Explore the benefits of HDPE pipes as the industry develops 

Education is the key to selecting high-quality, cost-effective, and durable materials for infrastructure piping systems. Going beyond tradition and using more innovative options can bring huge benefits to contractors and project owners.

A solution worth considering is high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is a flexible plastic material that is valued for its durability, versatility, and longevity. HDPE pipes are designed with sustainability and elasticity in mind. They are praised by industry professionals around the world for their corrosion and chemical resistance, weather resistance, low maintenance, easy installation and environmental protection.

HDPE pipes are used in various sectors, including municipal, industrial, marine, mining and agriculture. In the United States, it is most commonly used in pipelines that transport natural gas, chemicals, and drinking water. However, in other countries' markets, awareness of the unique features of this product is increasing.

“In large-diameter pipeline applications such as highway construction and rainwater/wastewater management, HDPE is becoming the solution of choice in many areas because it has proven to outperform traditional materials such as concrete, fiberglass and corrugated metal,” Iris said Jancik is the vice president of business development and sales for Plasson USA, a subsidiary of the Plasson Group. "The value engineering advantage of HDPE pipes is meaningful in today's construction industry."

For low pressure applications, Plasson USA offers pipes up to 120 inches in diameter and its Spirolite pipes.

Most HDPE pipe manufacturers use heat fusion to create a very strong but lightweight complete system. This method can also produce a leak-free system in terms of infiltration and seepage, which makes the pipeline more resistant to shocks caused by ground movement.

“Many non-HDPE products are prone to leaks and may cause the surrounding soil to erode from around the pipeline. This in turn can cause pipeline instability and failure,” Jancik said. 

To optimize strength, stiffness, toughness and long-term reliability, all Spirolite products are made of HDPE 4710 pressure grade resin approved by the American Waterworks Association and the American National Standards Institute. Spirolite also has a reliable and robust bell and sleeve gasket system or flat-end, field welded joints-both of which help reduce installation time. Recently, Plasson USA developed a 50 psi rated pressure system by incorporating specialized electrofusion technology into its Spirolite piping design. 

A pilot project in Houston used HDPE pipes to replace bridges and culverts damaged by tropical storm Imelda.

For road improvement projects, more and more state transportation agencies choose to use Spirolite to re-lay damaged or deteriorated pipelines. This is largely due to HDPE's sustainable engineering, which provides the shortest life cycle of 100 years and provides a longer-lasting and more economical solution than repairing or replacing the structure.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is an organization that has used this for many years to realign its highway culverts. For example, in the summer of 2019, when a faulty corrugated metal pipe (CMP) culvert under Interstate 65 threatened a road collapse, INDOT had to act quickly to solve the problem. 

Ken Thielbar, head of business at Spirolite Products Group, said: "Over time, the corrugated metal has been corroded by a stream flowing through it." "The culvert is in poor condition and the pipe has no bottom at all; it is basically just dirt." 

Thielbar added that HDPE pipe is a quick and cost-effective relining option because it is lightweight, flexible and tough, and can be easily pushed into the main pipe.

In cooperation with the Snap-Tite division of ISCO Ind., a piping material supplier located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, provided 280 feet of 120-inch diameter Spirolite to rearrange existing 144-inch diameter CMP culverts.

"For some other products, workers must constantly perform bypass pumping because they need clean, dry conditions to perform any on-site pipe welding. But with HDPE pipes, workers can assemble the system under semi-wet conditions, so only Requires minimal bypass pump," Thielbar said.

He added: "For this project, the Manning'n' value of the Spirolite pipe we provided was 0.009, which allowed us to reduce the diameter from a 144-inch main pipe to a 120-inch Spirolite pipe and still provide excellent flow characteristics. Compared with other types of gaskets, this makes it an ideal choice. In addition, the hydraulic properties of HDPE will not change or deteriorate as the pipeline ages, which is common in other types of pipelines."

The location of the project also requires rapid construction response.

"I-65 is a major four-lane highway near Lafayette, Indiana, connecting Chicago and Indianapolis," Tilba said. "This work must be done without interrupting traffic. Traffic cannot be effectively diverted along this high-traffic corridor."

Temple & Temple Excavating & Paving Inc. of Salem, Indiana installed the new pipeline using a trenchless repair method called slipline, which can be performed without blocking or changing traffic routes. Under optimal conditions, installation takes about one to two days, and then the annular space is grouted, which supports the 100-year life cycle solution mentioned earlier. The slipping method can not only minimize the negative impact on traffic, but also improve the safety of workers and save time and money for the project team and the owner.

In addition, the flared joint connection of the product makes it easy to install special-shaped pipes. Workers connect each part to the previous part, and then push the overall structure into the main pipe under live flow.

Whether under a busy highway, in an area of ​​expected soil settlement or in a highly corrosive environment, HDPE products have been carefully designed to provide long-lasting performance. 

Recently, Plasson partnered with water/wastewater pump contractor Southeastern Pump for a new development project in Florida that required approximately 250 new lifting stations made of 39-inch diameter HDPE. This ongoing work is for the Seacoast Utility Authority, whose service area covers 65 square miles. 

These manholes vary in height from 84 inches to 180 inches and are specifically designed to transport wastewater in high-salinity coastal environments. HDPE materials-which will not rust, rot, corrode or support bacterial growth-are ideal for this type of conveying system and area.

According to Thielbar, traditional materials used for lift stations include corrugated metal, fiberglass or concrete. Previously, the Coastal Utilities Administration had had poor luck with fiberglass installations and turned to HDPE as a long-term solution because it has twice the lifespan of concrete and is more resistant to corrosive sewer gases, soil swelling or soil than certain materials. The resistance to displacement is higher through groundwater or seawater. 

"These types of projects usually use fiberglass," Tilba said. "Although glass fiber does have good corrosion resistance, if the material is damaged, there will be problems, which may lead to cracking. Once the glass fiber is broken, hydrogen sulfide gas will continue to erode the lining of the lift station, over time , Which will eventually cause the structure to yield or collapse."

Other notable features of HDPE lift tables include excellent wall compressive strength, constrained buckling resistance and deflection control. The resulting structure provides greater stability and safety for workers entering or leaving the confined space. In addition, thermally welded joints can prevent the intrusion of groundwater and seawater and the pollution of the environment due to sewage leakage.

"We provide a completely sealed system, which reduces the developer's pumping and electricity costs," Thielbar said. 

This 31-foot manhole is made of solid-walled Spirolite pipe.

The modernization of American infrastructure—under the influence of decades of underinvestment and unprecedented population growth and economic demand—is a key issue for private and public developers, municipalities, state and federal agencies, and legislators. By deepening the understanding of the advantages and applications of HDPE solutions, design and construction professionals can help key decision makers reduce the pressure and point them to reliable, affordable, and durable solutions.

Erica Bender is a freelance writer and editor specializing in architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Bender can be reached at [email protected].

The Rainwater Solutions staff invites industry professionals to nominate the most outstanding and innovative water and wastewater projects they consider to be recognized in the annual reference guide question. All projects must be in the design or construction stage within the past 18 months.

The loss of France and their downfall

Darker water in Panama City Beach caused by tannins

GIS plays a leading role in watershed management

Storms in Connecticut have doubled and extreme flooding is expected in summer

©2021 Scranton Gillette Communications. Copyright Site Map| Privacy Policy| Terms and Conditions