For Public Works

When properly designed and installed, HDPE pipe has a 100 year life cycle. PE Pipe can be installed without digging up a community or habitat with the following trenchless technologies: pipe bursting, sliplining, or directional drilling. These techniques reduce the overall costs of project since highways and other immovable structures do not have to be disrupted.

  • Pipe bursting: An expanding device called an expander head is sent into the defective pipeline. It travels through the pipeline toward the other end and breaks the pipe into many small pieces, pushing the pieces into the surrounding soil. New pipe is attached to the back of the expander head, replacing the old pipe immediately. Watch animation.
  • Sliplining: A cable is inserted through the defective pipeline and then attached to the front of the new pipe. The new liner pipe is then pulled into the existing pipe, and the new liner pipe reconnected to the system. The new pipe must be smaller in diameter than the old pipe. Watch animation.
  • Directional Drilling: This technique is used to install brand new pipe without digging up the ground and is especially effective around roads and bodies of water. It is a three-stage process. Stage one involves drilling a hole along the designated path. Stage two involves passing a device called a “reamer” through the hole to enlarge it. Stage three involves sending the pipe through the hole and connecting it to the system. The entire operation is run from above ground using a control system that guides the drilling. Watch animation.Watch animation.

SAVE MONEY WITH PE PIPE

HDPE has the lowest life cycle costs of all water piping solutions for two main reasons:

  • PE has a very low failure rate
  • The fusion-welded joints ensure very low leakage rates and thus low water loss costs.

Click here to read the Life Cycle Analysis of Water Networks.

Resources:

Contact the Alliance for PE Pipe regarding technical assistance, engineering support, and general questions.