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American Concrete Pipe Assoiation Bulletins*

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Bulletin 142 "HDPE Pipe Service Life - Facts and Conclusions"
The Plastic Pipe Institute recently published information claiming that high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe has a service life of 2,893 years at 5% deflection. This document explains the relevant facts regarding such a prediction.

Bulletin 141 "Rulemaking for SAFETEA-LU Section 5514"
The FHWA has issued its "Rulemaking" concerning culvert pipe in SAFETEA-LU. The new ruling now states that State DOTs should be considering all available pipe products that are judged to be of satisfactory quality and equally acceptable on the basis of engineering and economic analyses. Where such products appear to be equal, alternative bidding practices must be used as required by the Federal Code. Where alternative products are determined to have different engineering and economic properties, contracting agencies may select a specific material or product based on the required engineering properties and/or life cycle cost criteria. In such cases, the State DOT should document its material selection decision on a project or program basis as appropriate.

Bulletin 140 "Should Laser Video Inspection Be Required? Find out More."
New technology is making it easier for contractors, municipalities, and consulting engineers to determine internal pipeline conditions after the initial installation. The Laser Profiler is a stand-alone, snap-on tool for use with a closed circuit television video (CCTV) survey system to collect survey data and create pipeline reports using innovative machine vision software to obtain the measurements of faults on the Kentucky and Ohio Department of Transportation projects after using this equipment.

Bulletin 139 "Defending the Right to Choose Concrete Pipe: ADS vs. Portland"
Every public works engineer knows the pressure vendors can exert on a city to approve its products for public works. For more than 15 years, Advanced Drainage Systems ("ADS"), a manufacturer of corrugated high density polyethylene pipe ("HDPE"), pressured the City of Portland, Oregon to approve its pipe for city projects. Throughout that time, the city repeatedly defended its choice of reinforced concrete pipe, citing concerns about the structural integrity and lifespan of HDPE as compared to concrete. In 2004, ADS took an unprecedented step, and sued the city in order to force the approval of HDPE. The City fought back, and won, successfully defending its engineers' right to choose and that its choice is reinforced concrete pipe.

Bulleting 138 "Don't get caught in failure! Calculate 'E'"
For years the engineering community has used oversimplified fill height tables when designing drainage pipe. Taking E' values from the design guides or simple consensus standards of the pipe vendor should be avoided. If you have never worked with E' values before, consult an expert!

Bulletin 137 "OSHA Supports ACPA's Claim Regarding Trench Boxes"
OSHA supports ACPA's claims that there is a conflict between the OSHA regulations and ASTM D 2321 Standard Practice for Underground Installation of Thermoplastic Pipe for Sewers and Other Gravity-Flow Applications regarding the use of trench boxes. Following safety regulations is most important, since trenching is generally recognized as one of the most hazardous operations in the construction industry.

Bulletin 136 "Trend Toward Deflection Testing HDPE Pipe Installations"
For years, HDPE pipe manufacturers have been telling the engineering community that "generally, no post construction inspection is necessary" or "mandrels should be considered a last resort to evaluating the installation".

Bulletin 134 "What Positive Lessons can be Learned from an HDPE Fire?"
A fire in a 42" HDPE storm drain turned out to be both frightening and costly to Herriman City, a growing community in Utah.

Bulletin 133 "Abrasion Affects Durability In Some Drainage Pipe"
Durability is the capability of pipe to continue to perform satisfactorily for an economically acceptable period of time. Precast concrete pipe has a long history of excellent durability as a storm drainage pipe.

Bulletin 132 "OSHA To Get Tough On Trenching Regulation Enforcement"
OSHA is expected to place additional emphasis on enforcing its current regulations as a result of increased trenching-related fatalities.

Bulletin 131 "When is the Correct Pipe Material Important?"
A recent HDPE pipe collapse resulted in a dog becoming stuck in the pipe and having to be rescued by firemen.

Bulletin 130 "Leaky Pipe Causes State of Emergency"
A recent pipe failure has resulted in major property damage and the declaration of a state of emergency for a community in Wisconsin.

Bulletin 129 "Taking Responsibility"
The case of Ridge Line, Inc. vs. Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) in the U.S. District Court of West Virginia is a good example of what the limitations are for HDPE drainage pipe, and how problems resulting from these limitations are addressed when brought to the attention of the HDPE pipe manufacturer.

Bulletin 128 "A Case in Point"
Reinforced concrete pipe has a proven performance history. It has provided, and continues to provide, a reliable structure for the conveyance of effluent in a variety of conditions. HDPE pipe has a proven performance history as well. It has proven to be insufficient to handle the design and installation requirements that most owners, engineers, and contractors have come to expect from concrete pipe. Time and again individuals who have specified and installed HDPE pipe have come back and inspected the pipe later only to find the installation not meeting expectations. What happens then?

