Concrete drainage trays: types and specifics of installation

02.11.2015

When thinking about the arrangement of your personal plot, it is necessary to include a drainage system as a separate item. Even with deep groundwater, the soil is not able to absorb large amounts of moisture at the same time. Therefore, when snow melts or heavy rains, puddles and slush appear. To avoid such unpleasant phenomena, gutters are laid along paths and buildings. They can be made from any material, but concrete drains are strong, reliable, durable and low in price.

Laying stages

You can do the installation of a household storm drain from reinforced concrete gutters yourself. The main thing is to adhere to the basic principles of designing a drainage system. You need to follow these recommendations:

1. Initially, a trench is prepared for the installation of a storm drain. Its cross-section and height should be 10-15 cm higher than the parameters of the gutters. The reserve is subsequently used to strengthen the walls and bottom of the collector. When digging a trench, take into account the slope of the drainage system at the rate of 5 mm for each meter of the length of the gutters.
2. The soil at the bottom of the canal is well compacted and covered with a 5 cm thick layer of sand. The pillow is also thoroughly compacted.
3. A layer of crushed stone 5 cm thick is poured on top of it. And a thin layer of concrete mortar is poured on top. After hardening, it will serve as a reliable support for the gutters.
4. The trays are placed on the prepared base and securely interlocked using the groove-lock method. All joints are coated with acrylic/bitumen sealant.
5. The walls of the installed storm drain are additionally fixed with concrete mortar on both sides.
6. The finished collector is connected to the rainwater discharge/collection point.
7. The last stage of installation is the installation of protective grilles. They can be made of cast iron, galvanized steel or polymer.

If you follow all the recommendations, installing a rainwater drainage system yourself is not difficult. To work with heavy trays, you can use the help of a neighbor or hire special equipment. A ready-made concrete water drainage system will last for decades without the need to change its elements.

Self-installation

The installation of a storm drainage system requires compliance with certain rules. Initially, it is necessary to develop a project and make all measurements. The selection of products must be made taking into account the properties of the soil and the design load. It is also important to determine the maximum capacity and depth of location.

Preparing the trench

At this stage of work, it is necessary to take into account not only the size of the gutters, but also the possibility of installing a concrete layer at the bottom of the trench and side concrete supports.

The installation of channels should be done with a slope, in this way self-drainage of water is ensured. The length of the trench should be the entire length of the installation, and the width of the channels should exceed the width of the tray by 20 cm.

The depth should be greater than the dimensions of the gutters, taking into account the concrete layer, so that upon completion of installation of the drainage system, the gratings for storm channels are located 0.5 cm below the level of the surface into which installation is being carried out. To make work easier, you can use cords to mark the location of the trenches.

Upon completion of digging the canals, their bottom is covered with sand, which is compacted. A 10 cm layer of concrete mortar is poured on top of the sand, on top of which trays are laid.

In heaving soils, it is advisable to strengthen the structure with steel rods or wire.

Laying trays

The process of laying gutters consists of several stages:

1. To facilitate installation work , gutters should be positioned along the entire channel.
2. It is best to start laying products
3. Gutters should be installed on a concrete pad that has not yet hardened. This cushion prevents the trays from moving when exposed to loads.
4. When laying bends , it is necessary to monitor the level of inclination.
5. After installing the first 2 trays , the junction between them is sealed using a soft polymer cord.
6. After sealing with a rope , the seam is filled with concrete mixture.
7. Water intakes are installed in the center of the trench, and to facilitate the removal of concrete residues, after installation is completed, they are covered with plastic film.
8. between the sides of the trench and the trays.
9. Corner joints are treated with sealant.
10. If asphalt is laid over the drainage system, the trenches are covered with fiberboards.

Upon completion of the installation of the trays, the side spaces are filled with sand mixed with gravel. This mixture is compacted well.

If necessary, to create corner joints, the gratings are sawed using a saw and a diamond-coated disk.

