Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/M008339/1
Modelling the geological factors in pipe failure for better infrastructure management
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr R A Dearden, British Geological Survey, Environmental Modelling
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor RM Lark, University of Nottingham, Sch of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr AM Tye, British Geological Survey, Climate & Landscape Change
- Grant held at:
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Modelling
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Ground Predictive Models
- Ground Engineering
- Abstract:
- Water companies manage extensive networks of clean and waste water pipes. Sometimes these pipes fail catastrophically, resulting in; loss of supply to properties, public highway closures and potentially long-term inconvenience to business and the general public. Pipes also frequently suffer leakage resulting in loss of pressure, increased demands on water treatment works (increasing carbon emissions) and water-related ground instability for example. The potential for pipe failure is, to some extent, controlled by ground conditions, in particular soil corrosion and stresses resulting from ground movement. This project is concerned with understanding the relationship between ground conditions and pipe failure so that we can attempt to predict where pipes are more likely to fail. The project will focus on the Yorkshire Water region and will take advantage of their pipe failure database. Locations where pipe failure has occurred will be analysed against data on ground stability, terrain and soil corrosivity sourced from the British Geological Survey. A conceptual model of pipe failure and a map showing predicted failure rate will be developed. The results of this project are anticipated to improve the ability of Yorkshire Water to plan their asset investment strategies for repair and maintenance. This will allow them to target investment to pipes that are most susceptible to fail, and thus use customer's money more efficiently. It will also reduce the frequency of catastrophic pipe failures, long-term leakage and reduce diffuse pollution caused by leaking sewerage pipes and infiltration of groundwater into pipes (causing combined sewers to overflow). Whilst this project is specifically concerned with the Yorkshire Water region, the results and/or methodology tested during this project are anticipated to be transferable to other water companies.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/M008339/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Knowledge Exchange (FEC)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Innovation - Risk
This grant award has a total value of £38,459
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Indirect - Indirect Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14,848 | £20,254 | £3,034 | £323 |
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