For several decades the only practical manhole covering solution was the cast iron manhole covers. From main roads and highways to parking lots and thoroughfares every urban infrastructure used these covers owing to their affordability. However, cast iron covers had shorter lifespans owing to their susceptibility to corrosion and other environmental factors.
Recently a new class of manhole covers called GRP manhole covers has dominated the scenes. The use of these composite material manhole covers ensures a more functional and sustainable urban infrastructure development.
This blog sheds some light on why GRP manhole covers are potentially the future of every urban infrastructure. The blog covers the transformative power of these manhole-covering solutions in urban settings to give you a better idea so keep on reading till the end.
- About GRP Manhole Covers
- GRP Manhole Covers: Main Features
- Tenacity
- Non-Conducting Material
- Anti-Theft
- Featherweight Construct
- Corrosion Resistance
- Aesthetics with Functionality
- Potential Applications of GRP Manhole Covers
- GRP Manhole Covers: The Future of Urban Development
- Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
- Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect
- Waste Reduction and Recyclability
- A Support for Circular Economy
- Accessibility & Innovation
About GRP Manhole Covers
GRP or glass-reinforced plastic is a composite material made by combining polymer resin like vinyl ester or polyester with glass fibers. The result is a lightweight but exceptionally strong material that offers great tenacity, design flexibility, and a much higher resistance to heat, water, and harsh environmental conditions.
The GRP manhole covers have not only made the urban infrastructures safer but they have also increased their functionality manifolds by providing security to vital underground utility networks that support urban life.
GRP Manhole Covers: Main Features
Following are a few key features and benefits of GRP manhole covers that make them an ideal option in urban settings
- Tenacity
These covers have a superior tenacity which imparts them a high load-bearing ability and greater resistance to corrosion and environmental factors like intense sunlight, rain, etc.
- Non-Conducting Material
The superior electrical non-conductivity of GRP manhole covers reduces the risks of electrical shocks both for the public as well as for the workers who have to access the underground networks for maintenance or repairs.
- Anti-Theft
These covers fortify your infrastructure even further as these are not a prime target of thieves. Unlike cast iron covers, GRP manhole covers have no scrap value which makes them an unattractive item for burglars.
- Featherweight Construct
These composite polymer manhole covers are much lighter than traditional cast iron covers. This means you can easily lift these up and move when doing maintenance work. The featherweight construct with superior flexibility and strength is why the GRP manhole covers are durable and safe.
- Corrosion Resistance
GRP manhole covers are non-metallic in nature which means you do not have to worry about corrosion or rusting even in extremely moist conditions.
- Aesthetics with Functionality
With these covers, you get greater design freedom and flexibility. This means you can design these for all applications and incorporate custom logos or directional markings to get enhanced functionality as well as visual appeal.
Potential Applications of GRP Manhole Covers
Here are a few applications where GRP manhole covers are a great option for urban infrastructure
- These manhole covers can be used in projects concerning roadways and thoroughfares where the high capacity to bear the heavy load of vehicular traffic is paramount to protect drainage systems and inspection chambers.
- These are used in utility and telecommunication systems to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted supply of these services.
- These are used in industrial enclaves where chemicals, oils, and corrosive acids are in abundance. The high corrosion resistance of these covers secures entry to subterranean chambers in these settings.
- These are used in pedestrian quarters and horticulture settings owing to their adaptable design palate which can be made to blend seamlessly with the surroundings.
- These can be adorned with logos, motifs, or insignias to get better aesthetics in urban infrastructure projects concerning parking lots, pavements, etc.
GRP Manhole Covers: The Future of Urban Development
Here are a few points that show why these manhole covers are the future of urban development
1. Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
The production process of GRP manhole covers involves little processing or energy consumption. These manhole covers are manufactured at a lower temperature which leads to fewer emissions. This makes these eco-friendly urban development options.
2. Reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect
An urban heat island is an urban area that is experiencing high temperatures as compared to the surrounding rural areas. This is because the cast iron and concrete structures in urban settings absorb and then re-emit heat at greater rates than natural landscapes.
GRP manhole covers are made from composite materials that absorb less heat and reflect more sunlight which mitigates the urban heat island effect.
3. Waste Reduction and Recyclability
GRP manhole covers are made from recyclable composites. Unlike these, cast iron covers end up in landfills once they are no longer useful which contaminates soil and water.
This way the use of GRP manhole covers reduces the waste as well. You can convert these composite covers into other useful objects with ease which conserves our natural resources.
4. A Support for Circular Economy
A circular economy is one where products or materials never turn into waste. Instead, these are remanufactured, reused, or refurbished to keep them in circulation.
GRP manhole covers can be recycled at the end of their life and then repurposed for something else. This continual use of the composite material minimizes environmental impact.
5. Accessibility & Innovation
GRP manhole covers give you better accessibility with their ergonomic lifting points. These covers also come with slip-resistant surfaces and in some cases, they can even accommodate optical fiber connections. This gives you countless opportunities for innovation as well.
Conclusion
The use of GRP manhole covers drives both innovation as well as sustainability in urban infrastructure development. As most current and future urban projects are more focused on eco-friendly and sustainable development, the use of these manhole covers is thus expected to grow exponentially in a few years.
This is a small but very significant step towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Though installing a few GRP manhole covers in your project might look like a minor change but once done globally it can have a strong positive impact on our urban development as well as on the overall health of the planet.
Visit Naran Precast Concrete Co. today to get the best GRP manhole chambers and manhole covers for projects of all kinds in the UAE.