Bulletin 127 "Which Should You Believe?" -- Sworn Testimony vs. Paid Advertisement
Dr. Hazen's testimony clearly points out that high-density polyethylene pipe is not "made the same way, all the time." There have been at least four significant changes in the manufacturing specification for N-12 pipe within the past seven years - that we know of!

Bulletin 126 "Engineers Beware!! Protect Your Right to Choose"
The Missouri State Legislature recently helped preserve free enterprise by removing a last-minute amendment to a pending bill that would require HDPE storm sewer pipe as an alternative on all state stormwater projects. The provision was mysteriously added to a proposed piece of legislation (HB 327) just days before the Missouri legislature intended to vote on the bill. The provision would require polyethylene pipe as one of two piping materials on all state and local stormwater projects. The requirement was not included in the original version of HB 327, but somehow surfaced in the final version of the bill.

Bulletin 125 "A New Dinnertime Subject: Concrete"
January 31 , 2003 - 2 pages
How exciting is it to watch grass grow or concrete dry? Maybe we should rethink what is exciting because it could cost us money if we don't watch what is happening in our neighborhoods.

Bulletin 124 "Questionable Recommendations Based on Study Findings"
January 31 , 2003 - 2 pages
In December 2000, a study on the "Performance Evaluation of Existing High-Density Polyethylene Pipe (HDPE)", sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration was submitted by the University of South Carolina's (USC) Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. After reviewing the authors' findings and recommendations, this "You Should Know" would probably be more correct as "Does Anyone Know?"

Bulletin 123 "Is Your Project in Their Sights?"
January 31 , 2003 - 1 page
When a contractor asks an owner or designer to change a job to HDPE pipe, you might question his motives. A major manufacturer of HDPE pipe has taken an unconventional route to gain business. Rather than competing with concrete pipe on the basis of value, the manufacturer has offered a free shotgun in exchange for converting a project to their pipe from concrete pipe...

Bulletin 122 "World's Largest Corrugated Steel Arch Collapses on Alaska Highway"
September 10, 2002 - 2 pages
"Largest structure of its kind in the world." "The mother of all potholes." How about "largest collapse"? Luckily this failure occurred during daylight hours or the results could have been tragic. The cause of the failure is still being investigated but we know that a tender for a new concrete bridge to replaced the failed structure was accepted at $1.88 million. Read about the effects that a catastrophic failure can have on the community, residents and traveling public.

Bulletin 121 - "Installation Anomalies? You be the Judge"
September 10, 2002 - 2 pages
Yes, HDPE pipe is installation sensitive, and yes, the HDPE pipe industry has not educated engineers and contractors with regards to proper installation of their products. However, improper installation is not the only problem. Case studies are not always as they appear. These case studies have been touted by the HDPE industry as quality installations. We beg to differ. Check it out and "you be the judge." You might be surprised with what you find!

Bulletin 120 - "HDPE Pipe Showcased on Web Site Fails"
October 8, 2001 - 2 pages
Just because a project received good publicity does not mean that is a "good installation." On many corrugated HDPE pipe projects, the pipe is not performing well and this includes many of the projects that are shown in advertisements. You might be surprised what you learn when you visit the actual project site.

Bulletin 119 - "Fire in Storm Sewers is Not Unusual - Which Pipe Should You Choose?"
October 8, 2001 - 2 pages
"Plastic pipe burns." This bulletin addresses this very serious issue, without sounding too negative or too dramatic. In addition to excellent case histories, the bulletin discusses the risk and liability that is inherent when one chooses flammable pipe.

Bulletin 118 - "CMP Failure Closes Canada's Busiest Highway; Points to Need for LCA"
June 26, 2001 - 2 pages
One of North America's busiest roads was closed on August 9, 2000 when a corrugated steel pipe failed under Highway 401 just outside of Toronto, Ontario. The failure resulted in a sinkhole that cause major delays for motorists traveling to Toronto. Similar CSP failures abound throughout North America. This bulletin highlights some of most significant occurrences and discusses service life of CSP versus reinforced concrete pipe, as well as the need to conduct Life Cycle Analysis based on the project design life.

Bulletin 117 - "DOT's Take Action Regarding Flexible Pipe
December 20, 1999 - 2 pages
This You Should Know bulletin provides information on recent actions taken by certain State Departments of Transportation regarding the acceptance, specification and use of flexible pipe products, including HDPE, PVC and CMP. The bulletin contains information on actions by the states of Texas, Florida and Illinois. Many other State DOT's have also taken action or are currently considering actions. The evidence suggests that State DOT's are becoming more concerned about the continued use of flexible pipe products under roadways and other applications.

