Introduction
Manhole covers refer to the various materials and objects used to cover any access chamber in order to provide security and safe passage. They may also be used to cover all underground services and utility access points. The use of manhole covers is common in roads, footpaths, parking areas, factories, residential areas, and on commercial properties. It is important to choose the right manhole covers for every purpose in order to have a better finish and to avoid future inconveniences.
What Are Manhole Covers?
Manhole covers comprise the various materials and objects, which are used to cover access chambers of underground drainage, and utility access. The covers are suitable for inspection and maintenance of the underground utilities.
Manhole covers can be made from different objects depending on their use. Some of these materials include cast iron, ductile iron, steel, concrete and composite materials. All these materials differ in their strengths, durability and other special uses.
Types of Manhole Covers
There are different types of manhole covers, which are used for different purposes in construction engineering. The main types of manhole covers include;
1. Cast Iron Manhole Covers
These are amongst the most common types of manhole covers, which are used in drainage, residential and public access.
2. Ductile Iron Manhole Covers
Ductile iron manhole covers are manufactured from high grade materials in order to provide higher strength and to sustain heavy traffic. The covers are suitable for use in roads, highways, factories, and commercial access. The manufacturer gives them different weight ratings depending on their suitability
3. Steel Manhole Covers
These types of covers are suitable for use in selected industries. This type of cover is manufactured from different grades of steel and they may also have different coatings on them depending on their intended use.
4. Concrete Manhole Covers
The concrete manhole covers are suitable for use in selected drainage and utility access. They are manufactured from concrete in order to provide better strength and durability.
5. Composite Manhole Covers
Composite manhole covers are manufactured from fibre reinforced polymers. They are light in weight and they offer great resistance to corrosion. They are mostly used in pedestrian access, utility access and for some landscaped areas
Benefits of Using Manhole Covers
It is very important to invest in quality manhole covers because of their various benefits. Some of these benefits include;
1. Safety
Using the right covers will ensure a better safety level because they will avoid any form of mishap that would occur if a person or an object fell into an open chamber. They also prevent free access to any of the underground utilities.
2. Durable
The manhole covers are made from different materials, which are highly durable. This will ensure that they have a longer life span because they can be able to withstand all the pressures exerted on them depending on their intended use.
3. Protection of the Underground Utilities
Using manhole covers will also help to avoid any form of destruction of the underground utilities. The covers prevent the accumulation of unwanted materials such as rubbish, and unwanted objects in the access chamber. They also prevent free access to the manholes.
4. Reduction of the Overall Cost of Maintenance of Underground Utilities
Having the best and most durable manhole covers will also reduce the overall cost of the maintenance of the different underground utilities.
5. Accessibility to the Underground Utilities
Using the best manhole covers will ensure that there is easy maintenance of the various underground utilities because of the easy access they provide.
6. Resistance to Environmental Influences
Depending on the type of manhole covers, which is chosen, there is a great chance of resisting environmental influences.
Conclusion
Manhole covers play a very significant role in the field of civil engineering because of their various uses and benefits. It is always advisable to choose the most appropriate cover, which will suit the purpose of use. Understanding the uses, the type of material, the load bearing and the various benefits that they provide will help to make a wise choice of the manhole covers.