INSTRUCTOR:  Mark Peterson, P.E.

Purpose and Background

When water under pressure is forced to change directions, such as at a bend, large forces exist that try to separate the pipe at joints. This webinar covers the design of two different types of measures to offset these large forces: thrust blocks and restrained joints. The design of thrust blocks is more complicated than the standard details that are often used, and the design for joint restraint requires an understanding of the resisting forces and an understanding of the calculations necessary to determine the length of pipe that needs to be restrained. This webinar also provides examples of numerous types of joint restraint products that are available.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Thrust forces at bends, tees, valves and plugs
• Soil parameters
• Sizing thrust blocks
• Restrained joint types
• Required restrained joint length

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the forces in pressure pipes at bends
• Understand how thrust blocks resist the thrust forces
• Understand how restrained joints resist the thrust forces

Webinar Benefits

• Learn how pipe pressure influences the thrust forces at bends
• Find out why the standard details for thrust blocks may be inadequate for your location
• Learn how thrust block should be sized
• Examine some of the options now available to restrain joint, in lieu of thrust blocks
• Learn how to calculate the required length of pipe that needs to be restrained