 | | | | |  | | Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. Awarded $8.4 Million for Pipeline Rehabilitation Technology Project | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| ONTARIO, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2009) – An innovator in the field of carbon fiber reinforcement, California’s Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. was recently awarded over $8 million by the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Technology Innovation Program (TIP) to develop a robotic platform that will repair and retrofit deteriorating water mains nationwide.
In partnership with Fyfe Company, LLC and the University of California, Irvine, Fibrwrap’s prototype robotics will be used to apply high-strength fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) to the inside of aging water transmission pipelines. Tyfo® Fibrwrap FRP is designed to prevent pipes from bursting, collapsing or further deteriorating, and one report states this program may save communities $245 billion in lost opportunities and rebuilding of critical underground pipelines.
The robotics approach to applying FRP systems has been tried in the past by other companies without success. The difference is the patent-pending technology and the strong team of Joint Venture Partners, along with supporting members such as San Diego County Water Authority, East Bay Municipal Utilities District, District of Columbia Water and Sewer, and renowned engineers Simpson, Gumphertz, and Heger.
The Tyfo® Carbon Fiber system has been used to strengthen pipelines for the past decade. The leading water agencies in the United States have turned to Fibrwrap Construction for many years to perform rehabilitation of their most critical pipelines. The TIP program will allow the Tyfo® system to be applied as much as ten times faster than manual application.
“By combining Fibrwrap’s expertise in application of the Tyfo® Carbon Fiber system with the University’s cutting-edge robotics program, we’re taking the next step in standardizing carbon fiber for advanced pipe retrofitting, including extended runs,” said Edward Fyfe, inventor of the Tyfo® Fibrwrap® system. “This program is excellent news for the government, as well, since the resulting technology could provide untold savings by providing a safer, less costly, and more environmentally friendly method of repairing thousands of miles of U.S. water pipelines.”
Heavily populated urban areas such as Los Angeles, Baltimore, and New York City experience catastrophic water main breaks on an all-too frequent basis, emphasizing the compelling need for affordable repair solutions. When Fibrwrap’s robotic prototype is complete, it will adjust to a variety of pipe sizes and apply advance composite fiber over ten times faster than human workers—even to problematic surfaces that are uneven and oddly shaped.
“Fibrwrap is honored to be chosen for this landmark project,” said CEO Heath Carr. “As the industry leader in the application and innovation of advanced composites, we’ll be working with Fyfe Co. and the University of California to combine patented, trenchless Tyfo Fibrwrap technology with advanced sensor systems. In the end, these cutting-edge platforms will monitor pipe health and restore pipes quickly and efficiently—with limited downtime for both water companies and consumers.”
NIST is awarding over $70 million total in research funds, which will be matched by other sources to equal $150 million in grants over the next two to five years. The high-profile project was created to fund 20 cost-sharing studies addressing national infrastructure problems. The projects are part of President Obama’s efforts to spur economic recovery and address costly societal concerns. “These new projects will develop new technology and material that will play a critical role in modernizing infrastructure and developing the manufacturing company across the country,” said U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Dennis Hightower.
ABOUT FIBRWRAP CONSTRUCTION: Using best industry practices developed over 20 years, Fibrwrap Construction is continually extending its international presence. The company employs hundreds of certified applicators worldwide, successfully using its advanced composite systems to rehabilitate pipelines and a variety of large, traffic-intensive structures. | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Fibrwrap Construction wins Project of the Year | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| Rehabilitation Project of the Year: Renewing WSSC’s Water Transmission System
Jim Rush — Oct 01, 2009
  Serving nearly 2 million people in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is the eighth largest water and wastewater utility in the country, operating and maintaining nearly 5,500 miles of water main lines and more than 5,300 miles of sewer main lines. As you might expect, making sure that all the pipelines are in good condition is quite a challenge.
Approximately 150 miles of WSSC’s large diameter pipelines are composed of prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP), a popular choice for water pipelines installed in the 1960s and 1970s. WSSC realized long ago, however, that these pipes were subject to premature failure and the agency has been actively inspecting them since. In fact, WSSC patented a sonic/ultrasonic method to test the PCCP in the 1990s.
Despite its best efforts, WSSC experienced three large-scale failures of large diameter PCCP within the past two years. One failure of a 66-in. PCCP transmission main made national news coverage that included dramatic video of stranded motorists being rescued by helicopter.
Given the length and diameter of PCCP pipe (77 miles of PCCP greater than 48 in.) in WSSC’s transmission system, it is not practical to implement the conventional approach of replacing every pipe segment. Instead, WSSC implemented a program that relies on innovative trenchless technologies to identify and repair problematic locations to safely manage major PCCP transmission mains. The program is now part of WSSC’s ongoing operations and has so far been implemented on five major transmission mains with several more to be included in the future. Because of its innovative approach and use of technology to cost-effectively craft a repair program, WSSC and its consultants and contractors have been recognized as the 2009 Trenchless Technology Project of the Year for Rehabilitation.
