Pipe Performance Curves: What Are They, and Why Their Contours Vary
Publication: Pipelines 2022
ABSTRACT
This paper focuses on awareness and understanding of “pipe performance curves.” What are they? How are they derived? How are they different? Why are they important? Meaningful predictions of pipe performance and life expectancy depend on accurate measurements of actual in-service pipe performance over significant time periods. The unpredictability and variability associated with factors that can affect life expectancy can be considerable. This is especially true for performance expectations on the order of 100 or more years. Recognition that different pipe materials/products deteriorate at different rates and for different reasons is a prerequisite to making product selections that optimize water infrastructure performance and longevity. Published performance curves for several pipe products commonly used for water transmission and distribution are reviewed. The various performance curve contours are categorized according to a pipe product’s inherent characteristics and limitations. Such information is key to selecting and engineering underground water pipelines that will perform, sustainably for 100 years, while failure to understand and recognize performance curve contour differences leads to inaccurate life expectancy forecasts.
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Pipelines 2022
Pages: 140 - 148
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Published online: Jul 28, 2022
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