Throughout the year NASSCO finds creative means to extend industry knowledge to as many trenchless professionals as possible. We do this to support our mission to set industry standards for the assessment and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, and to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies.

Two of the many ways we disseminate critical industry knowledge are through conferences and webinars. At the recent Water Environment Federation (WEF) Collection Systems 2014 Conference in Baltimore, Md., NASSCO provided a two-part workshop focused on the successful installation of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP). The sessions covered technology selection, design and preparation of bid documents, and the importance of good construction inspection and quality control.

The first part was a presentation and technical explanation of a new CIPP design approach that includes more accurate calculations capable of accounting for non-round pipe shapes and specific design loadings effects. These calculations, which are based on calculations currently being used in other countries, are particularly applicable to pressure pipelines. We continued with guidelines for developing practical and effective performance-based specifications that include specific criteria and quality controls leading to fair and complete bidding documents, and facilitating appropriate construction inspection.

Part two provided information about the skill sets required by CIPP construction inspectors to verify compliance with the specifications, to include specific responsibilities for ensuring product quality, reviewing submittals and documenting contractor performance. Participants learned about quality assurance and testing requirements during installation that lead to a successful, verifiable installation and product life expectancy.

This technical workshop was also geared toward field application, and targeted at engineers and inspectors with design and/or field experience with CIPP installation, along with those wishing to better understand the technology. Both the morning and afternoon sessions ended with an open forum and discussion of frequently asked questions.

NASSCO is also educating and informing through a series of webinars. On Wednesday, April 2, NASSCO’s Manhole Rehabilitation Committee partnered with WEF to broadcast its third in a series of ongoing webinars designed to share specific industry knowledge. This webcast provided a comprehensive outline of the various aspects of manhole rehabilitation from initial assessment to verification of a successful installation. We explored the initial inspection phase, which detailed condition grading codes derived from NASSCO’s Manhole Rehabilitation Committee, based on Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Manhole Assessment Certification Program (MACP). Next, the four primary categories of manhole rehabilitation technologies were explained, including grout, cementitious, polymers and chimney rehabilitation.

Specifications are an integral part of any manhole rehabilitation project. NASSCO’s Rehabilitation Committee recently revised the standard specifications, and highlights of the revisions were discussed, including the requirement for registered engineers, representing product manufacturers, to seal designs for projects in certain cases when they require structural build back and infiltration abatement. Finally, the webinar wrapped up with an overview of the post-rehabilitation inspection and testing that should be required for various technologies.

To register to see a recording of this and earlier webinars, please visit www.nassco.org and follow the link on the home page.

Ted DeBoda is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org.