In Korea, the water supply system began in 1908 with the construction of the Ttukdo Water Treatment Plant. Since then, the water supply system has rapidly expanded, but it is notable that more than 30% of the nationwide water supply pipes are over 20 ...
In Korea, the water supply system began in 1908 with the construction of the Ttukdo Water Treatment Plant. Since then, the water supply system has rapidly expanded, but it is notable that more than 30% of the nationwide water supply pipes are over 20 years old. Consequently, the aging of water supply pipes has led to increased risks in both quantity and quality, such as leaks and water shortages, resulting in recent large-scale water quality accidents in Incheon and other areas. Therefore, in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and realize consumer-centric water welfare, it is necessary to strengthen water supply pipe management through proactive maintenance, inspection, and obligatory upkeep of aged pipes.
As of 2020, the total length of water supply pipes in Korea is 228,323 km. Metal pipes (cast iron and steel pipes, etc.) affected by corrosion account for 114,129 km, roughly 50% of the total. Non-metallic pipes, on the other hand, account for about 98,134 kilometers, equivalent to nearly 43%. Interestingly, the ratio of non-metallic pipes to metal pipes is gradually increasing. Recently, research has been conducted on the physical changes in the state of non-metallic pipes installed for water supply purposes. However, compared to metal pipes, there is a lack of data, and the current condition of the pipes cannot be directly known. Therefore, further research on non-metallic water supply pipes is needed.
The mechanism of non-metallic water supply pipes can be represented by the changes in material properties over time. Initially, ductile fracture occurs mainly, and material properties rapidly deteriorate, leading to brittle fracture. Moreover, the tensile strength and elongation of non-metallic pipes such as PE and PVC pipes change over time, with tensile strength increasing and elongation decreasing as the pipes age.
In this study, data from the Local Water Supply Modernization Project and the Basic Plan for Aging Water Supply Pipes were used to estimate the lifespan of non-metallic water supply pipes. After sampling excavation, specimens were fabricated using actual measured elongation and tensile strength data to build the data, and the water supply pipe diameter and installation year were collected from the local government. This procedure necessitated the severance of the pipe body for analytical evaluation, an action with the potential to provoke public complaints. To address this issue, points were chosen for their readily accessible Sluice and drain valves. This selection facilitated efficient isolation, significantly reducing operational downtime, environmental impacts, and safety risks. Approximately 7 million won was spent per site during specimen investigation. Finally, 114 data were collected from 22 local governments for PE pipes, and 74 data were collected from 15 local governments for PVC pipes.
Furthermore, the weights for the property values were calculated by analysing the elongation and tensile strength of non-metallic water supply pipes. It was hypothesized that the greater the range of change in the property value representing the physical properties, the larger the impact on the physical deterioration of the pipe. Therefore, the weights were calculated in proportion to the range of change (slope) in the property value over time. Subsequently, the aging evaluation index was calculated by applying a correction factor for the pipe condition based on the elapsed time, and the replacement timing of the water supply pipe was determined according to its elongation (200% for PE pipes and 40% for PVC pipes). Assuming that the decrease in the aging evaluation index over time is the same (constant slope), the lifespan of the pipes was calculated within the 95% confidence interval of the regression coefficient through the multiple correlation coefficient among the regression models that related the time a pipe has been in use to its aging evaluation index.
Upon analyzing the correlation between the aging evaluation index and the usage period of the pipes, it was determined that the index values aligning with the elongation criteria for replacement correspond to 46.5 years for PE pipes and 49.3 years for PVC pipes, respectively. Assuming a consistent decrease over time in the aging evaluation index, the estimated period until the replacement criteria are met within the 95% confidence interval between the usage period and the aging evaluation index is 38.7 to 54.4 years for PE pipes and 42.4 to 56.3 years for PVC pipes. Based on these findings, the lifespan is deemed reasonable to be between 35 to 60 years. It is important to note that the lifespan presented here is a technical estimate based on the physical safety aspect, rather than the accounting-based useful life under the Local Public Enterprise Act. In addition, the lifespan standards presented in this study are based on the results of calculations for non-metallic water supply pipes with a long installation period, rather than newly produced or installed pipes. Therefore, it is concluded that the lifespan standards calculated above can be used for the renewal and replacement of existing pipelines when establishing a plan for the improvement of aging water supply pipes, depending on the circumstances of the water service provider.
Keywords : a non-metallic water pipe, an elongation rate, tensile strength, a plastic pipe, an aging pipe, an old water supply pipe