers

Figure 7.

d eq

Dm

Placing Riser Section on Pipe Stub.

would be 1.97 (33,912 / 17,216), which exceeds the desired

value of 1.5. Therefore, if the concrete cap at the top of the
riser is designed to transmit the top loads directly to the soil,
select a 0.064 in. wall riser. Otherwise, select a 0.079 in. wall
riser. The ability of the main pipe to withstand the vertical
load is considered below.
Reinforcement Check. Assume the riser is located on the
main line pipe as indicated in Figure 1. With reference to
Figure 7, the maximum opening in the main pipe (chord distance) for a riser of diameter D (in.) will be the same as the
opening for an equivalent 90 branch pipe with an equivalent
diameter, deq(in.), given by
deq = Dm x sin( / 2)

program CSPFIT, using a rounded-up branch diameter of 42

in. and a branch angle of 90, shows that reinforcement of
the main pipe is not required for the usual loadings.
However, the effects of the vertical riser loads must also be
considered if the concrete cap at the top of the riser is not
designed to transmit the top loads directly to the soil. The
following approximate analysis may be used.
The riser load induces circumferential bending moments
in the main pipe. The riser load is assumed to be uniformly
distributed over its diameter when viewed in the cross section of the main pipe. Ring deflection induces horizontal
passive pressures in the soil to resist the deflection, and these
pressures are assumed to be uniformly distributed over a
zone that subtends an angle of 120 on the main pipe for all
cases. With these assumptions, the bending moment M (in.
lb) in the main pipe at its horizontal diameter is

(Eq. 6)

where Dm (in.) is the main line diameter and is the subtended angle calculated from

M = (0. 250KPD 2m /D) + (0.0717PDm)

D
(Dm / 2) D
cos =
= 1 - 2
Dm / 2
Dm

(Eq.7)

(Eq. 8)

where P (lb) is the total riser vertical load, Dm (in.) is the

main line diameter, D (in.) is the branch diameter, and K is a
moment coefficient that depends on the value of calculated from Equation 7. Values of K may be selected from Table
2 (interpolate for intermediate values).

For this example, Dm = 48 in. and D = 36 in. From

Equation 7 calculate = 120 and from Equation 6 calculate
deq = 41.6 in. A check using ASTM A998 or the computer

Table 2. Moment Coefficient K, Based on Equivalent Diameter Angle

30

45

60

90

120

135

150

180

0.00663

0.0265

0.0633

0.1628

0.2315

0.2448

0.2492

0.2500

(See W. C. Young, Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain, McGraw-Hill, 1989.)

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers

Example B

The ring bending stress, f (psi), is

f

= M/S

(Eq. 9)

where S (in3) is the section modulus of the effective ring

width. This width is assumed to equal the riser diameter. The
stress f (psi) should be limited to 20,000 psi.
For this example, = 120, K = 0.2315, P = 17,216 lb,
Dm = 48 in., and D = 36 in. From Equation 8 calculate
M = 63,768 + 59,251 = 4517 in. lb. From the AISI
Handbook, the section modulus, S, for the 223 x 12 x 0.079 in.
profile is 0.0998 in3/ft or 0.2994 in3 for a width equal to the
riser diameter (3 ft). From Equation 9, the bending stress f is
15,087 psi (4517 in. lb / 0.2994 in.3). Therefore, the main
pipe does not have to be reinforced for the vertical riser loads.
Where larger diameters and/or greater loads are involved,
it may be necessary to attach a circumferential stiffening
ring to the main pipe adjacent to the riser on each side. To
check the stress in this case, calculate the section modulus
for a section comprised of the two rings and the corrugated
sheet between, and use this for S.

Trunk
Line

Riser Type Manhole

Problem. A 48 in. diameter shaft-type manhole with a total

height of 9.5 ft is required. Dragdown conditions are anticipated because fill will be placed over compressible subsoils.
The silty-sand backfill will have a compacted unit weight of
120 pcf and an internal friction angle of 30. Because of the
compressible soil, the top loads will be assumed to be resisted entirely by the riser. Determine the required wall thickness
for the manhole assuming the 223 x 12 in. corrugation profile.
Also determine the required footing pad size based on an
allowable soil bearing pressure of 4000 psf.
Lateral Loads. Maximum conditions are generated at the
9.5 ft depth. At 9.5 ft cover the vertical live load is negligible. The earth load is 1140 psf (9.5 ft x 120 pcf), so the total
vertical pressure is 1140 psf. The horizontal pressure can be
calculated using Equations 2 and 3 to be 376 psf (0.33 x
1140 psf). The 376 psf lateral pressure is equivalent to 3.1 ft
(376 psf / 120 pcf) height of cover on a horizontal pipe.
A check using ASTM A796, AASHTO Specifications, or
AISI Handbook tables, shows that a specified thickness of
0.064 in. meets all structural requirements for this loading
consideration.
Vertical Loads. A preliminary check shows that a riser
wall thickness of 0.064 or 0.079 in. is inadequate for the vertical loads. Therefore, check a 0.109 in. wall thickness riser.
From tables in the AISI Handbook, a metallic coated 48 in.
diameter pipe with a 223 x 12 in. corrugation and a 0.109 in.
wall thickness weighs 65 lb/ft. The riser weight is 618 lb (65
lb/ft x 9.5 ft). Estimate the top load as 1000 lb and include
16,000 lb for an H20 wheel load.
The dragdown force, Qs ,may be calculated from Equation
5 as follows:
pv = average vertical soil pressure along height of riser
= 1140 psf x 12 = 570 psf
As = surface area of riser
= 3.14 x 4 ft dia. x 9.5 ft height = 119 sq. ft

= 0.35 (estimate based on backfill material)

Vertical Shaft Type Manhole
Welded Flange for
Cover or Grade Ring
Smooth Steel
Eccentric Reducer
Larger Diameter
CSP Manhole Junction

Reduction Details

Substituting these values,

Qs = pv As = 570 x 0.35 x 119 = 23,740 lb.
The total load, Qs ,including the dragdown load, riser dead
load, top load and wheel load, is 41,358 lb (23,740 lb + 618
lb + 1000 lb + 16,000 lb).
From Table 1, the axial strength of a riser with a 0.109 in.
wall is 500 lb/in., so the total axial strength is 75,360 lb (3.14
x 48 in. x 500 lb/in.). The safety factor would be 1.82
(75,360 lb / 41,358 lb), which exceeds the desired minimum
value of 1.5.

