Prime Resins Slab Lifting Repair On Anthony Henday Highway

This summer, the concrete leg of the Anthony Henday ring road on the south side of Edmonton underwent a maintenance and repair project.

QUICKLY REPAIR ROAD SURFACE SETTLEMENT ISSUES

Both concrete and asphalt road surfaces are susceptible to settling due to the compaction or erosion of subsurface soils.

With asphalt roadways, Martech would recommend a subsurface soil stabilization foam like Prime Flex 920 permeation grout. This concrete slab lifting project used Precision Lift 3.5 compaction grout. Precision Lift 3.5 can also be used to lift sidewalk slabs, warehouse floors, concrete driveway, airport runways and other transport facilities.

In 3 days, the contractor's Prime Resins team repaired settled concrete slabs along the 11 km stretch of highway.

PRIME RESINS SLAB LIFTING RESULTS

In this section of the ring road, the six-year-old highway had settled as much as 2″ (51mm). Using Precision Lift 3.5 resin, the local Prime Resins contractor was able to quickly drill and inject the lifting foam into the subsurface space to lift the slab back to a level grade.

Using Prime Resins Precision Lift compaction grout, the contractor was able to lift and repair concrete panels approximately 3m x 6m in size in less than 60 minutes. This made the repair work go weeks ahead of schedule!

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRIME RESINS FOR YOUR SLAB LIFTING PROJECT

If you have a slab lifting project (either small or large scale), be sure to contact Martech before committing to a slab lifting material different than Prime Resins.

Martech Attends NASTT Northwest Trenchless Conference

Photo: Martech's Infrastructure Sales Territory Architect Liang Yu at a lecture in this year's NASTT Trenchless Conference

The North American Society for Trenchless Technology, NASTT, is a trade association that promotes the installation and renewal of underground utilities using no-dig, trenchless methods. Their 2012 Northwest Trenchless Conference was held in Edmonton, Alberta.

The innovative members of NASTT bring valuable new information to our infrastructure sales team during these events.

Martech’s Liang Yu, M.Sc Chem, M.Sc Materials Eng, attended this year’s Trenchless Conference to learn about the most current trenchless technology available for local projects. Liang also used conference to network with engineers in the Trenchless Industry to introduce innovative pipeline and manhole relining solutions.

Martech invests in keeping its team up to date on market trends and seeing new technology that we can offer to our customers in Canada.

Thank you NASTT-Northwest for a terrific, worthwhile event!

Prime Resins Repairs Concrete Bridge Cold Joint Separation Crack

Repair Solutions for Concrete Dams and Bridges

The Vermillion dam and bridge crossing has been an integral part Central Alberta’s reservoir and irrigation system for decades. The cold joints at either end of the dam have recently separated. This deterioration has created a gap in the wall as wide as 3.5″ at certain points.

This cold joint separation can lead to increased amount of pollutants in the reservoir, road deterioration and, if left untreated, a catastrophic failure in the dam and bridge.

Alberta Transportation investigated several repair options for this bridge, but they all required the reservoir to be drained to facilitate the rehabilitation project. Draining the reservoir was a massive expense that went far beyond the budget scope for this type of project. They needed another way to repair the cold joint separation.

How they fixed the cold joint separation crack without draining

Prime Resins and a local contractor partner were able to provide an innovative cold joint repair.

Using Prime Resins Oakum saturated in Prime Flex 900 to seal the surface of the cold joint gap. With a new surface in place, Prime Flex 900 was injected into the annular space to seal the remaining subsurface gap. Finally, a protective epoxy cover was applied to the surface.

Cold joint Prime Resins repair “before and after” results:

All of the products used to fix this cold joint separation are NSF61 Certified, safe for drinking water. This means the reservoir water is not at risk from toxic sealants or roadway contaminants. Alberta Transportation saved substantial costs by completing this repair project with Prime Resins instead of a) trying alternative repair methods or b) doing nothing and allowing the problem to continue into the future.

Let us answer your Waterworks and Transportation Repair questions:

Contact your local Martech representative to discover what innovative solutions we can bring to your transportation rehabilitation projects. Martech’s infrastructure experts will make your job easier.

Culvert Relining With APM Centri-Pipe- Best For Deep Culvert Pipes

Trenchless culvert relining: alternative to digging, replacing or sliplining old culvert pipes

I have discovered that most of Saskatchewan’s rural municipalities have at least one culvert that’s too expensive to dig up and replace. These culvert pipes are:

• Too deep under the road,
• Hard to access,
• Too big,
• Too long or
• Under a road where the traffic is too high to dig up the roadway and replace the line.

