by Platipus Inc | Dec 20, 2022
Duke Energy Marshall Steam Station – Charlotte, NC
Project Overview
Work at the Marshall Steam Station near Charlotte, NC called for above ground temporary force mains piping (twin 12” O.D. HDPE pipe) to be anchored every 10’ using Platipus S8 pipe buoyancy control systems which includes two S8A anchors, stainless steel connectors, coated Nylon webbing (strapping), and a ladder buckle.
Solution
The engineer of record selected the S8 “pipe kits” after consulting with Platipus. Calculations included determining the ballast required to stabilize the pipe against lateral forces, they also analysed theoretical behaviour (pull out performance) of various sized anchors in the soils 5-7’ below the temporary pipe. It was determined that S8 anchors, each tensioned to 1 ton would satisfy the engineer’s factors of safety requirements, while costs, relative ease of installation, and availability have led to additional successful installations on subsequent phases of work at the site where temporary above ground force mains have been required.
by Platipus Inc | Dec 20, 2022
Cortez Plaza East – Manatee County, FL
Project Overview
Engineers faced with replacement of the existing stormwater conveyance system at the Cortez Plaza East in Bradenton, FL were aware their options for ballasting the Duramax 72” pipe would be a challenge.
Solution
They were dealing with saturated soils and a high water table, Platipus Engineers and technical staff were able to assist the project’s engineers in selection of the Platipus B4 10 Ton pipe buoyancy control system to economically and effectively resist uplift forces. 3 B4 pipe kits (each kit includes 2 anchors, strapping and a load retention buckle) were specified to be installed for every 20’ of pipe, a total of 344 kits were successfully installed.
by Platipus Inc | Nov 17, 2022
WM Atlantic Waste Landfill, Waverly, VA
Project Overview
Engineers working on a closed and capped cell at the WM-Atlantic Waste Disposal landfill in Waverly, VA were challenged with the task of effectively conveying stormwater collecting on top of the landfill to detention ponds at the bottom of the cell until a permanent solution could be implemented into adjacent cells to be constructed in the future. To minimize erosion and the extra site work required to excavate ditches or bury the pipe, the decision was made to use berms to divert stormwater to temporary above grade slope drains.
Solution
It was determined that 24” corrugated plastic pipe would be well suited for the task, though concerns about horizontal movement and general pipe instability would need to be addressed. Platipus assisted the engineers in selection of the S6 2 Ton temporary pipe kits to successfully, and economically, stabilize the pipe. Crews were able to install the S6 anchor kits at 10’ intervals using lightweight electric demolition hammers, while anchors were tensioned by hand to a nominal load. The temporary anchored slope drain performed flawlessly.
by Platipus Inc | Nov 17, 2022
TVA Stilling Pond Closure – Kingston, TN
Project Overview
Four 48” stormwater conveyance pipes were to be placed side by side in a mass excavated service road/dike structure crossing. The design called for the pipes to be backfilled with flowable fill in multiple stages.
Solution
The GC worked with TVA’s consultants and Platipus engineers and sales team to develop an anchored solution to reduce the number of flowable fill lifts. It was determined that the clay soils below the pipe, together with the buoyant forces present during the backfill phases would require the Platipus B8 10 Ton Pipe Kits with a frequency of every 10’. The GC stated they were extremely pleased with their decision to use the Platipus pipe buoyancy control kits, as they were relatively easy to install using conventional equipment that was already on site, and they were able to eliminate several days from the backfill operation that would have required curing between lifts.
by Platipus Inc | Nov 17, 2022
Mesquite Street By-Pass Stormwater CIP Improvements
Project Overview
The purpose of the project was to mitigate flooding in the area by improving drainage conveyance toward the Gulf of Mexico. The project required a combination of single and double barrel runs of triple wall 60” HDPE pipe in order to provide additional drainage capacity for the town of Rockport.
Solution
Based on an engineered required load of up to 11,000 lbs per location, Platipus offered both 2 ton and 10 ton capacity anchor solutions, depending on the required loads in a particular area. The soil was a dense, well-compacted sand which allowed for high loads to be achieved. Approximately 270 pipe anchoring kits, or 540 anchors, were supplied over a 3-mile long drainage line. The anchors were installed with a traditional jack hammer. Each anchor was loadlocked and the load was recorded in order to field verify that the design load was achieved on-site. The ability to field-verify loads, in addition to the small amount of equipment required to install, allowed the Platipus system to be selected in lieu of a combination of poured concrete footings and stainless steel strapping mechanisms.
