Many large-diameter cast-iron water pipelines do
not have sufficient historical failure data to enable
water authorities to confidently predict failure rates.
Yet when these mains fail, the costs, both direct and
indirect, can be extensive. This study was undertaken
to develop an alternative approach for predicting
failure and scheduling replacement.
The methodology presented here combines asset
condition with a physical probabilistic failure model
to determine the expected lifetime of a large-diameter
cast-iron pipeline. Net present-value calculations are
used to determine the timing of both future inspections
and replacement of the entire pipeline. A case study
presented in the article provides insight into how this
methodology can be applied to a drinking water distribution
system.
This modeling approach allows asset managers
to maximize the usefulness of expensive inspection
data and has the potential for improving the management
of large-diameter water mains, a challenge that is
compounded by an aging asset base and limited
budgets. Utilities can apply these findings to help minimize
the costs and consequences of failures in large-diameter
cast-iron mains. Includes 25 references, table, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 100 - No. 7 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 580 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 10 |
| Published : | 07/01/2008 |
