Technical Blog

Welcome to John’s Blog. Answers to frequently asked questions are periodically posted here. The objective is to share information about PVC pipe with readers as well as with utilities, design engineers and pipe installers. The blog provides the latest information on PVC pipe design, installation, and application for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

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John Houle: Senior Technical Consultant, PVC Pipe Industry

John Houle holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri and an MBA from the University of Oregon. He has more than 25 years of experience in the plastic pipe industry in applications engineering, market development, forensic analysis, technical writing, and standards development.

Setting the Record Straight: Debunking DIPRA’s False Claims Against PVC Pipe

Oct 7, 2025  John Houle

Shedding light on ductile iron falsehoods about PVC pipe

Thrust Forces – Restraint Length Calculator

Sep 24, 2025  John Houle

Whenever there is a change in flow in a pressure pipeline, thrust forces are developed. Design for restraining these forces is streamlined by using EBAA Iron’s "Restraint Length Calculator" program.

External Load Design Calculator for PVC Pipe

Sep 3, 2025  John Houle

Calculator for designing PVC pipe for earth and live loads.  Users input soil and pipe parameters to calculate deflections.

PVC Force Main Design Guide

Aug 14, 2025  John Houle

Guide for PVC sewer force mains uses recently developed method for cyclic-fatigue design.

Sample Specifications for PVC Water and Sewer Pipes

Jul 25, 2025  John Houle

The Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association offers sample specifications for water and sewer pipes.

PVC Pipe in Deep-Bury Applications

May 21, 2025  John Houle

PVC sewer pipes in deep-burial applications: Finite-element analysis and laser-profiling of an in-service pipeline.

New Online Hydraulic Calculators for PVC Pipe

Apr 8, 2025  John Houle

Tools to assist engineers with hydraulic design.

Large-Diameter PVC vs. Fiberglass for Sewer Projects

Feb 24, 2025  John Houle

Comparison of PVC and fiberglass large-diameter sewer pipes.

PVC Sewer-Pipe Standards ASTM D3034 and F679 Combined

Feb 12, 2025  John Houle

Revisions to PVC sewer-pipe standards require updates to utility master specs as well as project specs.

Cold Weather Has No Practical Effect on PVC Pipe Installation and Use

Jan 27, 2025  John Houle

PVC pipe has been in service in North America since the 1950s and has proven its ability to function well when exposed to the rigors of cold-temperature installation and operation. PVC is widely used in Canada, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, so cold weather is not a limiting factor for PVC pipe projects.