Spiral Wound Use in the Great Lakes Region

Starting in the spring of 2022, Macomb County Public Works Office (MCPWO) engineering staff evaluated the rehabilitation of approximately 800 lineal feet of an 84-in. diameter reinforced concrete pipe sanitary sewer interceptor. The pipe segment under evaluation is in a high traffic area, is densely populated, and is under typical moderately high dry weather flows with sizeable cross connections that would require extensive bypass operations. To minimize socioeconomic impacts to the surrounding community, reducing construction footprint to coordinate with other construction projects in the area along with keeping costs in check, MCPW engineering staff reviewed multiple solutions to accomplish all these goals. Typical rehabilitation techniques utilized by MCPWO historically include standard slip lining and the use of cured-in-place pipe. Unfortunately, with the depth of the pipe and access location for an insertion pit in a primary intersection, slip lining was deemed unfeasible due to traffic impact. The need for full bypass, size of bag and shipping logistics, along with overall construction footprint, cured-in-place pipe was eliminated as a solution also. With the improvements made for cross bracing of spiral wound pipe (SPR) and the ability to install under flow along with minimal footprint, MCPW elected to move forward with SPR as the solution under a pilot program. This paper will focus on evaluation of rehabilitation techniques and how to avoid trying to incorporate technologies purely due to familiarity and forcing a square peg into a round hole. Another major challenge is overcoming acceptance of a new technology that has not been widely accepted in a certain geographic region. Lessons learned along with project results will be included, demonstrating the success of thorough vetting of rehabilitation solutions, and determining the correct fit.