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.
Gaskets Are Great
Rubber gaskets are the reliable workhorse of any Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) joint. They provide long-lasting flexibility and a watertight seal against internal pressures upwards of 1,000 psi.
What they don’t do, however, is bind the joint longitudinally against such forces. In fact, without assistance from other variables, a push-on or mechanical joint of any diameter would calmly separate lengthwise against pressures as low as 50 psi.
Have you ever heard the saying, “To the man who only has a hammer in the tool kit, every problem looks like a nail?" (Abraham Maslow) In the water utility industry, some folks may feel this way when faced with a pipeline installation that must circumvent natural or human-made obstacles, especially water crossings. So if going around or above isn't an option, what's left? How about below?
In today’s modern world, there are more tools available for installing water pipelines, such as open trench/cut, above-grade pier systems, and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). In this blog, we’ll discuss the benefits of using Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) for HDD and provide some considerations and tips for your pipeline installation
Article last updated 8/12/20
Ductile Iron Pipe is a tested and proven solution to sewer infrastructure needs in America. It’s not a cut and dry solution, though, and you as owners and consulting engineers have several options to choose from.
Why all these different numbers when ordering flanges? Why can’t it be easy? Often, people get confused about the proper terminology and usage of Ductile Iron flanges versus steel flanges. We are often asked, “Why are there two different Ductile Iron flanges?” The truth is they can all be mated together if ordered correctly.
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