Look at this culvert: 30 feet of soil above the pipe. Digging this up and replacing it would take weeks and tens of thousands of dollars.

Photo: deteriorating culvert in Saskatchewan where the municipality can use Centri-Pipe to reline the pipe instead of digging up the road and replacing the culvert. In this location, there is 30 vertical feet of soil above the culvert pipe and it is not feasible to dig and replace. APM Centri-Pipe is the best option to save this culvert.

CENTRI-PIPE: PROVEN PIPE RELINING – trenchless alternative to culvert replacement and pipe sliplining

Culverts that were constructed during the 1980s are deteriorating and most are scheduled for replacement. Martech and AP/M Centri-Pipe want to introduce you to a proven culvert relining process that will save money and time for your department.

Centri-Pipe pipe relining has major benefits for small municipalities:

• Centri-Pipe is a trenchless solution – DO NOT dig up your roadway
• Reline your culvert pipe in a fast 1 to 3 day process
• The new lining gives full structural support
• Adds at least 40 years to your culvert’s service life (engineer says 70-100 years)
• Works with culverts 30″ to 120″ pipe diameter
• Almost zero loss of water flow rate after relining
• Environmentally friendly, no toxins in the mix
• Reline culverts all year round without stopping for winter

Photo: APM Centri-Pipe culvert relining before and after comparison photo. Before relining with Centri-Pipe, the culvert's bottom (invert) had almost entirely corroded away and a large amount of soil had been removed by erosion.

Guaranteed Stock: New Change In Martech Web Warehouse

A recent update to the Martech Web Warehouse makes communicating stock instructions to Martech easier and faster than ever!

The Guaranteed Stock button and Martech’s new Guaranteed Stock Process gives Web Warehouse customers a fast way to identify products they need a consistent, guaranteed supply on.

Imagine this scenario:
“I like this product and I use 10 units every 4 or 5 weeks. But Martech only seems to have 6 on the shelf.”

This is the perfect place scenario for us to use Guaranteed Stock.

After clicking the Guaranteed Stock button in the Web Warehouse, our sales team follows the Guaranteed Stock process by:
 (1) contacting the customer,
 (2) confirming the details of the expected demand,
 (3) arranging for Martech to have a new minimum stock level for you and
 (4) scheduling future follow-up calls with you to see if the stock level is meeting your needs or if it needs to be adjusted.

If you have a need for Guaranteed Stock with Martech, log into the Web Warehouse and click the button to see what happens!

New Martech Sales Territory Architect: Matt Jones

Martech’s Municipal Infrastructure Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Matt Jones as our Sales Territory Architect for British Columbia. Welcome to Martech, Matt!

“Martech’s approach to selling is vastly different to anything I have seen in my 15 years in the waterworks industry,” says Matt. “I have had the privilege of working in distribution and manufacturing businesses and Martech’s strategic selling is different than both. I look forward to honing and deploying the strategies that Martech employs to generate demand, drive sales and support relationships and success.”

“Martech has shown myself and my family an overwhelming amount of understanding for what an individual and family require for success and happiness. The unity shown in the culture of Martech assures me that this is a positive career move that will generate years of success. The structure in place for continuing development and education is something that I will embrace and flourish with.”

“I look forward to bringing my current skills to the Martech team, being coached and developed as a sales professional and delivering profits and success to my partners in the BC territory,” concludes Matt.

Matt has a successful selling history within the waterworks market in BC. His expertise with distribution selling and manufacturer representation will support Martech’s sales team in leveraging our combined skills and talents to be the hottest contracted sales company in Canada.

Matt started with Martech on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2012 and will be based in Martech’s Coquitlam, BC office. Please call or email Matt with a welcome message or send him an infrastructure question or opportunity.

 Matt Jones
 Sales Territory Architect (Infrastructure)
 Email: mjones@drivingstrategicsales.com
 Office: (604) 513-1309 ext 2123
 Mobile: (604) 365-0222

How To Make The Best Concrete Wall Pipe Penetrations In Calgary Airport

AIRPORT USES CENTURY-SLEEVES AND LINK-SEAL FOR PERFECT PIPE PENETRATIONS

LinkSeal modular seals allow a 20" pipe to penetrate this concrete wall and seal out groundwater from the other side in the Calgary Airport Expansion project.

The Calgary Airport is expanding to service the growing needs of the community.  Obviously, preserving the structural integrity of the new airport buildings is paramount to the financial and practical success of the expansion.

