EARTHQUAKE EFFECTS ON THE KAIAPOI AND RANGIORA PVC-U PRESSURE PIPELINES
Annual Conference
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The 8.7 km Series 2, DN 500, PN 9, PVC-U lifeline water main from Kaiapoi to Rangiora was constructed between March 2010 and September 2011. The construction spanned the September 2010 to June 2011 earthquake sequence that caused significant damage in Kaiapoi and the surrounding areas. The pipeline route was less than 1 km from some of the worst liquefaction damage in the greater Christchurch area.
This paper covers some of the design and pipe material selection issues considered in this successful project, and gives details of the relatively minor damage that occurred to the pipeline.
The earthquake performance of two other major PVC trunk wastewater pipelines in the Kaiapoi-Rangiora area that were completed within 6 years before the 2010/2011 earthquakes is also covered briefly.
The conclusions suggest that the present (and growing) trend towards the use of PE 100 pipe for most new work is a costly over-reaction to perceived risks.