Fusible PVC® Pipe Offers Simplicity and Savings in Open-Cut

As a recent AWWA report, "Buried No Longer: Confronting America's Water Infrastructure Challenge," states that restoring and expanding the existing water systems in the United States will cost at least $1 trillion over the next 25years. PVC pipe accounts for more than 70 percent of the new water pipelines installed in the U.S. The steady growth in the use of PVC pipe is due to its combination of high strength, light weight, corrosion resistance, and proven performance over the past 50 years in both potable water and wastewater applications. Fusible PVC^® pipe is a commonly specified material fortrenchless installations, but an increasing number of utilities,engineers and contractors are harnessing the benefits of fused PVC pipefor open-cut projects as well.In open-cut applications, unrestrained bell-and-spigot PVC pipe is commonly used with thrust blocking to prevent joint separation caused by thrust forces at horizontal and vertical offsets, valves, and fittings. With increasingly tight utility corridors, the use of thrust blocks is frequently being replaced with metallic bell-restraint hardware meeting ASTM 1674. To meet the standard of care for reasonable restraint life in corrosive soils more protection is required, including polyethylene bagging, application of denso-mastic and petrolatum tape, as well as harness coatings and the use of 300 series stainless steel hardware.

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