Pipe penetrations in areas where piping needs to enter and exit through concrete walls are a common source of leaking in below-grade spaces.  Leaking pipe penetrations lead to serious problems with the structure of the building such as:
◾Leaking water can erode the concrete wall, decreasing the life of the structure and necessitating repairs.
◾Leaking water can become a health hazard for individuals inside the building since the water is untreated.

Traditional pipe penetration installations would core a hole through the concrete wall. Coring through a concrete wall can cause damage to the rebar reinforcement in the structure.  Coring can break chips of concrete out of the wall and creating cracks in the concrete wall due to the additional stress of the coring machine.

The Calgary Airport Expansion engineering and construction team has avoided these risks and consequences by using GPT Century Line Sleeves and Link-Seal Modular Sales for their pipe penetrations.

To safely and efficiently create a pipe penetration hole in the wall, Century Line sleeves are mounted in the wall and the rebar is bent around the sleeve prior to the concrete pour. The sleeve is cast in place and popped out of the wall after the concrete is poured and cured.  Now there is a hole for the pipe penetration without any damage to rebar or concrete.

After the pipe is run through the wall, Link-Seal Modular Seals are installed around the pipe in the wall penetration. Link-Seal Modular Seals are mechanical seals that prevent any leaking through the structure at the point of entry by the pipe.

USE CENTURY-SLEEVES AND LINK-SEAL IN YOUR NEXT WALL PENETRATION

Use GPT Century-Line Sleeves and Link-Seal Modular Seals to get leak-proof seals around your pipe penetrations without jeopardizing the structural integrity of new buildings.

Martech stocks Link-Seal and Century-Sleeves for customers in Canada. You may need assistance selecting the model and quantity of your Link-Seal ring. No problem! Contact us to learn more!

Helix Labs Biofresh Is Easy Clean-Up For Sewer Spill

BIOFRESH™ BIOLOGICAL DEODORIZER DIGESTS ODOR-CAUSING WASTE

Sewer overflow spills solid and liquid waste from sewer system onto surface. Utility operators can now choose environmentally-friendly Helix Labs Bio Fresh™ to conduct a quick, odor-free cleanup after an event like this.

Mechanically cleaning, vacuuming or hosing a sewer overflow or wastewater spill will remove a lot of solid waste, but a layer or film of waste will remain to bother residents unless a chemical cleaner is applied. However, harsh chemical detergents can damage nearby vegetation and animal life.

It is better to use an environmentally friendly cleaner to finish the job.

WHAT IS BIOFRESH™

Helix Labs BioFresh™ is a premium biologically active product that works to deodorize, clean and restore areas affected by wastewater spills. BioFresh™ is non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-hazardous.

The BioFresh™ bacteria naturally deodorize and digest sewage, grease, food and other waste found in sewage and wastewater spills, toilets, urinals, garbage dumpsters and other odor sites. It has effective odor control agents and microorganisms that immediately knock down the most awful, noxious spills.

BioFresh™ is a very concentrated product and can be diluted with water to a 64:1 ratio. Operators and Cleaning Crews can apply BioFresh™ to a spill site with anything from a heavy sprayer to a mop bucket.

TRY BIOFRESH as a LOW COST, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANER

Helix Laboratories BioFresh is a biologically active cleaner available in 6 and 55 gallon pails.

If you are new to Helix Labs, bio-augmentation and biological odor control products, BioFresh™ will be an easy introduction for you and your team. BioFresh™ has been proven as an excellent clean-up product at dozens of cities in the United States.

Martech stocks Helix Labs BioFresh™ in 6 and 55 gallon containers. Start your BioFresh™ order by clicking sending your request to Martech.

Kypipe Adds Dynamic ARI Air Valves To Their Pipe2012 Design Software

AIR RELEASE VALVES FOR PIPELINE FLOW PERFORMANCE

KYPipe has been developing and supporting pipe system hydraulic flow analysis software for over 40 years. PIPE2012 is the most widely used pipe system hydraulic flow analysis software in the world. The strength and flexibility of PIPE2012 has made KYPipe an industry leader and the sophisticated algorithms used to analyze Steady State, Surge, Gas and Steam systems have been endorsed by leading experts in this field.

KYPipe has recognized the value of ARI’s Dynamic Air Valve to effectively prevent surge conditions in a pipeline. The ARI D070 air valve is now modeled within the KYPipe software for designers to use in their pipeline systems.

ARI is an innovative designer and manufacturer of pipeline air management products being used by municipalities and industries around the world. ARI would like to thank KYPipe for their endorsement!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ARI AIR VALVES

ARI is represented in Canada by Martech. If you would like a demonstration of how ARI’s air valves manage the air in a pipeline, please send an inquiry to the Martech’s technical sales team.

