Building drainage practice in civil engineering: House service connections to the street laterals are generally made using which pipe material for durability, corrosion resistance, and smooth hydraulics?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Glazed stonewares

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

House sewer connections convey domestic wastewater from individual buildings to street laterals. Selecting an appropriate material is critical for resistance to sewage corrosion, abrasion by grit, watertight joints, and long service life under shallow cover and variable ground conditions.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Small-diameter house connections discharging by gravity into municipal laterals.
  • Need for smooth internal surface, good corrosion resistance, and easy jointing.
  • Typical historical/standard practice for traditional systems.


Concept / Approach:

Glazed stoneware pipes provide a dense ceramic body with a smooth, glazed interior that resists chemical attack (including sulfide-related corrosion) and root intrusion when properly jointed. They have long been a preferred choice for house connections, particularly before widespread PVC adoption, due to their hydraulics and durability.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify functional needs: corrosion resistance, smooth hydraulics, leak-tight joints.Match properties: glazed stoneware satisfies these requirements for house drains to laterals.Conclude material choice: glazed stoneware is the standard answer in classical design manuals.


Verification / Alternative check:

Historic public health engineering texts list glazed stoneware for house connections; RCC is used for larger gravity sewers; CI and AC are typically pressure or special-use lines, not the norm for small gravity house connections.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Cast iron: Excellent for pressure/vertical stacks, but costly and not standard for small gravity house laterals.
  • R.C.C./P.C.C.: Used for larger trunk/branch sewers or encasement, not for small house connections.
  • Asbestos–cement: Used historically for pressure lines; not the typical choice for small gravity house connections.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Assuming materials for large trunk sewers apply unchanged to house connections.
  • Overlooking chemical corrosion in domestic sewage environments.


Final Answer:

Glazed stonewares

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