Fully Structural Renewal of 39-inch PCCP Water Transmission Main with Swagelining™ and HDPE

Gulf Coast Water Authority (GCWA) and the City of League City, Texas were faced with the need to renew a critical 39-inch PCCP water transmission main. The 39-inch PCCP water main, owned by GCWA and operated by League City, required replacement of approximately 6,800 feet along Calder Road.ARKK Engineers, a Houston based consulting firm, evaluated numerous rehabilitation and replacement methods in which Swagelining™ was selected.This paper will outline the design phase and selection process as traditional slip lining was considered including an alternate for a compressive tight fitting HDPE pipe. The design criteria required a fully structural solution capable of 125 psi operating pressure. The Swagelining™ process was selected over slip lining due to the additional flow capacity and the contract was awarded to Murphy Pipeline Contractors.This paper will also outline the construction phase, including the Swagelining™ process, the pipe installations performed by Murphy Pipelines, and the challenges associated with the installation of a 1000mm (39.4 inch OD) DR 17 HDPE pipe. The 2.32-inch wall thickness pipe was pulled through a single swage die in four pulls ranging from 1,250 feet to 2,100 feet in length.The Calder Road Project represents the largest diameter, fully structural pipe installed to date in North America utilizing the Swagelining™ technology. The utilization of this technology with HDPE pipe allowed the owner to meet all design parameters and increase the flow capacity. Swagelining™ offers a solution for pressure pipe renewal that is unique in today’s trenchless pressure pipe market as it meets both internal and external loading requirements.