Selecting the right pipe material is essential for the longevity and success of any water infrastructure project. While Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) each offer distinct benefits, their differences in strength, performance, and long-term cost are significant. This article serves as a refresh of our previously published article in November 2019. It outlines key comparisons to help engineers and specifiers make informed decisions based on project-specific conditions, such as soil type, pressure, and environmental factors.
The landscapes and environments in which we live are constantly changing, and ensuring that resilient infrastructure is in place to support local communities is a priority for all cities. In regions where natural disasters occur and pose significant threats, such as wildfires and earthquakes, and as seen most recently in areas such as Lahaina, Hawaii, and the Palisades in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County, California, Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) has proven to be a durable and reliable choice for water infrastructure. This article will discuss why selecting the proper material for underground infrastructure is crucial in combating natural disasters and enabling communities to respond more effectively with a reliable source of potable water and vital fire protection.
Over the course of my 30+ year career with McWane Ductile, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of some remarkably interesting and detailed water pipeline projects. Several of these projects have required a partnership between the community, awarding authority, contractor, water works distributor, and material manufacturer to ensure the projects were installed efficiently and correctly. However, few have matched the scale, complexity, and collaborative effort of the Saugus River crossing—part of the massive Belden Bly Bridge Replacement Project in Massachusetts. This project stands out not only for its technical challenges but also for the preparation, planning, and collaboration of key partners that brought it to a successful conclusion. In this #IronStrong Blog, you’ll hear the when, why, who, and how of this complex and intricate Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) waterway crossing.
Have you ever considered how high temperatures impact your choice of piping material for a water system? It might not be something that comes to mind immediately, but it’s an important factor. Water treatment specialists pay close attention to water temperatures because they influence how the water reacts to treatment chemicals. Additionally, water and ground temperatures can significantly affect the performance of certain piping materials, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
As a junior and senior in college, I spent a lot of time asking those I looked up to in the workforce, such as my parents, friend's parents, and professors, what I should expect from my professional career. Majoring as a mechanical engineer, I was worried I would be required to remember and be fresh on every equation or theory in thermodynamics, materials science, and all my other brain-twisting courses. Luckily, the water industry found me, and it came paired with quite a few resources to help me excel as a young professional.
It seems as though many times, we watch a TV commercial or pick up a product at the store, highlighting how strong, sustainable, or resilient that product proclaims to be. These attributes tend to be so overutilized that many people fail to recognize the true meaning when these terms apply to a specific product. However, many individuals have come to know and appreciate the value and worth of the term resiliency when selecting drinking water and even wastewater pipeline materials.
What do balancing a checkbook and restraining Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) have in common? They are both important skill sets that lead to peace of mind. A typical waterline experiences thrust forces produced by fittings, closed valves, or dead ends. These forces must be "balanced out” or canceled to maintain the pipeline’s longitudinal integrity across the joints. Similar to managing a checkbook, the weight of the pipe, the water contained in it, and the backfill above it, along with the pipeline's friction with surrounding soils, help counteract a portion of the "thrust force" bill. The remaining force must be zeroed out using a calculated length of restrained joint pipe and fittings, following the ASTM/AWWA calculation protocols.
In this #IronStrong Blog, we will explain thrust forces, how they are created in a water line, why they are important, the information needed to calculate them, and how to easily calculate them using the McWane Pocket Engineer™. Once you have those calculations, we will show you what pipe joints to use and in what quantities to make your pipeline restraint secure for generations.
One can look around any job site in the nation, no matter the location, scope of work, or scale of the project where the Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) is being installed, and notice one common factor: some sort of pipe lubrication. Although commonly overlooked at these job sites and locations, pipe lube plays one of the most vital roles in the efficient installation of DI pipe. All types of DI joints require it, including above-ground, below-ground, and even underwater. Whether that may be a Tyton® Joint, Mechanical Joint, TR-Flex®, or Ball & Socket River Crossing pipe, all of these must have a type of lubrication in order to be properly assembled and installed. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will focus on why using the recommended pipe lube supplied by the DI manufacturer is so important.
Misleading information has recently circulated regarding the availability of TR Flex® restrained joint pipe and fittings, creating a flurry of questions and uncertainty for engineers and utilities about its service performance and integrity. How can an engineer design a project without knowing the facts? After reviewing the information in this #IronStrong Blog, one can better understand future expectations.
Dedicated professionals in cities and water utilities across the United States work hard every day to consistently provide clean, safe drinking water to their communities. In the best of situations, it can be challenging to keep up with the demands of daily operations, maintenance, administrative duties, and compliance with various regulations and emergencies. It can be even more daunting for smaller, rural water systems with minimal staff and resources. Where to turn? Who can help? This #IronStrong Blog will provide answers to those questions.
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