“In smaller cities implementing a program like this is much more manageable, but considering that WSSC is the eighth largest utility in the country, the scale of this project was significantly larger,” said Mark Holley, president of Openaka Inc., WSSC’s consultant for the testing and monitoring program.
The early part of the program focused on WSSC’s Potomac Transmission Main, a critical asset for WSSC to meet its water demands. This 96-in. PCCP pipeline is WSSC’s largest water main and was manufactured in 1968 by a company with past quality problems. To proactively manage the pipeline, Openaka, Pure Technologies and NDT Corp. performed a condition assessment of the main, utilizing non-destructive testing technologies (visual/sounding inspection electromagnetic inspection and sonic/ultrasonic testing). The complete assessment found more than 95 percent of the main in good condition, but it also identified significant problems, including several pipe sections in an advanced state of distress requiring immediate repair. Additional pipe sections had low to moderate levels of deterioration.
With this information in hand, WSSC had to make some hard decisions regarding the future of this main. Replacement or sliplining likely would cost in excess of $100 million, a financial challenge for WSSC and especially undesirable since 95 percent of the pipe was in good condition. The challenge then was how to safely manage the pipes with damage so that the full service life could be recognized. WSSC implemented a state-of-the-art asset management program, relying on continuously monitoring the structural condition of the main so that risk could be tracked and mitigated, if necessary, on an ongoing basis. The monitoring program involves using Pure Technologies’ SoundPrint fiber-optic acoustic monitoring cable that is installed in the pipe and is able to detect wire breaks in the PCCP, which are a precursor to failure.
“If you just start wholesale replacing pipe, you would be spending a lot more money upfront than you need to do, and you would be giving up useful life of the bulk of the pipeline,” said Gary Gumm, chief engineer for WSSC. “Since we can’t afford it and since it’s not practical to keep the pipes dewatered for an extended period while you are replacing them, this technique allows us to have the pipelines out of service for a much shorter period of time, fix only the pipes that need it and provide a monitoring system to give you some assurance that you’re not going to have any problems that are going to show up unexpectedly.”
The first step of the program involved confirming the condition assessment results. Several pipe sections at high risk of failure were excavated and significant corrosion or hydrogen embrittlement problems were confirmed. These sections were repaired by replacement and external tendons. The remaining distressed pipe sections were strengthened with a trenchless repair technology by Fibrwrap Construction, which uses an innovative carbon fiber strengthening material to internally repair the pipes.
 “The use of the Tyfo Fibrwrap system allows for pinpoint repair of only the pipe sections in distress, saving WSSC millions of dollars,” said Heath Carr, CEO of Fibrwrap. “Without this method, entire pipelines would have to be excavated and either sliplined or replaced, costing taxpayers much more. Fiber wrap, applied as a wet lay-up system, is becoming the new standard because of its long-term durability and the value it provides both pipeline owners and the public.”
To manage the pipes with lower levels of deterioration, acoustic fiber-optic sensors are being installed in an average of 12 miles of pipeline annually, to continuously track their structural condition. Alarms are now raised when pipe sections deteriorate to a point of undesirable risk. This management program enabled WSSC to safely extend the service life of the pipeline and avoid a major capital program, along with providing an early warning system of imminent pipe failure. Based on this success, WSSC is now implementing similar management strategies on other large diameter PCCP mains, as they are brought into the on-going inspection schedule.
“We are in the process of using this on all of our large-diameter PCCP mains,” Gumm said. “By June 2013, we will have inspected and will be monitoring all mains 48 in. and larger. This approach allows us to use our money better, and it allows us to better juggle the resources we have.”
Through the combination of innovative trenchless technologies and repair methods, WSSC was able to safely renew a vital piece of infrastructure while minimizing expense and impact to neighboring properties. The project included the successful use of the following:
Advanced technologies: The project utilized advanced trenchless condition assessment technologies to determine the structural condition of a vital water transmission main.
Innovative trenchless repairs: The project utilized an innovative repair methodology involving internal carbon fiber strengthening.
State-of-the-art pipeline management: A state-of-the-art monitoring and management program has been employed to continuously track the condition of the pipeline to ensure problems are detected as they develop so that the pipe can be proactively maintained.
Multidisciplinary solution: The project team included a major water utility, multiple specialty condition assessment/monitoring firms, general contractors and a carbon fiber repair contractor. All parties worked together in a nearly seamless fashion.
Rapid schedule: On the 96-in. portion of the Potomac Pipeline, which involved removing the main from service for the inspection and construction, the project was successfully completed and the pipe was returned to service in less than four months. During this short time, the pipe was inspected, evaluated, repaired and an acoustic monitoring cable was installed in the full length.
