Breathing 20 Years of Life into Expired PCCP Segments—How a Regional Medical Center Was Able to Save Their Pipeline

Just imagine it is the dead of winter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and you are asked to repair eleven segments of dual 36-inch prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) and have it completed and back in service in less than four weeks. A regional medical center in the area doesn’t have the budget to repair the whole line but needs the dual pipe system to last for another 20 years when the funds come available. The eleven segments were identified through non-destructive evaluation and deemed in need of rehabilitation to last the required 20 years. There are a multitude of trenchless rehabilitation solutions available (i.e. CIPP, spray in place, slip lining, etc.), but which one provides segmental repair option and can be completed within the owner’s compressed schedule? In the end, the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) was selected as the ideal choice. This paper will examine the owner’s decision to use CFRP, the design process, and the successful installation of the CFRP system in the difficult conditions.