Introduction

Ohio is the headquarters for about 80% of the plastic pipe manufacturers in the United States. Concrete, metal, and clay pipe industries are also very active in Ohio.

A significant amount of investment is expended on pipes and underground structures for rehabilitation and new development of the infrastructure. Pipes are utilized for highway drainage systems, sewers, water conveyance, oil and gas lines, telephone and electrical conduits, and agricultural and landfill drainage. Ways to improve pipe performance have thus become an increasing priority for the pipe and related industries.

In April 2002, the Center for Pipes and Underground Structures was selected as one of three National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) national centers to evaluate HDPE Thermoplastic Pipe. The center was selected by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

Features

Ohio University and ORITE have developed the Center for Pipes and Underground Structures to help solve the major challenges presented to the pipe industry through demands from users/customers, market competitiveness, federal and state environmental regulations, aging infrastructures, and expanding global markets. By aiding industry in the developing and testing new designs, manufacturing prototypes, and bringing improved designs to the market, and by educating students for careers in the field of pipes, Ohio University and ORITE occupy a central place in the future of the pipe industry.

Other features of the Center for Pipes and Underground Structures include:

• An outdoor one-million pound load frame cell where pipe can be installed to in-situ conditions, studied, and tested under these conditions.
• A national field installation site with thermoplastic pipe installed with 20 and 40 feet of cover and various backfill conditions for long-term monitoring (shown in aerial view above).
• Extensive specialized sensors and data acquisition equipment that can be deployed via field vehicles.
• An array of laboratory equipment for material characterization and model testing.
• Special hardware and software programs for analysis of pipe.

Goals

The goals of the Center for Pipe and Underground Structures consist of the following:

• To educate students for employment in the pipe and related industries.
• To conduct basic and applied research on pipes and underground structures.
• To provide technology transfer and technical support to the pipe and related industries.
• To provide service to industry and government on product evaluation.

Facility Specifications

The Center for Pipe and Underground Structures was established in early 2000. It will be housed in RTEC 022, with plans to expand its offices and laboratories over the next few years. The CPUS also has access to research sites and facilities already established by ORITE.

Contact Information

For further information please contact:

Dr. Shad Sargand
Associate Director, ORITE
141 Stocker Center
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-2476
(740) 593-0625 Fax

Copyright ©2004, Ohio University