21/08/2024
Why do people put PVC PIPES in columns (pillars)?
Many people today have developed taste for doing things that they’ve little - no understanding about, and they’re not even apologetic about it.
I’ve on several occasions seen artisans planting pvc pipes in columns and I ask them why, and all they say is “that’s how we do it”. Interesting!
Without knowing how and why it’s done, I will be correct to conclude that, they do things anyhow.
But, Is it the case that you can put pipes in columns without any structural analysis? No……..!
These things are done with detailed structural analysis. I get surprised when I find people put up storeys without building plan, and they do just as im talking about.
Do you even know which columns can accommodate pipes, and where in the columns the pipes must be positioned ?
Please listen, PVC pipes are not part of a building’s structural elements. They’ve no role to play in your pillars. Concealing pipes inside the columns does not only reduces the load carrying capacity of the columns, but could be very dangerous to the building’s safety as well.
Columns are critical structural elements, and they must be at their optimum performance as a failure of one column would jeopardize the integrity of the overall structural performance. There are certain sensitive areas that you need not to meddle with. This is one of the practices that must be avoided for many reasons.
For example,
If you’ve to fetch a cup of gari to feed 5 people and you put a hollow object in the cup, the quantity of gari the cup will fetch will reduce, making it impossible to feed the 5 people.
It’s the same with pillars.
Let’s say a pillar was designed to Carry a load of 10kg. Now you put a pvc pipe as big as the ones used for WC. The pipe creates a hollow space in the pillar, decreasing the bonding capacity of the structural elements, and reducing the overall pillar mass and strength. This ultimately decreases the pillar’s ability to carry the required 10kg load. (I hope my street example makes sense?)
When you conceal pipes in columns or reinforced concrete walls
1. It takes a large cross section area away for compression resistance, while acting as a crack propagator.
2. In addition, there’s high possibility and risk of future leaks into the column, especially if they’re water feeders (the pipes correcting rains from your roofing system).
There are chances of leakage at their joints or lapping parts, which in the long run can cause rusting of iron rods in the column. This can cause huge reduction in the strength of the structural elements.
3. And when the need to perform future maintenance arises, the entirety of your columns must be broken down. I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of buildings where portions have to be broken down in order to repair pipes. The breaking of pillars would add another level of complexity due to the vibration within the structure.
WHAT MUST YOU DO?
Pllanting of pipes into columns is solely for aesthetic reasons. As such, If you’re not too sure of what you’re doing, then keep your pipes outside the structures and have your peace.
However, if you’re modern and want things done in style, then Make ducts.
That aside, If you must conceal pipes in columns,
1. Be sure that pvc concealment in columns is part of the building plan. If it is, then it’s possible the structural engineer might’ve made extra allowances for that.
2. Be sure that the positioning of the pipe won’t have any adverse structural influence on the affected columns.
CONCLUSION
Never place pipes in structural members if the structural design did not make considerations for it.
If you do, the structural integrity of the building is affected, and you cannot achieve the desired structural strength which can ultimately lead to collapse of the building.
Obasco Engineering ltd
