About fiber-concrete manholes
Composites are composed of two or several different materials in such a way that these components cannot be detected from each other and their final composition has new properties which can be found in each member of it in separate status. Usually, composite materials have a main phase in the context and to improve the mechanical properties, a phase as the filler phase with a weight lower than 5 percent of the total weight of the material is used in them. In a state that these context phase or filler phase or both of them be employed in Nanoscale (with dimensions of less than 100 nanometers), the obtained material from their combination is called Nano-composite.
With the aim of production of new manholes, manholes were made from Nano-composite in the production procedure of manholes with more advantages and without having the disadvantages of previous manholes. Utilization of this type of manhole which is considered as a new generation of manholes is increasing by having properties such as low weight, appropriate price, being anti-theft. They are recognized as an appropriate replacement for cast iron, concrete, cast iron -concrete, composite, copolymer, and polyethylene manholes.
Cement, mineral, and organic additives such as Nano-silica and also steel fibers are some of the composed materials of fiber-concrete manholes. The application of these manholes with production capability in every six levels of A15 to F900 is increasing continuously. They are used as an appropriate and cost-effective option in the regions with heavy traffic (streets and highways with a high number of passing vehicles), regions with light traffic (streets throughout the city), sidewalks, and parks, factories, industrial zones, and residential towns. The wide application of fiber-concrete in different industries requires that these manholes should be produced in different shapes and dimensions depending on customer order and loading conditions in the employed area.
The weight and price of fiber-concrete manholes
By considering the production of fiber-concrete manholes in every 6 strength levels and with different shapes and dimensions, there are different weights of these manholes in the market. But if we consider the shape, dimensions, and strength level as the influential parameters on manhole weight, it can be said that the weight of fiber-concrete manholes is less than cast iron, concrete, and composite manholes. The application of Nanoscale particles technology in the composite structure of these manholes can improve mechanical properties such as their strength and hardness and consequently result in the production of them with lower weights.
Usually, the price of manholes is the first parameter that buyers consider in selection time. Usually, the buyer purchases the manhole at a lower price between two manholes that have different positive and negative aspects. They choose the manhole with a lower cost even if it has fewer advantages compared to other manholes. One of the main competitive benefits of fiber-concrete manholes in the market is their low cost compared to other manholes, while these manholes have all the positive properties of a manhole.
Standards
European standard of EN 124 is the most recognized standard of manhole production.