Types of trays used

A concrete tray can be different in shape, configuration, appearance, strength, purpose and other parameters. According to the method of installation, trays can be telescopic (elements are installed one inside the other, draining water from embankments, bridges along a slope) and edge trays (usually installed in a cascade or along roads at a single level).

Types of trays by section shape:

• Trapezoidal - assume telescopic installation, made in a trapezoid format.
• U-shaped - designed to drain minor volumes of water, an ideal choice for a private household.
• U-shaped - have the largest cross-sectional area and are used for installing systems with heavy loads.

Based on the material used, gutters can be made of concrete, with the addition of polymers and a sand mixture.

The strongest and most durable products can withstand external loads ranging from 60 to 90 tons. They are made from cement and fillers, can be reinforced, come in different colors (if pigment is added to the concrete), and come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes.

Polymer concrete

They simultaneously have the properties of plastic and concrete waste. They are made from granite chips and quartz sand with special epoxy and polyester resins. Cement is replaced by polymer compounds, which makes the structure resistant to various types of chemical elements.

Due to the inclusion of plastic, the product is light in weight, which makes installation and creation of the entire system easier. Often such drains are used in private housing construction, equipped with gratings.

Polymer sand

Such gutters are the most modern and technologically advanced solution. The effluents have high plasticity rates and an extremely long service life. They are made from polymer chips with special sand of a very fine fraction.

The main advantages of using reinforced concrete trays and blocks

Drainage gutters are used everywhere today, as they are suitable for creating and operating a system of any complexity, volume, at a particular facility. Using concrete products, the entire structure can be easily and quickly assembled.

The main advantages of creating a system for draining water from concrete drains:

• Simple and quick installation
• Effective removal of waste, groundwater, rain, and melt water from the site in accordance with established standards
• Aesthetics and no need for special care
• Mechanical strength, reliability and durability of the system
• Resistance to temperature changes and various external negative influences

Placement examples

Concrete drainage gutters are used in a wide variety of situations and conditions - they are installed along access roads, in pedestrian areas, at various types of sports facilities, in places of active traffic, often in parking lots. Such systems are also relevant for private and industrial facilities, where it is necessary to ensure water drainage and thereby increase comfort and quality of operation.

The trays must be placed in such a way as not to interfere with the passage of people and vehicles, maintain their characteristics and freely withstand the considerable weight of cars. Usually, for these purposes, strong and reliable gutters are created from reinforced concrete with a rectangular or square cross-section.

Where there is a limitation in depth (garages, roofs, balconies, etc.), drainage concrete trays made in the format of small small sections are used.

Modern manufacturers offer a fairly large selection of different options for the execution of concrete products of this type, so in the design process the main stage is the correct execution of calculations, and finding elements for forming a system of the desired configuration is not difficult.

Prices, features and specifications

A concrete drainage tray is the basic element of a drainage system. The price of the product can vary within quite noticeable limits and depends on the material of manufacture, size and weight, design features: the tray can be made of concrete or a polymer-sand mixture, gray or with the addition of pigments, with or without reinforcement, equipped with a grid (copper, stainless steel or ordinary steel, cast iron).

On average, prices start from 50-100 rubles for small sidewalk concrete trays and reach impressive amounts for products with polymers, gratings, special shapes, colors, etc.

Where to buy

You can buy concrete gutters for drainage directly from the factory or from companies that cooperate with manufacturers. When choosing, you should contact only trusted companies that have a certificate for product quality, all relevant licenses and permits.

The quality of the product is guaranteed by the following conditions: the use of modern high-precision equipment and safe high-quality materials in production, full compliance of the process with established technology, compliance of finished products with GOSTs and all parameters specified therein, which is determined during multi-stage checks (usually at each stage of production).

Advantages of concrete gutters

Having considered the characteristics, types and features of the material, you can find out its advantages over others. Let's look at 7 components that make a material a good option for installing a drain.

Concrete does not rot or corrode. Due to this, the service life of concrete products is very long. A drain can last well for decades. And since the product itself is highly compacted during manufacturing, it is impossible to destroy it. Concrete has good frost resistance. The material easily tolerates temperature fluctuations without changing its structure. This is why concrete gutters can be used anywhere, in any conditions. Climate doesn't matter.

