Fiber-Reinforced Cement Pipes as Simulants for Deteriorated Asbestos Cement Pipes in Rehabilitation Studies
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 12
Abstract
The water industry is facing increasing pressure to replace or renovate aging asbestos cement (AC) pipes due to rising failure rates. While AC pipes have been used since the 1930s, many have already exceeded their expected service life. As AC pipe testing requires specialized and certified laboratories due to hazardous friable asbestos material, this paper investigates the potential of using fiber-reinforced cement (FRC) pipes, with cellulose fibers as a substitute for asbestos fibers, as a simulant for deteriorated AC pipes. Material property tests, burst tests, and bend tests were conducted to assess the performance of FRC pipes. Test results revealed that the performance of FRC pipes tested ranged from 20% to 54% of that of AC pipes, as per industry standard minimum values. This provides an excellent case for FRC pipes to be used as a deteriorated AC pipe simulant. In addition, an FRC pipe lined with cured-in-place pipe (CIPP), as an example of a renovation technique for deteriorated AC pipes, was tested under 4-point bending. The findings suggest that FRC pipes can serve as a reliable alternative to deteriorated AC pipes for laboratory testing purposes, and CIPP lining could potentially extend the life of deteriorated AC pipes.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request including FRC material properties and FRC large-scale tests. Some data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature and may only be provided with restrictions including large-scale FRC pipe lined with CIPP test results.
Acknowledgments
The Australian Government, through the Cooperative Research Centre, provided funding for the Smart Linings for Pipe and Infrastructure Project that produced this paper. The CRC Program supports industry-led collaborations between industry, researchers, and the community.
The project was led by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) and included the following project partners: Abergeldie Watertech, Bisley & Company, Calucem GmbH, Central Highlands Water, City West Water Corporation, Coliban Region Water Corporation, Downer, GeoTree Solutions, Hunter Water Corporation, Hychem International, Icon Water, Insituform Pacific, Interflow, Melbourne Water Corporation, MB Solutions, Metropolitan Restorations, Monash University, Nu Flow Technologies, Parchem Construction Supplies, Sanexen Environmental Services, SA Water Corporation, South East Water Corporation, Sydney Water Corporation, The Australasian Society for Trenchless Technology (ASTT), The Water Research Foundation, UK Water Industry Research Ltd (UKWIR), Unitywater, University of Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, Urban Utilities, Ventia, Water Corporation, Wilsons Pipe Solutions, Yarra Valley Water, all of whom contributed expertise, labor, funding, products or trial sites to assist in the delivery of this project.
CIPP materials for testing were provided by Sanexen and Ventia. The authors would like to thank Dr. Suranji Rathnayaka, Mr. Long Go, Mr. Zoltan Csaki, Mr. John Rebolledo, Mr. John Beadle, Mr. Sarvan Mani, and Mr. Gary Adamson.
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Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 12 • December 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 10, 2023
Accepted: May 5, 2023
Published online: Sep 25, 2023
Published in print: Dec 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Feb 25, 2024
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