Fusible C-905® Pipe Replaces Asbestos-Cement/Transite Pipe Beside Interstate I-80 in South Salt Lake, UT

In December 2008, Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) contracted with Noland & Sons Construction Inc. of West Jordan, UT to provide Fusible C-905® pipe and fusion services for replacement of an 18" asbestos-cement (AC) water line by pipe bursting.

As part of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) reconstruction of Interstate I-80 through South Salt Lake, several nearby water utilities were selected for upgrading due to potential settlement. One of these water lines was an AC/Transite transmission line under Robert Avenue that was approaching the end of its useful life.

The City of South Salt Lake and Horrocks Engineers determined that pipe bursting was the most cost effective, least intrusive, and environmentally safest method to replace the line. AC pipe is generally classified as hazardous waste if it requires excavation and removal. Pipe bursting allows the AC pipe fragments to remain in situ, avoiding the need for special handling, permitting, and disposal as would have been required with an open-cut replacement.

Fusible PVC™ pipe was specified in lieu of HDPE pipe during the design stage for two primary reasons: 1) PVC pipe can be more easily tapped by the City's utility crews using standard off-the-shelf fittings, and 2) no upsizing was required (to attain the required ID and 235 psi pressure class HDPE pipe would have been 24" DR7). Additionally, several nearby buried utilities would have been placed at increased risk of disturbance by the greater soil displacement resulting from the use of upsized HDPE pipe.

The preparatory work was completed the first day: launching and receiving pit excavation, burst-head attachment, and launching burst rods down the length of the existing pipe. On the second day it took approximately four hours to burst 800 LF of AC pipe in a single pull using a TT Technologies 1250G Grundoburst® static bursting machine.

Dennis Pay, Public Works Director for South Salt Lake, commented: "We were impressed with how quickly the pipe was installed. I think the speed of installation can be attributed to having a good design, a good contractor, and a quality product. It was an excellent team effort."

Tony Treasure, Project Manager with Noland & Sons, added: "This was our first experience with Fusible C-905® pipe. We contracted with UGSI to complete the pipe fusing process for us. UGSI was professional and timely with the layout and fusion of the pipeline. The combination of TT Technologies' static pipe bursting equipment and UGSI Fusible C-905® pipe made this project a great success with minimal impact to the City of South Salt Lake and nearby residents. Fusible C-905® pipe is a great product and we look forward to working with it again in the future."

Pipe Insertion

Slitter & Bursting Head

AC Pipe Burst