Dr. Ken Oliphant, Patrick Vibien, Dr. Michael Conrad, Sarah Chung
Papers # 2014 Chicago
A new methodology has been developed to validate the performance of polyethylene piping materials in potable water applications. The methodology is based on several research programs which examined a standardized accelerated test methodology (ASTM F2263 Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Polyethylene (PE) Pipe to Chlorinated Water), results from long-term testing, exhumed PE pipe samples and actual utility historical field performance data. The completion of these projects has resulted in the development of a validated methodology capable of replicating the long-term aging mechanism in service that can project and validate HDPE pipe performance. The details of the methodology and its basis have been presented in a separate paper. With any validation approach, it is critical that an analysis of the viability of the methodology in validating material performance in service is conducted. As shown in this paper, the proposed approach does present a viable means of validating the long-term performance of polyethylene pipe for potable water applications as it: 1. Replicates the long-term aging mechanism observed in the field, 2. Provides projections consistent with observed field behavior and 3. Is in good agreement with the current ASTM F2263 test methodology projections.
