Second Edition of AWWA Polyethylene Pipe Manual Is Now Available

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) has released the newest edition of M55, PE Pipe – Design and Installation manual. The manual provides both technical and general information to help in the design, specification, procurement, installation, and understanding of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes and fittings for potable water and wastewater piping systems.

“This is the most comprehensive, practical, and up-to-date HDPE water piping manual ever to be published,” stated Camille George Rubeiz, PE, F. ASCE, Senior Director of Engineering for the Municipal and Industrial Division of PPI and Co-Chair of the HDPE Municipal Advisory Board (MAB). Rubeiz headed an AWWA task group of HDPE utility and design experts that led the development and rewriting of the manual. “We had literally an army of dedicated and highly experienced HDPE users who contributed their knowledge and experience to greatly improve the design and installation of potable water systems in the U.S. and Canada.”

The M55 second edition includes extensive and significant updates regarding the latest high performing HDPE compounds (i.e., PE4710) along with the highest category of oxidation performance (i.e., CC3 for potable water applications), open cut, trenchless and marine installations, external loadings, and soil characteristics. “The new chapter on trenchless installations has been updated to reflect current practices and features the major trenchless methods such as horizontal directional drilling, pipe bursting, sliplining, and close-fit lining,” Rubeiz continued. “HDPE continues to gain more popularity as the material of choice for trenchless applications. Plus, properly designed and installed HDPE projects provide a 100-year design life, zero leakage, high ductility, and resists water hammer, fatigue, earthquakes, ground movements, and even freeze/thaw cycles.”

At nearly 200 pages, the manual also includes an updated discussion on hydraulics, working pressure, surge pressure, basic and engineered installations, flowable fill, joining and service connections by fusion, electrofusion and mechanical systems, hydrotesting, maintenance, and repairs. Additionally, five new appendices on earthquake applications, marine installations, case studies, PE4710 pipe data, and PE4710 model specifications have been added.

AWWA M55 PE Pipe Design and Installation, Second Edition can be ordered from AWWA at awwa.org/Store/M55-PE-Pipe—Design-and-Installation-SecondEdition/ProductDetail/84701177.

“I encourage everyone who is involved in water systems, including owners, operators, contractors, and design engineers, to purchase a copy of this manual to share among staff and clients.” Rubeiz stated.

PPI is the major trade association representing the plastic pipe industry. More information can be found at plasticpipe.org/municipal_pipe/advisory.

Source: Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. 

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