ARI D-040 Air Valves Release Air From Water Pipes In Small Town Saskatchewan

PROBLEMS FOR SMALL TOWN UTILITIES OPERATORS

What do you get with air in your pipes?

• Low flow rates
• Pumps have to work harder
• Danger of pipe collapse due to negative pressure during drain cycles
• Increased rate of corrosion inside pipes due to more oxygen in the line
• Sporadic expulsions of air from household faucets

I recently visited a small town in Saskatchewan with air in its water pipes. The Water & Sewer Operator told me his big clunky cast iron air valves weren’t working – air wasn’t able to leave (or enter) the water system because the valves weren’t performing like they were supposed to. He asked for help in finding a valve that would perform correctly.

I showed them the ARI D-040 combination air release / vacuum valve. Plastic, lightweight, modern and simple to install and maintain. The Waterworks Operator was very intrigued.

SWITCHING TO ARI’S PROVEN AIR VALVE SOLUTION

The day after I left, he ordered two D-040 ARI air valves from his local distributor to try on his distribution pumps. After installing his two valves, he got instant results. He was so impressed at the ease of installation and the immediate results that he went back to the distributor and ordered six more D-040 air valves to replace all the defective valves currently installed in their water distribution pumphouse.

Original air valves gave awful performance. These cast iron valves have been uninstalled and are ready for scrap.

When I visited a couple of weeks later to ask how things were going with the new ARI air valves, he told me he could not be happier. The D-040 air valves were easy to install and were performing perfectly, something he was not used to.

Before, he had to bang on air valves with a hammer to loosen up the internal mechanical valve components enough to give minimal performance. (You can see some hammer marks on the old valves.) He stated that residents in the town were getting air coming out of their kitchen taps as a result of the air valves not working properly.

RESULTS – WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW

Now he says he can hear the valves working when he is in the pumphouse. He has installed four new ARI D-040 valves on his distribution pumps and one D-040 each on the transfer pump, filter unit, back wash pump and on the pre-filter. Flow rates have improved and the “air coming out of the kitchen taps” problem has gone.

ARI D-040 combination air release / vacuum valve installed after water distribution pump in Saskatchewan.

Second D-040 air valve installed in small town Saskatchewan pumphouse.

SEE THE PROJECT DETAILS AND THIS FOREMAN’S TESTIMONIAL

To see high resolution photos of this installation and a testimonial from the town’s Waterworks Operator, contact a Martech representative and we will forward the project details to you within one business day.

Helix Labs Environmentally Friendly Grease-Eating Bacteria For Canadian Sewers

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, GREASE-EATING BACTERIA FOR WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

Grease. Grease. if it’s not treated as solid waste, it’s dumped into your water treatment system when home owners and commercial businesses rinse grease down their drains with hot water!

Liquid grease solidifies at 13°C (55°F), floats on water and adheres to sewer lines. Grease buildup in sewer pipelines reduces the capacity of the line and restricts the flow of wastewater (increasing the risk of overflow). Grease layers that break off can create total plugs downstream (guaranteeing a sanitary overflow event!).

Estimates by US Environmental Protection Agency state that 25-30% of all sewer blockages are caused by Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) build-up. 75% of sewer systems are working at half capacity due to grease build-up and clogs.

EXPENSIVE, NASTY CONSEQUENCES OF GREASE BUILDUP

• Raw sewage overflows into streets, parks, property and homes
• Lift station failures
• Residential, commercial and industrial service is disrupted
• Sewer operation and maintenance costs (and fees) go up.
• People are unhappy

ATTACK FOG BUILD-UP in SEWER LINES with ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, BIOLOGICAL SOLUTION

Helix Laboratories makes biological products that “eat this problem for breakfast”.

Helix Labs is a science-based company with an environmentally friendly philosophy. They create and manufacture bacteria & biological products that improve wastewater systems via Bio-Augmentation.

Bio-Augmentation is the addition of “helpful” bacteria to enhance the performance of biological systems in wastewater. Typical areas where bio-augmentation is applied are:

• Reducing and controlling F.O.G. build-up
• Eliminating odors
• Promoting biological stability in wastewater systems

How is this control and stability achieved? Helix bacteria consumes Fats, Oils, Grease (FOG) buildup in wastewater pipeline and lift stations. Using Helix Labs bacteria is similar to maintaining a swimming pool:

1. An initial SHOCK dosage
2. Ongoing MAINTENANCE dosage
3. Delivering a subsequent SHOCK dosage if required

Helix products are available in three delivery formats: Liquid form (best), Powders and Blocks. Municpal utilities and food businesses are encouraged to use the Helix bacteria to reduce and maintain lower levels of FOG and prevent new FOG build up in the sewer system.