Due to additional reinforcement with reinforcement rods or polypropylene fibers, the material is difficult to destroy and retains its shape well. The mass of reinforced concrete gutters is quite large. Due to this, they will not budge. This will be very difficult to do, even if the precipitation is very heavy. Concrete is an environmentally friendly material. It contains only natural ingredients. Therefore, it does not harm the health of others, animals and birds. Concrete gutters have a simple design and are effective at draining water from the surface. They are practical and easy to care for. You just need to clean the grates and trays of debris from time to time. High price-quality ratio

If we take into account the operational characteristics of a concrete drain, it completely pays for itself in a short time.

Reinforced concrete trays

To protect communications from mechanical and corrosive destruction, strong and durable devices are needed. Reinforced concrete trays have these properties - they are indispensable when installing cable systems and pipelines and provide easy access to them in emergency situations. In addition, reinforced concrete products serve to drain rain and melt water from buildings.

Purpose, features and varieties

Trays are made of concrete grade M-200 and higher, strengthening it with steel rods from class A-I, A-II reinforcement or Bp-I wire. The technological process of vibration pressing makes it possible to obtain dense reinforced concrete that is resistant to aggressive environmental factors. According to GOST 21509-85, it is subject to requirements in the following areas:

• frost resistance and moisture resistance;
• technical characteristics of reinforcing steel;
• concrete layer thickness;
• anti-corrosion qualities;
• raw materials of concrete mixture;
• uniform structure without voids;
• mechanical resistance.

In terms of design, purpose of use, and method of installation, trays fall into three main types:

• drainage;
• cable;
• for heating mains.

Drainage concrete trays

They serve to transport water, differ in purpose and design and perform the following functions:

• drainage - removal of soil and rain moisture from the basement and foundation of the building;
• edge - drainage of water from the road to the slopes;
• telescopic - channel removal of moisture from bridges and slopes;
• stormwater – collection and disposal of stormwater;
• sewer - movement of wastewater into collectors;
• culverts (gutters for drainage) - drainage of water by gravity.

Classification of drainage trays by shape:

• parabolic;
• trapezoidal;
• U-shaped;
• trapezoidal and U-shaped with a round gutter.

Depending on the conditions set by the drainage project, solid or with an opening for vertical drainage are selected. Trays for drainage can be solid or prefabricated, of various sizes (they are listed in the 3.006.1-2/87 series). The marking contains the letter L and two numbers: the first indicates the number in the series, the second indicates the vertical load for which the tray is designed (the larger it is, the deeper it is mounted). Manufacturers produce them in various sizes, for example, the ERBA company offers products with the following parameters: length 0.72 - 6 m; width 0.4 – 1.84 m; height 0.38 – 1.32 m.

Reinforced concrete trays for heating mains

Heat supply pipes are protected from corrosion, rodents, and heat loss by installing special channels of two types:

• KLP - trays are covered with removable lids;
• KLS - the structure is formed by upper and lower trays connected by channels.

The advantages of modern devices over previously used brick structures:

• ease of installation;
• low cost;
• high load-bearing capacity;
• the possibility of installation in seismically active areas, with weak soil and groundwater - this is ensured by expansion joints and waterproofing of their bitumen mastic.

The marking of the tray for heating mains indicates the letter (L or LK), its number from the series 3.006.1, and the design load. If the length differs from the standard (6 m), put a number indicating the proportion of the standard size (2 means ½). The width of the products varies from 0.57 to 2.46 m, and the height - from 0.36 to 1.32 m.

Cost of reinforced concrete trays

Before you buy reinforced concrete trays, you should select the product according to the calculated data: maximum load, size and shape. After this, the products are selected according to cost, checking whether the manufacturer has certificates for them. Average prices for trays are given in the table.

