Simplified Numerical Method to Evaluate the Mechanical Strength of Cast Iron Water Pipes
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 12, Issue 1
Abstract
The problem of aging water pipes, resulting in leaks and breaks, affects municipalities worldwide. Mechanical failures of small-diameter pipes occur generally by circumferential cracking due to longitudinal bending. Most of the existing pipes are made of gray cast iron which exhibits different behavior in tension and compression. Hence, classic beam theory cannot be employed to determine pipe strength. A numerical strength evaluation method, as presented herein, is able to predict the strength of cast iron water pipes subjected to longitudinal bending. The method is affordable and simple to employ, and can be used effortlessly by water utility engineers.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this project was provided by the City of Toronto, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Ontario Provincial Government through Ontario graduate scholarships. The collaboration of Professor Murray Grabinsky and Professor Barry Adams of the University of Toronto is gratefully appreciated.NRC
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 12 • Issue 1 • March 2006
Pages: 60 - 67
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Dec 11, 2003
Accepted: Jun 23, 2004
Published online: Mar 1, 2006
Published in print: Mar 2006
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