ARE YOU WORKING WITH MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER SYSTEMS?

Contact us to obtain an “Introduction to Helix Labs bacteria” presentation.

• See the problems that Helix Labs bacteria can solve
• View before-and-after photos of real-world applications
• Learn about to easy-to-use Helix Labs products for sewer spills and pipeline jetting

"Full Installation" CAD Drawings Help Canadian Engineering Firms Stay Competitive

Staying competitive and profitable: Engineers add air valves faster with “Full Installation” CAD drawings

Whenever a new innovation enters the infrastructure market, Martech distributes detailed specifications and support for Engineers, Municipalities and Contractors. Making sure these groups have effective design tools for their projects means Martech will have good success introducing the new product in the field.

New innovations can increase input costs for the engineering firms who first utilize these products. Engineers understand the value new products can bring, but still need to spend time updating their designs to implement them properly so their clients can reap the benefits.  Air valves for water pipelines are one such innovation.

Sample CAD drawing showing full installation of ARI air valve for engineers to use when designing pipelines.

Implementing innovative air valve designs with low input costs

Air release valves are components designed to release air from water and wastewater pipelines and prevent failures in the pipe due to air expansion and water column separation. Self Contained Direct-Bury Air Release Valves allow utility operators to maintain these pipeline components for a fraction of the time and cost traditional air release valves require.

Martech has been increasing their support for partner engineering firms by contracting the design and production of “Full Installation” CAD Drawings for their Self Contained Direct-Bury Air Release Valves. Full Installation CAD Drawings are different than standard product specification drawings.  Martech is providing Full Installation drawings so engineers have all the design information and material requirements in a format that lets them copy and paste or drag and drop the drawing directly into their design.

Decreasing costs by speeding up design work

Full Installation CAD Drawings are a tool from Martech for engineers to support their projects and provide more value to their customers. Using the CAD drawings provided by Martech, the time required for the engineer to specify these air valves and utilize their capabilities goes down from 2 or 3 hours to about 10 minutes.

Request a sample Full Installation CAD Drawing for your air valve project

Are you designing a pipeline with air release valves? Contact us to request a Full Installation drawing for your project OR to see a sample DWG drawing.

Secure And Safe Infrastructure Access Covers

Innovative infrastructure access solutions from EJ enhance safety and security

To work on the infrastructure inside this manhole, crews have to lift this heavy access cover casting out of its seat and drop it on the ground. To reinstall, the worker has to lift the heavy casting up over 24" to get the cover back into its seat.

This patented design by EJ includes a pivoting stainless steel rod, which provides cover lift and rotation with minimal effort. The cover glides to the side, remaining fixed to the frame. Operators no longer need to risk strain or injury by awkwardly hoisting heavy covers when opening or closing the unit.

While out for an evening stroll in a local park with my wife, I noticed our local utility had installed raised manhole barrels to prevent surcharging during flood events from the nearby river. The attached photograph shows that the utility is concerned about security of the system, and has gone to some lengths to secure the casting.

This type of installation presents utility maintenance crews with an additional challenge: What do maintenance workers do with the cover when it is removed, and how do they reinstall the cover? Removal will mean taking the cover off of the structure then using a lift assist device (or second worker) to put the cover back in place.

An access cover that won’t break your back or smash your toes

EJ has developed the innovative Revolution® access cover assembly to addresses the problems of infrastructure security and worker safety. The Revolution® cover is permanently and securely mounted to the casting frame. Unlock, lift and easily swing sideways to safely open the cover.  Gravity and friction hold the cover open while maintenance work is underway. When work is completed, the Revolution® cover is simply swung back into place on its permanent sealed seat, and secured with EON bolts or optional padlocks. Simply stated, “A Walk In The Park”.

Your next steps:

1. Download the Revolution® one-page data sheet and review the product description and photos.
2. Contact Martech to learn more about the Revolution® and other innovative EJ infrastructure solutions.

Snow Storage Site Uses A.R.I. Air Valves On Water Drainage Pipeline

Combination air release/vacuum valves release air from the line when filling and allowing air to reenter the line when draining.

In the spring of each year, melting water from Edmonton’s snow storage and melting sites flows into pipelines that drain to the North Saskatchewan River. Installing air valves on these pipelines is necessary for optimal flow and efficient pump operation.

