FRP, GRP pipe failure modes

[alsly]

I am looking into FRP/GRP pipe for a trunk watermain (about 1000mm diam) in clayey soils, which sometimes slip or slide over time.

1. How might this pipe and its joints react if movement causes the originally well compacted trench backfill to loosen?

2. How does FRP/GRP pipe break or fail? Can anyone provide examples of failures or failure modes modes? (longitudinal, circumferential, puncture, overstressing at joints, etc?) How is pipe then repaired?

3. Does FRP/GRP pipe fail often, or is it a robust and dependable pipe?
Thanks,
Alex

 

[dicksewerrat]

Talk to the pipe manufacturers about this.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[rconner]

fyi see also

http://eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=207472&page=1