One can look around any job site in the nation, no matter the location, scope of work, or scale of the project where the Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) is being installed, and notice one common factor: some sort of pipe lubrication. Although commonly overlooked at these job sites and locations, pipe lube plays one of the most vital roles in the efficient installation of DI pipe. All types of DI joints require it, including above-ground, below-ground, and even underwater. Whether that may be a Tyton® Joint, Mechanical Joint, TR-Flex®, or Ball & Socket River Crossing pipe, all of these must have a type of lubrication in order to be properly assembled and installed. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will focus on why using the recommended pipe lube supplied by the DI manufacturer is so important.
Most people commonly think the answer to this question is relatively simple. “All I need to do is make sure the Inside Diameter of the casing pipe is larger than the outside diameter of my carrier pipe.” While that is a correct answer, it isn’t necessarily the best answer. Within this Iron Strong Blog, we will closely examine what you need to consider when selecting a casing pipe to fit your application.
Did you know the mattress industry is one of the oldest continuous industries in the world? The first mattresses were believed to have been manufactured in 37 BC in Persia. Today, more than 35 million mattresses are shipped world-wide to replace those that have been in service for an average of seven years. So, what does this have to do with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), you ask? This article will discuss how setting improper bedding in a pipe trench can cause sleepless nights for the water company and its crews due to pipe failures, seemingly always at night — as it is my experience that most large main breaks typically occur after dark!
Over the course of my 30+ year career with McWane Ductile, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of some remarkably interesting and detailed water pipeline projects. Several of these projects have required a partnership between the community, awarding authority, contractor, water works distributor, and material manufacturer to ensure the projects were installed efficiently and correctly. However, few have matched the scale, complexity, and collaborative effort of the Saugus River crossing—part of the massive Belden Bly Bridge Replacement Project in Massachusetts. This project stands out not only for its technical challenges but also for the preparation, planning, and collaboration of key partners that brought it to a successful conclusion. In this #IronStrong Blog, you’ll hear the when, why, who, and how of this complex and intricate Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) waterway crossing.
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