HDPE Pipe & Fittings Tests

[ldavison10]

Hi Guys,

I dont know if anyone has come across this before but im looking for some water test data on HDPE pipe. My queries are at what stage is HDPE pipe wall affected by the velocity of the water - test data stating something like HDPE pipe at xxx dia has been tested to xxx metres per second, upto a max of xxx m/s

Ditto for pressure, something like HDPE pipe at xx dia has been tested to - xxx m

I know this may vary between manufacturers, and ive asked a couple for their input, but a start point would be great.

Thanks

Lee

 

[SJones]

For pressure design see ASTM D2837.

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/8/83b/b04

 

[ytse]

ASTM D3035 specified the minimum burst pressure requirements of HDPE pipe for the different wall thicknesses (SDR).

 

[BRIS]

I am not aware of any standard test for maximum velocity. The concern is the erosion rate due to solid content in the water. Any tests would therefore need to be specific to the water quality. Generally for sewers (water carrying grit) velocities are typically limited to 10 ft/sec. For pressure mains the limiting factor is usually the affects of waterhammer pressures. i.e velocities are limited to limit potential water hammer pressures. For "clean" water with no suspended solids the theoretical limit would be the onset of cavitation due to flow disruption at joints. Velocities of 100 ft/sec could be sustained without causing damage, but no engineer is going to contemplate using HDPE in those conditions.

Velocity tests of the nature you describe would be meaningless. the water quality and other conditions are the controlling factors not the pipe diameter/material

 

[BRIS]

I should have said not "only" the pipe diameter/material

 

[ldavison10]

Bris,
The pipes are carrying rainwater which could sweep through dust and small debris. Is there not a standard which quantifies the amount of debris and suggests a maximum velocity? If not, how would one reach a decision on determining the maximum velocity?

Thanks

Lee

 

[rconner]

I believe there are many past threads as to maximum flow velocities through pipelines, e.g. see for general civil engineering guidelines such as referenced at

http://eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=205304&page=4

(and/or I suspect more threads that you could access through an Advanced Search of this and other forums).