RCP stands for reinforced concrete pipe. It is a durable, precast concrete cylinder embedded with a steel wire cage, designed to carry stormwater, sewage, and drainage under roads and structures. RCP is manufactured in various classes based on its load-bearing capacity and is favored over plastic alternatives for its rigid structural strength and long lifespan.
Heard on the job
The civil crew is digging the trench to lay the 48-inch RCP for the new subdivision storm drain.
Insider tip
RCP relies on its own structural integrity to support the soil and traffic above it, unlike flexible plastic pipes that rely on the surrounding backfill.