Sydney Water – Thrust and Anchor Block Inspections

A thrust block is wasted if the material around it can’t hold it in place.

Provision must be made for potentially unrestrained forces at changes of direction or size in the pipeline, for any rubber ring jointed system. This includes bends, tees, reducers, valves and closed ends. In buried installations, fittings are usually restrained by concrete cast in situ.

These thrust blocks are sized and formed to distribute the applied force from the fitting to a safe soil pressure at the soil / concrete interface. The resistance which can be provided will depend on the soil type and depth.

CSTS can check individual joint locations to provide an allowable horizontal bearing pressure value. This can serve to downsize the thrust blocks. Testing and reporting is undertaken in accordance with the WSAA National Codes and the Sydney Water Deemed to Comply Drawings.