The most recent phase of infiltration and inflow (I/I) removal construction in Quincy involved replacing leaking sewer manholes located in a busy four lane road along the ocean. Multiple utilities were encountered during construction – both marked and unmarked – and change order claims resulted. This presentation highlights design measures taken and oversight actions executed that helped prevent further claims and protected the client against unsubstantiated claims.

At the MWRA's Deer Island Treatment Plant, facility staff noticed deformation and damage in the fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) segmented dome covering the 80-foot diameter Gravity Thickener No. 2 in the spring of 2007.  After an assessment confirmed the dome’s failure, it continued to deform and eventually collapsed.  A forensic investigation identified the cause of failure as a flaw in the dome's design/fabrication. Publication of this may alert owners of similar structures to the potential of failure. A detailed abstract for this article has been uploaded.

Enclosed is a pdf version on a presentation I was involved with at the NEWEA annual conference. Please let me know if you would be interested in a journal based on this topic.

This is a presentation given at NEWEA 2012 in Boston.  There are multiple authors, Carina Hart, Parviz Amirhor, PhD, PE & John Riccio of MWRA.

This was presented at the NEWEA 2012 Annual Conference

WHEN YOU ARE WORKING IN A TANK AND YOU NEED TOOLS, TRADISHIONALLY LOWER THEM DOWN WITH A ROPE AND SOMETIMES A BUCKET. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT THE ROPE COULD HAVE A TENDENCY TO SLIP OUT OF YOUR HANDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR BUDDY IN THE TANK BELOW LOADS UP YOUR BUCKET WITH EVERY TOOL IN THE BOOK. WHEN YOU PULL THE TOOLS UP YOU ARE LEANING OVER THE RAILINGS AND LIFTING WITH JUST YOUR ARMS AND A BAD POSTURE.

WITH THE CROSBY TOOL HOIST YOU WORK BETTER. THE PULLEY IS ABOVE YOUR SHOULDERS AND YOU ARE NOT LEANING OVER A RAILING. YOU GET TO USE YOUR BACK AND LEGS TOO, NOT JUST YOUR ARMS.

I HAVE ABOUT 40’ OF ROPE ON MY UNIT. OUR TANKS ARE 20 TO 30 FEET DEEP. THE EXTRA ROPE IS FOR WRAPPING UP PARTS OR TOOLS AS NESCESARY. WHEN YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROPE FOR YOUR JOB, YOU LEAVE THE REST OF IT ON THE TWO EYE BOLTS ON THE BRACKET.WHEN YOU ARE DONE, YOU PULL THE ROPE UP AND WRAP IT AROUND THE EYE BOLTS SO THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO CAUSE A TRIPPING HAZARD. THE BRACKETS HAVE MULTIPLE HOLES IN THEM SO THEY CONFIGURE TO THE DIFFERENT TANK RAILINGS IN OUR PLANT. THE BEGINNING OF THE ROPE HAS A HASP ON IT TO SNAP AROUND A BUCKET HANDLE OR LOOP THE ROPE THROUGH YOUR TOOL AND HOOK THE ROPE.

THE HOIST HAS A CAPASITY OF ABOUT 50 POUNDS. THE ROPE IS ½ “ NYLON AND THE FRAME IS GALVINISED STEEL. THIS HOIST HAS BEEN OUTSIDE IN THE PLANT FOR AT LEASTY 4 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS.

I HAVE A BETTER, MORE PROFESIONAL, POWER POINT PRESENTATION ON MY FILES, BUT IT IS TOO BIG TO EMAIL. I DO HAVE IT ON CD. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO PUBLISH THIS, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL SEND THE CD.

The Hyannis Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) has a long history of

 Existing unreinforced concrete pipe has been encountered in several ongoing sewer separation projects in Chicopee, MA.  Design and construction near a pipe that appears to be standard reinforced concrete pipe becomes a challenge when the pipe unexpectedly fails. The unreinforced pipe can only be identified from the distinctive concrete ribbing on the exterior wall of the pipe. This article will detail the case study of the unreinforced pipe in Chicopee and some recommended possible solutions.