Standard Specification for

Corrugated Polyethylene Drainage Pipe

AASHTO Designation: M 252-06

1. SCOPE

1.1. This specification covers the requirements and methods of test for corrugated polyethylene (PE)
pipe, couplings and fittings for use in subsurface drainage systems, storm sewers, and in surface
drainage (culverts), where soil support is given to the pipe’s flexible walls in all applications.

1.1.1. Nominal sizes of 75 to 250 mm are included.

1.1.2. Materials, dimensions, pipe stiffness, environmental stress-crack resistance, perforations, joining
systems and forms of marking are specified.
Note 1—When polyethylene pipe is to be used in locations where the ends may be exposed,
consideration should be given to combustibility of the polyethylene and the deteriorating effects of
prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

1.2. The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 9.4 of this
specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any,
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate
safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

2.1. AASHTO Standard:

 R 16, Regulatory Information for Chemicals Used in AASHTO Tests

2.2. ASTM Standards:

 D 618, Method for Conditioning Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials for Testing
 D 883, Definition of Terms Relating to Plastics
 D 3350, Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fittings Materials
 D 1693, Test Method for Environmental Stress Cracking of Ethylene Plastics
 D 2122, Method of Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
 D 2412, Test Method for Determination of External Loading Characteristics of Plastic Pipe by
Parallel-Plate Loading
 F 405, Standard Specification for Corrugated Polyethylene (PE) Pipe and Fittings
 F 412, Definitions of Terms Relating to Plastic Piping Systems

3. TERMINOLOGY

3.1. The terminology used in this standard is in accordance with the definitions given in ASTM D 883
and ASTM F 412 unless otherwise specified.

TS-4b M 252-1
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 3.2. crack—Any break or split that extends through the wall.

3.3. crease—An irrecoverable indentation; generally associated with wall buckling.

3.4. reworked material—A plastic from a processor’s own production that has been reground,
palletized, or solvated after having been previously processed by molding, extrusion, etc. (ASTM
D 883).

4. CLASSIFICATION

4.1. The corrugated polyethylene pipe covered by this specification is classified as follows:

4.1.1. Type C—This pipe shall have a full circular cross section, with a corrugated surface both inside
and outside. Corrugations may be either annular or helical.

4.1.1.1. Type CP—This pipe shall be Type C with Class 2 perforations.

4.1.2. Type S—This pipe shall have a full circular cross section, with an outer corrugated pipe wall and a
smooth inner liner. Corrugations may be either annular or helical. Type S pipe is not available in
nominal sizes of less than 100 mm.

4.1.2.1. Type SP—This pipe shall be Type S with either Class 1 or Class 2 perforations.

4.2. Class 1 and Class 2 perforations are as described in Sections 7.4.1 and 7.4.2.

5. ORDERING INFORMATION

5.1. Orders using this specification shall include the following information as necessary to adequately
describe the desired product:

5.1.1. AASHTO designation and year of issue;

5.1.2. Type of pipe (Section 4.1);

5.1.3. Diameter and length required, either total length or length of each piece and number of pieces;

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Note 2—Type C and CP pipe less than 200 mm in diameter may be supplied coiled; coiling of
Type C and CP pipe 200 mm in diameter or greater is not recommended; Type S and SP pipe is
not supplied in coils.

5.1.4. Number of couplings;

5.1.5. For Type SP pipe, class of perforations (Class 2 is furnished if not specified) (Section 7.4); and

5.1.6. Certification, if desired (Section 12.1).

TS-4b M 252-2 AASHTO

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 6. MATERIALS

6.1. Basic Materials—Pipe and fittings shall be made of virgin PE which conforms with the
requirements of cell class 424420C as defined and described in ASTM D 3350, except that the
carbon black content shall not exceed five percent. Resins that have higher cell classifications in
one or more properties are acceptable provided product requirements are met.

6.2. Reworked Material—In lieu of virgin PE, clean reworked material may be used, provided that it
meets the cell class requirements as described in Section 6.1.

7. REQUIREMENTS

7.1. Workmanship—The pipe and fittings shall be free of foreign inclusions and visible defects as
defined herein. The ends of the pipe shall be cut squarely and cleanly so as not to adversely affect
joining or connecting.

7.1.1. Visible Defects—Cracks, creases, unpigmented or nonuniformly pigmented pipe are

not permissible.

7.1.2. Inner Liner—For Type S and SP pipe, the inner liner shall be fused to the outer corrugated wall at
all internal corrugation crests.

7.2. Pipe Dimensions:

7.2.1. Nominal Size—The nominal size for the pipe and fittings is based on the nominal inside diameter
of the pipe. Nominal diameters shall be sized for Type C and CP pipe in not less than 25-mm
increments from 75 to 250 mm. Nominal sizes shall be sized for Type S and SP pipe in not less
than 50-mm increments from 100 to 250 mm.

