Good Question! Today's Iron Strong Blog answers it. At first glance, you might think longer lengths mean fewer joints, and that has got to be better. So why don't all manufacturers make longer pipe? This perceived advantage is really a myth and we will look at that in a minute. In fact, there are more Ductile iron pipe plants in North America that manufacture 18-foot length pipe either entirely or as a significant portion of their product mix.
Anyone who has ever studied or just skimmed the pages of the AWWA M41 Manual (M41) knows it helps to be of an engineering mindset to understand most of what’s within it. What if you could turn this indispensable reference into a simplified, easy-to-access tool that fits your pocket? Well, the McWane Pocket Engineer does just that! In this Iron Strong Blog, we will discuss the many Pocket Engineer (PE) components and how this real-time application utilizes important aspects of the M41 Manual to simplify life for you, the water professional.
After completing my continuing education lunch presentation on restrained joints and horizontal directional drilling for a civil engineering office and reminding the group to sign the sign-in sheet to verify their attendance, I had a younger engineer approach me to ask a question. The question was whether I knew how many continuing education hours his state required and what information he needed to confirm his attendance for the continuing education activity. Those questions are relatively common, and this #IronStrong Blog will focus on answering what continuing education hours are, why civil engineers need them, and how they get them.
Why is your bottom-line important to us? For more than three decades, I had the privilege to serve within the nation's largest investor-owned water utility. During that time, I clearly saw the advantage of a financially sound utility. Whether it be having the resources to invest in needed facilities, provide a work environment that would attract well-qualified people, or purchase needed supplies and equipment to operate the business effectively. These are just a few advantages of maintaining a strong bottom-line.
When I first started my engineering career, I was placed in charge of coordinating the relocation of water transmission and distribution pipelines to accommodate the construction of an interstate highway through a city of approximately 180,000 residents. Many times, these projects required pre-poured thrust block restraints due to the amended connections between new and old waterlines in a short timeframe so as not to leave customers inordinately out of water for long periods of time.
Thermite welding, often referred to as CAD welding, on Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) and products is a common practice in our industry today. This welding technique of using heat from an exothermic reaction to produce coalescence between two metals is most often used to bond the Ductile iron joints for cathodic protection or for the opportunity to add a cathodic protection system at a later date. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will discuss when, why, and how to properly CAD weld on DI pipe.
Celebrating Earth Day reminds us of the glorious surroundings we are provided with, bringing joy and happiness to our everyday lives. A variety of topographies span from rivers and streams to mountains and valleys. Even deserts and dry climate regions provide some of the most picturesque landscapes known to man. Earth Day is conveniently celebrated in the spring when flowers and trees burst with bountiful flowers and blooms. New life abounds as animals give birth to a new generation. A simple family picnic on a manicured lawn or trip down a mountain on a bike are just a couple of examples of pleasures we can enjoy.
So, you have an existing water distribution system feeding a small hospital and a military post. Now you need to branch off the pipeline to feed another 30 new houses under construction nearby. How do you do it without interrupting service to the critical facilities already being served? In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll discuss three common pipe tapping methods used in the water and wastewater industry and the variables to consider when choosing the best method for your waterworks project.
As the name suggests, Ball & Socket River Crossing Pipe manufactured by McWane Ductile is a severe application Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) product manufactured to meet the demanding requirements associated with crossing rivers, streams, and lakes. In this blog, we will discuss the various installation methods associated with Ball & Socket pipe and basic assembly instructions.
In a continuous effort to make your job easier, we have developed an online submittal builder to quickly and neatly package your personalized presentation.
BUILD MY SUBMITTAL
Looking for answers to your DI pipe questions? Find decades of Ductile iron expertise with installation guides, videos, tip sheets, training resources, and more in our Learning Center.
GIVE ME ANSWERS
Stop struggling with those hard-to-figure field calculations and put ease and efficiency right at your fingertips with our Pocket Engineer for mobile and desktop devices.
CALCULATE NOW
McWane Ductile is proud to be a part of the McWane companies.