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Surface drainage system

Drainage systems are designed primarily to collect rain and melt water, rather than groundwater. In the future, they must carry out the transfer of water to the sewer, where such water will undergo filtration and return to nature, for example, evaporate or merge into rivers. Surface drainage is a prerequisite for construction. According to engineering standards, every construction project must be equipped with such a system at the planning stage.

Surface drainage systems are available in several configurations, which are expressed in assembly systems. Thus, each of the systems is designed for a certain volume of water, loads, etc. Drainage trays are used in linear surface drainage, the purpose of which is to collect water in large volumes. This type functions most successfully when it comes to asphalt areas, highways and the like.

In some cases, it is necessary to install sand traps, the purpose of which is to collect debris, filter sand and large particles, which in theory can clog gutters. Their presence greatly increases the service life of storm drains.

Components

If we talk about industrial storm drainage, it consists of several elements.

• Storm water inlet. It is designed to drain water from the surface locally. To prevent debris, leaves, etc. from clogging the rain inlet and other elements, a siphon is used. It serves as a kind of partition. A special basket is provided for collecting waste.
• Rain well. Serves for transporting wastewater. It is constructed only at the end of the assembly of the entire storm sewer. They are also needed in cases where it is necessary to regularly drain large areas of soil in a short period of time.
• Tray. Actually, what we see on the surface: a trench made of materials resistant to water. The tray transports water, moving it from the site.
• Pipes. Mounted on rain gutters. Through these pipes, water subsequently moves into the sewer itself. The pipes are located underground so as not to spoil the overall appearance of the site.

Installation Tools

In order to install water intake gutters, you will need to buy some tools. It may turn out that you already have some of these tools, but for others you will have to go to a specialty equipment store. In any case, the tools cannot be called scarce - they can be found in any large construction hypermarket.

• Shovel. It will serve to make a trench under the tray. Make sure the nozzle is sharp. This will greatly facilitate the work.
• Buckets. It is advisable to have at least two buckets. They are useful for transporting sand to the installation site.
• Concrete mixer. In some cases, owners decide to firmly fix the gutter in place using concrete. In these cases, it is better to mix it not by hand, but using a special machine. Then the concrete will be homogeneous and will lie evenly.

• Hacksaw. With the help of this simple tool you will have to saw parts. Depending on what material the drain is made of, you will need a hacksaw of a certain type: for metal, capable of sawing concrete, and so on.
• Hammer. It is needed for fastening parts together, adjusting shapes and simply compacting the tray in place.
• Saw or grinder. If you choose a metal gutter, then purchase a diamond saw or diamond blade for an angle grinder, especially if you are dealing with durable metals such as cast iron. Then there will be no problems with quickly sawing parts.

Concrete drain: manufacturing method

This important element of the road surface is produced using modern equipment using vibration casting or vibrocompression technology. These manufacturing principles provide significant compaction to varying degrees, with minimal potential for voids to occur within the product. Concrete water gutters are made of high-quality high-grade cement and coarse sand with the addition of additives and dyes.

The current regulatory and technical documentation imposes strict requirements on the operational parameters of the product:

• The concrete gutter must have a configuration that allows water to quickly drain away;
• the surface of the part is only smooth so that less dirt accumulates;
• the structure must be firmly mounted and be at a slight slope in order to effectively drain moisture.

The technology stipulates that the coating of products must be of high quality and aesthetically pleasing.

Maximum load on gutter

What weight should concrete gutters be able to withstand? There are international standards that products must comply with. Each product has its own class:

1. A15 - able to withstand a weight of 1.5 tons.
2. B125 - able to withstand a weight of 12.5 tons.
3. C250 – able to withstand a weight of 25 tons.
4. D400 – able to withstand a weight of 40 tons.
5. E600 - can withstand a weight of 60 tons.
6. F900 – able to withstand a weight of 90 tons.