Managing the flow of water from Edmonton’s new northeast snow storage site was a problem that design engineers and project managers knew how to handle.  The 12 km pipeline from the snow storage site to the nearest storm drainage main required air release/vacuum valves to function properly. They specified the ARI’s modern D-020 air valve for the pipeline.

Older pipeline designs specified a “long body” air valve traditionally used with potable water, not raw water or wastewater. The long body air valves were being rendered inoperable by dirt and grime floating in the melting snow water. The non-functioning long body air valves were allowing air to be trapped in the pipeline which slowed the flow of water. Not good!

VIDEO: SEE THE AFFECT OF AN OPERATING AIR VALVE HAS ON PIPELINE WATER FLOW

Traditional “long body” air valve compared with modern ARI D020 air valve

The long body shape does not provide much room between the float and valve walls, making it very easy for dirt and grime to render the float immobile. ARI’s family of air valves for wastewater solve this problem by using a bell-shaped conical design to keep the float away from the sides of the valve wall.

TRADITIONAL AIR VALVE (left): Long body shape does not provide clearance between the float and valve walls, making it very easy for dirt and grime to render the float immobile. The top ball-plug and bottom ball float are connected by a rigid stick, which increases the probability of eventual damage to the port and seal when the ball is repeatedly smashed up during turbulent operation. ARI D020 AIR VALVE (right): specially designed to operate with liquids carrying solid particles such as wastewater and effluent. The bell-body shape provides extra room to prevent the ball float from becoming clogged and the sloped wall also prevents the grease from clinging to the wall. The top seal and bottom ball float are connected by a spring, which eliminates the chance of damage from turbulence.

Traditional “long body” design leads to service and performance issues

In a turbulence situation, any movement of the traditional air valve’s float causes an equal movement of the ball-plug. As turbulence bounces the float, the ball-plug bounces too. As the plug bounces, more and more air escapes, dwindling the air pocket. In the turbulence within the air valve, dirt is splashed up to the sealing mechanism and orifice seal, causing leakage and damages.

Learn more about how ARI’s innovation offers reliability and long-term performance

ARI air valves are a highly reliable solution for drinking water, raw water and waste water. The design engineers and Roadways Maintenance team selected the ARI D020 air valve for its reliability and long term performance capabilities.

For a detailed profile of this project (including 17 high quality photos showing the installation of one of the D-020 self-contained, direct-bury air valves), please contact us for more information.

Saskatchewan City Restores Leaking Concrete Water Clarifier

Water treatment in large urban communities is an ongoing concern for utility operators, administrators and citizens. Water clarifiers play an important role in water treatment cycles by removing heavier sludge and solids from raw untreated water. Due to population growth, a community in Saskatchewan completed a water clarifier refurbishment project and brought an old piece of infrastructure back online.

Repairing leaks in old cracked concrete

This concrete water clarifier developed flaws and defects over years of use. Cold joints in the concrete had started to leak and large cracks were allowing significant amounts of ground water to infiltrate into the clarifier body. Honeycombing in the concrete was beginning to appear and that added to the leaking problems. Before this clarifier could be used again these leaks had to be stopped.

The city needed a durable leak-sealing solution that would stand up to the demands of daily water production. New Shield Restorations, a Martech partner contractor, was contracted to solve this problem. The contractor was very experienced in using polyurethane resins and had no reservations taking on this large undertaking.  New Shield Restorations relied on Prime Flex 900 XLV by Prime Resins to solve all the leak issues.

Leak-sealing solution: Prime Flex 900 XLV chemical grout

Prime Flex 900 XLV is an environmentally friendly polyurethane resin that bonds with concrete to form a tough, flexible, watertight seal.  It is safe for drinking water (meets the NSF 61 standard) and is the best injection product for sealing leaks. Prime Flex 900 XLV is a “hydrophilic” resin – it chases water as it reacts. The resin gets into the smallest cracks where water is leaking then reacts with the water and expands to seal the leak permanently.

Using one touch packers and high pressure mechanical injection ports, the New Shield team injected the Prime Flex 900 XLV resin into active leaking cracks, cold joints and honeycombed concrete voids. This refurbished concrete clarifier structure was quite large, approximately 100′ x 100′ x 25′ deep. After a week of carefully sealing all leaks, the project was finished and the clarifier was ready to be brought back into production.

Are you a UTILITIES OPERATOR with leaking concrete infrastructure?
Are you a CONCRETE REPAIR CONTRACTOR searching for better leak repair solutions?

To learn how to use chemical grouts to stop leaks and seal all manner of concrete infrastructure (water channels, manholes, storage tanks, anywhere water is leaking through concrete) contact us to request more information from Martech’s Municipal Infrastructure team.

