The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is presenting a three-part series of webcasts over the next month and a half, looking at the results of a five-year study on pipe condition assessment and failure prediction.

Webcasts are free and scheduled for Nov. 30, Dec. 5 and Jan. 11.

Part 1, on Nov. 30, will re-examine potential influencing factors on external corrosion of cast iron water mains by using data from pipes exhumed in the Sydney and Newcastle regions of Australia. According to WRF, the study reveals that “many of the factors traditionally thought important are shown to be of little significance, but others, seldom investigated, can have a major influence, particularly for pipes buried in clay soils and where sand surround has not been properly installed.”

Part 1 will also look at how traffic loads and water pressures fit into the picture, presenting the results of a field-scale traffic load measurement on a decommissioned cast iron pipe within Sydney Water’s test bed.

Part 2, on Dec. 5, will focus on research done on the suitability of different condition assessment techniques in predicting pipe failure. Four technologies will be covered: magnetic flux leakage, pulsed eddy currents, remote field eddy currents, and acoustic wave propagation.

Part 3, on Jan. 11, will look at how Sydney Water has already implemented research outcomes from the project to better target funds toward its own water main renewal.

For more information on the project, visit www.criticalpipes.com.