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IS 15155:2002 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for bar/wire wrapped steel cylinder pipes with mortar lining and coating (including specials). This standard specifies the materials, manufacturing process, dimensions, and testing requirements for bar or wire-wrapped steel cylinder pipes. These composite pipes, featuring a steel core with internal mortar lining and external mortar coating, are intended for use in high-pressure water conveyance systems.
Bar/Wire Wrapped Steel Cylinder Pipes With Mortar lining and Coating (Including Specials)
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! These pipes are a robust alternative to Prestressed Concrete (PSC) pipes for large diameter, high-pressure water transmission mains.
! Careful handling during transport and laying is crucial to avoid cracking or spalling the external mortar coating, which is vital for corrosion protection of the steel wrapping.
! The joint design, typically a bell-and-spigot with a confined rubber gasket, is critical for achieving a watertight pipeline and should be installed as per manufacturer's guidelines.
Concrete Pressure Pipe, Bar-Wrapped, Steel-Cylinder Type
Directly covers bar-wrapped steel cylinder pipes, a primary type within IS 15155.
AWWA C301-20American Water Works Association, USA
HighCurrent
Prestressed Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel-Cylinder Type
Covers both bar-wrapped and wire-wrapped steel cylinder pipes, encompassing the full scope of IS 15155.
ISO 22699:2011International Organization for Standardization, International
HighCurrent
Prestressed concrete pressure pipes with a steel cylinder
Provides international guidelines for the same type of prestressed steel cylinder pipes.
AWWA C300-16American Water Works Association, USA
MediumCurrent
Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel-Cylinder Type
Covers steel cylinder pipes, but with mild steel cage reinforcement instead of high-tensile prestressing wire/bar.
Key Differences
≠IS 15155 specifies design calculations within its annexes, while AWWA standards have their own distinct design equations and safety factors which may lead to different required steel thicknesses and wrapping for the same design pressure.
≠IS 15155 explicitly allows for a range of Indian cements, including Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), and Portland Slag Cement (PSC). AWWA standards typically reference ASTM cement types (e.g., Type I, II, V), which have different chemical compositions and performance criteria.
≠The hydrostatic factory test pressure in IS 15155 is limited to not induce a stress exceeding 75% of the steel cylinder's yield strength, whereas AWWA C301 allows this stress to go up to 90%, indicating a different testing philosophy.
≠IS 15155 requires a minimum mortar coating thickness of 20 mm over the prestressing steel, while the equivalent AWWA C303 standard requires a minimum of 19 mm (3/4 inch).
Key Similarities
≈All standards are based on the same composite pipe construction principle: a watertight steel cylinder, mortar lining, high-tensile prestressing reinforcement (wire or bar), and an external protective mortar coating.
≈Both IS 15155 and its AWWA counterparts mandate 100% hydrostatic proof testing of every pipe section at the manufacturing facility to ensure structural integrity and water tightness before dispatch.
≈The typical joint design is similar across standards, involving steel bell and spigot rings welded to the ends of the steel cylinder, designed to be sealed with a rubber gasket to create a flexible, watertight joint.
≈All standards provide comprehensive specifications for the constituent materials, including minimum strength and chemical properties for steel cylinders, prestressing wire/bar, cement, and aggregates for the mortar.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Mortar Coating Thickness (min, over steel)
20 mm
19 mm (3/4 in.)
AWWA C303-22
Hydrostatic Test Stress Limit in Cylinder
≤ 75% of Yield Strength
≤ 90% of Yield Strength
AWWA C301-20
Prestressing Bar Min. Yield Strength
450 MPa
483 MPa (70,000 psi)
AWWA C303-22
Allowed Cement Types
IS 269 (OPC), IS 1489 (PPC), IS 455 (PSC)
ASTM C150 (Type I, II, V), ASTM C595
AWWA C303-22
Mortar Lining Thickness (for 900mm dia pipe)
20 mm
19 mm (3/4 in.)
AWWA C303-22
Min. Compressive Strength of Mortar (28 days)
35 MPa (Lining & Coating)
31 MPa (4,500 psi) for lining; 24 MPa (3,500 psi) for coating
AWWA C303-22
Steel Cylinder Material Spec (example)
IS 2062
ASTM A1011 or ASTM A1018
AWWA C303-22
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
Quick Reference Values
Minimum cement content for mortar400 kg/m³
Maximum water-cement ratio for mortar0.40
Typical mortar lining thickness12 mm to 16 mm
Typical mortar coating thickness19 mm to 25 mm
Standard pipe lengths5.0 m to 6.0 m
Minimum curing period before hydrostatic test28 days
Hydrostatic test holding time at pressureMinimum 30 seconds
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Requirements for Reinforcement Bars/Wires
Table 2 - Dimensions of Steel Cylinder
Table 3 - Minimum Thickness of Mortar Lining and Coating for Bar Wrapped Pipes
What is the primary application of IS 15155 pipes?+
They are used for large-scale, high-pressure water transmission, such as in urban water supply schemes, irrigation networks, and power plant cooling water systems.
What are the mandatory factory tests for these pipes?+
The key acceptance tests specified are the Hydrostatic Test (Clause 9) to check for leakage and strength under internal pressure, and the Three-Edge Bearing Test (Clause 10) to verify external load-bearing capacity.
What is the purpose of the mortar coating?+
The dense mortar coating serves two main purposes: it provides a passivating alkaline environment to protect the steel bar/wire wrapping from corrosion, and it distributes external loads.
Is this standard for pipe design or pipe manufacturing?+
This is a product specification standard, focusing on the manufacturing, materials, and quality testing of the finished pipe. The hydraulic and structural design of the pipeline system would be done separately.