This inquiry does not state specifically whether the “out of roundness” measurements contained therein are referring to individual pipes just received and uninstalled, or instead is referring to e.g. interior measurements of the pipeline at locations after installation. From one responder’s answer it appears they may have assumed the latter (or somehow knows more than stated/I do about this specific job), particularly when it was stated the job is just “starting”. If the inquiry is talking about individual pipe ends that are not yet joined/installed, I’m not sure you will necessarily find specific requirements for the out-of-roundness of such very large diameter manufactured even pipe ends in basic AWWA or even ASCE documents. There are perhaps many reasons for this, including that large pipes of all materials from a practical standpoint are simply not perfectly round, or due to their flexibility and size may might even sag considerably under their own weight, let alone service loadings (unless e.g. ring girders and/or temporary internal bracing is applied). Another reason, is that even some carefully rounded and applied temporary bracing or stulls can understandably be dislodged or even are deliberately/understandably removed for various reasons at points in the process, and this doesn’t in and of itself mean that is bad pipe, nor that there is even anything at all really ob(re)jectionable about that pipe (it may mean however that someone might again have to re-round the end or pipe in assembly/fitting operations, that I believe at least some installers are experienced in and capable of doing for good connections).
That being said, and perhaps contrary to the inference of another response, I don’t believe that AWWA M11 really says out-of-roundness of steel water pipes of 3-5% is allowed. At least at one point, what this manual in fact said was, “When required, the design, installation, and performance of pipe bracing during transportation and installation is generally the responsibility of the contractor.” While I am not going to hold myself out as any sort of expert in matters involving five meter diameter pipes, this phraseology may be due to the quite job-specific complexity of bracing etc., i.e. exactly what e.g. is expected of or by internal bracing, including what it is intended to accomplish upfront and/or in some cases even while/after pipes are buried in the specific applications. This statement may also reflect that there could be different abilities of contractors, in different areas and with different fitting-up equipment and expertise etc., to practically deal with whatever pipe shapes or bracing is involved in the specific application (maybe kind of alluded to by Mr.cvg). As to ultimately what is acceptable, I guess the desired shape should be available and affordable (to build the project in the time frame when it is needed, and with available money), and it can certainly be argued ultimately would be most helpful if it will also work!
Everyone have a good weekend.
