Large Pipe Failure

[JedClampett]

Anyone want to bet that this is PCCP? And the whole pipeline needs to be replaced?

http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/...ought-failure-key-water-pipeline-into-silicon

[quote="This pipe is only 30 years old. I would not have expected it to fail so quickly," ][/quote]
We've been replacing that stuff in Arizona for 20 years now.

 

[JohnRBaker]

What I would like to know is…

…exactly who uses those two folding chairs which seem to be set-up for no other purpose than watching whoever is doing the actual work. All that's missing is a beer cooler and a barbecue grill.

Another question; the article quoted several sources who seemed at a loss to explain how this could happen or if there was damage, where and when did it occur, yet these was not a single word about the possible impact of earthquakes> This part of California, around Gilroy (which BTW, is the Garlic Capital of World), is a seismicity active area, as shown in the map below:

John R. Baker, P.E.
EX-Product 'Evangelist'
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[hokie66]

Jed,
What type pipe do you use for replacement?

 

[JedClampett]

Actually, I know it's happening, but I'm not sure how they do it. I'll check.
The pipeline between the 91st Ave. WWTP and Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station was PCCP. It was built in the late 70's. In the 90's, it started having massive failures. No big deal, it just provides cooling water for the power plant .

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Entirely a guess but perhaps the chairs are for the confined entry "hole" watch crew. I've seen people setup a chair like that for them outside industrial tanks as they're basically there to log who goes in and out, whether they have the correct rescue harness, and make sure nobody collapses and get help if they do. I imagine it's pretty boring.

Professional and Structural Engineer (ME, NH)
American Concrete Industries

http://www.americanconcrete.com

 

[bimr]

Some details on the pipe:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/local/why-water-mains-fail/

 

[JedClampett]

Something a little more academic:

http://www.waterrf.org/publicreportlibrary/91214.pdf

 

[waross]

Oil pipelines are regularly scanned with "Smart" pigs. The pig reports corrosion/erosion on the outside of the pipe. Problem areas are excavated and sleeved to prevent further corrosion, often without taking the line out of service.
No need to wait for failure before starting repairs.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter