Casting a square pipe in concrete

[mykee2]

Considering casting a number of square concrete pipes with dimensions 120x120cm, 60cm high. Wall thickness might be 7-8cm. Planning to stack them as usual and use them as a drinking water well.

Can reinforcement be skipped in this case, or will the rings crack/break?

 

[Peter2400]

Are you planning to have a square well with joints between the "rings"? That sounds unnecessarily complicated. A well is usually covered, or is it for decorative purposes that it should have a special shape?

 

[mykee2]

Nah, it's mostly based on frugality. A concrete ring 120cm in diameter and 60cm high costs 2000 SEK, and I probably need rings for at least a 3-4 meter deep well.

So that's why I was thinking about casting my own rings.

 

[Stuff]

I'd say skip the idea. There is no coincidence that well pipes are round. The round shape is the strongest and withstands ground pressure best. Straight sides are much easier to be pressed in and collapse. Additionally, if you're thinking of skipping the reinforcement, I don't think it will hold at all.
Have you calculated the material requirements? Were you planning to mix from bags yourself?
I estimate it takes about 230 liters of finished concrete per ring, i.e., 20 bags of concrete from the hardware store at 40-50 kronor per bag, so just there you're looking at a thousand kronor excluding reinforcement and materials for the mold.
2000:- per ring to buy ready-made and durable suddenly seems quite cheap.
I would rather spend time trying to find used rings instead to try to save money.

 

[heimlaga]

Forget that.
Square rings require a lot of reinforcement and thick walls to hold.

If concrete rings are too expensive, I think you should stone line the well in the old way.