JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010 - 42

USERS’ PLATFORM Successfull partners Earthquake-proof FRPM pipes In 2009, Kurimoto Plastics Co. won a JEC Asia Innovation Award (Building & Construction category) for an innovative fibreglass-reinforced plastic mortar (FRPM) pipe for sewage systems. The pipe was developed jointly with its partner, the National Institute for Rural Engineering (Japan). I n recent years, Japan has experienced major problems with concrete sewage pipes corroded by the highly acid environment in sewage systems. As a result, the Japanese authorities are pressing for sewage system pipes with strong corrosion resistance and improved durability. Moreover, a demand for earthquakeresistant sewage systems emerged after the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Here is Kurimoto’s solution within this context. More information Kurimoto, Ltd. began operating as a manufacturer of cast iron pipes for water and gas mains in 1909. The company rapidly diversified into other industrial fields. Its main divisions now provide ductile iron pipes, steel structures, plant equipment and engineering services, valves, plastic products, and construction materials. Involvement in large-scale projects has enabled Kurimoto to expand its areas of expertise, be it in land development, industrial modernization, or urban renewal and construction. The Kurimoto group has 11 factories throughout Japan and 30 subsidiaries, employing about 3,400 people. Today, the group plays a vital role in supplying basic industrial products, machines, and services in Japan and abroad. Structure of FRPM pipes FRPM pipes are made of a layer of resin mortar sandwiched between interior and exterior FRP layers. The whole system is formed and hardened into one body. The FRP layers consist of high-strength glass fibres circumferentially and axially wound using the filament winding process and hardened with thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin. The resin mortar is a polyester concrete made from selected fine sand hardened with unsaturated polyester resin. Its compressive strength is several times as high as an ordinary cement concrete. The interior and exterior FRP layers bear the bending stress of pipes, while the middle resin mortar layer keeps each FRP layer at a certain interval and transmits shearing force. Dynamically, this structure is ideal, offering excellent resistance to external pressures such as soil and truck loads, and to various internal pressures as well. Advantages FRPM pipes have excellent corrosionresistance and durability properties, while concrete sewage pipes are corroded by the highly acid environment found in sewage systems. FRPM pipes have excellent earthquake-proof properties, and they do not crack even in case of a strong earthquake. These flexible pipes can adjust to ground displacement due to the flexibility and elasticity of joints. FRPM pipes are strong enough to withstand internal and external pressures. Due to their flexibility, the stress occurring in the ground is lower than for non-flexible pipes. Therefore, they don’t require any special foundation, regardless of ground depth. Superior dimensional precision at joints and an jec composites magazine / No55 February - March 2010

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #55 - February/March 2010

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