Advantages of Ductile Iron Pipe (D.I.C.L.)
D - Design
- Service allowance and an allowance for casting tolerance are additive to the net pipe wall thickness by design
- Realistic 'E' values are utilized in the design
- Design is not based on performance limits
- The overall Safety Factor is far greater than that used in the design
- Less susceptible to loss in design strength through installation and handling
- Inside diameter exceeds nominal diameter in practically all cases
- Wider range of cost-price fittings than any other pipe system and usually 'off the shelf'
- Push on joint
- Mechanical joint
- Flanged joint
- Restrained joint
- Push on restrained joint
- Restrained push on gasket joint
- Mechanical restrained joint
- Field welded restrained joint
I - Installation
- No site welding reduces installation time
- Impact resistance better than any other pipe material
- Imported bedding materials can be reduced meaning greater use of on-site materials
- Simple easy to assemble modular system
- No shop work drawings
- Easy, rapid, self anchored mechanical and restrained jointing system eliminates reliance on concrete thrust blocks
- Handling and installation methods are not subject to design considerations as it is with steel pipe
- Ductile Iron pipelines adapt to field conditions. The spigot can be cut in the field to make spool pieces
- Use of Ductile Iron pipe makes back filling of trench easier
- Meets the challenge of installation across obstructions such as creek crossings & able to be horizontally drilled
C - Cost
- Low supply cost due to our massive production capability and efficient transport system
- Low installation cost because the pipe is robust and adaptable
- Minimises delays in construction. Ductile Iron allows ease of assembly
- Less costs to control corrosion
- Low Whole Of Life cost
L - Long Life
- Unlike other pipe materials the physical properties do not change with age. Ductile Iron maintains strength and is not subject to creep
- Ductile Iron is not susceptible to any loss in design strength due to installation and handling scratches
- Proven track record for 150 years as maintenance free
- State of the art protection systems, internal and external as standard.
- Radial deflection is less than steel for large diameters
For the Designer, the Owner and the Contractor Ductile Iron has many advantages:
1. The conservative design approach offers an impressive factor of safety with an effective design.
2. The Contractor enjoys the ease of assembly and adaptability of the pipe product that allows field adjustment to minimise costly delays.
3. The owner receives a long lasting pipe that is easy to operate and maintain including a simple corrosion control system that requires no cathodic protection and no monitoring or maintenance.
