Details:

Creators:
Donaldson, Bridget M.
Corporate Creators:
Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Aquatic Life Culverts Cured In Place Pipe Environmental Impact Analysis Styrene--Toxicity Testing Styrenes Toxicity Trenchless Construction Trenchless Technology Water Quality
Publication/ Report Number:
FHWA/VCTIR 13-R2
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
Virginia
Edition:
Final report.
Corporate Publisher:
Virginia Center for Transportation Innovation and Research
Abstract:
Specifications of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) allow for the use of several “trenchless” pipe or

culvert repair technologies whereby existing underground culverts are repaired in place rather than by the use of the conventional

method of unearthing and replacing damaged sections. However, water quality implications of these trenchless alternatives are

not completely understood. A previous evaluation found water quality impacts from installations of conventional cured-in-place

pipe (CIPP). This trenchless rehabilitation technology includes saturating a flexible liner with a styrene-based resin and curing

the liner onsite with steam or hot water. VDOT subsequently implemented new specifications for styrene-based CIPP to prevent

water quality impacts from its installation or use. The current study included an environmental evaluation of two unconventional

CIPP technologies available for use by VDOT: vinyl ester based (styrene-free) CIPP and styrene-based ultraviolet (UV) CIPP.

To evaluate the potential for vinyl ester based and UV CIPP technologies to impact water quality, water samples were

collected from field installations and simulations for up to 120 days. Samples were analyzed for product constituents listed in

material safety data sheets. Results were then compared with established regulatory standards and published toxicity criteria for

aquatic species.

For the vinyl ester based CIPP liner evaluated, concentrations of the primary resin constituent exceeded toxicity

thresholds for aquatic species in six subsequent water sampling events. Adherence to VDOT’s CIPP specifications for styrenebased

liners is expected to minimize contaminant leaching from the installation and use of this product. Following UV CIPP

installations, no water quality impacts were documented from culvert outlets with water flow but styrene concentrations

following one of the installations exceeded toxicity thresholds for aquatic species in standing water.

The study recommends that VDOT consider revising its current CIPP specifications such that styrene-based CIPP

requirements also apply to non–styrene-based CIPP installations. Because the water quality evaluations conducted in this study

could not capture the range of potential field scenarios and installation variables, the VDOT specification that requires the

collection and analyses of water and soil samples following CIPP installations would provide VDOT with additional sampling

results from liners installed in varying field conditions and help ensure that VDOT is using this lining technology with

appropriate environmental safeguards.


Format:
PDF
Funding:
98482
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:723749adc9c11e32294784543c6cb7cdb8d250a96c476f1554140b1b0bbb740c
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/25373/dot_25373_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

More +