On December 31, 2003, a major break was reported in the Dallas Water Utilities' (DWU) Lake
Tawakoni 84-inch diameter raw water pipeline. This single break started a chain of events which
presented DWU with the possibility of losing almost 30 percent of the system capacity to meet
peak summer demands. Although DWU immediately repaired the break, a subsequent physical
inspection of 15.4 miles of the pipeline identified 465 sections of pipeline experiencing varying
amounts of distress and damage. If additional repairs on the 84-inch line were not completed by
June 2004, when peak summer demands began, DWU customers would be faced with significant
water restrictions or water rationing during the summer months, and DWU would lose a major
portion of the annual revenues necessary to operate and maintain the water system. This paper describes the unique design and construction challenges faced during this $18 M
project that included: using patented, innovative technology for physical inspection;
using DWU's "Special Needs" authorization to procure engineering and surveying
services, obtain replacement pipe and repair materials, and award multiple construction
contracts;
accelerated design, manufacture, and delivery of pipe repair materials;
developing special design details to accommodate removal of distressed pipe sections
and provide efficient connection of repair sections;
using GPS surveying techniques to locate repairs along the remote alignment;
and, utilizing up to 10 separate construction crews working simultaneously to accelerate the
construction schedule and meet the fast-track deadline.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 190 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 09/01/2005 |
