Layne Inliner successfully renewed approximately 1,340 ft of 48- to 96-in. corrugated metal storm culvert pipe traversing Interstate 70 in central Indiana with the Inliner Technologies’ method of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP).
The latest completed project addressed one of a series of large-diameter culverts west of Indianapolis to assist the Indiana Department of Transportation in its efforts to renew deteriorating segments of storm sewer pipe along I-70 reaching from the Illinois border to just east of Indiana’s capitol city.
Using the air-inversion and steam-cure process, the 96-in.-diameter segment—one of the largest steam-cured linings to date in the U.S.—presented significant challenges. Typically, CIPP liners in diameters larger than 72 in. are wet out via a process called “over-the-hole,” where the resin is injected into the tube onsite as it is being installed. Due to the interstate traffic and lack of easements along the highway, the larger operational footprint associated with an over-the-hole installation was not feasible, requiring improvisation.
“The combination of the large-diameter liner, hot temperatures and busy interstate meant this had to be a carefully planned and orchestrated effort,” said Denise McClanahan, vice president of Layne Inliner. “With daytime temperatures in the upper 90s, we modified our typical wetout and installation processes and timing to ensure the success of the install. The flexible nature of CIPP allows for us to take challenging situations and tailor the CIPP to accommodate them.”
Because the liner was too large for a refrigerated truck, Layne demonstrated additional flexibility by constructing a custom-built trailer to transport it. The liner was trucked two hours from Orleans, Ind. to the jobsite near Indianapolis, where it was installed before sunrise.
Geoff Yothers, director of Inliner Technologies explained that interstate projects, by nature, all carry their own degree of complexity. “In addition to the required attention to detail inherent with large-diameter CIPP installations, our crews are challenged to establish an efficient means of access, generate precise scheduling and planning for tube arrival, and, above all, operate within their corporate safety standards, always remaining cognizant of the rapidly moving traffic around them,” he said.
“Inliner welcomes the challenges presented by large-diameter and difficult-to-access pipelines,” Yothers continued. "The project solutions have required us to examine and evaluate each of the components of the CIPP renewal process, which include raw materials, mode of transportation, jobsite equipment and our procedures for installation. Each project is unique and offers a variety of issues to address.” The flexible nature of CIPP continues to make it a suitable solution for large-diameter pipes and roadway culvert rehabilitation.
