Presenter: Dr Martin Bureau
Date: 8 Feb 2024
Organization: ALTRA SANEXEN Canada
This webinar presents the results of a seismic resiliency evaluation program of a structural Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) AWWA-Class IV watermain renewal technology, which was used for deteriorated legacy water main renewal and strengthening against earthquake and natural hazard effects. This CIPP product is a composite lining consisting of an inner and outer layer or jacket, produced by circular weaving of continuous textile yarns, impregnated with an epoxy. This product is used to renew water mains by insertion at access pits, without the need for complete excavation of the pipe to be replaced. To this date, more than 2 400 km of watermains, mainly in North America, have been renewed with this technology.
The product was evaluated at Cornell University’s Large-Scale Lifelines Laboratory, through a large-scale fault rupture test during which the CIPP-lined ductile iron (DI) watermain, comprising five pipe sections, was progressively subjected to very large tensile and bending loads, first resulting in the watermain failure due to joint opening, until debonding and full detachment of the CIPP from the watermain, leading to extensive extension and bending of the CIPP. Debonding loads of at least 120 kN were measured during testing. Throughout the test, the lined watermain was able to accommodate significant fault movement through axial pullout and rotation of the joints, including a maximum 0.77 m of axial extension (average tensile strain of 6.2%) and lateral offset by 14°-rotation of the two joints closest to the fault. Despite such large deformations the CIPP remained structurally sound and retained water pressure as no water leakage was observed. Post-fault-rupture testing of the liner indicated that residual mechanical properties were similar to pristine liner properties.
Fault rupture simulated in the large-scale test was deemed representative of the most severe ground deformation that occurs along the margins of liquefaction-induced lateral spreads and landslides.
About Martin Bureau
Dr Martin Bureau began his career in Engineering in 1992, with a Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgy, followed by a Master’s degree in Physical Metallurgy, and a Doctorate in Materials Science. He worked in applied research at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). He has authored more than 200 scientific journal articles and international conference reviews, and is co-author of more than 40 patents. Today, he and his team are spearheading Sanexen’s exciting and innovative technology, ALTRA Proven Solutions, tackling the most important water challenges facing cities across North America.
