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.
Internal pressure causes longitudinal thrust forces in pipe systems. These forces are developed at changes in flow direction or pipe size, as well as at dead ends. To keep pipe joints from pulling apart, either joint restraint or concrete thrust blocking is required.
Engineers who are unfamiliar with PVC pressure pipe sometimes have a list of questions about the product. These questions, which often arise from misinformation propagated by competitive materials, usually have logical answers based on engineering principles.
The PVC pipe industry sometimes makes use of technical abbreviations that may not be fully understood by utility and consulting engineers. “DR” is a case in point.
PVC pipe’s organotin stabilizers — not a health concern.
During 70 years of sustained growth for PVC water pipe, iron pipe’s market share has decreased dramatically. The iron industry has reacted by negative attacks and by spreading misinformation about PVC pipe. We thought it was time to provide a more-balanced view.
PVC Pipe Association's guide for safe and effective field-cutting of PVC pipe.
Installation practices for underground infrastructure can play an important role in the performance of pipe networks.
Sustainable Solutions Corporation (SSC) paper on the importance of using transparent and verifiable standards when determining the environmental impacts of a pipe product. No other pipe material has disclosed environmental impacts to as transparent and regulated a degree as the PVC pipe industry.
The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) states that ductile iron (DI) pipe does not experience a decline in hydraulic performance over time. However, the very document that makes this statement is full of data that contradicts the claim.
AWWA standards for PVC pipe have been around since 1975. These standards are developed by committees comprised of three groups: • Product user members (water utilities) • Product manufacturer members • “General interest” members (from consulting engineers, certifying agencies, etc.)
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