Is a manhole required to be strong enough to hold up all loads it may be subject to?

A manhole is indeed required to be strong enough to support all loads it may encounter during its lifespan. This is crucial for several reasons. Manholes serve as access points to underground utilities, and their locations often coincide with areas subjected to various loads, such as vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and environmental factors. If a manhole is not adequately designed to handle these loads, it can lead to structural failure, posing safety risks, including potential injuries and damage to surrounding infrastructure.

In the context of engineering and safety standards, the structural integrity of a manhole is not only a matter of load-bearing capacity; it also relates to overall public safety and infrastructure longevity. Proper design and construction practices are mandated by regulations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local building codes, ensuring manholes can withstand expected structural demands.

While other choices imply conditions under which load-bearing capacities might vary or be neglected, all designs must adhere to the basic principle that safety and strength are paramount in the planning and construction of utility access points. Thus, a manhole must be strong enough to endure all expected loads.