Earthquake Resistant Ductile Iron Pipe, Valve, And Hydrant System

By Maury D. Gaston and Ryan S. Ratcliffe

Recently, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its Infrastructure Report Card, giving the nation’s drinking water infrastructure a D: The infrastructure is in poor to fair condition and mostly below standard. Many water utilities and communities are doing the hard but necessary thing in finding the resources to upgrade their aging water infrastructure. And, for those in earthquake prone areas, hopefully considering an earthquake resistant system.

Water is the first defense against fires, a major cause of additional destruction following an earthquake. Water is also essential for public health and the sustenance of life. We can exist without power for days, and many have done so, but when our supply of clean water is interrupted, we must soon restore it.

This is a presentation of a new joint assembly for fire hydrants, valves, and ductile iron pipe manufactured by AMERICAN Ductile Iron Pipe and AMERICAN Flow Control that provides for longitudinal joint expansion and contraction within limits of positive restraint, and radial joint deflection. Performance characteristics of the joint assembly will be noted and discussed, and the performance of ductile iron pipe, valves, and fire hydrants during seismic activity will be presented.