By implementing a trenchless solution as compared to conventional methods, the project realized the following benefits:
Capital savings: The project saved WSSC and its ratepayers approximately $100 million as it enabled the utility to safely extend the life of the Potomac Pipeline.
 Limited pipeline outage: The pipeline outage was limited to four months instead of what could have been years with conventional methods. Given the criticality of the pipe, conventional methods may not have been feasible since WSSC may not have been able to meet its water demands during a lengthy sliplining or replacement project.
Minimal excavations: The entire pipeline was inspected and repaired with minimal excavations. This reduced traffic congestion and logistical problems in heavily developed commercial and residential areas.
Better management: The bury-and-forget-it approach has been totally abandoned. The condition of the pipe is being continuously monitored and the risk associated with corrosion and deterioration of the pipe is continuously tracked and evaluated.
“Using this type of approach allows you to pinpoint the problem and address it on a pipe-by-pipe basis,” said Mike Higgins, vice president of Pure Technologies Inc. “By addressing only the weakest links, you can focus repairs where they are needed and save millions of dollars.”
Jim Rush is editor of Trenchless Technology.
Owner: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Engineering: Openaka Inc.
Testing Services: NDT Corp.
Testing and Monitoring Equipment: Pure Technologies Inc.
Subconsultants: DaccoSCI, EBA Engineering and URS
Rehab Contractor: Fibrwrap Construction Inc. | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Tyfo® Fibrwrap® used to strengthen 900 buildings in Singapore | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| SINGAPORE (Oct. 15, 2009) – As a global leader in the Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) retrofit and structural strengthening industry, Fibrwrap Construction’s Asian division has entered its fifth year of an ongoing effort to assist in the overhaul and restoration of aging Singapore high-rise buildings. The company’s innovative, externally bonded carbon fiber composite technology has been used to improve over 900 buildings and 28,000 columns, to date, as part of this project.
Fibrwrap’s services along with Fyfe Company, LLC products, have been used for over 20 years to strengthen thousands of structures across the globe, from Asia and North America to Latin America and Europe. The company has a worldwide presence with representatives in over 50 countries along with regional headquarters for Asia in Singapore, Europe in Greece, and Latin America in El Salvador.
Under the Singapore contract, Fibrwrap is endeavoring to upgrade and beautify the columns and beams present in dozens of the country’s multi-level buildings. Successful restoration is critical, since the region’s land constraints severely limit new construction.
Prior to engaging Fyfe Asia and Fibrwrap to rehabilitate their 1970s and 80s buildings, Singapore’s universities and labs conducted extensive structural studies. Research concluded that the Fyfe Company, LLC patented TYFO® Fibrwrap® Carbon Fiber Composite System would not only improve the safety of existing high rises, but would help to retain the functionality and architectural beauty of the wall-like columns and beams.
The proven Fibrwrap® process consists of wrapping columns with a combination of carbon fiber and epoxy resin finishes, and its speed of installation allows applicators to wrap over 100 columns a week. “The TYFO® Fibrwrap® system is an exciting solution for builders and construction companies worldwide,” said Fibrwrap Construction North America CEO Heath Carr. “It’s a process that allows us to improve the integrity of both residential and commercial structures—without taking away from their desired aesthetic value.”
While Fibrwrap’s proven composite solution has already been used in thousands of buildings around the world, the globally focused company also specializes in the repair and reconstruction of pipelines, waterfront structures, bridges, and expansive industrial facilities. “It’s our goal to develop long-term relationships with our overseas clients, and to establish ourselves as the number-one global provider of FRP structural solutions,” said Jason Alexander, president of Fibrwrap Construction North America. | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Fibrwrap Construction Completes Grove Isle Bridge Restoration | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| MIAMI (Sept. 23, 2009) – Fibrwrap Construction, Inc., recently announced its successful completion of the Grove Isle Bridge facelift. Using Tyfo® Fibrwrap® advanced composite systems, engineers restored and strengthened the bridge that spans Biscayne Bay and connects Miami with Grove Isle’s private island resort.
Grove Isle Bridge repairs were deemed necessary by inspection engineers when they discovered corrosive damage to the structure’s reinforcing steel. “We’ve performed over 6,000 structural upgrades and retrofits since 1988,” says Fibrwrap Construction CEO Heath Carr. “Using our innovative composite retrofits, it was our goal to restore the strength and integrity of the bridge while limiting interruptions to the flow of Grove Isle employee and tourist traffic.”
Bridge rehab included the retrofit of proven, fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) to the structure’s columns, beams and slabs. In addition to Fibrwrap repairs, Fibrwrap Construction tackled concrete restoration and epoxy crack injection to further strengthen and stabilize the bridge.
