Stress Crack Resistance of Structural Members in Corrugated High-Density Polyethylene Pipe

The long-term performance of dual wall corrugated high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is directly impacted by the integrity of the critical structural members to resist stress cracking under applied field loads, predominately earth induced pressures. Much of the work to-date in this regard has centered on addressing the circumferential cracking observed at the interface between the corrugation wall and inner wall. This area, however, has no structural implications for the pipe’s long-term performance, and therefore, does not reflect a critical structural member. The primary load bearing component of a dual wall corrugated HDPE pipe is the annular corrugated wall. It is this area that necessitates engineering evaluation with regards to the maximum permissible strains and the associated stress-crack resistance of this thermoplastic material. This paper presents the basis for evaluating the stresses in these critical structural members and proposes the use of an established American Standard and Testing Material (ASTM) method in conjunction with the Rate Process Method (RPM) for determining the long-term stress capacity or service life for these members.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: CD-ROM
  • Features: Figures; Photos; References;
  • Pagination: 14p
  • Monograph Title: TRB 86th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers CD-ROM

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01045993
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: 07-0399
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Apr 10 2007 9:22AM