7.2.2. Inner Liner—For Type S and SP pipe, the inner liner shall have a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm
for pipe of 100 mm and 150 mm nominal size and a minimum thickness of 0.6 mm for pipe of
200 mm and 250 mm nominal size, when measured in accordance with Section 9.7.4.

7.2.3. Inside Diameter Tolerances—The tolerance on the specified inside diameter shall be +4.5, –1.5
percent when measured in accordance with Section 9.7.1.

7.2.4. Length—Corrugated PE pipe is an extruded product and may be sold in any length agreeable to
the user. Lengths shall not be less than 99 percent of the stated quantity when measured in
accordance with Section 9.7.2.

7.3. Fitting and Coupling Dimensions:

7.3.1. The maximum allowable gap between fitting or coupling and pipe shall not exceed 3 mm unless
otherwise specified.

7.3.2. All fittings and couplings shall be within an overall length dimensional tolerance of ±12 mm of the
manufacturer’s specified dimensions.

7.4. Perforations—When perforated pipe is specified, the perforations shall conform to the
requirements of Class 2, unless otherwise specified in the order. Class 1 perforations are for pipe
intended to be used for subsurface drainage or combination storm and underdrain. Class 2

TS-4b --``,`,`,``,``,`,``,```,,,``,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`--- M 252-3 AASHTO

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perforations are for pipe intended to be used for subsurface drainage only. The perforations shall
be cleanly cut so as not to restrict the inflow of water. Where circular perforations are preferred,
the drill shall not penetrate the side walls of the corrugations. Pipe connected by couplings or
bands may be unperforated within 100 mm of each end of each length of pipe.
Note 3—Pipe ordered under Class 1 perforations has no requirement as to inlet area because it
specifies size, number, and location of holes. Alternate perforation patterns should be agreed to
between the purchaser and manufacturer.

7.4.1. Class 1 Perforations—The perforations shall be approximately circular and shall have nominal
diameters of not more than 5 mm for 100- and 150-mm diameter pipe and not greater than 10 mm
for 200- and 250-mm diameter pipe. The holes shall be arranged in rows parallel to the axis of the
pipe. The location of the perforations shall be in the valley of the outside corrugation and in each
corrugation. The rows of perforations shall be arranged in two equal groups placed symmetrically
on either side of the lower unperforated segment corresponding to the flow line of the pipe. The
spacing of the rows shall be uniform. The distance of the centerlines of the uppermost rows above
the bottom of the invert, and the inside chord lengths of the unperforated segments illustrated in
Figure 1 shall be as specified in Table 1. All measurements shall be made in accordance with
Section 9.7.3.
Table 1—Rows of Perforations, Height H of the Centerline of the Uppermost Rows Above the Invert, and Chord
Length L of Unperforated Segment, for Class 1 Perforations
Nominal Diameter, mm Rows of Perforationsa H, Max,b mm L, Min,b mm
75 2 35 50
100 2 45 65
150 4 70 95
200 4 94 130
250 4 120 160
a
Minimum number of rows. A greater number of rows for increased inlet area shall be subject to agreement between purchaser and manufacture. Note that the
number of perforations per meter in each row (and inlet area) is dependent on the corrugation pitch.
b
See Figure 1 for location of dimensions H and L.

Figure 1—Requirements for Perforations

TS-4b M 252-4 AASHTO

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 7.4.2. Class 2 Perforations—Circular and slotted perforations shall conform to the maximum
dimensions as shown in Table 2. Perforations shall be placed in the outside valleys of the
corrugations. The water inlet area shall be a minimum of 20 cm2/m of pipe. All measurements
shall be made in accordance with Section 9.7.3.
Table 2—Maximum Perforation Dimensions
Nominal Pipe Drilled Hole Slotted Holes
Diameter, mm Diameter, mm Width, mm Length, mm
75 4.75 3 25
100 4.75 3 25
150 4.75 3 25
200 6.25 3 30
250 8.00 3 30

7.5. Pipe Stiffness—Type C pipe, as described in Section 4.1.1, shall have a minimum pipe stiffness
(PS) of 240 kPa at five percent deflection; and Type S pipe, as described in Section 4.1.2, shall
have a minimum pipe stiffness (PS) of 340 kPa at 5 percent deflection when tested in accordance
with Section 9.1. The pipe tested shall contain perforations, if specified.

7.6. Pipe Flattening—There shall be no evidence of wall buckling, cracking, splitting, or delamination,
when the pipe is tested in accordance with Section 9.2.

7.7. Elongation—This test is intended for Type C and CP pipe only. Three specimens of pipe,
containing perforations if specified, shall be tested in accordance with Section 9.3, if pipe is
supplied in lengths of 3 m or more.

