Renovation of brick interceptor sewers

Brick interceptor sewers began to be built in Europe (London, Paris, Hamburg) in the 18th century. The sewers were built from solid ceramic brick (so called sewer brick) or clinker brick. This paper presents a study of damage to brick interceptor sewers built in the 19th century and at beginning of the 20th century in Poland. Damage to the sewer structure and to the surrounding ground and its causes are identified. On the basis of results of in situ investigations, laboratory tests and structural and strength analyses, the condition of sewer structures in Poland was assessed as a pre-failure one. Underground infrastructure pipes of urban areas can be repaired in trenches or using trenchless techniques. Although trenchless technologies have been known in Poland for more than 25 years, there is still the lack of knowledge and imagination on the part of designers – so different problems in renovating process of brick interceptor sewers are described.