Lifetime prediction of PVC push-fit joints

“Background
Despite the role played by joints in the failures occurring in drinking water networks, scientific literature has focused on barrel failure. Therefore, it can be assumed that the significance of these appurtenances has been disregarded. The objective of this work is to create a procedure to predict the remaining
lifetime of PVC push-fit joints. PVC was selected due to it being the most used material in the Netherlands and resistant to corrosion which facilitates condition
assessment due to the absence of tuberculation. Finally, working with PVC, for example, in the laboratory, does not incur the inherent safety/health risks as with, for example, AC. Failure modes of push-fit joints. In this thesis, failure is dened as leakage; a joint fails when it begins leaking. Seven failure modes for push-fit joints are presented with joint bending and axial pull-out being the most relevant for PVC push-fit joints. Failures due to physical-chemical degradation, although significant, are not considered in this thesis. This decision was made because non-destructively characterizing the physical/chemical condition
of PVC in the field is difficult to achieve.”

(Citaat: Arsenio, A.M. – Lifetime prediction of PVC push-fit joints,Thesis 2013)