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Project Leader
Yafei Hu
Phone: 306-780-5432
Fax: 306-780-3421
Email: Yafei.Hu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Behaviour of Asbestos Cement Water Mains in Expansive Soils
Objectives
To develop means to measure and predict soil movements and the resulting structural behaviour of asbestos cement (AC) pipe used in water distribution systems.
Background
Climate and local soil conditions have been identified as critical factors contributing to increased AC pipe failures in Regina. The highly expansive soils in Regina can undergo significant swelling/shrinkage when soil moisture changes. The resulting differential soil movement can cause distress in buried AC pipes or even failure. A full understanding of the working environments of AC pipes and the typical scenarios leading to their failure would help municipal engineers to develop practical strategies for operating, maintaining, and managing their AC pipe assets.
Statement of Work
Soil movement, soil moisture content, and soil temperature will be monitored using sensors installed around sections of AC pipe sections in areas where frequent pipe breakage has been observed in recent years. This data will establish the working environment of the AC pipes and will be correlated with weather and cover conditions (e.g., trees, grass, and pavement) at the site to study the relationships among soil moisture change, soil movement and environmental conditions.
Expected Outcomes
Models that simulate pipe response to soil movement, which will be used to predict typical scenarios where AC water mains fail, allowing proactive measures to minimize the occurrence of failure and extend the useful life of the mains. Improved installation equipment and sensors that are suitable for expansive soil environment.
Partners
City of Regina, University of Regina, Golder Associates, Clifton Associates, with funding from the Communities of Tomorrow.
Start/Expected Completion Dates
This project began in May 2008 and will be completed in December 2011.
Publications
Instrumentation of asbestos cement pipe in expansive soil
Hu, Y. Vu, H.Q. Lotfian, K.
American Society of Civil Engineering International Pipelines Conference 2008 (Atlanta, GA., U.S.A., 2008-07-22)
pp. 1-10.
[Full citation / Référence complète]
