SEDL / STP / STP1222-EB / STP12677S

Evaluation of PVC Pipe for Microtunneling

Najafi, M
Assistant Professor, Missouri Western State College, Saint Joseph, MO

Iseley, DT
Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC), Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1994

Download this paper for $25 PDF (304K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is a suitable product for sewer system construction. However, in the past, due to axial thrust load limitations and lack of a suitable joint it was not possible to use PVC pipe in microtunneling. In June 1992, a full-scale field test was conducted at Louisiana Tech University and a sewer PVC profile pipe was successfully installed with a new microtunneling propulsion system. The 24-inch plastic pipe with smooth joint used for this evaluation program was inspected after installation and was monitored for one year for effects of construction loads and long-term vertical soil loads. The details and results of this field testing will be discussed in this paper.