MANHOLES

Manholes in the context of mauritius are concrete structures that are placed at certain features of sewer system. These features include change in vertical and horizontal alignment, change in size and at end of line.

SPACING
The spacing between manholes should not exceed 120m of sewers of diameters less than 450mm and those for sewers of diameter greater than 450mm the maximum spacing should be 180m if the velocity is sufficient to prevent particles sedimentation. The crown of the oulet pipe from a manhole will be on line with or below the crown of the inlet pipe. Where conditions are such as to produce unusual turbulence in the manhole , and especially where the size of the outlet pipe is to be smaller than the let pipe because of the availability of a more favourable slope, it may be necessary to provide an invert drop to allow for entry head, or increased velocity head, or both. Where the invert of the inlet would be more than 450mm above the manhole floor, a drop connection will be provided.

FRAMES AND CONNECTIONS

Manhole top elevations will be set to avoid submergence of the cover by surface runoff and ponding. Where this is not possible, watertight covers will be installed to prevent stormwater inflow. Bolting or locking devices will be included on covers to prevent unauthorised entry in areas designated by the using agency as secure. Frames and structures must be sufficien to withstand impact from wheel loads where subject to vehicular trafic.

MATERIALS OF CONSTRUCTION
The primary construction materials to be used for manhole structures are precast concrete rings, prefabricated plastic and fibreglass units, and cast-in-place, reinforced or unreinforced concrete. In the past, most manholes were built of brick masonry, and are now frequently the source of significant volumes of groundwater infiltration. More recently in attempts to alleviate this problem, precast concrete, plastic nd fibreglass manholes have been utilised. Cast-in-place construction permits greater flexibility in the configuration of elemnts, and by varying reinforcing the strength of similar size structures can be adjusted to meet requirements. In general, materials used should be be compatible to the resources avaible in Mauritius construction ressources and should be cot competiives.