Multi-Line Casings Spacers Solve Heat Expansion/Contraction Of Pipes In Cased Crossings

In typical cased crossings, a single carrier pipe is placed in a casing pipe in order to allow the buried carrier pipe and its contents to be protected underneath road, rail and other infrastructure.

In applications such as a water treatment plant or a refinery, where there are dozens of pipes that need to be protected, creating a cased crossing for each individual line is costly in both time, construction area and building capital.

To save time, space and cost, utilities have experimented with running multiple carrier lines in a single casing. This tactic will work – unless there are different hot and cold contents flowing in the carrier pipes. Heat expansion in one line but not in the others as it can lead to a catastrophic failure in the entire system!

When one or two of the carrier lines has a higher heat expansion rate than the others in the crossing, the casing and all of the carrier lines are at risk of cracking or rupture.

Martech, along with GPT Casing Spacers, have specially designed multi-line casing spacers to accommodate that expansion and contraction and bear the weight of these carrier lines. Thanks to this revolutionary design, these multi-line conduits now have a high safety factor when in operation and allow more carriers to be installed in the single crossing. This saves the refinery in project and design costs, as well as lower the amount of space used in an often crowded system.

Multiple carrier lines, safe from heat-expansion damage, in a single casing.

Martech and GPT are creating new and innovative cased crossing options for engineers to use in water, wastewater, energy and environmental projects.

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How can you get more information about this new multi-line casing spacer?

Contact Martech for more information about these multi-line casing spacers.

New A.R.I. Air Valve Design For Shale Gas Extraction Frac Water Lines

Shale gas is natural gas trapped within shale rock formations deep underground.  Part of the gas extraction process is the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of the shale rock.  The water/sand/chemical mixture used to fracture the shale is so corrosive, it can deteriorate stainless steel.

Keeping the inflow and outflow lines functional and safe is a primary concern when a fracking operation is underway. Engineers designing shale gas extraction sites need to ensure that the line performs optimally while reducing the chance of environmental issues. With the risk of corrosive fluid deteriorating air valves, how can an engineer size and locate air valves on inflow water and outflow frac water lines?

ARI D023 air release valve on shale gas frac water lines

After consulting with shale gas extraction design engineers, ARI and Martech have developed a high pressure industrial air release valve using Duplex Stainless Steel that is designed to function in this corrosive environment.

ARI’s avCad software has been updated to support the engineer’s use of this new air valve.  To ensure the line achieves optimal performance, project engineers use the ARI avCad design program to determine where air release valves should be placed on the line and which model and size valve will work best.

Thanks to Martech and ARI, engineers now have a functioning solution to manage the flow of corrosive liquids. Contact your Martech Infrastructure Sales Representative and ask where ARI air release valves, ARI avCad software and your Martech technical representative can support your pipeline projects.

Download:

ARI D023 Duplex ASTM industrial air valve specifications (PDF)

4 Reasons To Use Hymax Couplings During Waterworks Pipe Repair Jobs

A water pipe breaks underground.  An immediate response from service and repair crews is required. How long will it take them to repair the pipe?

Shutting off the water service, digging up the damaged section of pipe, removing it, coupling in a new length of pipe, filling the hole and laying new asphalt is a time consuming and expensive job. In Canada’s northern cities, pipe repair is often a very cold job. Cities in Manitoba are using TPS Hymax pipe repair couplings to make the work go faster.

WHY DO CITIES IN MANITOBA USE HYMAX PIPE COUPLINGS?

TPS designed the Hymax multi-range pipe repair couplings to be installed with a minimum amount of time and effort.

1. Hymax installs faster – the coupling goes on the pipe with only one bolt per end
2 .Less digging – no under-dig required with Hymax top-bolt tightening action
3. Fast pipe cuts – long 12″ couplings mean faster pipe cuts and less time in the ditch doing the repair.
4. Multi-range couplings means municipalities can reduce their repair inventories. “One size fits many pipes”.

I made a follow up call to a customer in northern Manitoba who had just received his shipment of TPS Hymax pipe repair couplings. This sale was facilitated by one of our partner distributors in Manitoba.

The call was to thank the customer for the order, to offer any technical support and to ask for personal feedback on the use of the Hymax repair coupling. The customer let me know that they’d been using the Hymax coupling for some time now and love it. The light-weight, multi-range gasket fits all pipe sizes.

“The faster you can install the repair coupling onto the pipe, the less time repair crews are stuck working in the cold, hard dirt.”

