US Composite Pipe

Corrosion in sewer systems is becoming a bigger problem every year. Urban sprawl and regionalized sewer districts have lead to longer conveyance times. Booted manholes, better pipe joints, and sewer rehabilitation projects have cut down on flow rates making the sewage more concentrated. Turbulence from pressure sewer discharge and retention times in wetwells wreck havoc on systems. Numerous products have been developed for rehabilitating manholes, wetwells, junction chambers and other structures from the damage caused by corrosive sewers. In fact, Sima Environmental, Inc. represents one such product in Sprayroq.   In pipelines, the industry for the most part has gone away from use of materials that corrode for new construction. Materials like PVC, HDPE and FRP are far more common than previous standards such as concrete and ductile iron. In manholes however, rather than upgrade material selection, most have been using rehabilitation techniques for preventive measures. For years various coatings, liners, additives have been used to try and prevent acids from eating away at the portland cement in these structures. Whether it be material, application, sub-contractor coordination, or some other issue, the success rate has been dismal overall.      So what does a designer do to prevent a new wetwell, lift station, interceptor manhole or force main discharge manhole from being a future headache? USCP has the answer; a rigid, traffic rated manhole or structure, that is manufactured out of materials inert to sewer gases.

Replacing the portland cement in the add mixture with a thermosetting resin, USCP is able to make a product that conforms to ASTM C-478, has H-20 load rated tops, and is corrosion resistant wall to wall. There are few limitations with what can be done with polymer concrete. Basically, anything that can be made with tradition concrete can be made with polymer concrete. Base sections, flat tops, eccentric or concentric cones, reducing slabs, benches, inverts, virtually anything.   Boots, hatches, stubs, drops, steps, ladders, etc; also can be added. The manhole structures are manufactured from 48" to 120" diameter in round structures or can be manufactured in panel form for large box structures. The product is non-porous and has gasket joints that make them watertight. Future tap ins, or adjustments require no special tools, and because the products is inert, no liners or coatings are needed.

The next time you're planning a new force main, interceptor sewer, grit chamber or any other sewer with likely corrosion issue design it to bury and forget about it. Sima Environmental, Inc. represents USCP in Illinois, Indiana, and Florida(as partner in Municipal Pipeline of Floirda in all areas outside of the panhandle)  If you would like more information, would like a presentation, or have any questions regarding USCP and polymer concrete, please contact Chris Lienau at simaenvironmental@yahoo.com or 630-327-8503