Applicability of Restrained Joint PVC Pipe in Horizontal Directional Drilling

The pressure pipe restraint joint system was originally designed for providing thrust restraint in open-trench construction for pressure pipeline applications. The advantages of using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) restraint joint are ease of use and quick assembly of pipe compared with other pipe joint systems. Applicability of restraint joint in horizontal directional drilling (HDD) was studied through Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) and laboratory tests of assembled PVC restraint joint pipes. The pipes were tested under axial tensile loads, and expected to be evaluated under combined tensile and bending loads to simulate loads that the pipe is subjected during horizontal directional drilling operations. This paper presents methodologies and results of the tensile testing, and it presents the methodology proposed for analyzing the combined effects of tension and bending. Based on these analytical investigations and laboratory tests, the tensile strength of the Bulldog Restraint System^TM (BRS) is well inside the range with other thermoplastic products used in this application. Thus, further investigation into its performance characteristics is justified.