The quick Hymax two-bolt tightening system also earned praise. In the north, they are quite often installing and repairing pipes in tight spaces with very little room because of the bedrock.  This is where only having two bolts really comes in handy. Any way you can spend less time “in the hole” is a good thing. This is where the Hymax coupling gives operators and installation workers a true benefit.

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TRY HYMAX COUPLINGS IN YOUR NEXT PIPE REPAIR JOB

Ask Martech to arrange a Hymax trial purchase for your department. Contact a sales representative for answers about Hymax multi-range pipe repair couplings.

Don Anderson is Martech’s Sales Territory Architect for Municipal Infrastructure in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.  Don can be reached via e-mail (danderson@drivingstrategicsales.com) or phone (800-461-0006 ext 4100).

Lifting Concrete Slabs With Precision Lift™ Expanding Grout

Soil compaction and erosion has created a void under this concrete sidewalk slab, causing it to settle and create an unsafe ridge in the sidewalk.

Road settlement is a concerns for municipalities and transportation authorities. If soil compaction and erosion occurs under the roadway (or sidewalk), a void will be created under the surface and cause the roadway or sidewalk to collapse and settle into the void causing breaks and ridges on the surface.

Soil compaction and erosion has created a void under this concrete sidewalk slab, causing it to settle and create an unsafe ridge in the sidewalk.

Sidewalk settlement (broken sidewalks) draw a lot of attention from road maintenance departments because they are more common and may potentially cause more serious accidental hazard. A Honolulu jury recently awarded a California woman more than $3.6 million in damages for injuries she sustained when she fell on a Waikiki sidewalk. What can your department do to avoid a similar accident?

Three prevalent options to repair or lift settled, broken sidewalk slabs are:

1.Dig up the sidewalk and pour a new one to replace it (most expensive!)
2.Use a concrete slurry to fill the void under the sidewalk and lift the settled slab back into place
3.Use an expanding chemical grout to fill the void under the sidewalk and lift the settled slab back into place

Martech, Prime Resins and our contractor partners are successfully introducing Canadian municipalities to the best way to fix sidewalk settlement issues: Precision Lift™ polyurethane expandable chemical grouts.

Precision Lift™ compared to Traditional Cement Slurry

Quickly Fill Voids and Lift Concrete Slabs with Precision Lift™

A slab-lifting project with Precision Lift™ requires only a 1 or 2 man crew with a truck to accomplish the job. Typical sidewalk lifting jobs are usually done within 1 hour. The hole in the sidewalks is only 3/8″, instead of the 2″ or more needed for traditional concrete solutions.

Precision Lift™ is a permanent fix for settlement issues.  The polyurethane grout bonds to the sand and gravel underneath the slab and sets into a permanent stable foundation. The cured materials are also water resistant, and they will hold in place preventing future settlement issues.

Find out more about how Precision Lift™ slab lifting can work for your city. 

Contact Martech for information on how to apply this slab lifting solution in your area.

Liang Yu is Martech’s Sales Territory Architect for Municipal Infrastructure in Northern Alberta. Liang can be reached via e-mail (lyu@drivingstrategicsales.com) or phone (800-461-0006 ext 3524).

Water Project Saves $1.7M By Installing Air Valves Without Manholes

Manholes have high construction costs and maintenance costs. The typical traditional manhole for an air valve costs around $15,000 each.  Maintenance in this manhole will requires confined space entry, which necessitates a 3-person crew and a service truck costing $500 to 1000 per maintenance trip.

In a new water supply pipeline project in 2011, a municipality in Central Alberta saved the cost of building and maintaining a manhole for every single air valve. They used the ARI D-090 direct-bury self-contained air valve kits to install air valves on the line without manholes.

Total cost savings:

Using the ARI D-090 direct-bury self-contained air valve removes the need for a manhole chamber.  The compact and lightweight air valve design saves time and installation costs for the contractors: the initial cost of a D-090 (including installation) is about $8000. We saved capital costs for the owner and engineers, lowered the installation costs for contractors, and drastically reduced maintenance costs for the pipeline operators.

Total savings: $7000 x 100 air valves = $700,000 in two years for Alberta Central East (ACE) projects. In 2011, we saved more than half million dollars in project capital costs for Urban System and the ACE. Our people met and trained the contractors to make the installation easier and faster. The savings in each air valve maintenance trip is more than $500 (no confined space access costs!). The total maintenance cost saving is $500 x 100 air valves x 20 years = $1,000,000 (and this is based on a conservative estimate).

Using the ARI D-090 air valves is saving this Alberta municipality more than $1.7 million in capital and maintenance costs.