Laying stages

Installation diagram of a concrete tray
You can do the installation of a household storm drain from reinforced concrete gutters yourself. The main thing is to adhere to the basic principles of designing a drainage system. You need to follow these recommendations:

1. Initially, a trench is prepared for the installation of a storm drain. Its cross-section and height should be 10-15 cm higher than the parameters of the gutters. The reserve is subsequently used to strengthen the walls and bottom of the collector. When digging a trench, take into account the slope of the drainage system at the rate of 5 mm for each meter of the length of the gutters.
2. The soil at the bottom of the canal is well compacted and covered with a 5 cm thick layer of sand. The pillow is also thoroughly compacted.
3. A layer of crushed stone 5 cm thick is poured on top of it. And a thin layer of concrete mortar is poured on top. After hardening, it will serve as a reliable support for the gutters.
4. The trays are placed on the prepared base and securely interlocked using the groove-lock method. All joints are coated with acrylic/bitumen sealant.
5. The walls of the installed storm drain are additionally fixed with concrete mortar on both sides.
6. The finished collector is connected to the rainwater discharge/collection point.
7. The last stage of installation is the installation of protective grilles. They can be made of cast iron, galvanized steel or polymer.

If you follow all the recommendations, installing a rainwater drainage system yourself is not difficult. To work with heavy trays, you can use the help of a neighbor or hire special equipment. A ready-made concrete water drainage system will last for decades without the need to change its elements.

How to install a concrete tray yourself.

Trays are laid on the foundation pad, and a groove connection is made between each other for tightness and to prevent spreading.

At the joints it is treated with acrylic or bitumen sealant. The sides are filled with liquid solution. After hardening, cover with a wire rack. The drainage system is connected to the storm sewer.

The grate should be 5 mm lower than the main covering.

It is necessary to make a slope for gravity flow.

A sand trap is installed at the end of the drainage system.

Drainage systems can be installed either on a new surface or on a previously created one. The installation of concrete drainage trays, carried out in accordance with all standards and rules, guarantees timely drainage of water and will increase the service life of any coating.

Blitz tips

1. Most often , installation of drainage gutters is carried out along the perimeter of a residential building, plot and near the garage. However, it is not necessary to fulfill this condition; it is important that the storm drainage system is installed where it is most needed.
2. The storm drainage system can be installed with or without sand trays. If the installation involves the use of one, then the connection to the sewer will be made through the installation of a sand collector. Before installing it, you need to knock out the plug. If a sand collector is not used, a hole for the drain is cut directly in the tray. The hole is drilled along the contour from 2 sides, after which it is knocked out with a hammer from the inside.
3. To make corner connections from reinforced concrete trays, use a saw. To create a 100-degree angle, cut 50-degree corners on each connected gutter. The cutting is carried out by capturing the walls of the product. The joints are sealed using acrylic or bitumen sealant.
4. If constant high loads on drainage are planned, the concrete layer under the gutters should not be less than 10 cm.
5. To prevent clogging of the drainage system , it is recommended to clean it every two weeks.
6. When choosing a product , it is recommended to pay attention to the brand of concrete from which the trays are made. The best concrete grades are B15, B20 and B25. No less important is the grade of steel that is used to strengthen the structure. Classes A-1, A-3, BP-1 are best suited for this. The cross-section of steel rods should not be less than 8 mm.

Concrete pavement gutters

Climate doesn't matter.

Due to additional reinforcement with reinforcement rods or polypropylene fibers, the material is difficult to destroy and retains its shape well. The mass of reinforced concrete gutters is quite large. Due to this, they will not budge. This will be very difficult to do, even if the precipitation is very heavy. Concrete is an environmentally friendly material. It contains only natural ingredients. Therefore, it does not harm the health of others, animals and birds. Concrete gutters have a simple design and are effective at draining water from the surface. They are practical and easy to care for. You just need to clean the grates and trays of debris from time to time. High price-quality ratio. If we take into account the operational characteristics of a concrete drain, it completely pays for itself in a short time.

Why are concrete gutters needed?

Pipelines made of plastic or created using natural materials are now increasingly used. But PVC pipes are not always suitable, because they do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature, and the drainage system made from brushwood tends to rot. To eliminate such problems, you need to use concrete drains.