Manufactured from glass, carbon, aramid and hybrid fabrics, Tyfo® Fibrwrap® are held together by TYFO® polymers. The company’s advanced, high-strength fiber products are specially engineered to repair and restore bridges, buildings, piers and pipelines, offering cost-effective, turn-key repair options for many industrial projects.
Now that Grove Isle Bridge repairs are complete, the bridge’s structural health will be monitored over the next year by students and researchers at the Universities of Miami and Cincinnati. To initiate this innovative new assessment program, wireless sensors were placed at strategic points along the rehabilitated bridge. By recording vibrations, acoustic wave data and concrete alkaline levels, researchers can detect the presence of cracks and deficiencies that may affect the bridge’s future durability. Part of a new effort to better monitor U.S. bridge safety, this new emission technology would help bridge owners and transportation departments monitor and predict future structural problems, alerting them to the need for critical repairs and upgrades.
Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. is a high-tech, full-service structural restoration company. Focusing on the design and implementation of Carbon Fibrwrap® systems for demanding projects such as military installations, hospitals, transportation infrastructures, waste water sites, schools and large manufacturing facilities, the company is recognized as a worldwide leader in advanced composite systems.
“When it comes to pipelines, bridges and buildings, replacement is generally not a cost-effective option,” says Shaun Loeding, Southeast US Regional Manager for Fibrwrap Construction. “That’s why our goal is to utilize our highly qualified field force to create turn-key, retrofit solutions that save our clients money—and lengthen the lifespan of costly, high-traffic structures.” | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Fyfe Company, LLC acheives ISO-9001Certification | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| On July 9, 2009, Fyfe Co LLC was audited by QAS International to the quality management systems, standards and guidelines for ISO 9001:2008 and achieved certification.
Fyfe Co provides innovative construction products and technical support to engineers, contractors, and developers in the construction industry through the world. The company specializes in Tyfo Fibrwrap Advanced Composite Systems for the strengthening, protection and repair of structures. These systems are comprised of carbon, glass, and aramid fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials. Other innovative construction products include disc bearings, expansion joints, concrete repair products, blast mitigation and ballistic products. Through a team of engineers, designers, material specialists, and project support personnel, superior customer service is a hallmark of Fyfe Co. The company is headquartered in San Diego with a branch office in Ontario, California.
Ed Fyfe, President of Fyfe Co said: "The Company is committed to providing our customers with high quality products and service at a fair price, exceeding their expectations. To meet this goal, our company has achieved and will maintain the ISO 9001:2008 registration." Enoch Morrow, Operations Manager, added: "The initial decision to seek ISO 9001:2008 certification was taken to address potential quality requirements from new and existing customers. The process, however, has also helped us to formalize the company's internal procedures and improve the ways we do things." Mr. Fyfe went on to say that the contributions of Enoch Morrow, Operations Manager, Rober Morrow, Production Manager, and Derek Luffman, consultant from International Management Systems, were instrumental in the achievement of this prestigious certification. ISO 9001:2008 is the internationally recognized quality management system that insures that a company's customers can count on a consistent level of quality products. The system documents all of the important steps needed to deliver that quality, from the initial design stage all the way through final delivery and support of the product. Regular re-certification by a qualified registrar insures that the quality system remains in place and is effective. For more information about the company, please go to http://www.fyfeco.com or contact Ed Fyfe at 858-642-0694. Tyfo and Fibrwrap are registered trademarks for the products of Fyfe Co. LLC
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| | | | | | | Fibrwrap Honored By San Diego County Water Authority | | | by Fibrwrap_Admin on
| Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. has been honored by San Diego County Water Authority for its part in the American Public Works Association “Project of the Year” Award recently given for the Pipeline 4 Shutdown and Repair.
American Public Works Association honors SDCWA for Pipeline Project
Fibrwrap Construction, Inc. has been honored by San Diego County Water Authority for its part in the American Public Works Association “Project of the Year” Award recently given for the Pipeline 4 Shutdown and Repair.
According to SDCWA, Fibrwrap “played a key role in the project.” Fibrwrap Construction provides a patented Carbon Fiber lining of critical water supply pipelines for San Diego and many other major water systems in the United States. The Carbon Fiber strengthens pipelines, and allows repairs to take place without costly or time consuming excavation.
The American Public Works Association is a group of public agencies, private companies, and individuals promoting education, leadership, and service. It is a non-profit group based in Illinois with membership over 25,000.
Fibrwrap Construction specializes in structural strengthening including seismic upgrades, concrete restoration, and trenchless structural strengthening of underground pipelines utilizing advanced Fyfe Company Tyfo® Carbon Fiber products.
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Fibrwrap Construction was called in during the addition of the new Tower – and was asked to respond on short notice. Fibrwrap implemented construction plans and completed the work within a very short time frame.