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers
The required area of the footing is 10.3 sq. ft (41,358 lb /
4000 psf). Consider a square footing, 5 ft by 5 ft. This will
provide a bearing area of 25 sq. ft, which exceeds the
required 10.3 sq. ft minimum. As an alternative, the footing
can be constructed with a circular void, in the center, having
a diameter about 1 ft less than that of the riser. In this case,
if the void is 3 ft in diameter, the net area of the footing
would be 17.9 [Link] (25.0 3.14 x 32 /4), which also provides
the required minimum bearing area. Design Data

Manhole Ladder
See
Detail A

Sheets

Double
Nuts
(not shown)
Steel Rungs

Slotted
Joints

Manhole Reinforcing

Ma
Di nho
am le
ete
r

Structural Angle Formed

to Fit Pipe Curvature

Typical Manhole Ladder

Flat Plate
Trunk Line

Thru Bolt
Structural Angle

Use of manhole reinforcing is recommended when trunk line

sewer pipe size is 1600 mm diameter and larger.

Corrugated Manhole
Detail A
Typical Ladder Bracket Attachment

1. Ladder may be constructed in one length.

2. Use bolts with double nuts to connect splice plate at ladder
joint to allow vertical movement.
3. Hot-dip galvanizing of all ladder components is
recommended.

Manhole Slip Joints

CSP with Annular Ends

Soft Wood Spacer Blocks
Required at Joint (minimum 4 blocks per joint;
minimum length: 150 mm)
O-Ring Gaskets If
Required

Band

Heavily loaded manholes sometimes make slip joints desirable.

Shown above is one method of providing a slip joint, which
allows settlement in the riser.

Ladder Mounted on Riser.

March 2002 / NCSPA Design Data Sheet #20 / Design of CSP Manhole Risers

Design Data Sheets

DESIGN DATA SHEET #12 (PUB # 08-412) (1985; 4 pgs.)

Computer Software
UNDERGROUND DETENTION DESIGN SOFTWARE

DESIGN DATA SHEET #13 (PUB # 08-413) (1988; 4 pgs.)

Stormwater detention systems; illustrated with chart for volume in

cubic feet per linear foot of pipe-arch included.

(PUB # 08-801) (3-1/2 disk, DOS format; 12 pg. user manual)

Computerizes the procedures demonstrated at NCSPA Stormwater
Management Seminars. Will develop the inflow hydrograph; the
stage-storage relationship; the stage-discharge relationship; and
route the inflow hydrograph to obtain the outflow hydrograph.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #14 (PUB # 08-414) (1988; 4 pgs.)

LEAST COST ANALYSIS COMPUTER PROGRAM

Typical steel headwall designs; includes diagrams, photos.

Using perforated CSP for recharging storm runoff; includes design &
construction explanation of one type of recharge trench.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #15 (PUB # 08-415) (1991; 4 pgs.)

Underground detention chambers as well as combination underground detention and recharge systems and their application to
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System; illustrated.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #16 (PUB # 08-416) (1991; 8 pgs.)

Rehabilitation methods for storm sewers and culverts by sliplining,

cement mortar lining, inversion lining and in-place installation of a
concrete invert; illustrated with photos and diagrams.

(PUB # 08-802) (1992; 21 pgs. plus 3-1/2 disk, DOS format)

Analyzes up to three (3) pipeline alternatives and ranks them on
the basis of their total present value. The program can save up to
20 analyses so that they can be retrieved, re-run, changed, etc.

FINAL REPORT, CONDITION & CORROSION SURVEY OF

CORRUGATED STEEL STORM SEWER & CULVERT PIPE
(PUB # 08-803) (March 1991; 36 pgs. plus 3-1/2 disk)

Updates the two Interim Reports and provides a complete final

analysis of the soil side durability of plain galvanized CSP. Includes
an IBM PC compatible statistical model floppy disk to predict the
average service life of such pipe based on exterior corrosion.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #17 (PUB # 08-417) (1993; 2 pgs.)

Water quality stormwater structures; includes diagram of a typical

three chamber design.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #18 (PUB # 08-418)

(UPDATED 1999; 12 pgs.)

Pipe Reinforcements at Fittings and Intersections. Design procedures for analysis and designing fittings reinforcement for CSP
stormwater detention systems. Conforms to ASTM A998.

DESIGN DATA SHEET #19 (PUB # 08-419) (1995; 12 pgs.)

Load rating and structural evaluation of in-service, corrugated steel

structures. The general outline supports the engineer in combining
field inspection requirements of the FHWA Culvert Inspection
Manual as the basis for analytical evaluations of the AASHTO
Standard Specification for Highway Bridges.

AVAILABLE

National
Corrugated
Steel Pipe
Association

NOW

FROM

1255 Twenty-Third Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037-1174
Phone: 202.452.1700
Fax: 202.833.3636
E-mail: csp@[Link]
Web: [Link]