7.7.1. The average elongation shall be 10 percent or less.

7.8. Environmental Stress Cracking—There shall be no cracking of the pipe when tested in accordance
with Section 9.4.

7.9. Brittleness—There shall be no cracking of the pipe wall when tested in accordance with
Section 9.5 except as specified in Sections 7.9.1 and 7.9.2.
Note 4—The brittleness test is similar to that described in ASTM F 405.

7.9.1. Cracks with a maximum chord length of 10 mm that originate at a perforation or at either end of
the sample shall not be cause for rejection.

7.9.2. Splitting along a seam or mold parting line is not caused by brittleness and should be evaluated as
a workmanship defect as described in Section 7.1.1, if no split exceeds 50 mm in chord length.

7.10. Low Temperature Flexibility—This requirement applies to Type C and CP pipe furnished in coils
only. There shall be no cracking when tested in accordance with Section 9.6.

7.11. Fitting and Coupling Requirements:

7.11.1. The fittings and couplings shall not reduce or impair the overall integrity or function of the
pipe line.

7.11.2. Common corrugated fittings include reducers, tees, wyes, and end caps.

TS-4b M 252-5 --``,`,`,``,``,`,``,```,,,``,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

AASHTO
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 Note 5—Only fittings and couplings supplied or recommended by the pipe manufacturer should
be used.

7.11.3. Fittings and couplings shall not reduce the inside diameter of the pipe being joined by more than
five percent of the nominal inside diameter. Reducer fittings shall not reduce the cross-sectional
area of the smaller size.

7.11.4. Pipe connected by in-line couplers shall not separate when tested in accordance with Section 9.8.1.

7.11.5. The coupling shall not crack or crease when tested in accordance with Section 9.8.2.

7.11.6. The design of the couplers shall be such that when connected with the pipe, the axis of the
assembly will be level and true when tested in accordance with Section 9.8.3.

8. CONDITIONING

8.1. Conditioning—Condition the specimen prior to test at 23 ± 2ºC for not less than 24 hours in
accordance with Procedure A in ASTM D 618 for those tests where conditioning is required, and
unless otherwise specified.

8.2. Conditions—Conduct the test in a laboratory temperature of 23 ± 2ºC unless otherwise

specified herein.

9. TEST METHODS

9.1. Pipe Stiffness—Select a minimum of two pipe specimens and test for pipe stiffness (PS) as
described in ASTM D 2412, with the following exceptions.

9.1.1. The test specimens shall be 300 ± 10 mm long, cut to include full corrugations.

9.1.2. Locate the first specimen in the loading machine with an imaginary line connecting the two seams
formed by the corrugation mold (end view) parallel to the loading plates. The specimen must lie
flat on the plate within 1 mm and may be straightened by hand bending at room temperature to
accomplish this. Rotate the second specimen 90 degrees from the original orientation of the first
specimen. Test each specimen in one position only.

9.1.3. The deflection indicator shall be readable and accurate to ±0.03 mm.

9.1.4. The residual curvature found in corrugated pipe, especially that furnished in coils, frequently
results in an erratic load/deflection curve. When this occurs, the beginning point for deflection
measurements shall be at a load of 20 ± 5 Newtons (4.5 ± 1 lbf.). This point shall be considered as
the origin of the load/deflection curve.
Note 6—The parallel plates must exceed the length of the test specimen as specified above.

9.2. Pipe Flattening—Flatten the two pipe specimens from Section 9.1 until the vertical inside
diameter is reduced by 20 percent. The rate of loading shall be the same as in Section 9.1. The
specimen shall pass if no wall buckling, cracking, splitting, or delamination is observed under
normal light with the unaided eye.

TS-4b M 252-6 AASHTO

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 9.3. Elongation—Each specimen shall be 1.3 m long suspended with its longitudinal axis vertical.
Loads shall consist of a tare mass equal to 0.018 kg/mm of nominal diameter of the pipe, and an
additional test mass equal to 0.090 kg/mm. Perform the test as follows: (1) Hang the tare mass
from the lower end of the specimen, (2) mark a gauge length of 760 mm ± 3 mm on the central
portion of the specimen length, (3) apply the test mass gently, and allow to remain 3 minutes;
remeasure gauge length to the nearest 3 mm. Calculate the elongation, E in percent, as follows:

(mm of elongation × 100 ) %

E= (1)
760

9.4. Environmental Stress Cracking—Test sections of the pipe for environmental stress cracking in
accordance with ASTM D 1693, except for the following modification:

9.4.1. Two specimens shall be tested.

9.4.2. Each specimen shall consist of a 90-degree arc length of pipe without perforations as shown in
Figure 2.

Figure 2—Specimen Configuration for Environmental Stress Cracking

9.4.3. Bend the specimens to shorten the inside chord length 20 ± 1 percent and retain in this position
using a suitable holding device. Determine the arc chord dimension (B) of the specimen under test
as follows:
B = 0.8 A (2)
where:
A = the inside chord dimension before bending, and
B = the same dimension taken after bending. (See Figure 2.)

