Unrivaled Durability of Concrete Pipe

Location: Kojo Kamau A, B, C – 4th Floor

Speaker:  Karen Thompson – Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia

Presentation Description:

Unrivaled Durability of Concrete Pipe Proven
The Australian Concrete Pipe Association has in recent years conducted field investigation and laboratory analysis of aged installed concrete pipe to provide evidence of the products unrivalled durability in stormwater pipelines.
Findings confirm:
– Standard assumptions around corrosion process and modelling are not appropriate for concrete pipe
– 100+ years service life without any reduction in structural capacity or corrosion induced cracking
The results and evidence of the study are being utilized to assess useful life and aide in technical discussions of lesser useful life of competitive products.

Concepts to be covered in the presentation:
– Durability of concrete pipe, the assumptions and evidence.
– Process of steel corrosion in concrete pipe in aggressive environments and why corrosion does not occur
– Durability risks for plastic pipes.
– How durability evidence is used by government agencies to value assets and plan future maintenance costs.

Learning objectives:
– Why concrete pipe is so durable
– Mechanism of steel reinforcement corrosion in concrete pipe
– Why greater than 100 years useful life can be utlised for concrete pipe
– Concept of design life versus useful life
– Characteristics and properties of plastic pipe that risk durability

The presentation outline:
– Explain the history of durability studies by the CPAA
– Illustrate the recent field investigations and laboratory testing to prove durability of concrete pipe
– Discuss the assumptions of corrosion prediction models and why these are not appropriate for concrete pipes.
– Corrosion process limited by oxygen availability with field investigation findings to prove
– Explain durability concerns of plastic pipe and what resultant characteristics of concern are
– Examples of 100+ year useful asset life being adopted for concrete pipe and why

Speaker Bio:

Executive Director of the Concrete Pipe Association of Australasia, representing the reinforced concrete pipeline, box culvert and associated civil precast product industry in Australia and New Zealand.

Graduating from the University of Queensland, Karen is a Civil Engineer with extensive experience in the pipe and precast industry in both Australia and overseas, including the design, supply, manufacturing, installation, marketing and business management of civil precast concrete and a range of pipe materials including concrete, plastic, vitrified clay and steel.

Karen chairs Australian Standards Australia Technical  Committee WS006 Concrete Pipes,  is a member of CE-026 Precast Box Culverts, WS028 Design and Installation of Buried Flexible Pipes and CE029 Access Covers and Grates.

Passionate about all things pipe and precast, bat crazy about durable and sustainable infrastructure, With an enjoy every day attitude,  Karen is hell bent on sharing her knowledge and experience”