Large-Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Using a Spray-Applied Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymer Mortar
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 20, Issue 4
Abstract
To assist utilities in making well-informed maintenance decisions, the EPA has developed an innovative technology demonstration program to evaluate technologies that have the potential to reduce costs and increase the effectiveness of the operation, maintenance, and renewal of aging water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Under this initiative, the performance of a new corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced geopolymer mortar was evaluated. The fiber-reinforced geopolymer mortar was spray-applied to rehabilitate a preselected 49-m-long, 1,500-mm (160-ft-long, 60-in.) RC pipe (RCP) sewer main in Houston, Texas. Costing approximately $1,300–$2,000 per linear meter ($400–$600 per linear foot), a 84-mm-thick (3.3-in.) layer was sprayed uniformly onto the pipe’s interior, surpassing the minimum design thickness value of 48 mm (1.9 in.). The average 28-day compressive strength results of the coating were measured to be approximately 59 MPa (8,635 psi), which is above the manufacturer-stated claim of 55 MPa (8,000 psi) at 28 days. The postlining inspection via closed-circuit television (CCTV) showed a successful rehabilitation with no signs of infiltration, exposed rebar, cracking, or any significant defects. In addition, the project resulted in a carbon footprint of an estimated 60% less than an equivalent excavation project.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the EPA for supporting this research. The demonstration would not have been possible without the cooperation of the City of Houston, Inland Pipe Rehabilitation, and Milliken Infrastructure Solutions, LLC. Finally, the authors acknowledge the key contributions made by Louisiana Tech University’s Trenchless Technology Center.
Disclaimer
The EPA, through its Office of Research and Development, funded and managed the research described herein under Task Order (TO) 01 of Contract EP-C-11-038 to Battelle. It has been subjected to the Agency’s peer and administrative review and has been approved for publication. Any opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency; therefore, no official endorsement should be inferred. Any mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The quality of secondary data referenced in this document was not independently evaluated by EPA and Battelle.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 20 • Issue 4 • November 2015
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 1, 2014
Accepted: Sep 17, 2014
Published online: Oct 23, 2014
Published in print: Nov 1, 2015
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