Photo - concrete tray with grating

Concrete drainage or road trays GOST 21509-76 are the main main guides that are necessary to control the effectiveness of ensuring the required drainage of water from (or to) the site. Together with drainage wells and additional elements, they will help organize the most practical outdoor sewage system.

Advantages of concrete trays, compared to metal and plastic:

1. Do not corrode;
2. They tolerate temperature changes well. Unlike PVC options, they will not be damaged even if the liquid freezes in the gutter;
3. Durability. The average duration of use of such wastewater is 50 years;
4. Availability. Concrete drainage standard trays can be purchased at a hardware store, on the market and on the Internet, or you can make it yourself.

Types of concrete gutters

Telescopic drainage gutter

The classification of concrete gutters for drainage of water on the ground occurs according to several criteria. Based on the type of manifold gasket, a distinction is made between standard horizontal trays and products with a vertical overflow.

According to the type of purpose, all reinforced concrete gutters are:

• Stormwater. They are used near construction sites and public places for high-quality drainage of rainwater.
• Culverts. They are used in the construction of gravity canals for draining groundwater.
• Telescopic. Designed to remove excess moisture using the channel method from road slopes and bridges.
• Drainage Used for installation of drainage systems from basements of buildings and ground floors.
• Edge. They are used to install storm drains along highways.
• Sewer. They are elements of the sewer collector.

When choosing the right type of gutters, you should also be guided by their load class. Depending on the purpose of the storm drain, more or less reinforced trays are installed. They are divided into classes:

• A15: intended for use on pedestrian sidewalks, bicycle paths, and private gardens.
• B125: used in small parking lots and roads with low traffic volume.
• C250: used for moderate loads on roads or for domestic construction. The cost of such gutters is one of the lowest.
• D400: used in large parking lots, roads with heavy traffic and in areas of small-scale industrial facilities.
• E600: designed for installation of drainage systems from railway tracks, large autobahns and highways, and large industrial facilities.
• F900: the most powerful type of gutters, which is used when installing storm drains on runways.

Trapezoidal concrete drainage tray

Also, all reinforced concrete trays are classified according to their shape:

• U-shaped;
• U-shaped;
• trapezoidal;
• parabolic.

To select the optimal concrete gutters for storm drainage, you should correctly calculate the expected volume of waste rainwater. It is determined by SNiP-85 - each region has its own indicator of the volume of wastewater per year. Only after this the section of the trays is selected.

Cost of products

The actual price of reinforced concrete gutters varies depending on the region and manufacturer. However, on average you can focus on the following cost:

Advantages and disadvantages of concrete gutters

Reinforced concrete trays have been used for storm drainage and drainage systems for more than 100 years. The main advantages of the designs are:

• High resistance to loads. Polymer fiber is added to reinforced concrete products as reinforcement, so the trays are able to withstand linear expansion loads.
• Anti-corrosion properties. Concrete does not rust or rot even after long-term use.
• Resistance to aggressive environments. Storm drains mixed with reagents are not capable of damaging the walls of structures.
• Excellent resistance to temperature changes. Even in severe frost, concrete trays do not burst.
• Eliminating the risk of moving a powerful storm drain due to the impressive weight of the communication.
• Environmental friendliness of products. Concrete gutters do not pollute the environment and do not release toxins into the soil, into the atmosphere, or into storm drains.
• Competitive price of products. It is relatively lower than cast iron trays and slightly higher than polymer trays (provided that gutters made of polymer concrete are purchased).

The relative disadvantages of reinforced concrete or polymer concrete trays include their weight, which requires special equipment for laying storm drains. Also, the disadvantages of the products include the moderately rough inner surface of the gutter, on which siltation can form. In polymer concrete products the walls are quite smooth.

Types of concrete gutters

They come in several types, and differ in the following parameters: the depth of installation in the ground, depending on the purpose of the storm drain. Instances are produced that can withstand different loads from A15 (1.5 tons per meter); they are usually mounted on pedestrian paths and sidewalks. A concrete drain with an F value of 90 is capable of functioning successfully at pressures of up to 100 tons per meter and is used in the construction of airfields.

