Pipe pops out of ditch

[farmer1157]

What would make a 18" corrugated plastic pipe that was installed in ditch with t's in the line every 60' pop out the ground in some sections. The pipe looked good before the rain started. The t's had not been cut down to the proper height yet. Could this be the problem that the water couldn't get into the pipe therefore went into ground around pipe forcing it out of ground.

[jokers dirt]

sounds like to me water got some how in the ditch and thats why it forced the pipe up. when install drainage pipe i pack the ground down with a tamp or track over it with my loader and it works.

[bobcat_ron]

Water pressure will pop them up, we use fence posts on either side of the pipes for the bigger culverts and hold them down with 2x4's across nailed or screwed in place.
Also backfilling them with soil with the water direction helps squeeze water out from under the pipe as you go.

[Dirtman2007]

I may be way out in left field but if the dirt was not packed, ground turned soggy and the water could not get into the pipe that leaves a large pocket of air under ground and looking to rise. Dirt on top of pipe becomes like liquid and out it shoots. I've seen pictures of 10,000 gallon underground gas tanks that "pooped" out of the ground during a wet season and soft grounds. Of course the tank was empty and buoyant. On the couple I've installed there was always a couple big bands that tied it down to a concrete base.

[Scag48]

Simple, poor compaction. The backfill materail became saturated and now it's pumping. Dig it all up and start over, it'll be faster that way.

[Gravel Rat]

Pipes and tanks can float if the mud or hydraulic water pressure pushes it up.

One job I worked on a 10,000 gallon concrete tank was floating untill there was water put into it.

[Junior M]

I may be way out in left field but if the dirt was not packed, ground turned soggy and the water could not get into the pipe that leaves a large pocket of air under ground and looking to rise. Dirt on top of pipe becomes like liquid and out it shoots. I've seen pictures of 10,000 gallon underground gas tanks that "pooped" out of the ground during a wet season and soft grounds. Of course the tank was empty and buoyant. On the couple I've installed there was always a couple big bands that tied it down to a concrete base.
Ah the mysteries of floating pipe.. :wall