AWWA JAW71982

Recent earthquakes worldwide have shown the vulnerability of pipelines at locations of ground rupture as a result of soil liquefaction, landslides, or fault slippage. Although earthquake-induced ground shaking is known to cause major damage to pipelines constructed of brittle materials and/or rigid joints, most current pipeline construction materials have rubber- gasketed joints that are sufficiently flexible to prevent damaging stress buildup as a result of seismic excitation and movement. Ductile-iron pipe has become the leader in water and sewer piping for distribution and transmission mains up to 64 in. in diameter because it is a strong resilient pipe with flexible joints and because of recent technological advances in restrained, flexible expansion/contraction couplings for seismic areas. Pipelines subject to seismic forces must have high strength and flexibility. Good jointing techniques must be practiced, thereby enabling the pipeline to increase or shorten in length and to rotate or bend without leakage, failure, or interruption to service.

Includes 9 references, table, figure.