There are also sidewalk bait trays and telescopic trays. The first ones are installed near highways to prevent soil erosion. The latter are reinforced with steel rods and are most often laid on slopes. However, the most common subtypes of products are those produced by our company, which will be discussed below.

Open sidewalk drain

These structures are suitable for installation in conjunction with tiled coverings in parks, alleys, and urban pedestrian areas where maximum color harmony is required. In essence, they are paving slabs, with a uniform depression (gutter) along the entire length.

Concrete drains are usually made in different colors and can be cleaned without any problems. It is easy to install, repair, and operate. The product does not require maintenance or application of an additional protective coating to the surface. However, in some situations with significant water flows, a shallow depth is not enough to effectively drain sediment.

Material for making gutters

A reinforced concrete product is called differently: drain, gutter, tray. All this is the same thing, only the design of reinforced concrete products is different. Gutters are made from fiber-reinforced concrete with the addition of small polypropylene fibers. Thanks to their properties, the concrete structure’s resistance to bending increases and the shrinkage deformation rate decreases. It is possible to replace polypropylene with metal fiber.

Some models of gutters are made of ordinary cement M 500. Additional reinforcement with metal rods gives the structure strength. The fact that the tray is a drainage tray is indicated by the grille that comes with it. It is present on any gutter, even with a vertical drain. The grille is attached to the tray using screws, and if necessary, it can be removed to clean the channel.

The grating material is selected according to the expected load on it, depending on the location of the drain. The gutters located on the highway are covered with metal or cast iron gratings. Galvanized coating is used to protect the product from corrosion. There are stainless steel grilles, but they are very expensive. Products made of durable plastic cover sidewalk gutters.

The lattice design can be made in the form of slots or cells. The most durable are slotted gratings made of cast iron.

Reinforced concrete trays are produced in production in 2 ways:

• Concrete that has been vibrocompressed has no air bubbles in its structure. Gutters made using a press have increased strength and resistance to cracking.
• Gutters made by vibration casting are also quite durable. The process of their production involves compacting concrete mortar poured into special molds using a vibrating table.

According to the method of installation, concrete trays are produced in prefabricated versions, as well as solid ones. In addition, gutters can be straight and equipped with a vertical drain. The bottom of the tray also has its own peculiarity - flat or sloping.

Range of drainage trays

Methods for manufacturing concrete trays involve the use of a limited set of initially plastic or thermoplastic structural materials during the production of such gutters. Therefore, storm gutters are made from thermoplastic polymers, cast iron and concrete.

This choice is explained by the use of foundry technologies (concrete and cast iron) or thermoplastic extrusion (plastic) in the production process. As a result, the manufacturer produces trays with different strength and performance characteristics.

That is why the classification of the range of trays, in most cases, is associated with the type of construction material used in the manufacture of such a product. And further in the text we will consider the assortments of polymer, cast iron and concrete trays.

Polymer trays

Structural polymer trays are made from mineral-filled polypropylene. This type of composite materials is highly resistant (they are almost impossible to scratch, and they are also inert to most chemicals) and no less noticeable strength (withstands loads of up to 60 tons/m2). And the operating temperature range of such material ranges from -50 to 120 degrees Celsius.

Therefore, such trays can be laid both near the house and near the railway track. Moreover, the weight of one module is only 9-14 kilograms.

Dimensions of a typical polymer tray:

• Length – one meter.
• Width – from 0.14 to 0.5 meters.
• Height – from 0.06 to 0.79 meters.
• The nominal diameter is from 0.1 meters.

Concrete drainage trays with grating

Concrete trays are made from compounds reinforced with fiberglass, polymer threads (polymer concrete) and steel wire (reinforced concrete). Moreover, in the process of manufacturing such products, vibration casting technology is used (a mold with a mass that has not yet hardened is immersed on a vibration stand).

