An Introduction to Price Brothers
C-303 Bar-Wrapped Pipe (BWP)
What is Bar-Wrapped Pipe?
Bar-Wrapped Pipe (BWP) is the simplified term for AWWA C-303 Bar-Wrapped Steel Cylinder Concrete Pressure Pipe. A welded steel cylinder with welded joint rings forms the watertight membrane. A centrifugally cast lining is added that provides internal corrosion protection. Steel reinforcing bar is wrapped under measured tension around the cylinder at a uniform spacing, then mortar coating is applied over the cylinder and bar to further protect the steel components from external corrosion.
In addition to providing corrosion protection to the steel components, the portland-cement-based lining and coating provide pipe stiffness unmatched by flexible pipe.
What is the history of BWP?
The design for bar-wrapped concrete cylinder pipe was developed in 1942, and it was produced in large quantities as early as the 1950s. The AWWA standard for the pipe was issued in 1970 as "AWWA C303-70 Standard for Reinforced Concrete Water Pipe--Steel Cylinder Type, Pretensioned." More recently the term "pretensioned" has been replaced with the more commonly used term "bar-wrapped." Over the past 40 years, thousands of miles of BWP have been installed in the western and southwestern United States, and in Canada.
 |
 |
|
BWP's lighter weight allows shipment of more pipe per truckload for reduced transportation costs.
|
What are benefits of BWP?
In addition to reliable performance, BWP from Price Brothers Company offers system owners several benefits including cost efficiency in terms of materials, handling, and installation, plus the inherent corrosion protection provided by combining steel with portland cement mortar. A major feature of BWP is its lighter weight, which offers the advantage of shipping more pipe per truckload. BWP also offers rugged durability, minimal maintenance, and long service life--which all adds up to excellent value for your pipeline investment.
BWP allows for easy modifications in the field, such as adding a manhole outlet, making service taps, and performing simple repairs should the pipe be damaged.
What are BWP applications?
BWP is very versatile and is well-suited to projects requiring a pipe diameter of 24 to 48 inches, with a working pressure of 300 PSI or less. These include transmission mains, distribution feeder mains, sewer force mains, gravity sewers, intake and discharge lines, and plant piping. BWP is an economical product for use in water reclamation projects in areas where water is a scarce resource.
How does BWP compare with C-301 PCCP?
For over fifty years, Price Brothers Company has built an international reputation for providing superior quality Prestressed Concrete Cylinder Pipe (PCCP) as specified by AWWA C-301.
Price Brothers offers BWP as an alternative to PCCP because--in some commonly used sizes and for some applications--BWP can offer comparable durability and performance with lower costs for materials, transportation, and installation.
While BWP resembles PCCP, its manufacture requires less concrete, so it weighs about 1/2 to 2/3 as much as the same size PCCP. This means lower freight costs and may even mean that lighter weight installation equipment can be used at the job site.
The steel cylinder in BWP is slightly thicker than that used in PCCP, and it undergoes the same hydrostatic testing to assure watertightness. In place of the tension-wrapped prestressing wire used in PCCP, a mild steel reinforcing bar is wrapped around the steel cylinder after the inner lining has been placed and cured. The outer mortar coating is applied in the same way as with PCCP and offers the same protection to the steel components.
BWP uses the same proven and reliable joint systems as PCCP including the Snap Ring® and harnessed type restrained joint. A full selection of short sections, bevels, fittings and outlet pipe is available from Price Brothers.
 While BWP and PCCP provide equal reliability and performance, the differences in materials and manufacturing for each product result in BWP being more economical at medium and low working pressures (below 300 psi) and moderate coverage (less than 10 feet) for sizes up to 48-inch diameter. For more extreme conditions and sizes above 48-inch, PCCP is the most economical concrete pressure pipe product.
Initially, Price Brothers will produce BWP in sizes from 24 to 48 inches in diameter (see chart below). PCCP will continue to be available for all sizes from 16 to 144-inch diameter.
Is BWP easily adaptable in the field?
BWP, like PCCP, has a wide range of fittings and bevel adapters available for various field conditions. Built-in manholes, air-relief valves and other connections are easily manufactured. BWP can be readily field tapped by a Price Brothers Tapping Service crew. In addition, if a pipe should be subjected to damage, several repair methods can be accomplished by a qualified crew.
How else is Price Brothers Company supporting BWP?
Price Brothers offers technical and design assistance from the very start of your project. Engineered designs are prepared to fit the exact project conditions. Detailed layout schedules are developed to assist in installation. Field Service Representatives are available to assist with project start-up and ongoing monitoring of installation. Tapping Services can be provided both during and after installation of the pipeline. In short, our BWP customers can count on receiving the same exceptional support that has made Price Brothers Company the leader in the concrete pressure pipe industry.
Price Brothers Bar-Wrapped Pipe can deliver an unbeatable combination of value and performance
The costs of any pipeline project go far beyond just materials--there are the expenses of planning and design, disruption of service, securing right-of-way, transportation, installation, and ongoing maintenance expenses, to name just a few.
When taking all of these project factors into consideration, the most cost-effective pipe will be the one that is the most durable, especially when it offers trouble-free performance and operating economy.
By choosing Bar-Wrapped Pipe from Price Brothers Company, it's simple to achieve the optimal combination of reliability and lasting durability that adds up to true long-term value for every dollar invested.
Contact your Price Brothers representative to determine whether BWP pipe is right for your next project, or call our Dayton headquarters any time at (937) 226-8700 or 1-800-543-5147 (U.S. only).
|