Bulletin 116(R) - "HDPE Pipe Claims on Internet Not Grounded in Fact"
Revised January 29, 1999 - 2 pages
The vast amount of material available on the Web, while extremely valuable, can sometimes be misleading. In fact, at times the information can be outright inaccurate. For example, a major HDPE pipe manufacturer's Web site has contained many comparisons between concrete pipe and profile wall polyethylene pipe with an interior liner, which can be disputed. Check out the claims and decide for yourself.

Bulletin 114 - "County Counts on Concrete When Metal Pipes Fail"
November 24, 1997 - 4 pages
DeKalb County - Thirty years ago, when DeKalb County, Georgia engineers included metal pipe in their stormwater sewer designs, they probably thought the system would last indefinitely. Unfortunately, the lines running throughout the county have begun to reach the end of their 30-year service lives, causing the current engineers to scramble to repair the crumbling piping. The corrugated metal pipes were used extensively during the region's building boom of the 1960s but now are rusted and collapsing, according to a story published in the Decatur-DeKalb News Era

Bulletin 112(R) - "Industry Experts Call for Stress Testing for HDPE Pipe Materials"
December 1, 1997 - 2 pages
Last fall, as a service to our members, the American Concrete Pipe Association made available copies of the Fall 1996 issue of Uni-Bell PVC Pipe News. This issue contained important information and observations concerning cracking and buckling problems involved with some corrugated HDPE pipes. One of the most publicized installations involved a deep-fill project in Pennsylvania. This bulletin contains additional "food for thought" as well as numerous examples and attachments.

Bulletin 111 - Metal Pipe Failure in Wisconsin - "Lessons from the Kankapot Creek Culvert Collapse"
April 4, 1997 - 2 pages
On June 7, 1996, a 21-year-old metal culvert used to convey Kankapot Creek beneath an Outagamie County road in Wisconsin collapsed, caving in a section of road near the town of Kaukanuna. A truck plunged 20 feet into a pit of broken pavement and mud created by the cave-in, but the driver was not seriously injured.

Bulletin 109 - "Technical Paper on Microtunneling; (Reinforced Concrete Pipe for Jacking and Microtunneling"
October 23, 1996 - 7 pages
Microtunneling is fast becoming a common option considered by civil engineers who must maintain maturing infrastructure infrastructure but limit disruptions caused by sewer line installations and rehabilitations. Congestion in cities and environmental issues in residential and even rural areas have made this pipe-laying technique a cost-effective choice for many projects.

Bulletin 107 - "Here's An Ad That Makes You Think"
October 7, 1996 - 2 pages
Attached is an advertisement that recently ran in a trade publication. It's a good illustration of how some organizations hope you don't think about their ads too much. Because if you examine their statements and ask a few questions, you'll find serious flaws in their message. Here are some examples.

Bulletin 106 - "Uni-Bell Comments On Pennsylvania Corrugated HDPE Pipe Study"
September 30, 1996 - 1 page
The Fall 1996 issue of Uni-Bell PVC Pipe News contains important information and observations concerning cracking and buckling problems involved with a corrugated HDPE installation in Pennsylvania. As a service to its members, the American Concrete Pipe Association is disseminating copies of the Fall 1996 issue of Uni-Bell PVC Pipe News

Bulletin 104 - "Consultants Run For Cover When Fiberglass Sewer Pipe Fails"
August 27, 1996 - 1 page
BROOKINGS, S.D. - Sections of Brighton Road in Brookings, S.D., have caved in twice in 1996 because of a cracked fiberglass sewer line. A 20-year-old woman was injured in April when erosion from the cracked sewer line caused the road to collapse under her 1994 Ford Thunderbird, according to the Argus Leader, a major newspaper in Sioux Falls, S.D. The driver of the car suffered a concussion and multiple contusiions.

Bulletin 103(R) - "Microtunneling and RCP Keep Ontario Wetlands Intact"
July 18, 1996 - 1 page
CAMBRIDGE, Ontario - A microtunneling project employing concrete pipe recently demonstrated that even projects burdened with environmental controversies can be overcome using the right methods and materials.

Bulletin 102 - "Piqua Project Punctures Plastic Pipe Promises"
June 10, 1996 - 1 page
Once again, the durability, structural strength and reliable installation properties of concrete pipe have triumphed over promises of cost savings by plastic pipe sales representatives.

Bulletin 101 - "Greenbook Acceptance of HDPE Specifications"
March 1, 1996 - 7 pages
Last fall the American Public Works Association's Joint Cooperative Committee, which publishes the Greenbook, accepted specifications for HDPE pipe. There has been much discussion about why the Greenbook reached that decision. Meanwhile HDPE manufacturers have used this acceptance in their promotional campaigns.

* Posted with permission from The American Concrete Pipe Association

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