OU CE / ORITE - National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP)

Accelerated Pavement Load Facility

Center for Pipe and Underground Structures Evaluation of HDPE Thermoplastic Pipe One of Three National Testing Facilties American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP)
Introduction	Program Overview	Program Purpose	Participation	Tests/Practices Included	Contact Information

Introduction

In April 2002, Ohio University's Ohio Research Institute for Transportation and the Environment (ORITE) Center for Pipe and Underground Structures (CPUS) 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).

The ASSHTO NTPEP for Thermoplastic Pipe is used as part of a comprehensive quality control/assurance program for thermoplastic pipe and the pipe resins. This program allows pipe and resin manufacturers to certify that their products meet or exceed the AASHTO M 294M or AASHTO MP7 requirements. Product certification is validated by the appropriate NTPEP testing, inspection, and review of the manufacturing and test facilities.

Program Overview

The NTPEP centers test the pipe and resin products for compliance with the applicable standards. Assuming compliance with the NTPEP and applicable AASHTO Specifications is demonstrated, the NTPEP administrator will list the products in the NTPEP listing of tested products.

Program Purpose

The purpose of the ASSHTO NTPEP for Thermoplastic Pipe is threefold:

	Provide complete testing of thermoplastic pipe products in accordance with the AASHTO Materials Specifications.
	Provide a listing of pipe products, by diameter and manufacturer, which were tested to the requirements of the AASHTO Material Specifications (M 294 & MP7). This will include a list of pipe base resins by resin manufacturer and product number of designation.
	Provide AASHTO member departments test results reported through this program. Results may be used for product acceptance and/or quality assurance by individual member departments.

Participation

Any member as defined in AASHTO M 294M and/or AASHTO MP7 may participate in the program to test one or more products or diameters under this program. Manufacturers of resin used in the manufacture of thermoplastic pipe may participate in the program to test one or more resins under this program.

Tests/Practices Included

ASTM D 638	Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
ASTM D 2122	Standard Test Method for Determining Dimensions of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings
ASTM D 2412	Standard Test Method for Determining Pipe Stiffness, at 5% Deflection; Flattening (Buckling/Deflection)
ASTM D 2444	Standard Test Method for Determination of Impact Resistance of Thermoplastic Pipe and Fittings by Means of a Tup (Falling Weight)
ASTM D 3212	Standard Specification for Joints for Drain and Sewer Plastic Pipes Using Flexible Elastomeric Seals
ASTM D 3350	Standard Specification for Polyethylene Plastics Pipe and Fitting Materials
ASTM D 4218	Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon Black Content in Polyethylene Compounds by the Muffle-Furnace Technique
ASTM D 5397	Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Stress Crack Resistance of Polyloefin Geomembranes Using Notched Constant Load Test

Contact Information

For further information please contact:

Technical:	Administrative:
Shad M. Sargand, Ph.D. Russ Professor, Civil Engineering ssargand@bobcat.ent.ohiou.edu	Gayle F. Mitchell, Ph.D., P.E. Director, ORITE Chair, Civil Engineering gmitchel@bobcat.ent.ohiou.edu
ORITE Ohio University Stocker Center 114 Athens, OH 45701-2979 Telephone: 740-593-2476 Fax: 740-593-0625

orite@bobcat.ent.ohiou.edu

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