Residual Lifespan of High Density PE Pipes Used in Pipe Replacing Operations [PE]

Use of relining technologies in Italy grew steadily in the second half of the ’90s. Initially commissioned by gas and drinking water distribution companies, work of this type was later extended to the big oil, petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies. The No-Dig technologies most commonly used today are those in the category commonly referred to as “pipe replacing”, that is, trenchless methods for destruction and replacement of fragile flexible pipes using “pipe bursting” and “pipe splitting” procedures. These techniques subject the PEAD pipe replacing the old pipes requiring relining to different types of stress. The difficulty of assessing the effects of this stress over time (incision of surfaces, longitudinal traction, compression, etc.) leads many companies which could benefit from use of these technologies to be somewhat hesitant about applying them. This document offers information on laboratory tests conducted on samples of pipe used under a variety of operating conditions for “pipe splitting” applications at various work sites in Italy, providing information permitting more accurate evaluation of various aspects of the application of these trenchless technologies.