PVC Pipe - A Reveiw

Overview

PVC pipe is a fairly recent technical advancement that is critical to Civil Engineering. Although there are more recent technological breakthroughs in the Civil Engineering field, PVC is one that has had a very large impact.

PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC pipe is a type of plastic pipe used mainly for water and sanitary sewer systems, although it has been used in some areas for storm sewer systems as well. PVC is light-weight, inexpensive, wear resistant, and good under pressures.

Applications

PVC is used in almost all new water and sanitary sewer systems because of its great traits. Contractors like to use it because it can be made into sticks that are twenty feet long, versus the old iron and clay tile pipes which were four or five feet long. It also is easier for the contractors to handle because of its light-weight.

PVC pipe can be manufactured much cheaper than other forms of pipe allowing in a reduced cost. The traits spoken about in the previous paragraph also add to the reduced cost. The contractors ability to lay one stick of pipe that is twenty feet long versus four sticks of pipe to achieve the same twenty feet, allows the contractors to work more efficiently which also adds to the reduced cost.

PVC can also with stand higher internal pressures. These increased pressures allow for more functionality and a reduction in the amount of apparatuses needed for pressure reducing. It also allows the pipe to carry water to higher pressure applications reducing the need for additional pumps.

It is also resistant to most chemicals. This allows engineers to use it in sanitary sewer systems that are constantly under attack from household chemicals. These chemicals alone are not so bad but it is the mixing of these chemicals along with everything else that can be found in a sewer system that increases the chemicals potency. PVC is resistant to most of these chemicals which make it a great product to use in areas where this is a concern.

Along with chemical resistance, PVC is also resistant to most acids. This also adds to its usability in sewer and water systems.

PVC's ability to resist chemical and acidic wear allows for an increased life span in the PVC pipe installed. PVC is usually expected to last up to two times as long as the old iron and clay tile pipes used previously.

Conclusion

PVC is a great advancement in the field of Civil Engineering. Because of its low cost and long life span it can be used in many applications. PVC is by far the most installed pipe in underground utility construction, and is being used in homes for sewer plumbing as well. The only real drawback of using PVC is that UV rays can damage the plastic pipe after some time. With the necessary precautions in place, this is rarely a problem. PVC used in the field of civil engineering is usually buried but there are UV protectors than can be used if necessary.