As a result, concrete trays are characterized by high strength, which is unusual for standard reinforced concrete products (reinforced concrete products). Therefore, from such gutters it is possible to assemble both a surface-type home drainage system and its industrial analogue installed on highways and local roads.

Main dimensions of concrete trays:

• Gutter length, which ranges from 500 to 4000 millimeters
• The width and height of the gutter can be changed from 140x150 millimeters to 430x880 millimeters.
• Dimensions of the passage opening, which cannot be less than the catch diameter DN 100.

Specific dimensions of concrete trays are regulated by industry standards and manufacturer specifications.

Cast iron drainage trays

For the manufacture of trays, two types of cast iron are used: with lamellar graphite grain (ISO 185) and with spherical graphite grain (EN1563). Moreover, from these types of cast iron they produce not only the “body” (profile) of the tray, but also its grate.

And, of course, due to the tendency of cast iron to corrosion, the finished tray (and sometimes the grate) is subjected to hot-dip galvanizing (according to ISO 4161). However, a cast iron tray can be supplied to the consumer without a protective coating.

Due to their significant resistance to both longitudinal and lateral loads, cast iron gutters are installed only in critical areas (airports, heavy vehicle parking lots, etc.), where the installation of a cast iron drainage tray is justified from an economic point of view.

Main dimensions of cast iron gratings and trays:

• Maximum length – 500 millimeters
• The maximum width is 200 millimeters.
• The thickness of the grille is at least 50 millimeters.
• The through hole is at least DN100.

Criterias of choice

The drainage system is selected based on two indicators:

1. The material from which structural elements are made.
2. Element sizes. This is mainly the width of the trays and the diameter of the pipes.

Plastic or metal?

Today, manufacturers offer drainage systems made either from steel sheet (galvanized and painted), or from copper, or from plastic.

Note that steel drainage systems have been used in the construction of drainage systems for a long time. And today this is one of the popular types. About it we can say that it is:

• increased strength of elements,
• their long-term operation,
• the ability to decorate in different colors by painting,
• low price,
• ease of installation.

Copper gutters belong to the premium class category. In all technical and operational characteristics, they are superior to both steel and plastic ones. They have an excellent appearance, but a very high price. This is why copper gutter systems are not as popular as the other two.

When it comes to plastic products, the first thing consumers pay attention to is the low price. But the main advantage of this material is its 100% corrosion resistance. In terms of their performance characteristics, these gutters are not much inferior to steel and copper ones.

For example, they have a smooth inner surface, which ensures quiet water flow. They are lightweight, making installation easy. But they also have one rather serious disadvantage. This is a rupture of plastic pipes in winter if an ice jam has created in them. Today, many manufacturers of plastic drainage systems offer models that can withstand any load. Therefore, you need to choose exactly these

In terms of their performance characteristics, these gutters are not much inferior to steel and copper ones. For example, they have a smooth inner surface, which ensures quiet water flow. They are lightweight, making installation easy. But they also have one rather serious disadvantage. This is a rupture of plastic pipes in winter if an ice jam has created in them. Today, many manufacturers of plastic drainage systems offer models that can withstand any load. Therefore, you need to choose exactly these.

How to calculate the size of gutters

The dimensions of the drainage system elements are calculated relative to the area of ​​the roof slopes. Here is a table with some relationships regarding plastic and metal systems.

Even from this ratio it is clearly seen that plastic structures are smaller in size, but the volume of water they pass through is exactly the same as large metal systems. It turns out that even in this case, plastic gutters are preferable. But we must pay tribute to the manufacturers of metal drainage systems, who today offer products made of galvanized steel, coated on both sides with a polymer layer. This, first of all, increases their service life, and secondly, brings the technical characteristics closer to plastic analogues. But in terms of strength, metal ones are still better.

And another table comparing the advantages of plastic and metal gutters.

These are the comparative characteristics that can be offered to make the right choice of drainage system. The main thing, as practice shows, is long-term operation and appearance, which should fit into the design of the house. Efficiency can only be discussed from the perspective of accurate sizing calculations.