9.4.4. Place the bent specimen in a container of suitable size and cover completely with the preheated
wetting agent 100 percent “Igepal CO-630,” a trade name for nonylphenoxy poly (ethyleneoxy)
ethanol, at 50ºC ± 2ºC. Maintain this temperature for 24 hours, and then remove the sample and
inspect immediately. For recommended practices on using specific chemicals to test plastic pipe,
refer to R 16.

9.5. Brittleness—Test three samples of pipe at an impact of 33 ft-lbf between two flat parallel plates
using the apparatus depicted in Figure 3.

TS-4b M 252-7
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 Figure 3—Brittleness Test Device

9.5.1. Cut the sample specimens 150 mm long from one continuous length.

9.5.2. Condition specimens at –4ºC ± 2ºC for a minimum of one hour.

9.5.3. Set the 9.5-kg top plate for a free fall of 500 mm to the uppermost surface of the specimen.

9.5.4. Locate the specimen on the bottom plate with the plane of the corrugated seams parallel to
the plate.

9.5.5. Drop the upper plate and impact test the specimen within 30 seconds of removal from the
conditioning environment.

9.5.6. Remove and inspect in accordance with the requirements of Section 7.9.

9.6. Low Temperature Flexibility—There shall be a minimum of three test specimens, each having a
minimum length of 1.5 m. The specimens shall be conditioned at a temperature of –4 ± 2ºC for a
period of 24 hours. The 200 mm and smaller diameter test specimen shall be bent over a 380-mm
mandrel and the 250-mm specimen shall be bent over a 500-mm mandrel, with the 180 degrees
being completed within 30 seconds of removal from the conditioning atmosphere. The specimens
shall then be visually inspected for cracking.

TS-4b M 252-8 AASHTO

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 9.7. Pipe Dimensions:

9.7.1. Inside Diameter—Measure the inside diameter of two sections of pipe with a tapered plug in
accordance with ASTM D 2122. Alternatively, measure the inside diameter of two sections,
with a suitable device accurate to ±0.2 mm the mold partline and 90 degrees to it, and average
the measurements.

9.7.2. Length—Measure pipe with any suitable device accurate to 0.2 percent. Make all measurements
on the pipe while it is stress-free and at rest on a flat surface in a straight line. The length
measurements may be taken at ambient temperature.

9.7.3. Perforations—Measure dimensions of perforations on a straight specimen with no external forces

applied. Make linear measurements with instruments accurate to 0.2 mm.

9.7.4. Inner Liner—Measure the thickness of the inner liner with a digital micrometer or ultrasonic
thickness gauge in accordance with ASTM D 2122.

9.8. Couplings:

9.8.1. Joint Integrity—This test is limited to only Type C and Type CP pipe supplied in coils. Assemble
couplings to appropriate pipe in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use pipe
samples at least 150 mm in length. Use the hanging mass test procedure described in Section 9.3.
Verify that the joint will support a mass along the pipe axis equal to 0.090 kg/mm of the nominal
inside diameter, without separating. Test one coupling of each type.

9.8.2. Strength—Assemble each coupling to the appropriate pipe in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. Use pipe samples at least 150 mm in length. Load the connected pipe and
coupling between parallel plates at the rate of 12.5 mm/minute until the vertical inside diameter is
reduced by at least 20 percent of the nominal diameter of the coupling. Inspect for damage while
at the specified deflection and after load removal, and report the results of this inspection.

9.8.3. Alignment—Assure that the assembly or joint is correct and complete; if the pipe is bent, it should
be hand-straightened prior to performing this test. Lay the assembly or joint on a flat surface and
verify that it will accommodate straight-line flow.

10. INSPECTION AND RETEST

10.1. Inspection—Inspection of the material shall be made as agreed upon by the purchaser and the
seller as part of the purchase contract.

10.2. Retest and Rejection—If any failure to conform to these specifications occurs, the pipe or fittings
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or couplings may be retested to establish conformity in accordance with agreement between the
purchaser and seller. Individual results, not averages, constitute failure.

11. MARKING

11.1. All pipe shall be clearly marked at intervals of not more than 3.5 m, and fittings and couplings
shall be clearly marked, as follows:

11.1.1. Manufacturer’s name or trademark,

TS-4b M 252-9 AASHTO

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 11.1.2. Nominal size,

11.1.3. The specification designation “M 252,”

11.1.4. The plant designation code, and

11.1.5. The date of manufacture or an appropriate code.

12. QUALITY ASSURANCE

12.1. A manufacturer’s certification that the product was manufactured, tested, and supplied in
accordance with this specification shall be signed by a person authorized by the manufacturer.
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TS-4b M 252-10 AASHTO

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