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CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION, Summer 1998
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The Urban Infrastructure Rehabilitation program is evaluating the use of acoustic monitoring as a means of detecting breaking wires found in prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP). The sound from a breaking wire can travel a considerable distance through the water in the pipe. Hydrophones in the water are able to detect this sound and allow the pipeline operator to locate the damaged area of the pipe without taking it out of service for inspection.
The project is sponsored by the American Concrete Pressure Pipe Association, with in-kind contributions from the Halifax Regional Water Commission, and from technology vendors Pipeline Technologies and Pure Technologies.
The initial work was performed at IRC's Waterline Experimental Facility, where a PCCP line was exposed, filled with water and fitted with hydrophones. The researchers used saws, bolt cutters and corrosion cells to make the wire breaks in their investigation of the monitoring technology. They also examined the ability of the equipment to differentiate between the sound of breaking wire and the noise produced by traffic, hammering or construction work.
Future work will include a demonstration in an operating line and an investigation into the use of acoustic monitoring as a quality control measure that can be used when waterlines are first put into service.
Specific questions can be directed to Dr. Jon Makar at (613) 993-3797, fax (613) 954-5984, or e-mail jon.makar@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
