CONCRETE THRUST BLOCK DESIGN v.

3-2013
Use of this spreadsheet:

Design and installation of Thrust Control devices according to: Part 636 Structural Engineering
National Engineering Handbook. Chapter 52 Structural Design of Flexible Conduits.

Thrust control.
Abrupt changes in pipeline grade, horizontal alignment, or reduction in pipe size normally require
anchors or thrust blocks to absorb any axial thrust of the pipeline. Thrust control may also be
needed at the end of the pipeline and at in-line control valves.

Thrust blocks and anchors must be large enough to withstand the forces tending to move the pipe,
including those of momentum and pressure as well as forces due to expansion and contraction. The
positioning of the thrust blocks must consider whether connections adjacent to the thrust block are
capable of movement, as well as the anticipated direction
of movement.

The internal pressure of a pipe acts perpendicular to any plane with a force equal to the pressure, P,
times the area of the pipe, A. The radial forces within the pipe are balanced by the tension in the
pipe wall. The axial components of pressure through a straight section are balanced by the same
pressure in the opposite direction.

The pipe manufacturer’s recommendations for thrust control shall be followed. In the absence of
the pipe manufacturer’s requirements, the equations used in this spreadsheet may be used.

If adequate soil tests are not available, the bearing soil pressure may be estimated from Table 52-6
of NEH Part 636.5207.

Example:
A 12-inch diameter pipe will be installed for an irrigation pipeline system. The pipe will be
buried under 4 feet of soil and include 90 degree bends. The working pressure in the pipe
will be 50 pounds per square inch. The soil surrounding the trench consists of silty clay.
Thrust force on the pipe bend

Allowable soil bearing pressure to the depth to the center of the thrust block is

From Table 52-6 of NEH Part 636.5207, the allowable bearing capacity for silty clay soil at a
depth of 4 feet is 950 lb/ft2 and 1,200 lb/ft2 at 5 feet. The allowable bearing capacity at 4.5 feet
may be determined by an average.

Area of thrust block required

 CONCRETE THRUST BLOCK DESIGN v. 3-2013

A= MIN. BEARING AREA REQUIRED. (W x L)

(Refer To Figure Below and WI DWG WI-730) PRINT
ABOUT
 CONCRETE THRUST BLOCK DESIGN v. 3-2013

CLIENT: COUNTY: DATE:

DSN BY: CHK BY: DATE:
COMMENTS:

Thrust Blocks for Pipe Angles

Where:
AT = Area of thrust block required (ft2)
P = Working pressure (lb/in2)
a = cross section area of the pipe (in2)
ɵ = angle of pipe bend (degrees)
qall = Allowable bearing pressure of the soil (lb/ft2)

INPUTS

Working Pressure (lb/in2) L (in) 16.0

Inside Pipe Diameter (inches) W (in) #DIV/0!

Deflection angle of pipe bend (degrees)

Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure {from soil test or from Table 1 below} (lb/ft2)

Area of Thrust Block Required #DIV/0! sq ft

Min. Volume of Concrete** #DIV/0! cu yd

**Cast in place concrete requires minimum thickness of 8" around pipe.

Table 52-6 (of NEH Part 636.5207) - Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure
Depth of cover to center of thrust block
Natural soil material 2 ft 3 ft 4 ft 5 ft
lb/ft2
Sound Bedrock 8,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Dense sand and gravel mixture (assumed θ=40°) 1,200 1,800 2,400 3,000
Dense fine to coarse sand (assumed θ=35°) 800 1,200 1,650 2,100
Silt and clay mixture (assumed θ=25°) 500 700 950 1,200
 CONCRETE THRUST BLOCK DESIGN v. 3-2013

CLIENT: COUNTY: DATE:

DSN BY: CHK BY: DATE:
COMMENTS:

Thrust Blocks for Tee,

Wye, and Dead End

Where:
AT = Area of thrust block required (ft2)
P = Working pressure (lb/in2)
a = cross section area of the pipe (in2)
* = see digram on right for location
qall = Allowable bearing pressure of the soil (lb/ft2)

INPUTS L (in) 16.0

Working Pressure (lb/in )2
W (in) #DIV/0!
Inside Pipe Diameter (inches)
Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure {from soil test or from Table 1 below} (lb/ft2)

Area of Thrust Block Required #DIV/0! sq ft

Min. Volume of Concrete** #DIV/0! cu yd

**Cast in place concrete requires minimum thickness of 8" around pipe.

Table 52-6 (of NEH Part 636.5207) - Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure
Depth of cover to center of thrust block
Natural soil material 2 ft 3 ft 4 ft 5 ft
lb/ft2
Sound Bedrock 8,000 10,000 10,000 10,000
Dense sand and gravel mixture (assumed θ=40°) 1,200 1,800 2,400 3,000
Dense fine to coarse sand (assumed θ=35°) 800 1,200 1,650 2,100
Silt and clay mixture (assumed θ=25°) 500 700 950 1,200
Tee Wye Angle

FLOW

FLOW

AT=(𝑃𝑎∗)/ AT=(𝑃𝑎∗)/ AT=(2𝑃𝑎

(𝑞
𝑎𝑙𝑙) (𝑞
𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜃/2))/( 𝑞
𝑎𝑙𝑙)
𝑎𝑙𝑙)