The Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA) has announced that papers delivered at Ozpipe XIX Conference will enhance understanding of the advantages of plastic pipe systems among numerous user groups.
This event will be co-hosted by PIPA and the international Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA) on 7–8 November 2019, at Dockside on Cockle Bay in Sydney.
Zoran Davidovski, Chair of the international PPCA Organizing Committee, said, “Ozpipe XIX will showcase recent technical developments, particularly in the water and sewer drainage sectors that signpost the wider acceptance of plastics as the pipe material of choice.”
One fascinating presentation will deal with long term field trials carried out in Denmark.
Undertaken by The European Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (TEPPFA), this experimental study involved measuring deflection of large diameter buried polyethylene pipes, which were subject to traffic loads over long periods of time.
TEPPFA’s Technical Expert, Peter Seyersen, will confirm to the conference that these pipes are eminently fit for the purposes of sewer and stormwater drainage, having been installed and tested in various installation conditions.
A similar field trial conducted previously by TEPPFA on small diameter sewer pipes disproved the false historical assumptions of plastic pipe performance over time and resulted in their universal acceptance throughout Europe. Australia and New Zealand has a great deal to learn from this applied research.
Meanwhile, Australian engineer, Courtney Dunn, has also been investigating the impact of soil conditions on the performance of buried flexible pipes. She has chosen to explore how polypropylene pipes react to heavy traffic loads at shallow burial depth.
Given that Ms Dunn works for a leading Australian contractor on major landmark projects, her findings will be eagerly awaited and valued.
Non-plastic pipes are known for their vulnerability to disinfected water. Dr. Jeroen Wassenaar will deliver a paper titled: The Suitability of PE Pipes for Conveying Disinfected Drinking Water Under Pressure. Dr. Wassenaar is Market Segment Manager for Qenos, the sole manufacturer of polyethylene in Australia and his insight will be essential for the water industry.
Dr. Steven Folkman is an Associate Professor at the Utah State University and a world-renowned authority on structural aspects of pipeline design. Given the durable performance of plastic pipe systems and increasing frequency of drought and flood in our region, could the process of replacing aged and leaking pipes be accelerated?
His answer will be addressed affirmatively through reference to the North American experience in his paper, A Recent Survey of Water Main Failures in the USA and Canada.
Corrugated pipes made from recycled plastic materials have proved popular with sewer and drainage authorities in Europe. Many overseas municipal bodies rightly insist that products specified are either recyclable, or already recycled.
Dr. Michael Pluimer, former Director of Engineering with the USA’s Plastic Pipe Institute, will review: Guidelines for Corrugated Pipes Manufactured with Recycled Materials for Highway Culvert and Storm Drain Applications.
PIPA’s Executive General Manager, Rodger Connolly, said he anticipated an engaged audience at Ozpipe XIX.
“PPCA conferences have become the respected international platform for learning, networking and sharing those enduring human and plastic pipe connections,” he said.
Sponsors already on board for Ozpipe XIX include:
- Main Corporate sponsors: Baerlocher and Rollepaal
- Gold level sponsors: MOL Elastomers, S&B Technical Products/Hultec
- iPad sponsor: PE100+ Association
- Media Partner: Monkey Media
Further information including conference program, online registration, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available through www.ozpipe.com.
This partner content is brought to you by PIPA. View more information here.
