Effect of Past Delivery Practices on Current Conditions of Cast-Iron Water Pipes
Publication: Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 20, Issue 1
Abstract
Cast-iron pipes installed between 1850 and the early 1960s in North America, United Kingdom, and European countries were produced in foundries located near growing urban centers. Their considerable weight, size (especially larger-diameter pipes), and limited transportation facilities made their handling and delivery to the installation site difficult. Historical anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that some cast-iron pipes may have been damaged during delivery. This paper examines different mechanical models to examine what specific conditions may have led to pipe damage during delivery and installation. Analyses show that if pipes did incur damage, then cracks were likely to have occurred on the inside of the pipe bell or spigot ends. Furthermore, it appears that the spigot ends of smaller-diameter pipes had higher risk of damage during delivery, whereas both bell and spigot ends faced increased risk of damage in larger-diameter pipes. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to account for uncertainties in the parameters that were used in the different models.
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Acknowledgments
This paper is based on a research project cosponsored by the Thames Water Ltd. and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Face-to-face discussions held with Mr. Jeff Farrow, Mr. Nic Clay-Michael, Dr. Tim Evans, Ms. Rachel Cunningham, Mr. Vic Lee (retired from Thames Water Utilities Ltd.), and Dr. Hal Belmonte (formerly at Thames Water Utilities Ltd.), all of Thames Water Utilities Ltd., during the course of this study proved invaluable for the development of models described in this paper. Their helpful comments and suggestions are acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Infrastructure Systems
Volume 20 • Issue 1 • March 2014
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 24, 2012
Accepted: Apr 16, 2013
Published online: Apr 18, 2013
Published in print: Mar 1, 2014
Discussion open until: May 26, 2014
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