Spiral Wound in the Great Lakes
Introduction
In the Spring of 2022, the Engineering Staff at Macomb County Public Works Office (MCPWO) began an extensive evaluation of the restoration project for 800 lineal feet stretch of an 84-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe sanitary sewer interceptor. Macomb County grew concerned over the pipe located beneath the busy Garfield Interceptor. Over the years, the pipe had severely deteriorated due to age, heavy usage, and the release of the sewer gas hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Macomb County determined that this pipe needed to be repaired. If the deteriorating pipe were left unattended, there would have been a significant threat of collapse, potentially resulting in the formation of a sinkhole that could jeopardize public safety and nearby infrastructure.
To address this pressing issue, SAK Construction and SEKISUI SPR Americas implemented an innovative solution to restore the sewer pipe by utilizing steel-reinforced machine-wound spiral lining technology; a 78″ SEKISUI SPR ™ TM Spiral Wound liner would be installed in the 84″ host pipe. Rehabilitation utilizing trenchless technologies emerged as the superior choice compared to traditional dig and replace construction. One of the notable benefits of the usage of Spiral Wound Technology for this project was the ability to utilize existing manholes to line the pipe, which resulted in significant cost savings for Macomb County. This approach eliminated the need to construct a new shaft, as would have been required with other rehabilitation methods or technologies.
SEKISUI SPR Products are specifically designed for installation under live flow conditions, ensuring not only cost savings by minimizing the need for extensive bypass operations during the rehabilitation project but also guaranteeing the structural integrity of the installed liner.
Other methods such as slip lining and cured-in-place pipe were also considered for this project.
Due to the pipe’s depth and the challenging access location for an insertion pit at a major intersection, slip lining was not considered feasible due to its potential impact on traffic. Additionally, the requirement for a full bypass, the size of the bag, shipping logistics, and the overall construction footprint made cured-in-place pipe an unsuitable solution as well.
The implementation of the trenchless method not only offered a more financially viable solution and minimal footprint but also promised to significantly prolong the lifespan of the current sewer system for a minimum of 50 years.
Installation
To initiate the repair procedure, a comprehensive evaluation of the sewer pipe’s condition was conducted by a team of skilled engineers and technicians from SEKISUI SPR and SAK Construction. This assessment successfully determined the extent of the pipe’s decay, potential hazards, as well as the most efficient repair strategies and action plan. Despite encountering unfavorable weather conditions on certain days, the technicians of this project resumed the installation process promptly whenever the weather permitted.
The spiral wound lining installation process follows essential steps to ensure a fully structural rehabilitation solution. The process begins thorough site preparation, followed by detailed pipe investigation and cleaning. Then begins the steps of winding the PVC profile and reinstate laterals as needed. Grouting the annulus further strengthens the lining, providing long-lasting durability. To ensure stability, the profile is braced, and end seals are installed. Once the installation is complete, the bracing is removed, and the final touches are implemented.
The Garfield Interceptor project involved two 42-inch laterals. The first lateral was located ten feet from the winding starting point with live flow and the second was located three hundred feet downstream with significant live flow. The team was able to install the SPR TM product with live flow and no disruption to the progress of the installation.
The installation process for the project in Macomb County began in January of 2023 and the nearly 800 linear feet of spiral lining was completed in April of 2023. During the installation an average of forty-four feet was installed per day. As the advancing machine approached downstream, the power of the advancing machine increased which helped increase the production rates.
Conclusion
With the help of SEKISUI SPR TM Technology and the expertise of SAK Construction, the execution of this project was successfully processed in a timely manner. This groundbreaking project marked Macomb County’s inaugural use of spiral wound technology and with the usage of the SPR TM Spiral Wound Technology the Garfield Interceptor project is ensured a minimum service life of 50 years, with the potential for an even longer lifespan.
SAK Construction & Training
Macomb County chose Spiral Wound Installer, SAK Construction, to perform the rehabilitation work on 84″ host pipe. SAK decided SPR TM Spiral Wound Liner was the best trenchless lining solution for this application. SPR TM is the PVC lining Solution for pipes between 36″ – 200″+; it can also be used on round and non-round shaped pipelines.
About Our Spiral Wound Installer
SAK Construction is headquartered out of O’Fallon, Missouri and is a recognized leader for trenchless construction solutions. SAK specializes in trenchless lining solutions, such as Spiral Wound lining, along with large diameter tunneling.
