Semi-weekly herald., 1909-10-28


Colorado
Gentlemen:
As member of your committee ap
pointed TO investigate the various
kinds kinds OF pipe used In flow lines
for cities md towns, have the honor
to report as follows:
On the tour of inspection, covering
period of three weeks. number OF
cities and towns were visited, and
where every possible examination OF
pipes which had been in use was
made In other cases, where examina
tion could moi be made, water super.
intendents and other officials were
questioned as to their experience In
the use of the different kinds of pipes
and the present condition of pipes in
service. under their charge.
While the primary intention of this
investigation was TO determine the
relative merits of wooden stave and
light riveted steel pipes. other kinds
OF pipes, with the exception of cast
Iron. were also investigated, with the
view of ascertaining If some kind of
pipe other than wood or light riveted
steel, which, If within our means,
might prove more serviceable.
Particular attention was given to
such places as reported failures OF
the pipe IL, use. The reasons for such
failures were ascertained and the soil
climatic and other conditions noted.
In this report. wish TO offer for
your consideration. the conditions
found ON this investigation and the ex-
perience and investigation of others in
the use of different kinds of pipes
that you may form your own opinions
rather than accept my conclusions and
recommendations.
The consideration of the different
kinds of pipe is taken up under the
separate heading of the class of pipe
being investigated: Wood pipe. light
riyeted steel pipe lap welded steel
pipe.
Wood Pipe
Wooden water pipes of various
forms have been used for many years,
Bored logs were laid In some cities
many years ago and when taken up
were found to be In good condition,
after being In use for more than a
hundred years Different kinds of
wood were used in these pipes; oak.
chestnut, cedar and pine. All kinds
of wood seemed to have been equally
durable under similar conditions. The
use of bored logs not being under
consideration. this is only mentioned
to show the durability of wood used as
water pipes.
Stave pipes was first used in the
construction of penstocks for power
plants These we're made in sections
and Joined together by tapering ends
or by collars of wood or iron. Con
tinuous staye pipe came into use later
Many different forms of bands, cou
pling shoes and methods Of joining the
ends OF the slaves have been used
The form and size of band and cou
pling shoe to be used, should you de
can be left for future consideration
In the history OF the use OF wooder
pipes of any form. numerous failures
are shown. Pipes used under little
or no pressure have invariably decay
cd in a very short time. Pipes lait
under pressure of ten pounds pei
ally filled with water. have been il
use for thirty TO forty years and arr
still In good condition. Experience
has shown that the life of woodei
stave pipe. under pressure and contin
ually filled with water, is only limite,
by the life of the bands. The durabil
iiy of the bands depends upon thu
character OF the soil in which they arr
placed The use OF iron or steel pipes
and iron bands or wooden pipes, b.
Durango. do not show that any salt
cNlSt mat VIII cause unuue COffosiOi
Of metal placed under ground.
The facilitr with which continuou
wooden staye pipe may be repaired Il
strong argument in favor of its use
In this respect the machine bande,
pipe would be as difficult to repair al
metallic pipe of any kind and. II
the event OF the corrosion of the bant
AT any point, 1t would require the re
placing of the entire joint. Consider
able damage might be done by the
bursting Of the pipe before the watel
could be shut off. Another point o
weakness in the machine banded pipt
Is the connection between the joints
The probability Of being unable t.
make tight joint under heavy pres
sure and the decay OF the overlapping
part OF the collar. where wood collar
are used. should be considered AL
of the wooden pipes examined and re
ported on during the trip of investiga
tion were. with two exceptions. o
the continuous staye pattern.
Al Pueblo. a 36-inch continuous stav'
Dina NJ rra0oo Ar has ham in MAJ