Pipeline Technology

Asbestos Cement water mains deterioration and failure prediction models

Reference: 20/WM/03/24
ISBN: 978-1-84057-902-4
Published Date: 07/10/2020

The purpose of this UKWIR project was to review Asbestos Cement (AC) mains installed in various environments across the UK and Ireland and to develop deterioration and failure prediction models for pipes and joints in collaboration with the Water Services of Australia Association (WSAA) AC pipeline collaborative research project.

The report details the factors that were found to affect failure rates and deterioration of AC mains, and the models developed for forecasting failure rates. It also includes information on condition assessment technologies suitable for AC pipes, and recommendations for the levels of field investigation required to validate the models.

The outputs also contain a model calibration kit including Python scripts that can be used by data analysts to recalibrate the models based on individual company data.

Long Term Performance of Plastic (PE) Pipes

Reference: 20/WM/03/22
ISBN: 978-1-84057-893-5
Published Date: 13/09/2020

Polyethylene (PE) potable water mains have been in widespread use for several decades. Over 30 years ago, Severn Trent Water took a far-sighted approach of laying testbeds of plastic pipe mains, which provided a unique opportunity for sections to be exhumed and studied to establish long term deterioration in typical service conditions.

Chemical and mechanical testing was backed by statistical analysis to show that PE pipes will remain in very good condition, and significantly greater than the commonly quoted 50 year lifespan, with useful information for a number of material cohorts. Focus was also given to joints and useful information provided on creep and its effect. Although butt fusion joints performed well, pipe lifetime is likely to be limited by electrofusion joints.  Causes of deterioration are explained and validated through the analysis with a view given of “end of life”.  A simple risk assessment tool for PE pipe has been developed to assist with the targeting of samples needed when assessing a particular network for asset management decisions on pipe repair and replacement.

Exec Summary

Reference: 20/WM/03/22
ISBN: 978-1-84057-893-5
Published Date: 13/09/2020

Polyethylene (PE) potable water mains have been in widespread use for several decades. Over 30 years ago, Severn Trent Water took a far-sighted approach of laying testbeds of plastic pipe mains, which provided a unique opportunity for sections to be exhumed and studied to establish long term deterioration in typical service conditions.

Chemical and mechanical testing was backed by statistical analysis to show that PE pipes will remain in very good condition, and significantly greater than the commonly quoted 50 year lifespan, with useful information for a number of material cohorts. Focus was also given to joints and useful information provided on creep and its effect. Although butt fusion joints performed well, pipe lifetime is likely to be limited by electrofusion joints.  Causes of deterioration are explained and validated through the analysis with a view given of “end of life”.  A simple risk assessment tool for PE pipe has been developed to assist with the targeting of samples needed when assessing a particular network for asset management decisions on pipe repair and replacement.