The decision, by an engineer, designer, municipal official or anyone else, of how to accomplish the renewal of a deteriorated buried pipe in an urban or suburban environment without excavation must be based on readily available parameters for the existing pipeline being examined. One approach is to search the Internet, call different technology providers, talk to other professionals and accumulate data pertinent to the type, size and configuration of pipeline that needs to be renewed or rehabilitated. This approach is very time-consuming and will probably result in a limited amount of data for a limited number of technologies.
The preferred approach is to have a fully automated software program available that includes all available technology parameters in a single, easy-to-use and accessible software program. Such a tool was recently commissioned by NASSCO and developed by the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University and is called the Trenchless Assessment Guide-Rehabilitation (TAG-R).
This automated program was developed by assembling available parameters from technology providers throughout the industry including diameter, length, ability to perform fully structural repairs, configuration and many other data points. These parameters were included in the computer software program to create a decision support tool that simplifies this decision process for engineers, estimators and anyone else looking for a trenchless renewal solution.
NASSCO and TTC worked to develop a comprehensive , straightforward, user-friendly, interactive software for the evaluation of alternative trenchless renewal methods. This software can be used to determine which technology best fits the input parameters for the renewal of gravity sanitary, storm and combined sewers; pressure pipes, both potable and non-potable; lateral pipes; and manholes. Over 90 technologies can be evaluated by TAG-R for all of the collection system components contained in the software program. The software emphasizes simplicity and limits input data to what is normally readily available to utility and municipal engineers at the design stage of a renewal project.
TAG-R performs a technical evaluation, which is based on the user?s input, during which the technical capabilities of each of the various technologies identified in the program are compared with the project requirements that are input into the software program. If a technology is not capable of meeting any of the project requirements it is excluded from further consideration by the software program. Once an evaluation is complete, the user will be provided with a list of all of the technologies that passed the evaluation along with their technical parameters.
The TAG-R program takes into account extensive performance data for a number of pipeline renewal technologies and sub-technologies for access point to access point pipe renewal, a number of pipeline spot repair technologies and manhole renewal methods commonly used in conjunction with collection system renewal projects.
The software was designed with two primary goals in mind. The first goal was to develop fully automated, stand-alone software that can assist decision-makers in evaluating the technical feasibility of various renewal methods for a specific project. The second goal was to raise awareness and provide guidance for the user in the utilization of trenchless technologies for collection system renewal projects. TAG-R, compatible with Microsoft operating platforms such as Windows XP, VISTA, Windows 2000 and Windows 7, is available from NASSCO.
TAG, a sister software program dealing with new installations and in-line replacement methods was previously developed in collaboration with the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and is available through that organization. The combination of the two software programs is the most extensive method selection software of its type, allowing designers to simultaneously evaluate the suitability of trenchless construction methods covering the installation, replacement and renewal of gravity, pressure, lateral pipes and manhole structures. The combined software is currently available online for evaluation and testing at http://138.47.78.37/tagrv2/.
John C. Matthews, Ph.D., is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate for the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, La.
Gerhard ?Gerry? P. Muenchmeyer, P.E., is technical director of the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO).
| Trenchless Methods | |||
| Sewer | Polymer Coating (Man Entry) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | |
| (Sanitary, Storm and Combined) | Polymer Coating (Non-Man Entry) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | |
| Method | Type | Mechanical Seal | Potable & Non-Potable Water |
| CIPP Inversion (Structural) | Full Lining | ||
| CIPP Inversion (Non-Structural) | Full Lining | Lateral | |
| CIPP Pulled In (Structural) | Full Lining | Method | Type |
| CIPP Pulled In (Non-Structural) | Full Lining | CIPP Inversion (Inside-Out) | Laterals |
| Folded Pipe (Structural) | Full Lining | CIPP Inversion (Outside-In) | Laterals |
| Folded Pipe (Non-Structural) | Full Lining | CIPP Pulled-In (Outside-In) | Laterals |
| Sectional Sliplining | Full Lining | Chemical Grouting | Laterals |
| Segmental Sliplining | Full Lining | Continuous Sliplining | Laterals |
| Continuous Sliplining | Full Lining | Folded Pipe | Laterals |
| Spiral Wound (Not Grouted) | Full Lining | Full Wrap Tee Connection SealsResin Hat Connections | Connection Seals |
| Grout in Place Liners (PVC) | Full Lining | Fused Hat Connections | Connection Seals |
| Grout in Place Pipe (HDPE) | Full Lining | Grouted | Connection Seals |
| Structural Panel Lining | Full Lining | Robotic | Connection Seals |
| Concrete Spray-On Coating (Man Entry) | Full Lining | ||
| Polymer Coating (Man Entry) | Full Lining | Manhole | |
| Polymer Coating (Non-Man Entry) | Full Lining | Method | Type |
| Flood Grouting | Full Lining | Chemical Grout | Maintenance |
| CIPP Sleeves | Spot Repair | Cementitious Repair | Maintenance |
| Mechanical Sleeves | Spot Repair | Channel Inserts | Maintenance |
| Mechanical Joint Seals | Spot Repair | Chimney Seals (Mechanical) | Maintenance |
| Chemical Grouting | Spot Repair | Chimney Seals (Polymer) | Maintenance |
| Robotic Injection | Spot Repair | Chimney Seals (CIPP) | Maintenance |
| Rerounding | Spot Repair | Barrel Joint Seal (Mechanical) | Maintenance |
| Barrel Joint Seal (Polymer) | Maintenance | ||
| Water | Inflow Dish | Maintenance | |
| Method | Type | Cementitious Coating | Coating |
| CIPP Inversion (Structural) | Non-Potable Water | Epoxy Coating | Coating |
| CIPP Inversion (Non-Structural) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | Polyurethane Coating | Coating |
| Folded Pipe (Mechanical) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | Protective Liner (HDPE) | Corrosion Protection |
| Folded Pipe (PVC) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | Protective Liner (PVC) | Corrosion Protection |
| Reduced Diameter Pipe (PE) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | Modified Polymer Skin Panel | Corrosion Protection |
| Hose Liners | Non-Potable Water | Cementitious Cast in Place | Structural |
| Continuous Sliplining | Potable & Non-Potable Water | Cured-in-Place Liner | Structural |
| Segmental Sliplining | Potable & Non-Potable Water | FRP Inserts | Structural |
| Concrete Spray – On Liner (Man Entry) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | ||
| Cement Coating (Non-Man Entry) | Potable & Non-Potable Water | ||
